Chapter 17 - No Rest or Even a Break….God Dammit!!

The commotion from our practice match is the talk of the town, and even the TV newscaster is raving about our team. I walk into the living room, and my parents are glued to the screen, their faces beaming with pride.

"Seems like Alex is in the limelight..." my dad says, his voice filled with admiration. I feel a pang of surprise, considering our rocky relationship last year. But since Uncle Usman's intervention, things have been improving between us.

My mom chimes in, her eyes shining with tears. "Yep, our son is the pride of our family now..." But as I listen to their praise, a nagging feeling gnaws at my heart. Something doesn't feel right.

What the hell am I thinking?! I stand up abruptly, and my mom and Sylvia look at me in concern. "Where are you going?" my mom asks.

I shrug, trying to brush off the feeling. "Uh, going out for a workout... just need to clear my head." I head out of the house, feeling the cool night air on my face.

As I walk, I realize that I've still got my military clothing stashed away. I decide to put it to good use and head into the jungles behind my home for a lap. The familiar weight of the gear on my body is comforting, and I set off into the darkness.

My physical body is now attuned to the surroundings, and I move with ease through the dense foliage. The military wear is designed for jungle trekking, and I feel a sense of freedom as I jog through the underbrush.

I need to build back my muscle and stamina for basketball, and this is the perfect way to do it. The rhythmic pounding of my feet on the earth is meditative, and I let my thoughts drift away as I run.

But the feeling of unease still lingers, a nagging sense that something is off. I push it aside, focusing on the physical exertion and the rush of endorphins. For now, I just need to clear my head and get my body back in shape. The rest can wait.

As I sit in the tree, surrounded by the darkness of the jungle, I try to relax, but my eyes refuse to shut. It's as if my body is still wired from the activities I used to do with Soro and Maruk. The memories of those intense moments still linger, making it hard for me to unwind.

Just as I'm starting to drift off, I hear the rumble of thunderclouds gathering in the distance. The sky is about to unleash a torrent of rain, and I know I need to head back home. I leap down from the tree, my senses on high alert as I make my way through the dense underbrush.

But as I walk, I'm suddenly interrupted by a strange voice calling out to me. I spin around, trying to locate the source, but there's no one in sight. What the hell is going on?

The voice is familiar, yet it's not. It's my own voice, but it's laced with a hint of anger and frustration. "What the hell are you doing? Aren't you supposed to find out the truth?!!" The words echo in my mind, making me question my own sanity.

I quicken my pace, my heart racing with anticipation. As I approach the pond near my house, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the water. The moonlight casts an eerie glow on my face, and for a moment, I'm taken aback by my own appearance.

The voice speaks up again, its tone piercing and urgent. "Hey!!! Moron!!! Wake up!!!! You're not a normal kid, you know... why the hell did you suddenly want to go back to that life? Didn't you promise that you'd find out something?!!!”

I feel a surge of denial, but deep down, I know the voice is right. I did promise myself that I'd uncover the truth, but with everything that's happened, I've been sidetracked. The memories of my past, the horrifying moments with Frederica, and the revelation that my mom was involved in it all... it's been overwhelming.

I gaze at my reflection, my mind racing with emotions. And then, in a burst of anger, I lash out at the voice. "Just shut the fuck up!!" The words echo across the water, a primal scream that releases all the pent-up frustration and anger within me.

I'm getting too much energy, and it's getting me into all sorts of trouble. I'm only 16, for crying out loud! What's wrong with me? I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, and it's suffocating me.

As I walk back into my backyard, I see Sylvia waiting for me on the stairs, her voice humming a gentle melody that soothes my frazzled nerves. I slow down, feeling a sense of calm wash over me, and head towards my stash to change out of my military gear.

I emerge in normal clothes, feeling a bit more like myself, and approach Sylvia. She looks up at me, a knowing smile on her face. "Still doing the same thing?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I'm taken aback. How did she know? Is she psychic or something? "Huh? What do you mean?" I try to play it cool, but she just chuckles.

"Jumping out of that gate is still amazing to me," she says, shaking her head. "You're capable of so much, but if you played the basketball match with that kind of physical ability, I might ask you to hold back..." Her voice is laced with concern, and I feel a pang of guilt.

