Living With My Future-Ex °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

Chapter 52: Home

Blaze

From a distance, I watch Rylai standing in front of Ashton's ossuary. I can tell, even she has her back on me, that she's crying again. Wala namang araw na hindi siya umiyak magmula ng mawala ang kaibigan ko.

"It's starting to rain."I heard my daughter's voice from behind me.

"Your mom loves it when it rains."I told her.

"Yeah. Me too. But... seriously, I don't want her to be sick. Let's get her home, dad."

Tumango ako at matapos ay nilapitan namin si Rylai.

"Mom. It's going to rain. We have to go home."yaya ng anak namin.

Nagpunas muna siya ng pisngi saka humarap sa'min pero namamasa pa 'yong mga mahahabang pilikmata niya. She's never good at lying because she's always honest and sweet.

"Uhm... Bl—Blaze, ihatid mo muna sa bahay si Mira. Susunod na ako."

"Mom... we'll go home together. Look, it's going to rain. Dad wouldn't want you getting sick."saad ni Miracle na nagpatulo ng luha ni Rylai.

Hindi siya sumagot at saka ibinaling ulit ang atensiyon sa puntod. Walang ni isa sa amin ang umimik sa loob ng ilang minuto. Hanggang sa magsimulang umambon, nagkatinginan kami ng anak ko.

"Sixteen years ago... I was grieving under the rain. Ashton, ikaw 'yong kasama ko no'n. But look at me now, I'm grieving over you because you left me... You left without even saying goodbye."she muttered making my heart flinch in pain. "I'm missing you everyday, my crazy penguin."

Nang lingunin ko ang anak namin, umiiyak narin siya. I took her hand to let her know that I'll always be by her side. My heart secretly leaped for joy when she leaned her head on my shoulder as she cried. I also took the courage to snake my arm around Rylai. She didn't retort... even when I inclined her head on my chest. The heavy rain dropped but we all found shelter in one another. I'm home. We are home.

Bro, thank you for taking care of them. I will always be grateful of you. You will always be my brother. You can leave this world. But you will always live in our hearts.

Tumila na ang ulan ngunit nanatili parin kaming nakatayo sa harap ng puntod.

"Rylai, I need to drive you home. Baka magkasakit kayo ni Mira."

Tumango siya saka nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga.

"It's never goodbye, Ashton. I will always have you in my heart."she whispered closing her eyes before she decided we leave.

I was stuck in the office after I drove them home. My mind was wandering, trying to collect my thoughts. Suddenly, I heard the creaks of the opening door.

"Crystal..."

Like how she used to react everyday, she smiled sweetly.

"I was... I was thinking how their lives went when they thought you were gone."she sadly said. "I shouldn't have kept the truth from them."

"Crystal. You don't have to regret anything. You did what's right."tugon ko sa kanya. "Bumalik ang ala-ala ko, just 3 years after the incident. Pinili kong magpanggap dahil iyon ang tama. I wanted them to be safe."

Kumirot ang puso ko nang makita ang pares na luhang pumatak sa mga bilugan niyang mga mata.

"Crystal—"

"I'm okay."awat niya agad nang subukan ko siyang hawakan. "Pwede ba kitang yakapin?"umiiyak na tanong niya. "Blaze?"

After sixteen years, this is the first time that she called me by my real name. Nakangiting niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit samantalang humagulhol naman siya.