F.L.A.W Series Book 4: SAPPHIRE

Chapter Twenty-Four

"And then what happened to you? Where did you go after that incident?"

"I finally got my freedom." Sabay lingon sa kanya na may kaunting ngiti na sa labi. "I got to be me."

"You've become Juggernaut?" Tanong niya na ipinagkibit-balikat lamang nito.

"I've become who I am supposed to be." At muling ibinalik ang tingin sa gusali. "Too bad, no one tried to buy and build this place."

"They don't want bad omens, I guess." Na naglakad pa upang libutin ang paligid. "The history of this place isn't nice and no one would want to keep any bad luck with them."

"Yeah, this place was horrendous but I wouldn't say it was all bad luck coz this is where I met you. My bratty little, Xury."

Hindi maiwasan ni Saph na mapangiti dahil roon. Yes, the place was a nightmare for a child like her but it was bearable because she has Nate beside her, keeping her safe and protected most of the time. And if it weren't for him, she would have not survived there. Either she was killed or she might have taken her own life so she could not be in pain anymore. She owe him big time. 

"I remembered when I first came here, I keep on crying, wanting to go out. The boss wanted to punish me but you saved me. You were also a kid but you were mature for your age." Pagbabalik tanaw niya sa nakaraan nila.

"Iyakin ka kasi nun. Ayaw tumigil sa kakangawa kaya galit na galit si Boss. But I understand how sacred and how fragile you were. That's when I decided to be your protector. Kaya nga binansagan tayong 'the princess and her knight." Sabay tawa nang kaunti.

"Yeah, I remembered." At saka siya naglakad palabas muli at tinahak naman niya ang daan patungo doon sa dating abandonadong gusali kung saan sila ikinulong at tinangkang sunugin ng mga kasamahan nila. "Those other kids tried to trap and burn us here."

Halos wala nang natira sa lumang gusali dahil natupok ito noon ng apoy. Sadyang walang bumili ng lupa roon dahil hindi maganda amg reputasyon ng lugar nila. Kahit pa nasa Siam sila banda ay walang nagagawi roon dahil kasumpa-sumpa ang lugar.

"How can I forget that too, that's where I got this." And pointed at his burnt scar on his face. "Those scumbags don't deserve to live."

Saka lang naalala ni Saph na nawala nga pala ang tatlong lalaking iyon na nagtangka sa kanila. Ni hindi niya nalaman kung ano ang nangyari sa mga ito hanggang sa makuha siya ni Madame.

"Nasaan nga pala napunta ang mga iyon? Hindi ba't bigla na lang silang nawala? Pero bakit parang hindi na pinagkaabalahang hanapin sila noon ni Boss?" Tanong niya.

"Coz they were worthless pieces of shit!" Naroon pa din ang galit sa tono. "Hindi sila dapat pag-aksayahan ng panahon. They could've been killed for all I care."

Hindi naman na sumagot si Saph tungkol roon dahil alam niyang sensitibo pa din ito dahil sa nangyaring pagkakasunog nito.

"You were always there for me, you keep on saving me and until now, I still have your back just like you told me."

"I keep my word." Anito na itinaas pa ang damit sa likuran upang ipakita ang pangalan niyang naka-tattoo roon. "As long as your name is here, I will keep that promise."

Luxury smiled at him. She's grateful for having Nate in her life, for knowing him when she has no one. He's one of the most important people in her life.