I try to reassure her, "Uh, maybe I can adjust it..." But she's not buying it. She takes a step closer to me, her eyes locked on mine, and I can feel my heart skip a beat.

Even though I consider her my girlfriend, alongside Nat, I still feel a sense of distance between us. It's like I want to keep her at arm's length, treat her like my little sister, someone I can share everything with. But as she stands before me, her face inches from mine, I feel a spark of attraction that I hadn't expected.

Sylvia's voice is barely above a whisper, "You don't have to hide it from me, Darling... I know you're keeping something from me?" Her gaze is like a puppy's, big and round, and her words are like a gentle breeze on a summer day, soothing and calming. I feel my defenses crumbling, and my heart skips a beat. She's adorable in her own way, and she has this uncanny ability to open my heart like a treasure chest.

"Uh... I'm fine... just that I need to train, that's all..." I stammer, trying to brush her off. But I know I'm not fooling her. She's got this radar that detects whenever I'm hiding something.

Sylvia raises an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Uh-huh... you know that I'm not going to back down like that..." She takes a step closer to me, her eyes sparkling with determination. And then, she does the unthinkable - she walks towards my stash!

"How the hell do you know all of this?!" I exclaim, shocked. She's like a ninja, sneaking up on me and discovering my secrets.

Sylvia grins mischievously, her hands on her hips. "I'm confiscating this...! I'm making sure that you're going to be as normal as possible!!" She's acting like a mother, scolding me and trying to take away my “toys".

I let out a dramatic sigh, flopping my head back in exasperation. "Ugh... You're not going to give up on this, are you?”

Sylvia's grin widens, and she takes another step closer to me. "No way, Alex. I'm going to make sure you're safe, even if it means keeping an eye on you 24/7." Her eyes sparkle with amusement, and I feel my heart flutter at the thought of being under her constant surveillance.

I shake my head, chuckling despite myself. "You're something else, Sylvia."

"Likewise..." Sylvia nods, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. "You know... I kinda miss my Alexnium... you know that..." Her voice trails off, and she releases a strange aura that sends shivers down my spine. It's like she's channeling her inner yandere, and I'm caught off guard.

"Uh... what the hell are you doing ...?" I take a step back, trying to create some distance between us. But Sylvia is undeterred, her eyes fixed on me with an unnerving passion. She takes another step closer, her arms open wide, and I realize that I've grown taller since we last stood together. I'm almost 6 feet now, while Sylvia remains at 160cm, her petite frame belied by her fierce determination.

"You're getting bigger... funny right..." She pushes me aside, a sly smile spreading across her face. "I'm not going to lose, you know... because I'm not letting Nat be the first in line... since... mother... is backing me..." Her chuckle sends a chill down my spine, and I'm left wondering what I've missed.

"I'm not going to lose it... I'll make sure you're going to love... me like you really mean it..." Sylvia's words are laced with a possessive fervor, and I feel like I'm trapped in a web of her making. What's going on? Why is she saying all this?

Sylvia gazes up at the night sky, her eyes shining with a dreamy intensity. And then, she starts singing. Her voice is like nothing I've ever heard before - a soaring soprano that sends shivers down my spine. It's as if she's pouring her heart and soul into the music, and I'm helpless to resist its pull.

I'm stuck, man. Why do I always get stuck with these particular girls? Nat, Priscilla, Mika... and now Sylvia.

As I listen to Sylvia's enchanting voice, all my strange and tumultuous thoughts seem to dissipate, like she's the cure to my inner turmoil. It's as if her singing has a profound effect on me, calming my mind and soothing my soul.

After she finishes, Sylvia sits down next to me, and I realize that this has turned into an impromptu date. The atmosphere is intimate, with only the two of us sitting together in the quiet of the night.

She begins to share her feelings with me, her voice barely above a whisper. "Since you've been in my life, everything has turned upside down... for the better. I can now find my voice, be brave enough to face reality..." She looks down, as if reflecting on her past, and I sense a deep vulnerability in her.

I try to offer her some reassurance, "Uh, you know, you've been through a lot... at least you have some room to breathe, right?" She nods, looking up at me with those captivating eyes. Damn, she's really cute... no, beautiful, just like Nat.

