'Sweet Farewell'
"Akala ko ba matutulog ka?" Agad na tumingin si Lucas sa pinto nung marinig niya ang tanong ni Chloe. Pumasok ito sa kwarto niya't naglapag ng isang baso ng grape juice sa side table ng kama ni Lucas. "Not sleepy anymore." Tipid na sagot ni Lucas.
"That's because you weren't sleepy in the first place. Ayaw mo lang talagang makita sina Zia at Blu na nag-uusap." Sabi ni Chloe kaya tiningnan siya ng maigi ni Lucas at pinaningkitan pa ito.
"Sinabi ko na, diba? Humahanga lang ako kay Zia." Sagot ni Lucas, which was an obvious lie kaya binato siya kaagad ni Chloe ng unan. Sinalo niya naman ito at tsaka tiningnan ang best friend niya. "Ako pa ba uutuin mo, Lucas Tristram Braeden?" Nakangiting tanong ni Chloe sa kanya.
Lucas just looked at her.
"Alam kong gusto mo parin si Zia. I have no problem with it." Diretsong sabi ni Chloe dahilan para mas lalong maningkit ang mga mata ni Lucas.
"Ba't mo ba 'to ginagawa sa sarili mo, Chloe?" Tanong ni Lucas sa kanya at kumunot naman ang noo ni Chloe. "Ang alin?" Tanong nito.
"Speaking to me about them. Comforting me about them. Fine, I admit it. I still like her. Hindi ka ba nagagalit kay Zia dahil gusto ko siya?" Tanong ni Lucas at bigla nalang natawa si Chloe at tsaka inayos ang pagkakahawi ng see-through bangs niya at tsaka ngumiti kay Lucas.
"Bakit naman ako magagalit sa kanya? Wala naman siyang kasalanan kasi in the first place, hindi ka niya pinilit na magustuhan mo siya. Sadyang isa ka lang talaga sa nagkagusto sa kanya. Ano pa bang magagawa ko dun? Pipilitin kong sa akin ka nalang magkagusto? Ang cheap naman nun, Andrei." Natatawang sabi ni Chloe sa kanya.
Lucas bit his lip and looked at her. She was laughing sincerely. Not a fake one or a forced one.
"At tsaka alam mo, kung ako ang nasa posisyon ni Zia tapos ganito ka? Ewan ko nalang sa 'yo. Tingnan mo si Blu, handang talikuran 'yung pamilya niya para kay Zia. Galaw-galaw din kasi." Chloe teased him.
Huminga ng malalim si Lucas at tiningnan si Chloe na nakangiti.
"I am such a jerk, huh?" Tanong ni Lucas at tsaka sumandal sa pader.
"Telling you I won't exchange our time with someone I'm just amazed with. Making you think I'd like you back. Sinasaktan na kita, Chloe. Napakagago ko." Sinapo na ni Lucas ang mukha niya pero inangat niya rin naman ito nung marinig niya ang mahinang pagtawa ni Chloe.
"Honestly, medyo umasa ako dun. But knowing you, I contained myself. Sapat na sa akin na nakikita ka, Andrei. As long as you're safe and healthy, I'm fine with everything." Nakangiting sabi ni Chloe. Her smile was so sweet that Lucas wanted to punch himself knowing he's hurting the girl who's special to him.
Dahan-dahan na siyang lumapit kay Chloe at niyakap ito kahit nakaupo ito sa kama. Chloe wrapped her arms on Lucas' waist and closed her eyes.
"Just keep it low, okay? Nasasaktan parin ako kapag nakikita ko kayong dalawa. Give me time to heal, Andrei." Mahinahong sabi ni Chloe at ikinuyom nalang ni Lucas ang kamao niya.
"Kung bakit ba kasi hindi nalang ikaw ang nagustuhan ko?" Tanong ni Lucas at mahina namang natawa si Chloe at tsaka kumalas na sa pagkakayakap.
"We can't choose who we fall in love with, Andrei."
✥✥
"Am I really just going to stand here and accept that my baby girl is talking to a guy alone in the lab?" Nakahalukipkip na tanong ni Seth kay Xin na nagtitimpla ng kape.
