Cards: Ash Crisanto

Chapter 50: Finale

Kyrian Ash Crisanto's POV

At the age of 7, I've learned how shrewd and brutal business could be. Hindi ako lumaki sa mga magulang ko dahil doon, since we can't have them ambush us together, there has to be one heir remaining if the other dies. And as for my part, I'd rather it to be my sister to live.

"Kyrian, hindi ba't sinabi ko sayo na wag iyan ang laruin mo?" pagsaway sakin ni Lola.

"Mas gusto ko ito." Pangangatwiran ko at nagpatuloy sa paglalaro ng chess.

"Hayaan mo siya Freja, iyon ang gusto ng bata." natatawang sabi ni Lolo, lumapit ito sakin at ibinaba ang isang makapal na libro sa harapan ko. Agad kong itinigil ang paglalaro at kinuha ang libro.

"Pwede mo yang basahin habang nasa daan tayo." nakangiting sabi ni Lolo. Tumango lamang ako, sabik na matutunan ang panibagong ituturo nito.

I remember how happy my grandparents were that day. It's supposed to be a charity event not a massacre that will soon change history. The fire and explosion were engraved to my young mind, their screams for help. Ang magulang ng mga kaibigan ko, ang  pagpatay sa kanila sa harap ko, lahat na iyon ay natimo sa mura kong pag-iisip.

At lalo na ang pagkamatay ng sarili kong pamilya. We got away from the explosion but that is not the perfect escape, we might have ran away from that enemy but there's more, plenty of them waiting for that certain moment of our vulnerability.

They killed my grandmother first. A bullet through her chest, and next was my grandfather. One bullet between his eyes and one in his heart. And I didn't look away from their faces as they murder my family.

My photographic memory did me justice. For I would never forget them, and promised to myself that I will kill them so they better kill me first. At the age of 7, I've become a murderer. I lived in hopes of vengeance, at kahit na ng itulak nila sa bangin ang sasakyan ay nanatili ang titig ko sa kanila.

And I prayed for it. For vengeance. And I was answered...

This man did it for me. And in return, I will give him part of me, my loyatly if he ever need it. He said that there's a price for every wish he will grant me with. But I was already greedy, blinded with sorrow and rage.

Our family has been hunted for years. It's only fair for me to hunt them back, right?

"As I said, there are consequences Kyrian." he said,

"I accept whatever that is."

"You will never be in peace. You will live in pleasure that will never be sated. All the material things in the world and yet...still wanting more."

If that is the price. So be it.

"And love. You can have it but again. There will be no peace." he continued...

"Your better half will endure your pain and burden just so you could be in peace. And your sufferings...would be your better half's freedom. Do you accept that, too?"

I don't. So I turned away from anything that has something to do with love. I avoided my family. I used women only for pleasure. And stayed focus on my plans.

Then 'she' happened.

Tandang tanda ko pa kung ilang beses akong pumikit tuwing nakikita ko siya sa mga business event na pinupuntahan namin nila Raven. Sometimes, when I can't help it, I stare at her for too long just to remember her face. But it did me no good.

She doesn't deserve me. Not a tainted boy, no. She deserves more. Yung lalaking buo at may kaluluwa.

"Tsk. Si Abo oh! Nakadali nanaman! Ibang klase men! Iba ka! Idol!" pang aasar ni Devon, tinutukoy ang nangyare kanina sa kasama ko sa banyo.