CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
AKALA ko pa naman siya ang unang-unang tutulong sa akin. Kaya nga ang lakas pa ng loob kong sabihin sa kaniyang arestuhin ako eh. I expected him to protect me, to save me. But instead, he incarcerated me on one of the coldest cell on the dungeon. Not just that. He also put me on the death row.
Hindi ko lubos akalain na magagawa niya iyon. Ano na kayang nangyari sa akin kung hindi dumating si Brand? Talaga bang papatayin niya ako? Ngayon ko na nararamdaman ang takot na mamatay. Ngayon na kasama ko ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. They were the only reason why I'm trying to survive and stay alive. If not because of them, I would've begged for Blaze to kill me immediately.
Akala ko pa naman pagbalik ko sa Nevada ay babalik na rin kami sa dati. I went there not just to warn him about the assassination. I went all the way to Nevada to tell him that I already forgave him. But the events that happened next proved that expectations can hurt you.
Pero wala namang may kasalanan sa nangyari eh. Hindi ko kasalanan at hindi niya rin naman kasalanan. Lahat ay kagagawan ng tadhana. But the way he reacted on it, I was so disappointed.
"Do you know how painful it is for me?" I asked Flint while staring at the fireplace. It's been days and I still can't get over from the fact that Blaze was determined to kill me that day. And every night, before going to bed, we will have a session here with a cup of tea.
"Hindi ako magpapaka-hipokrito at sasabihing naiintindihan kita kasi hindi ko pa naman iyan naranasan. Pero sumasang-ayon ako sa'yo," sagot niya. I took a sip from my cup again.
"It was so painful to watch him raise his sword, ready to kill me in an instant. I want to get mad at him. His reaction was infuriating. But I can't. I still can't, Flint." I felt the familiar warm liquid streaming on my cheeks.
"Go on. I'm listening," he mumbled. I started to sob while wiping my own tears. Mabuti na lang at nandito si Flint. Mabuti na lang at may pinsan akong katulad niya. Simula noong itinakas nila ako sa Nevada ay hindi na niya ako iniwan. He was always with me, comforting me in every possible situation. And I owe him a lot because of it. I don't know how could I ever face the others without his guidance.
"I feel so empty right now. I am still alive. But that day when he raised his sword against me, it feels like he did killed me. I died that day," I slowly said between sobs.
Araw-araw bumabangon ako, tutulala sa bintana at hihintayin ulit na gumabi. Pakiramdam ko ay unti-unti na akong nawawalan ng ganang mabuhay.
"I will resurrect you. Huwag kang mag-alala dahil maaayos din natin ang lahat," pagpapagaan niya sa damdamin ko. He even reached for my shoulder and tapped it. Unti-unti akong tumahan.
"Hindi ka namin pababayaan, Aurora. Sasamahan ka namin. We are your family. Hahanap tayo ng paraan para maging maayos ka ulit," paninigurado niya. I smiled at him and gave him a squeeze.
"Thank you," I whispered at him.
That night, I cried myself to sleep again. Hindi pa rin ata napapagod ang puso kong malungkot kahit ilang araw na ang lumipas. Lagi pa rin akong umiiyak. Paulit-ulit ko kasing naiisip ang mga nangyari. Minsan napapanaginipan ko pa. Ngayong gabi, iba ang napanaginipan ko. I dreamed about my past.
"Dahil sa'yo kaya namamatay ang mga tao!"
"Lumayo kayo sa akin!"
