The Dare

Epilogue

(A/N: Guys, may Book 2 pa ‘to ha? Happy reading! This is dedicated to all readers na umabot hanggang dito!)

1 day later

10:00 pm

(Third Person’s POV)

Dumaan muna si Claire sa kwarto ng bunsong anak nito para matignan ang lagay ng binata. Binuksan niya ang pinto ng kwarto nito at sumilip. Nakita niya si Clark na nakatulala habang nakaupo at nakasandal sa headboard ng kama.

Tuluyan siyang pumasok sa silid. Lumapit siya sa anak niya at kinausap ito. “How are you, son?”

Ilang segundo na nanatiling tahimik sa silid. Inakala niyang hindi siya sasagot kaya naisipan niyang magpaalam na. Pero nang ibubuka na niya ang bibig, ay nagsalita naman si Clark.

“Mom, we are fair now.”

Hindi maintindihan ng kanyang ina ang sinabi niya. “Wh-What do you mean?”

Sumagot si Clark habang malayo pa din ang tingin. “Patas na kami ni Leah. Nasaktan niya na ako dati, nasaktan ko na din siya.” Tumingin si Clark sa mom niyang naguguluhan. “I remember everything now, mom... as clear as crystal.” May tumulong luha mula sa mata ni Clark. “Even their d*mn kissing scene.” Umiwas siyang muli ng tingin.

Nagulat si Claire sa narinig. Pero unti-unti din itong nag-sink in sa utak niya. “You misunderstood it, Clark.” Napatingin muli si Clark sa ina niya. Umupo muna si Claire sa gilid ng kama bago pinagpatuloy ang sinasabi. “Maurice kissed her forcefully. Hindi iyon ginusto ni Leah. She tried to push him away but, she’s just far too weak for him. Then, when she found out that you’re in coma, she got angry and slapped him in the hospital. Then, she walked out. She’s spacing out while walking outside so she got hit by a car and just woke up 2 days before you.”

His eyes widened in shock. “You--You mean... she was also in state of coma?!”

“You can say that.” She stands up and then speaks. “I’m going to bed now.” She walks away leaving Clark confused.

Agad kinuha ni Clark ang cellphone sa bedside table at tinawagan si Leah. Nagri-ring naman ito pero hindi sinasagot.

“Fvck! Answer, Leah!” bulong niya.

It was his 9th dial when...

[The number you have dialled is unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your c--]

Binato ni Clark ang cellphone sa frustration.

“D*mn! How can I just let that second chance slip away?!”

(Clark’s POV)

The next day, I arrived at school at the same time Leah usually does. I searched our whole room, but there’s still no trace of her. Well, maybe she’s just late.

I motioned to my seat and sit there.

Time flies so fast. It’s already 7:25 am but she’s not yet here.

Then, Ms. Javier called me.

“You should choose another partner for the pageant.”

“Wh-What about Leah? She’s there!”

“I’m sorry but she backed out. So, hmmm... Pearl would be fine, right?”

Leah… backed out? She’s that bitter?

“No. I also quit!”

Umalis ako sa harapan ni Ms. Javier at lumapit kanila Marie. I know it’s disrespecting, but I need to know why did she quit.