SHIELDER (CPAGS Epilogue)

Part 18

Nakahanda akong gawin ang lahat para kay Rey. Lahat-lahat.

We decided to have our one-month vacation together. I brought Rey to Japan. I think I was the one who was most excited between us. I wanted to make her happy.

Naikuwento kasi sa 'kin ni Kuya na maganda raw sa Japan at dito n'ya dinala si Artemis. He said he thinks that was also where Artemis fell in love with him. The place was just so wonderful you could feel its romantic vibes. I was hoping that the place would also be good for Rey and me as well.

Please, Japan. Bigay mo na sa 'kin 'to. Pa-in love-in mo rin lalo pa sa 'kin 'yung babaeng mahal na mahal ko.

My alters could feel my excitement and happiness too. Hinayaan ko silang maramdaman lang ang nararamdaman ko. Gadriel and James wanted to formally meet Rey. Pumayag agad ako sa gusto ni Gadriel. Kay James... medyo nag-alangan pa nga ako. Babaero kasi, eh. Baka umandar ang pagiging palikero n'ya kapag kasama n'ya si Rey. Baka magselos si Rey.

But I didn't know that my worries would be the trigger of James fronting this time.

"It'll be okay, Gray..." Gadriel assured me. Hindi kasi ako mapakali. James didn't let me co-con with him. Natatakot akong baka kung ano'ng gawin n'yang hindi magustuhan ni Rey.

"Babaero si James, eh!"

"I wouldn't deny that."

I glared at Gadriel who just smiled at me. Akala ko ba ina-assure n'ya 'ko? Bakit sumang-ayon 'tong babaero nga si James?

Gadriel chuckled.

"Wala s'yang gagawing masama kay Reyziel. He just wanted to meet her. To make sure that she's really a good person and that you're in good hands this time." Gadriel smiled at me. "Pero mukha namang walang magiging problema. Reyziel is indeed a good person."

I stared at Gadriel. Out of all alters, he was the one I liked the most. No. The only one that I like.

"Kahit naman noong una ko pa lang makita si Reyziel, magaan na ang pakiramdam ko sa kanya," he continued. "I knew that she would be good to you. She's good for you. Magiging panatag ako kung sakali mang umalis ako at maiiwan kita kay Rey."

That surprised me. Ilang sandali pa nga akong nakatitig lang sa kanya bago nakabawi.

"You'll leave?"

"Isn't that what you wanted?" His smile was so gentle I knew he didn't mean ill with that question.

Totoo naman, eh. Iyon ang gusto ko. I couldn't even count how many times I wished for my alters to be gone. How many times have I wished that I was a normal person without my alters living inside my head?

"No, b-but... You're good, Gadriel. You're like a brother to me. Mas naging kuya pa nga kita kaysa sa mismong kapatid ko." Hindi ko naitago ang pait sa boses ko.

"Because you didn't give him the chance, Gray... Palagi kang lumalayo bago pa s'ya magkaroon ng pagkakataong iparamdam sa 'yo ang pagiging Kuya n'ya."

I sighed.

"Natatakot akong masaktan ko s'ya ulit. Ni Zeno."

"Then you should talk with Zeno," Gadriel said like it was just so easy.

Mariin akong umiling.

"I can't. I won't. Lahat ng napapalapit sa 'kin, sinasaktan n'ya. I am afraid he'll hurt Rey too."

"Pinoprotektahan ka lang n'ya kapag nararamdaman n'yang nasasaktan ka. You should talk to him. Explain everything. Kasi paano kung masaktan ka habang kasama mo si Reyziel? Tapos aakalain ni Zeno na s'ya ang nanakit sa 'yo."