"Wow, nahiya naman si Jun sa 'yo. Siya nga 'yung ama at pachill-chill lang tapos ikaw ang oover-react ka." Sabi ni Baxter sa kanya at tiningnan naman nila si Jun na nakaupo sa tabi ni Xy at umiinom ng tubig. "That dude's always chilling." Sabi ni Seth at tumingin sa hagdanan para tingnan kung bumaba na ba si Blu.
"Relax, bumalik naman dun si Jayden." Sabi ni Matthew habang naghihiwa ng kamatis. Tumulong naman sa kanya sina Chloe, Celise at Shinshi sa pagluluto. "Ano na namang ginagawa ni Jayden dun?" Tanong ni Seth.
"Ayaw siyang bitawan ni Zia." Agad na sagot ni Walter kaya mahina namang natawa 'yung iba.
"'Yan kasi, drama nang drama." Dagdag ni Walter at tsaka nila tiningnan si Joshua na ginagamot ni Duke ang kamay. Duke was using the medicine kit for the first time on someone since he can't heal yet. "Pero mas nabigla talaga ako kay Josh. Grabe 'yung suntok, bro. Sabog!" Natatawang sabi ni Vernon.
Joshua just palmed his face and hid from embarrassment.
"Wait, what the hell?! Nanuntok ka po, Tito?!" Gulat na tanong ni Wilder kay Joshua. Itinapat lang in Joshua ang hintuturo sa labi niya at pumikit.
"See? Not all angels are good." Sabi ni Archer habang nakahiga sa hita ni Atlas na tulog rin at nakasandal sa couch. Team Alpha just looked at the new team. They were a set of fresh faces with different backgrounds.
To them, the new team was like their little babies, in need of training and care at the same time.
"Nagluluto ka pala, bansot?" Tanong ni Wilder kay Chloe na inirapan lang siya.
"Bibig mo, Wilder." Suway ni Xy sa kanya kaya tumingin na naman si Wilder kay Shinshi na may hawak nang kutsilyo. "Subukan mo lang kundi ibabato ko 'to sa 'yo." Shinshi warned him, not even minding that Walter was there, listening to them.
"Sige, ibato mo! Come on, baby! Hit me!" Wilder provoked him kaya wala pang ilang segundo ay tumatakbo na si Wilder palabas ng mansion habang hinahabol siya ni Shinshi. Shinshi immediately transformed into his wolf form and tackled Wilder on the ground.
Napaubo naman agad si Wilder at tsaka humarap kay Shinshi na nakaapak sa dibdib niya habang nakahiga siya sa Bermuda grass.
"G-Good doogie~" He said but Shinshi just growled. Shinshi barked at him kaya napapikit nalang si Wilder pero dahan-dahan niyang minulat ang mga mata niya't tiningnan ang balahibo ni Shinshi.
"Do you shampoo your doggie hair too?" Tanong ni Wilder at inamoy pa ang leeg ni Shinshi kaya agad itong lumayo. Wilder was a bit confused as he thought he was just petting a big dog but then realized what he just did.
"S-Sorry.." Aniya. Shinshi growled at him one more time before running back to Wolfie's house to change.
"Hey, let's make a bet." Sabi ni Walter habang nakatingin kay Wilder na pinapalo ang sarili niya.
"Gago, sarili mong anak pinagpupustahan mo." Suway ni Matthew sa kanya. Mahina namang natawa si Wilder at lumingo-lingo nalang. "Never mind. Let him suffer from his games." Mahinang sabi ni Walter at uminom ng kape ni Xin.
Mahina lang siyang hinampas ni Xin sa braso dahil inagaw niya ang kape nito.
"Sinuwerte ka lang naman kasi baliw na baliw sa 'yo si Keya at baliw ka rin sa kanya. Wilder still hasn't found her own Keya yet, brother. Let him have his time." Mahinahong sabi ni Xin kay Walter na nakatingin parin kay Wilder na nandun parin sa labas.
"And besides, tinira mo pa naman 'yung kapatid bago si Ke—"
"There's a kid here, Seth!" Sigaw ni Joshua sa kanya at nagtawanan naman sila. Tumingin naman sila kay Audin na nakanganga na dun sa carpet at nakadantay pa ang paa sa mesa. Tumayo nalang si Jun at tsaka kinarga si Audin at pinahiga ito ng maayos sa sofa.
