Power Within II: Bound by a Promise(Under revision)

XIII: PROOF

I'm desperate in finding something to believe in. Isang bagay na pwede kong pagsimulan uli. I don't want to keep getting lost.

“Ibalik mo 'ko sa katinuan.”

Hindi siya sumagot. Nagsimula lang siyang bumulong at nang matapos, isang lagusan ang lumitaw mula sa dilim.

“Come with me. I'll show you the proof you're asking for.” Inilahad niya ang palad na hindi ko na pinagdalawang isipang abutin.

After crossing the portal, we ended in a palely lit corridor. May mga sulong nakabitin sa pader. I sensed familiarity as I cast my sight around.

I followed closely behind as she walked towards a particular direction. A few minutes, and we arrived at a dead end. She stood still, mumbling words far stranger than of those I heard from her before.

A huge entry abruptly appeared on the brick wall right. The door opened on its own allowing us to enter, torch from the inside lighted our path. Umalingasaw ang malamig na hangin galing sa loob ng kuwarto.

May batang sumalubong kay Adria na bigla na lang ding nawala pagkatapos niya 'tong kausapin.

“This is the greatest proof I can show you,” baling niya na sa 'kin.

Napatitig ako sa malaking tipak ng yelong nakapuwesto sa gitna ng silid bago napaatras nang malinaw na mabistahan kung ano ang nasa loob nito.

“That's you 22 years ago.”

Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdam habang nakatingin sa 'king sarili na nakahiga at walang buhay. It looks exactly like me, the only difference is its silver-colored hair.

“You died saving me, buy I-I wasn't able to save you.” Adria's voice cracked. “The only thing I was able to do is to make sure you'll be reincarnated into another body, with your soul and mind intact.”

Naihilamos ko ang mga palad. Seeing myself dead just like how my dream went is enough proof to not doubt her words. I really died once as someone whom I have no idea of.

Adria

After leaving the secret chamber, Khaos remained silent. I haven't heard him talk since we got to Elixir. Even after he saw his old body lying inside the ice. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang tumatakbo sa isip niya.

“Gusto mo na bang umuwi?” tanong ko na lang.

“Can we walk for a bit?” simple niyang sagot habang nakatingin sa kadawagang nakapalibot sa eskuwelahan.

Ilang saglit siyang tahimik na humahakbang bago bigla na lang uli nagsalita. “How was I in my previous life?” he asked, walking without looking at me.

“You were the type that's very strict when it comes to studying. Kapag magkasama tayo libro ang lagi mong hawak.” Napangiti ako sa ikinukuwento. “Lagi mo rin akong pinapaalalahanang mag-aral. Puro 'yon na nga lang ang bukambibig mo.”

Wonderful memories that I'll never forget.

“You were really famous at school; a wizard of high caliber. Good looking with top notch grades,” tuloy-tuloy kong sabi na para bang eksaktong naaalala lahat. “Maraming babae ang may gusto sa 'yo kahit na napakasungit at napakasuplado mo. You barely talk to anyone.” Hindi nagsasalita ang katabi ko pero mataman 'tong nakikinig. “But then again, the ever so rigid Cyan was surprisingly the vocalist of a popular band in school. Hindi ako makapaniwala no'ng narinig at nakita kitang kumanta sa harap ng napakaraming tao.”

Bigla siyang napalingon sa 'kin. Ang mukha niya ay punong-puno ng pagkagulat. “You mean, I really did sing?”

“Yes!” Natatawa kong sagot. “You sing very well. Kaya nga pinagkakaguluhan ka ng mga babaeng estudyante. Parang na sa'yo na nga lahat. Brains, looks, talent.” Natigilan ako sa huling sinabi.

Nasobrahan ako sa pagkukuwento. Pati sarili kong opinyon tungkol sa kanya, nabanggit ko na. Gusto kong batukan bigla ang sarili.

“I saw that dream just recently.” Titig na titig siya sa 'kin habang nagsasalita. “In that dream I was actually singing that song for you.”

Ramdam ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko dahil sa pinaghalong hiya at tuwa.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. “How did I die?”

Malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ko bago nagawang sagutin ang tanong niya. “Klaude, u-used a love potion on me and used my blood to free the sealed Cryo Sorceress. Her mother possessed my body, thus controlled even my elemental power.”

It happened a long time ago, but I still feel the pain and regret of the past. My chest tightened.

“Malubha kang nasugatan dahil sa paghaharap n'yo ni Klaude. Your mother, Queen Devian also died. I-I killed her.” Tears came rushing down my cheeks. Sinisisi ko pa rin ang sarili hanggang ngayon.

“I may still not remember what you're talking about, but this, I'm sure of, it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself.” Pinunasan niya ng sariling daliri ang luhang bumabagsak galing sa mga mata ko. Natulala tuloy ako sa kanya. “I'm pretty sure you were someone special to my old self, even now I feel the same way.”

He gazed at me before moving closer. Akmang hahalikan niya 'ko.

“Bakit ganyan ang reaksyon ng mukha mo? Haven't we kissed a few times in the past?” Sandali siyang huminto sa paglapit. “The first one, was when you forced a kiss on me,” he said, talking about the night I confessed to him and practically kissed him without his consent. Malamang nalaman niya ang tungkol do'n sa panaginip.

Hiyang-hiya ako at 'di mapakali.

“The second, I did on my own.” tukoy naman niya sa paghalik niya sa 'kin bago harapin si Chartreuse noon. “And the third, is when I got you by surprise.”

Nagulat ako sa huli niyang sinabi. “Ano'ng pangatlo? It just happened twice. W-wala namang—”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang tuluyan nang dumikit ang labi niya sa mga labi ko. I felt his lips moved, then my eyes closed on their own. His kiss was very gentle and sweet. Slowly, he stopped and just stared at me for a few seconds. Lalo akong nakaramdam ng hiya dahil sa nakakatunaw niyang titig.

“Should we go back?” tanong niya na gumulantang sa 'kin.

“O-of course, we should.” Nanlalambot ang mga tuhod ko. My hands are also trembling. I can still feel the warmth on my lips from his kiss. The sensation is embedded on my mind and heart.