VANGUARDIA

Defying Destiny (Finale Part 3)

Regina's POV

"I will bring Narda back to you."

I froze.

Ali walked closer to me, and I looked up at him.

"What?" I said, surprised that I'm able to utter the word.

"I will bring Narda back."

"Ali, if this is a prank --."

"It's not, Regina."

"Wha- wait." I breathe and stand up, paced back and forth before facing him again, "What? What will you do?"

"I have this." Ali showed me the old moonstone.

I shook my head, "That stone is dead."

"This is dead today, not when I travel back to the past. I checked."

"Ali you can't change the past." I said.

"Says who?"

I looked at him, shocked. "No one has to say it, Ali! Too much had happened. And in case, you forgot, the power of the moon had been born and yet again, borrowed! We don't know the consequence, but we are fools if we will not assume that this will be something major."

"Pinag-aralan ko kung saan dapat ako pumwesto sa timeline, Regina! I think I have a shot at this." Ali insisted.

"And what?! Ali, I am grieving but I am not yet insane!! Hindi ka ba nag-iisip??! You go back to the past and then you'll be punished, we don't know. The present will change, too much risk that might put everyone in danger. Narda died for this, Ali!!" I am fuming. Never in my life, I imagined that we'll be in this reversed role. That Ali will be the one reckless. "And let's say, you borrowed the power of the old moonstone, what will be your sacrifice huh?!"

"Buhay kapalit ng buhay." His eyes are void of any doubt and it scared the hell out of me.

"You can't." I pleaded.

"Regina, I will only replace Narda's sacrifice. Other than that, everything will happen as is. And if I am dead, how will I be punished?"

"Ali.. No." I cried.

"Hindi kita maintindihan. Ayaw mo bang mabalik si Narda sayo?" He asked.

"I want her, Ali! I want her back. But.. not if I will lose you in the process. That is not right."

"Maybe, for once, do what you want, Regina, whether it feels right or not. And what's the difference huh?! You and Narda decided to give your life, too. Why can't I?"

"THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE!! BECAUSE WE RESPONDED TO THE CALL OF SITUATION, ALI!! OUR WORLD IS FUCKING ENDING!"

"YOU! RESPOND TO THE CALL. FINE!.. But Narda did not." He argued.

"DO I HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME TO STOP HER AT THAT TIME?! FOR REAL, I WAS MAD AT HER FOR DOING THAT!! YOU'RE THE ONE ALIVE NOW, SO CONTINUE BEING ALIVE!!"

Somebody opened the door. It's Ish. But neither of us acknowledged her.

I continued, "AND YOU ARE PUTTING ME IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION. LIKE MAKING ME CHOOSE BETWEEN YOU AND NARDA!"

"I AM NOT PUTTING YOU IN ANY POSITION! BECAUSE I WILL DO IT WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR BLESSING, REGINA!"

"ALI!! JUST STOP!" I cried.

"Hey! Hey! That's enough." Ishna interrupted.

One look at her and I figured, "You already know?"

She did not deny it.