The King's Court

LXVI

There is something weird about silence. The more you notice it, the louder it becomes. 

Tingin ko ay hindi kami nakapagsalita agad nang sabihin ni Nikolas iyon. It was just so out of the blue. So...sudden. 

Ngunit nang tingnan ko siya ay nakatingin lang siya sa akin. He was looking at me with the softest smile and he opened his arms. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at tumakbo ako sa gawi niya. 

"Oh, god," I muttered as I hugged him, feeling him. I still can't wrap my brain around how this happened but I cared more about him in my arms again. 

I sobbed harder into his chest. Lahat yata ng hinanakit ko sa mga nakaraang linggo ibinuhos ko habang nakayakap ako sa kanya. 

"Is this real?" I asked and I felt him caress the back of my hair. 

"This is very real, baby," he replied dahilan para mas maiyak ako. 

Agad rin akong kumalas sa yakap at tiningnan si Leon. He was still in shock as he looked at Nikolas in front of him. The charm he exuded earlier was gone and replacing it was the look of longing for his brother. Roy was the same. 

"You're the King now but shouldn't you at least come and hug your brother--"

"You lying piece of shit. Always in for a grand entrance you fucktard." Leon crossed the distance between them and hugged his brother. Roy did the same at napaiyak na lang ako habang nakatingin sa kanila. 

Nikolas smiled at me before he nodded in Mark's and Arleigh's direction. 

Just as we were crying together, someone spoke by the door kaya napalingon kaming lahat sa matandang babae na naroon. She was wearing corporate attire but that was the least of my concern. 

"I hope you all like my gift?" she said as she marched inside and sat on one of the sofa.

She then looked at me. "Evelyn, you have done a lot while you were in Roatia and I couldn't be more thankful for what you have done. And of course, my gratitude extends to your friends, Mark and Arleigh, as well." 

"So...how did this happen?" 

She waved a dismissive hand. "Well, it's the same as what I did to Lorence. You and Nikolas have done so much to make sure the peace ensues and I am not very cruel as to not grant the wish you both deserve."

Before I could ask, she went on, "When this world's Nikolas was put in a coma, there was little hope for him. He died at the same time as Roatian Nikolas did. I figured Nikolas deserved a second chance at life. This time with you." 

Tears welled my eyes once again. 

The future that I only dreamed of happening is coming true. To live with Nikolas in the same world. To breathe the same air. The future is still uncertain but I am sure about one thing: I am going to live this life even happier with Nikolas in it. 

"Well, I guess this is it, then? Is there really no chance for us to see each other again like this, old woman?" Leon asked and the woman shook his head. 

"Hopefully not."

Roylan and Leon nodded, sadness etched in their eyes. 

"You still have the whole day to spend. Spend it wisely." The old woman winked at us before he disappeared once again, leaving us all dumbfounded and overwhelmed. 

***

My apartment was packed. It was bigger than the last place I owned but it was still packed. It was no surprise, though. Nikolas, Leon, Roylan, and Mark are six-footers sitting on the floor of my apartment.