Chapter 2| The Punishment

"How are you?"

"Fuck you!"

He laughed after I scolded him. I shook my head.

"Tita scolded you last night, isn't she?" he teased and wiggled his eyebrows as he followed me walking down the hallway of the university.

"Because you're such a pain in my ass. You always wanted to be the best." I hissed bitterly. I could see the grin on his face slowly fading. He averted his gaze to our way. 

I hate him! I hate him for being my cousin!

"Haven't you had breakfast yet? Let's eat. My treat. Let's go to the cafeteria." he offered. I took a glance at him and keep my both hands on my pant's pocket.

He never changes. I know this is how he says sorry since we were little up until now.

"Okay." I agreed and we went to the cafeteria together.

*  *  *  *

"Carbonara with one piece of fried chicken and tuna pasta for my cousin please," he ordered and he smiled sweetly at the lady crew in the cafeteria.

"Noted, Sir." the lady crew said shyly and pinned her hair behind her right ear.

My cousin's smile grew bigger after seeing it before he shifted his gaze to me.

"Let's go! Let's find a table." he preceded and walk ahead of me. I immediately followed him. 

The place we chose was in the corner, just next to the glass window.

After sitting down, I stared at my cousin's face. As if I was reading him. 

"What?" he asked and laughed shakingly. I know he was thinking that I looked weird right now. 

My eyes narrowed as if I was examining him. Eventually, I just laugh that makes his two eyebrows get in one line. 

"You know how to flirt? It's new to me. You are hiding something. Mommy is wrong about you." I commented on what he did at the counter. I grin. 

Mommy can never compare me to my cousin anymore because we are actually the same—

"At least I excel in class."

All the hopes and beautiful scenery forming in my head were suddenly shattered and disappeared like a bubble. My both shoulder dropped as I leaned my back in the chair and looked at him furiously. 

"You're such a pain in the ass, Miggy." I hissed and crossed my arms.

"My pleasure to be your worst nightmare." he fights back with a grin. I frowned. We stared intently at each other as if there's a staring contest. No one dares to lose. 

"Good morning, Sir. Here's your order." our staring contest was cut off by the sudden voice that came from our side.

I looked at the food that the server served in front of us. The annoyance I was feeling quickly subsides. I hurriedly pick up the fork next to the plate and hungrily scooped up the pasta.

"I knew it! I know your weakness. Tuna pasta makes you a seven-year-old kid!" he teased and laugh hardly as if his throat is going to break. I ignored what he had said. I was busy with the food on my plate. It's mouthwatering! Tuna pasta is my fucking favourite!

"Slow down, dude. Tita will be going to scold me if you die due to suffocation." he teased once again. Still, I didn't pay attention to him. It's more meaningful to face this delicious meal in front of me than talking to my monkey cousin.

"If you're bullying me inside of your head and saying I'm a monkey, you're a monkey too. Why? Because we're blood-related."

I almost choked on what I have heard. I quickly reached for the glass of ice tea and drank it straight.

"Huh! I'm right! You're silently bullying me!" he rants and even slapped the table.

I wipe my lips with a tissue first before I face him.

"Since then, we haven't been able to get along nicely. Even until now, we're still like this. What else are you expecting? I'm just putting up with you because you're my cousin, monkey." I laughed. Looks like he was about to explode in annoyance because of the last word.

"How dare you calling me a monkey?!" he hissed which made me giggle.

"Huh! Do you think I want to be with you? A nut like you? Of course not! If it wasn't for Tita's request, I wouldn't have been by your side for a long time!" he scoffed before he continued eating.

I puff air in my mouth and adjusted my crossed arms as I watch him eat. I smirked. We are like cats and dogs. The other students who are eating here are already looking at us. 

I boringly glance outside the window. I silently watching the leaves dancing in the air before falls to the ground.

"My mom opens up again the topic about arrange marriage," I shared. I feel he stops for a second in his seats. I heard him sigh and sit up straight. 

"Maybe, Tita wants the best for you that's why she's eager to do that. You're her son so we—"

"Miggy... C'mon!" I cut him off and massage my temple due to stress.

