Once More - Legacy 6.2 (AWESOMELY COMPLETED)

A

18

ROME

"Where are you going?" I asked Ian when she let go of my hand. Her wide-eyed stare said it all. She's going to run after her sister. She's going to put herself in Illea's mercy. And I won't let that happen. Ian shouldn't get hurt.

"I have to talk to Illea—"

"Bullshit Ian!" Serise roared. Noah already ran after Illea. The whole family is already quiet. Walang nagtatangkang bumasag sa katahimikan dahil baka may masabing mali.

"She's hurting Se!"

"And so are we! And everybody else! Damn it! Hindi lang siya ang nasasaktan at hinding hindi siya ang huling taong masasaktan!" Serise countered. Ian shook her head before taking Sese's hands. Doon ko nakita ang panginginig niya. Fuck, but Serise Montreal is shaking.

"She's hurting Se. M-maybe..maybe it's time to lower our masks. Marami siyang sinabi, mostly mga patama sa atin, pero she has a point. Nasaktan natin siya and Lolo won't like it, right?" My Ian's voice broke. Kinagat ni Serise ang labi niya bago nilingon ang gate na nilabasan ni Illea.

"I'll stay here. Go." Aniya. Bumitaw si Ian kay Serise bago tumakbo para habulin ang kapatid niya. Agad naman akong humabol rito para maalalayan man siyang kung ano man ang maaring mangyari.

Naabutan namin si Illea sa park, itinutulak si Noah palayo. Pinigilan ko ang braso ni Ian sa paglapit bago kami nagtago sa isang vending machine roon.

"Noah, please!"

"No! I heard it Illea, loud and clear! Binitiwan mo ba ako dahil kay Serise? Nasasaktan ka ba ngayong kami ng dalawa?" Noah asked. He was close to begging to his knees, I can see it. Illea's eyes went everywhere except at Noah's.

"Mahal mo din ako?" halos pabulong na tanong ni Noah. I can hear his desperation behind those words. Illea bit he lip before shaking her head.

"Illea!" Noah almost shouted. A tear rolled down Illea's eyes before smiling sadly.

"Mahal mo ako eh. Illea, you're in love with me." Frustrated ng sabi ni Noah. Binitiwan niya si Illea bago inihilamos ang dalawang palad sa kanyang mukha.

"Bakit ang dali sayong bitawan ako? Am I that easy to dispose Illea?"

Niyakap ni Illea ang sarili niya. "Mahal ka ni Serise, Noah. I am doing this for my cousin—"

"She never said that—"

"She doesn't have to! Ibibigay ko ang lahat para sa pamilya ko Noah! It's my family over my heart! It is my family over anything else! It is my family over me! Kahit ako ang madurog sa huli basta masaya sila, ayos lang! It will always be my family first." Balik sigaw ni Illea. I felt Ian stiffening beside me. Kinuha ko ang nanlalamig niyang kamay habang siya ay abala lang sa pagkakatitig kay Noah at Illea.