Xin just looked at him, admiring his grace.
"Ganyan rin kaya makatingin si Zia kay Blu?" Tanong ni Baxter habang nakatingin siya kay Xin. Xin just looked away and tapped her fingers on the table.
"'Wag nga nating pag-usapan 'yan. Nabubwisit ako. Gusto kong sumabog!" Inis na sabi ni Seth at umalis nalang at sinabing pupuntahan niya si Addie. "Baka ibang pasabog ang sinasabi nun." Hinampas agad ng frying pan ni Matthew si Walter dahil sa sinabi nito.
"Lumayas ka." Mariing sabi ni Walter sa kanya.
"Pre, mag-asawa ka na kasi. Hindi na nga kasi maghihiwalay sina Jun at Xi—" This time, si Jun na ang naghampas ng unan sa mukha ni Walter at tsaka siya tinulak palabas ng mansion at tsaka ni-lock ang pinto.
Natawa nalang si Xin at tinapik ang balikat ni Matthew.
"Ang dami nating problema, diba?" Tanong ni Walter na pumasok ulit sa mansion.
"Oo, at isa ka na dun." Diretsong sagot ni Matthew at natawa naman sina Chloe dahil dito.
"Imagine if we were in a movie or in a book. Siguro walang may pakialam sa parte ng libro na may problema tayo. Ang gusto lang nila 'yung mga kinikilig sila. Basic." Sabi ni Dino na nakaupo na sa tabi ni Joshua. Sabay namang tumingin sina Jun, Xin, Walter at Xy sa kanya.
"As a reader, you're insulting us. We pay attention to every detail!" Giit ni Walter pero tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Dino. "Yeah, even a single word or a single object can change the whole plot." Dagdag ni Xin at tumango naman si Jun bilang pagsang-ayon.
"But admit it, ang boring magbasa nung part na puro problema diba? So, if we were in a book, readers would get bored with us and might even stop reading half-way." Sagot rin ni Dino at pinaningkitan naman siya ni Walter.
"'San ba nanggagaling 'to? May umaway na naman ba sayo?" Natatawang tanong ni Walter sa kanya.
"Wala naman. I'm just sad that Zia's story is not the fairytale that we promised her. We promised her a castle, a unicorn, a nice dress, sweet cakes and just smiles. Instead, problema at sakit ang nabigay natin sa kanya." Sabi ni Dino na nakatulala na at parang hindi na alam ang gagawin.
Nagkatinginan naman ang lahat at tsaka sila tumingin kay Dino.
"We'll get there." Nakangiting sabi ni Xin kaya tumingin na ang iba sa kanya.
"We'll rise again, Alphas. Just wait."
✥✥
"Oh, ba't nandito ka na?" Tanong ni Baxter kay Jayden na kakababa lang at nakapamulsa. Agad namang nakita ni Joshua ang pasa sa gilid ng labi ni Jayden. It was different now. They don't heal easily like before.
"I gave them their privacy." Sagot niya at tumabi kay Xy dun sa sofa.
"You mean you left the two of them, alone?!" Gulat na tanong ni Xy kaya saglit namang napapikit si Jayden at tinakpan ang tenga niya. "Ano bang interpretation mo sa privacy? Of course, I need them to talk alone. Geez, Xy." Sagot ni Jayden at tatayo na sana si Xy pero hinila siya paupo ni Ash.
"Your sister will kill you if you disturb them right now." Sabi ni Ash kaya tumingin naman ang iba sa kanila.
"Pakialam ko?! At tsaka wala silang label tapos kung bigyan niyo ng privacy parang silang dalawa 'yung i-eengage? At tsaka bakit ba lahat ng mga nagugustuhan ni Zia bigla-bigla nalang ineengage?! Kaya ayaw kong lumapit 'yun sa lalake!" Pag-aalburuto ni Xy kaya nagkatinginan naman sina Jun at Xin.
"Anong gusto mo? Gawing lesbian si Zia?" Tanong ni Wilder na kakapasok lang kaya binato siya agad ni Xy ng libro.