"Do you know why she's doing that? It is because what you're doing right now is no longer valid Alexander and I know Tita. For sure the girl she will pair with you will be good for you. Will help you to grow and become a good man." he sincerely said. My eyes narrowed at what I've heard.

I suspiciously stared at him. 

"Why it sounds like you knew the girl that my mother wanted me to marry?"

"H-huh?! O-of course not! I don't know who she is." he immediately answered.

I look at him intently. I brought my face closer to him and tracing every detail of his face. Examining if he's lying.

"You're lying. You're sweating." I said and slapped the top of our table that made him startled.

"I-I swear Alexander! I swear! I didn't know who she was! I swear!" Then he raised his right arm. Sending me a signal that he's telling the truth. I sceptically sat down properly at my seats while looking at him for too long. 

"Okay," I replied contentedly. I saw he sighed in relief.

"That arranged marriage will never happen because I tell Mommy I will leave the house if she still insists," I stated. I can see my cousin shook his head from what he had heard. As if he was trying to say is what I was doing is a wrong thing.

"Uh... Isn't it the last day of the school year and ready for a vacation?" he changes the topic before putting the carbonara wrapped around his fork to his big mouth. 

"Then?"

I just stared at him. I'm waiting for his response. He swallowed the food in his mouth before answering.

"Come with me. I'm going to travel this summer." he smiled and continued his food.

"Where?" I curiously asked. It's not so him to take a companion on his vacation because usually, he loves to travel alone. 

"You'll enjoy in Manang Leti's province. I promise," he assured and wink at me.

I looked at him in disbelief. I stopped eating and I stared at him.

"Seriously, Miggy? In the province? In your maid's province? No way dude! No way! Huh!" I declined and laughed sarcastically at his invitation. I continued eating my food. 

What am I going to do in there just in case? Province girls are boring. It's okay here in Manila City.

I looked again at my cousin who was staring at me seriously. He seems to be waiting for me to change my answer.

"Tsk! This is nonsense." I whispered and immediately stood up. 

Before I could take a few steps away in his direction, he suddenly pulled the hem of my polo shirt which made me sat down next to him.

I look at him in astonishment.

"What the fuck, men?!" I hissed. My heart pounding hardly because of shock. 

"Baby cousin Alexander, please. You'll enjoy it there for sure. Come with me in the province baby cousin Alexander." he pleaded with matching doggy eyes. I'm disgusted with the way he looks at me. He's weird. There's something wrong.

"Can you please stop calling me like that?! Are you gay or are you just intentionally hitting my pride? C'mon!" I am referring to his endearment to me.

"My girls here and my friends will hear that," I added in a lost patience tone. I comb my hair with my fingers and took a deep breath repeatedly to calm down.

"'Okay. I'm sorry. I can't go with you, dude." I apologize. 

The students eating right here in the cafeteria started mumbling. Maybe because of the scene we've cause here. With that, I got up from my seat and quickly left our table. I was about to open the door when he suddenly shouts.

"Baby cousin Alexander! I already told your Mommy about this and she's okay with it!"

My eyes got widened. I look at him in disbelief because of what I've heard. It is not because Mommy agreed, it is just because he shouted his endearment at me in this fucking cafeteria with a lot of fucking students eating here! The hell! 

The whole crowd laughed.

"What the fuck! Baby cousin Alexander. Hahaha!"

"It's cute to hear."

"Careful dude, he might hear you."

I heard them mumbling around.

"What's funny?" I asked in a stern voice that made all the students shut their mouth. They immediately bows their heads and continued eating. 

Coward. 

Miggy just wearing his teasing grin that makes me boil in anger.

Damn!

I left the cafeteria with a frown on my face.

*  *  *  *

I hurriedly walked to the parking lot. Our group have another party celebration and this time, the venue is in Arthur's place. 

After I got in the car, my phone rang. I fish out my phone in my jean's pocket and look at the caller ID. 

"Mommy?" I whispered. I shifted my gaze straight to the upper-right corner of the screen to see what the time is it.