Suddenly, I feel an overwhelming urge to share something with her, to confide in her. "Hey Sil, I want to know something," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

She smiles, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Yeah?"

I take a deep breath, "About the clone encounter…"

Sylvia's expression turns serious, and she looks down, "Looking at that person... she's not Frederica, that's for sure... but what do you want to say?”

I hesitate, unsure of how to articulate my feelings. "How would you react if you suddenly saw a past that doesn't belong to you... but it horrified you?" I ask, my voice laced with emotion.

Sylvia's eyes lock onto mine, and I sense a deep understanding in them. She reaches out, her index finger gently closing my mouth, and says, "Then... it's just a dream, got it? What's more important is moving forward... got it?" Her angelic smile is like a balm to my soul, and I feel a sense of peace wash over me.

I nod at Sylvia, feeling like she's hiding something from me. And then, she drops another bombshell.

"Nat and I know a lot more about you than you know about yourself... got it... darling.." She winks at me, and I'm suddenly intrigued. What do they know that I don’t?

But before I can ask any questions, Sylvia pushes me towards the stairs, urging me to go inside the house. "Hush and shut it, rest and get to bed, got it... goodnight... darling..." She seals her words with a kiss, her lips locking onto mine, and I feel my face heat up with a blush.

It's the same feeling I get when Nat kisses me, and I'm taken aback by the realization. "Geez, what the hell are you doing that? We're not married yet, you know..." I stutter, trying to play it cool.

Sylvia just smiles, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, who knows? Maybe one of these days... I'm really curious about your future... goodnight..." She gently closes the door, leaving me standing there, feeling dazed and confused.

I shake my head, chuckling at Sylvia's bold move. But as I head to bed, getting ready for tomorrow, I realize that she's right. There's no point in pouting about the past or worrying about the future. Better to focus on the present and take things one step at a time.

As Sylvia wakes me up for Subuh prayers, I groggily get out of bed to perform my morning rituals. As I'm getting ready for school, I notice that the house is buzzing with activity. Sylvia is helping Mom and Dad with the chores, while Uncle Usman and Aunt Salina are also lending a hand. And to my surprise, Siti is also pitching in, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the house.

As I take my breakfast, I overhear Siti and Sylvia getting into a heated argument. It's like a cute cat fight, with both of them exchanging playful jabs and witty remarks. I try to stay out of it, but it's hard not to listen in.

"There's a limit, Sil... I never even had a chance to talk to Alex, you know!?" Siti says, her voice rising in protest.

Sylvia shoots back, her tone bold and sassy. "Well, at least I'm not trying to take him down or mark him as my territory... unlike some people I know." She gives Siti a sly glance, and I can sense the tension between them.

Uncle Usman suddenly bursts into tears, his voice trembling with emotion. "My nephew is lucky to have girls like this, both are wife material...!!" He's being completely serious, but the situation is so absurd that I'm caught between laughing and being embarrassed.

Aunt Salina chimes in, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Well, this is getting harder for you, right, son?" She winks at me, and I feel my face heat up with a blush.

I try to deflect the conversation, "Uh... maybe I could focus on my studies?" But Aunt Salina just chuckles, "Yeah, do that, but you can't avoid it, got it, son..." She's not helping.

Dad speaks up, "Ugh... big brother, I rather have my son focus on his studies rather than having this kind of conversation..." But Uncle Usman is being relentless.

"Man, you're naive... he needs that kind of experience..." He's being completely serious, but Mom is trying to reason with him.

"Brother Usman, I think it's best Alex thinks about it, but maybe he needs that..." Mom says, trying to calm the situation. But Uncle Usman just laughs, enjoying the chaos he's creating.

"Hey, don't encourage him!!" Dad adds, shaking his head.

I shake my head, watching the conversation unfold. This is what I call a typical happy conversation in my household - chaotic, loud, and completely unpredictable. But despite the craziness, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

As usual, Sylvia and I ride my bike to school, with Siti looking on in dismay. Tama tries to hold her back, saying "Come on, let's go! We don't want to be late!" I'm not sure whether to thank Tama for intervening or feel sorry for Siti, who's clearly unhappy about being left behind.