"Wala naman 'tong ganitong issue nung sa inyo ni Jun, diba Xinny?" Natatawang tanong ni Jayden kay Xin na agad namang tiningnan si Jun na nag-iwas rin ng tingin.
"Dude, I can't imagine if Jun had a fiancée that time. Kung si Miu nga, binalian niya ng buto, ano pa kaya 'yung magiging fiancée ni Jun?" Natatawang tanong ni Walter.
"Oo nga. Malala pa naman magselos si Mommy." Sambit ni Xy kaya tiningnan naman siya agad ni Xin kaya agad siyang nagtago sa gilid ni Jayden. "Kung malala si Xin, ano nalang kaya si Zia?" Tanong ni Baxter dahilan para magkatinginan silang lahat.
"Tito, hindi niyo po ba magagawan ng paaran 'yung kay Blu? Desperado 'yung tao." Sabi ni Wilder dahilan para tumingin agad si Xy sa kanya. "At ano namang magagawa ni Dad? The Van Saints already left Archia at isa pa, it's a family tradition. At bakit ba parang pinipilit mo talaga sina Zia at Blu?" Sunod-sunod na sabi ni Xy sa kanya.
Nagkibit-balikat lang si Wilder.
"I don't know. All I know is that she looks at Blu the same way Tito Xin looks at Tito Jun." Sagot ni Wilder at kinarga na si Audin para ilipat ito sa kwarto niya.
✥✥
The two of them looked at each other for a while until Blu finally moved closer and caressed her cheeks. Zia immediately closed her eyes, feeling the coldness of his skin but the warmth of his presence. It was the same way she described the love her father was giving her and now, Blu was that person for her.
"Gising na ang prinsesa ko." Malambing na sambit ni Blu at tsaka niyakap si Zia na mahinang natawa dahil sa sinabi niya.
"How come you immediately escalated from 'm'Lady' to 'my lady' to 'princess'?" Natatawang tanong ni Zia at tsaka niyakap si Blu. "I just figured I need to upgrade." Sagot ni Blu at hinalikan ang buhok ni Zia.
"I missed you, Van Saint." Zia said with her eyes still closed and as she held unto Blu tightly.
"Missed you too, princess." Princess. She was loving it. She was enjoying their embrace and just this time with them alone, it was all she needed.
"May masakit ba sa katawan mo? Is something uncomfortable? Do you need water?" Alalang tanong ni Blu pero lumingo-lingo lang si Zia at hinigpitan pa ang pagkakayakap kay Blu tsaka inamoy ang pabango nito.
It was her favorite scent.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here when it happened." Sabi ni Blu. Dahan-dahan namang kumalas sa pagkakayap si Zia at tsaka tumingin kay Blu. She tapped the side of the bed kaya umupo naman doon si Blu at tsaka tumingin sa kanya.
"Honestly, before I lost my consciousness, all I knew was that you were in trouble. Nung nagsimula nang sumakit ang puso ko, ikaw ang lumabas sa isip ko. Did something bad happen to you?" Seryosong tanong ni Zia kaya tumango naman agad si Blu.
"W-What? What happened? Nasaktan ka ba?" Tanong ni Zia sa kanya at tumango ulit si Blu.
"Seriously?! Saan? Was it an accident?" Seryosong tanong ni Zia sa kanya.
"I got hurt here." Sagot ni Blu tsaka tinuro ang dibdib niya. Agad namang nawala ang ngiti ni Zia at tsaka mahinang hinampas ang braso ni Blu na tumawa lang dahil dito. "But seriously, something bad happened to me." Aniya kaya sumeryoso ulit si Zia at nagtanong kung ano.
"I just figured out that I am loving you too much, missing you too much, and thinking about you too much. It's bad for my health, princess." Diretsong sagot ni Blu kaya kinuha nalang ni Zia ang unan at hinampas ito kay Blu at nagtawanan na silang dalawa. Sharing laughter after the storm was the best for the two of them.
Pero dahan-dahang nawala ang ngiti ni Zia at tsaka tumingin ng maigi kay Blu. Blu's eyes flashed blue again after looking at her. It made her heart race but it also made her heart ache.