It's already six in the evening. I frowned. It's unusual. Mommy doesn’t call me at this time. Is there any problem?

"Hello, Mommy?" I started while wearing a seatbelt.

"Honey, where are you? Please come home early. Your cousin told me your classes ended early today. "

Dang!

I shut my eyes tightly at what I've heard.

My monkey cousin! 

I calmed myself first and slowly open my eyes. 

"I'm going home right now, Mommy. I just went through a book for a while so I didn't go home right away after the class ended." I lied. 

I snap back when I suddenly remembered the party at Arthur's house. Dang! 

"Okay honey. Go home right now. We have something to discuss."

"About what, Mommy?" 

I suddenly feel nervous. What is it all about? 

"You will find out when you get home. Drive safely, honey. I love you."

"I love you too," I answered back. Mommy hangs up the call.

"Hay..." I sighed.

I looked at my phone and fiddled with it. I compose a text message to Arthur saying that I can't go to our hang out. After sending, I started to drive the car going to our house.

*  *  *  *

"I'm home!" I shouted as I got out of the car.

Upon entering, I saw Mommy sitting on the sofa while on the other chair was...

Miggy???

Wait! What the hell is he doing here?

"Mommy." I greeted and kissed her on the cheek before hugging her. She kisses and hugs me back. 

"My baby cousin Alexander, don't I have a hug and kiss like Tita?" Miggy teased then chuckled. 

I glared at him. I wanted to raise my middle finger to him but Mommy was in front of us.

I ignored the monkey and just sat on the sofa opposite where Miggy was sitting.

Miggy smirk when I couldn't answer him.

"Alexander honey..." mommy called. 

"I wanted to tell you that..." she paused and looked at my cousin.

"...you're going with Miggy on vacation to Manang Leti's province."

I was shocked by what I've heard. Feels like there's a bomb exploded in front of my face.

Is it true? 

"But Mommy?!" I protested. I glanced at my cousin who's quietly laughing in his seat. I glared at him as if I was saying  'be ready for me later look' but he wasn't even shaken. He even tongues out in front of me!

"Alexander, stop glaring at your cousin!"

I could do nothing but look back and keep quiet. What else?

I took a deep breath first to calm myself before looking straight at my mother. 

"Mommy, I don't like the idea—" I hadn't finished what I suppose to say when she waved her hand.

"No buts Alexander Pavel Joerge Samonte. I think it's a good idea. If you don't want a wedding, just take a vacation in the province for at least a month so you'll get to stay away from your friends who influence you. I receive a lot of complaints over the phone even when I'm in the office and you knew what they were because you're the one who created it." she said in one breath. 

I became uneasy because of what I've heard.

Mommy is now angry. She has already mentioned my full name.

I tried to protest again.

"Mommy, there's nothing—"

"Stop talking Alexander! Tomorrow morning you're going with Miggy. I'm sure you'll learn something valuable there in the province because I knew Leti's family. Don't give them a headache once you're in there."

My shoulder dropped at what she had said. I just nodded in agreement. I can't do anything else. Madam CEO has already decided. That's what I call to her when she comes out bossy.

I decided to get up from my seat and go upstairs to get rest. I lost my appetite due to what is happening. I didn't waste any more time glancing at my cousin. I might just get beaten him up.

After I entered my room, I saw my suitcase already out. It was placed next to my bed. I went over there and look at it.

What the?! Isn't it obvious that they've planned for me to leave?

How come I already have clothes in here and personal needs? Mommy seems to have fixed it with our maid.

I sighed once again.

Province... 

Dang! My sex life! 

I was lifeless went straight to the bathroom to clean my body. Hoping to get rid of the annoyance I felt for my cousin after taking a bath.

After getting dressed and drying my hair, I went straight to the bed.

Before I fell asleep, I heard the door open.

"Baby cousin Alexander! Wake up early, huh? Hihihi." he giggled.

Huh! From what he had done he can still manage to laugh?

I immediately picked up a pillow and threw it in his direction. I didn't waste any more time to see if I hit him or not. I was sleepy.

I could only hear a faint giggle and the door closing.