We arrive at school, and as we park my bike, I notice Shinji standing in front of the entrance with someone. Sylvia whispers to me, "Just ignore it..." and I nod in agreement. We head inside, joining Hana and the others in the lively school hallway.

As we walk together, Mariam approaches us, a bright smile on her face. "Hey, don't forget to go to the club meeting!" she says, winking at us before darting off to the student council office. I wonder what's going on.

Sylvia turns to me and says, "She's getting more proactive than she was before..." Her eyes sparkle with amusement.

I nod in agreement. "Yeah, she's a natural leader at best..." I chuckle, thinking about Mariam's antics.

Sylvia playfully rolls her eyes. "You're just saying that because you're biased towards her, Alex." She teases me, her voice laced with humor.

I grin, feeling a bit defensive. "Hey, I'm not biased! I just appreciate her... enthusiasm." I try to sound convincing, but Sylvia just laughs, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

As we continue walking, I notice that the school hallway is buzzing with activity. Students are chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere is electric. It's going to be an interesting day, that's for sure.

Mariam approaches us, a bright smile on her face. "When you're free, I'm going to need your help with the music...!!" She says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. It looks like there's something brewing, and I'm curious to know what it is.

Just then, Amin appears beside her, looking a bit flustered. "Honey!!! The President wants you in the office now!!" He says, his voice tinged with urgency.

Mariam waves us goodbye, and we watch as she hurries off with Amin. "I'll talk to you later, Alex!" She calls out over her shoulder, leaving me wondering what she needs my help with.

As we head towards our class, Hana and Maya wave us goodbye, their faces cheerful. Steward, on the other hand, nods at us like a typical antisocial boy, but I know he's kind beneath his tough exterior. Sylvia smiles at him and says, "Have fun in class!" He nods back, his expression softening ever so slightly.

I chuckle to myself, amused by Steward's antics. Sylvia notices and playfully teases me, "You're just amused by his gruffness, aren't you?" I grin, feeling a bit sheepish, and we continue on to our class, ready to tackle the day ahead.

I take my seat in class, noticing that Sylvia is nowhere to be found. She must have already headed to her own class, I think to myself. I settle in, focusing on the lesson at hand.

Ms. Phylis, Natalie's big sister, stands confidently at the front of the classroom, teaching history with passion and conviction. She writes on the blackboard, her handwriting elegant and precise, as she explains the importance of facts and understanding the stories behind every legend and myth.

The class is engrossed, hanging on her every word, as she delves into the complexities of historical narratives. George, a classmate, raises his hand, and Ms. Phylis acknowledges him with a warm smile.

"Ms. Phylis?" he asks, his voice curious.

"Yes?" she responds, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.

"Does history change or get altered throughout time?" George asks, his question sparking a thoughtful discussion.

Ms. Phylis nods, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, indeed. Unfortunately, history is not always set in stone. As historians, we need to remember that every story has multiple layers, and it's up to us to peel back those layers, bit by bit, to uncover the truth.”

The class nods in agreement, intrigued by the complexity of historical interpretation. I add my own question to the mix, my curiosity piqued. "So, if someone doesn't want a particular history to be recorded, this could be one of those cases, right?”

Ms. Phylis nods, her eyes locked onto mine, as she explains the importance of thorough investigation and critical thinking. "History always has its secrets, and it's up to us to uncover them. But we must be careful not to jump to conclusions or make assumptions. There's always room for improvement, and as historians, we must strive for accuracy and truth.”

As the lesson continues, I find myself lost in thought, wondering what secrets history might be hiding, waiting to be uncovered. But my reverie is short-lived, as the bell rings, signaling the end of class. The room erupts into chaos, with students rushing to gather their belongings and chat with their friends.

Mariam appears out of nowhere, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Alright, guys! Let's talk about the school festival!" she exclaims, her voice carrying above the din. Amin stands by her side, a loyal accomplice to her plans.

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "So, what's the theme this time?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

Mariam grins, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Modern meets tradition!" she announces, as if unveiling a grand revelation. I chuckle to myself, thinking that our school is already a melting pot of cultures and beliefs, but Mariam's enthusiasm is infectious.