She smiled at Blu. Held his cheeks and just looked at him in the eye. "About Kharis—"
"Let's not talk about it." Agad na sabi ni Blu habang hawak parin ang kamay ni Zia. "Blu.." Malambing niyang tawag rito kaya nagtiim-bagang si Blu at pinilit na mag-iwas ng tingin pero pinatingin siya ni Zia sa mga mata nito.
"Wala akong balak tuparin ang gusto ng pamilya ko. All I want is you. They can't change my mind." Agad na depensa ni Blu dahil nalaman na niyang narinig ni Zia ang usapan nila ni Lucas nung nakahiga pa ito sa lab bed.
Tiningnan lang siya ng maigi ni Zia.
"Do you want your family to disown you?" Tanong ni Zia sa kanya at walang pagdadalawang-isip namang tumango si Blu. Zia just gulped and looked down before taking the courage to look at Blu's eyes again.
She hated how she was so weak just to see those orbs shining blue just for her.
"I can turn my back on my family for you." Mariing sabi ni Blu sa kanya pero ngumiti lang si Zia at tiningnan si Blu sa mga mata.
"Blu, you can turn your back on anyone, but not on your family. Because at the end of the day, sila parin ang nandiyan para sa 'yo." Mahinahong sabi ni Zia sa kanya dahilan para umiling si Blu.
"N-No.. are you pushing me away?" Nauutal na tanong ni Blu sa kanya kaya agad na lumingo-lingo si Zia.
"No, baby. It's not about that." Sabi ni Zia at hinawakan ang pisngi ni Blu. "I am fighting for you. P-Please.. fight for me too." Zia's heart was broken knowing how the person she loves the most was fighting for her and asking her to fight back.
Zia gave him a warm smile.
"I am fighting for you. But first, I need to fight for this realm." Mahinahong sambit ni Zia pero pinipilit niya lang na maging mahinahon ang boses niya. Zia gulped down and tried to stay calm.
"Since the first day, I am not worthy of you, Dimitri Blu Van Saint. Hinintay mo ako, pinaglaban mo ako, at nanatili ka sa tabi ko and all I do is push you away and mark my priority first. I know I'll hurt you by saying that we have a bigger fight ahead of us but that's the truth. We have bigger problems. Bigger than this. And I'm not saying that relationship of ours is not important because Blu, you mean everything to me but I have to stay on lane." Zia's eyes were starting to water and one drop successfully escaped her eyes pero agad niya rin itong pinunasan at tsaka tiningnan muli si Blu.
"I have to stay on the line because if I don't, there will be no future ahead of us." Tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luha ni Zia kaya agad na naghanap ng panyo si Blu pero wala siyang mahanap, instead, he wiped her tears using his thumb.
"Shh, baby. You can tell me everything." Blu shushed her in the middle of her pushing him away once again.
"B-Blu.. if I die. Remember, it's not the end." Zia said, crying.
"A-Ano.. ano bang sinasabi mo?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Blu sa kanya pero niyakap lang siya ni Zia at tsaka ito umiyak. Napapikit nalang si Blu dahil naririnig niya na naman ang nakakapanghina ng tuhod na iyak ni Zia.
He bit his lip and rubbed her back.
"I really don't want to let you go without even marking you mine. I really don't want to see you with someone else. I really don't want you to leave because with you by my side, I can do anything. But Blu, the future comes first." Blu took one good look at her crying face. The way her tears made their way down her cheeks.
The way she sniffles. Just.. everything about her.
"Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa atin pagkatapos nito." Nanghihinang sabi ni Blu at pinunasan ulit ang mga luha ni Zia.
"But remember, my eyes will only shine for you. My love will only be for you, Zia Muirgen." Napangiti na si Zia at hinawakan ang kamay ni Blu na nakahawak sa pisngi niya.
"But before you finally let me go, let me do one thing." Mahinang sambit ni Blu habang nakatingin lang si Zia sa kanya. She knew what was going to happen so she silently gave her consent and closed her eyes.
And that was it. She felt his soft plump lips brushing unto hers.
They shared their first kiss the day she let him go.
"Only you, Zia. Only you. Always."
❅ Snow ❅