Chapter 2: Doofus? An Accident.
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Zina is packing up her things since her class just ended while also from her peripheral view she saw a glimpse of a familiar figure outside the window, her little brother, talking with Jacob. She reached inside her pocket and grabbed her phone, checking for possible messages from her irregular job in a junk shop. 'Zero Messages', looks like she's safe to go straight home today. She stepped out of the classroom with a followed "Hey" from Jacob. She smiled "We ready to go?" he shook his head, while his mouth seems to be doing a kind of pointing towards my brother "He, still has to say something", a tone that sounds like he's in trouble. She looked at her brother with a raised brow "Alright doofus, spill". Her brother groaned and just walked past them, seeming eager to walk out of the situation. They followed suit but Zina wasn't satisfied and kept on nudging his brother "Talk to me man" she jokes.
With a deep sigh and a pause "Jacob got you a job but I don't like it". Her figure immediately pointed towards Jacob "What the heck did you say to my brother?". He laughed and waved his hand gesturing that it's nothing "Just told him I found you a gig in a karaoke bar and he-"he burst out laughing and couldn't even finish while Zach is just covering his ears "La-la-la! Enough!!" over and over again. I placed my arm around my brother "Don't worry, karaoke bars are safe", saying that out loud, completely assuring my brother. I know he's very careful and pessimistic, he probably thought the karaoke bars have stripping poles or something. "Yes, safe they are, little Zachary. No stripping unless customers get drunk, I hope not!" He continued laughing. Followed by a smack in the head from Zina "Enough mocking my brother, he's just protective". Her brother's eyes lit up "Of course I am!", happy that his sister is taking his side.
About thirty minutes passed by and they're already walking in an alleyway straight to the siblings' house.
"No Junk shop helping today?" Jacob asked out of nowhere "Nah, no message so-"his eyes lit up "Study time!". Zina groaned "All you want is to study, even though I'm the only one ending up finishing my work". As the conversation continues, they already arrived at the gate and opened it up. "You home? Kids?" they heard their father. "Dad is something wrong?! Jacob told me you-". She entered the door, seeing his father with a brace on his left arm "How.., are you okay dad? What happened?" her tone softened, completely worried. Her brother appeared behind her, seeing her sister's bag dropped on the floor, picked it up and put his and her things on the chair. While Jacob was completely confused and worried, still busy removing his socks and shoes. "Had a little accident on the job... saved my boss though so he ended up paying for my injury", he smiled, doing his best to calm his kids' anxiety. "Dad, I'm glad your boss paid but how... is it serious?" Zina pointed at her dad's brace. "No, it'll be removed after three months or less, don't worry".
Jacob's POV
Seeing Zina's father injured made my heart hurt, her family is already like my own. "You still want me to stay here, uncle?" I asked him, though really, I still want to stay and be with Zina, "Sure, I don't mind. I just can't cook tonight". His daughter butted in "Definitely no cooking tonight so I will". Zach sounded annoyed "I'll cook instead, I don't want my dear sister burning anything". We laughed and his sister said "Game on!". They're really a competitive sister-brother duo.
As the two siblings went to their rooms, bickering about who's to be on cooking duty for MTWS and TTHSun, I heard my name being called "Come here Jacob". Mr. Xanders said, which is their father. "Yes uncle? Anything you need?'. He gestured for me to sit down by using his other arm "Is it okay to walk with them every day for a while starting tomorrow?", with a wide smile I said "Of course! Don't need to worry uncle". He laughed followed with a cough, startled I picked up the glass on the table and filled it up with water "Thank you iho, It's hard to keep on check with them from time to time as they're very close". He grunted as he finished drinking his water. I agreed with a nod, followed by a series of more talking, laughing, I lastly said "You're really a good man Mr. Xanders", he left me with a nod and he went to his room.
I'm so glad Zina's in my life, a true friend, best friend, only? I don't know...
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Filipino Terms:
iho - A term used by someone older than the male/guy/man, they're referring to, or calling out to.