Ascend

Chapter 24

Princess Azara Aleyha Cunningham

Tahimik lang akong naglalakad sa tabi niya habang pauwi kami. We are able to escape the guards after awhile. Umalis kasi sila sa kinatatayuan nila upang tignan ang ibang lugar kaya nakahanap kami ng paraan para mabilis na makatakbo palayo sa kanila.

No one of us brought about the kiss. Parehas kaming tahimik lang at parang may kanya kanyang mundo. I wonder what he was thinking right now.

But then there's one thing I am sure at. It's not much worst than I am thinking right now. Kung maari lamang na humingi ako ng tawad sa kanya ngayon dahil sa iniisip ko ay ginawa ko na.

I never know this General Nicholas Titus Midwater before. Nakilala ko lamang siya noong sinabi saakin ni Atticus ang kanyang pangalan. It's only been 2 years since I was gone that time but I don't know him before when I was still there. Ang ibig sabihin noon ay wala pa siya sa serbisyo noon pero nagawa niyang mabilis na makuha ang pinakamataas na pwesto sa hukbo. 

I hated him the first time I saw him. He met my eyes and he grabbed me, mga bagay na walang karapatan ang lahat na gawin saakin pero nagawa niya. I hated him when he manage to get through me. I let out myself to him and he became my redemption.

For years, I thought no one can protect me. My mother and father can't protect me that's the reason why I choose to protect them instead. I was too weak to protect myself. No one in this world can make me feel safe—not until he came.

With him, all became fine—to be weak, sad, overpowered, wrathful. He was there and I feel protected. He seems to be the one who allowed me to feel more than what I think I won't and can't deserve before. The moment I met his eyes, I knew that I found a new home.

But it's not right.

I breathe heavily and look up to watch the moon following us. The night sky looks so serene with stars above. I wonder how many people are looking up to this right now? Mesmerized by it's beauty that something beautiful can shine over the darkness. Also, how many people would wish for a starless night? The people like me.

"Are you okay?" He asked. Hindi ko napansin na kanina pa pala siya nakatingin saaking nakatingin ako sa langit.

I look at him. Sinubukan kong iwasan ang tingin niya ngunit pilit niyang hinanap ang mata ko.

There lies the brightest pair of eyes. How beautiful —very tantalizing. His eyes envelop my system making me feel so good, his eyes protects me in an unknowing way.

Seeing it makes me want to live.

"Are you okay?" Hindi ko siya sinagot ngunit binalik ko ang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Walang dahilan para maging hindi." Sagot niya saakin na hindi kababakasan ng alinlangan.

"Nicholas." I called him out.

His eyes bore into me speaking on it's own and my mind creates it's own kind of language as well to decode it. He is fine as long as I am.

I let out a small smile before gazing away. Mabilis na naglaho ang mga ngiti ko noong nakabalik na sa daan ang atensyon ko.

But I don't need a reason to live. I need a reason to die.

I'm sorry, Nicholas.

"What do you feel?" tanong ko habang hindi pa rin makalingon. Naramdaman ko ang tingin niya pero hindi ko ito sinuklian.

"About?"

"Meeting your father."

Agad akong nagsisisi noong hindi siya sumagot. Nilingon ko siya at hindi na siya nakatingin saakin. He was looking up the sky, his eyes are void of emotions. It's blank.