"So, what's your plan then?" I ask, playing along.

Mariam's grin widens, and she lets out a sly "Kukuku..." - that annoying, yet endearing laugh of hers. "Well, this time I'm not going to tell you..." she teases, her eyes glinting with mischief.

I roll my eyes good-naturedly. "Fine... I'll go with it..." I sigh, resigned to being dragged into Mariam's latest scheme. But deep down, I'm excited to see what she has in store. After all, with Mariam, you can always expect the unexpected.

I realize that ever since returning back, I've never had a proper rest or even a peaceful, boring moment - the kind I really love. With Mariam's plan in place, I'm not even sure I want to know what she's thinking, so I head to the basketball court to clear my head and get some work done.

As I arrive, the court is deserted, and I'm left alone with my thoughts. I start playing, the sound of the ball bouncing and the swish of the net a soothing melody. Every shot I take goes in, until one bounces off, and I head to retrieve the ball. That's when I see her - a girl sitting alone, her back against the wall. I've never seen her before, but there's something nostalgic about her, as if we've met before.

I pick up the ball, noticing that she's doing something by herself, but I don't care enough to investigate. I head back to my practice, but my mind starts to wander. Every shot I take, I feel like I'm being watched, and when I turn around, I see the girl smiling at me. She looks like Frederica, but her hair is a deep, fiery red - a color that seems almost otherworldly.

"This is a peaceful place here... what a sight to behold," she says, her voice husky and foreign. I wonder if she's from Europe, or somewhere even more exotic.

"May I know what you're playing?" she asks, her eyes fixed on me.

"Uh... basketball," I reply, feeling a bit self-conscious. My inner voice is screaming at me, "She's a strange girl, but why do I have a feeling that she's like me?" It's a question I need to find out.

"What are you doing here?" I ask her, trying to sound casual.

"I'm looking for my sister... her name is Lilim. Do you know where she is?" Lilim? The name sends a shiver down my spine.

"Umm, not sure she's around," I reply, trying to play it cool.

"Her hair looks like mine... and she's slightly taller than me," the girl adds, her eyes searching mine. This is getting stranger by the minute.

"Um... sorry, I can't recall anyone by that name," I reply, feeling a bit guilty. The girl looks disappointed, and then her eyes narrow.

"By the way... you smell familiar," she says, her voice low and mysterious. What the hell? Do I have a certain smell? Is she a cat or something?

My mind is racing with questions, but before I can ask any of them, the girl stands up, her eyes locked on mine. "I think we need to talk," she says, her voice dripping with an otherworldly intensity. And with that, my peaceful, boring moment is shattered.

We sit down, and she begins to explain why she is here, her smile only adding to my confusion. "Well... when I woke up in a chamber, it was a strange place for me... but I wonder what it is..." She trails off, lost in thought.

I lean in, my curiosity piqued. "I want to know which chamber?" I ask, my eyes locked on hers.

She describes a place that I have visited before in Kudat, but I have never seen her before. This is getting complicated again. I decide to offer my help.

"Then let's go find out about the place... maybe we can find some clues..." I suggest, and she nods in agreement.

"It's actually close by... when I woke up, it was just a walking distance..." She says, her eyes sparkling with an otherworldly intensity. Eh? Is that true? She's strange.

I follow her, and we reach a hill next to the military base, which is right next to our school. In the deep jungles, I never knew that there is such a place here. It's a bunker hidden within the bushes and trees. We go in, reaching the same setup as in Kudat. What the hell is going on here?

"Then where did you sleep?" I ask, and she points at the chamber that is identical to the one I've seen before in Kudat and America.

I look around, and to my horror, I realize that she is a clone as well. I wonder what is going on. Suddenly, my head starts to give a sharp pain, which is unbearable.

She says to me, "Sorry, but... you are easy to deceive..." I slowly look up to see another person standing in front of me, and my world is turned upside down.

The pain in my head intensifies, and I feel like I am being pulled into a vortex of confusion. Who is this girl? What is going on? And why do I feel like I am trapped in a never-ending nightmare? The questions swirl in my mind, but before I can get any answers, everything starts to fade to black.