Steal Your Heart

Epilogue

AXEL

"Are you interested in this particular photo? I'm sorry but it's not for sale," lumingon ako sa pamilyar na boses at sinalubong niya ako ng yakap bago tinapik ang balikat ko. "It's nice to see you again, bro."

"You too," nakangisi ko namang balik sa kanya. "Congratulations on another successful exhibit, dude. The photos are exquisite."

"Thank you," nakangiti niyang sagot at inabutan niya ako ng champagne nang may lumapit na staff sa amin. "I've been traveling a lot lately, you know. I find serenity in telling stories through my photography."

"You're doing a great job," sabi ko naman pagkatapos kong inumin ang champagne na hawak ko.

"I know that," mayabang niyang sabi at sabay pa kaming tumawa.

Ethos invited Xscape to attend his photo exhibit in a famous gallery here at New York when he heard that we'll be having this state as one of the stops for our world tour.

Of course, I won't miss my cousin's invitation because it's a sign that he has already forgiven me after almost a year of silence from him.

"I saw Julian, Dane, Stefan and Kevin socializing with some guests a while ago," sabi niya pa sabay akbay sa akin. "I can see that you're still the same old Axel who doesn't like too much attention that's why you decided to be alone here. Am I right?"

"I'm still not used to it," sagot ko.

"Almost four years in the limelight and you're still not used to it?" nanunukso niyang sabi at umiling naman ako.

"Fake it 'til you make it, man," sagot ko at muli kaming tumawa bago namin sabay na hinarap ang malaking print na kanina ko pa pinagmamasdan.

It's a close-up photo of Addie while she is looking up at the cherry blossoms.

She's smiling from ear to ear, she looks happy.

"She dropped by for my exhibit in Tokyo last week with her cousins, Chase and Pete. We went out for a walk and that's when I took this picture of her," paliwanag niya sa akin. "Beautiful, right?"

"Beautiful is an understatement," ngiti ko. "I know there's no such thing as perfect but to me, she'll always be."

"Do you miss her?" seryoso niyang tanong.

"So much..." mahina kong sagot. "I miss her so much that sometimes it aches physically."

"Kung gano'n, bakit niyo tinitiis ang isa't isa?" balik niya. "Addie told me that when she left, you both agreed not to communicate with each other. Ang labo niyo."

"Ayaw ko rin naman ng ganitong setup noon. But this is what we both need," paliwanag ko. "There's no need to rush, Ethos. I want to get it right this time," dagdag ko pa at tatangu-tango naman siyang sumang-ayon sa akin.

"You can have this print. I'll have it shipped to your address," sabi pa niya pagkatapos niyang uminom ng champagne. "Take care of her, okay?"

"I will," I assured him. "Thank you, Ethos. For everything."

"Don't thank me, man. I just did what's right," nakangiting sagot niya.

"We're cool, right?" paninigurado ko at ngumisi naman siya bago tinapik ang balikat ko.

"Yeah," sagot niya. "We're free."

"Indeed, we are..."

We are now free from hatred and pain.

Finally.

* * *

ADDIE