Strings and Chains (The Frey, #1)

34. Our End

STRINGS AND CHAINS

CHAPTER 34 - THE LAST CHAPTER

How would you spend your remaining time in this world?

Me?

I spent it with my friends and family.

After a week I told Raiden my choice, he suggested that I should go back home. I agreed. Hinatid niya ako ulit rito sa pamilya ko. And ever since that day, I spent my whole time with them. Hindi na ako bumalik ulit sa pag-aaral. I only had months or maybe a year to live so I planned to enjoy my time as much as possible.

For three months, I spent my time travelling the country. It was my wish and one of my bucket lists. I've never seen Raiden during those months. He told me he was busy with his work back in the Labyrinth. I understood. Magkano na rin ang utang niya kay Lauren. Ilang beses na niya itong sinuway dahil sa akin. Now that we both had time to finally do what we were supposed to do, we separated ways and worked on it.

I enjoyed my life and my time with my family travelling the country while he was busy doing tasks and missions.

Tinupad ko rin ang pangako ko sa magulang ko na babalik ako. At heto ako, masaya dahil kasama ko na ulit sila. Wala na akong pakialam pa sa natitira kong oras rito o kung gaano pa ako magtatagal, gusto ko na lang gawin ang mga gusto kong gawin kasama ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. At least, mamamatay akong masaya. Mamamatay akong kontento.

Kahit masaya ako, masaya sila Mama't Papa, hindi ko pa rin matatakasan ang kapalaran ko. I could feel it, how I was slowly dying. Mom asked me so many questions but I dodged all of it. I was afraid to tell them the truth. Pero nang sinabi kong gusto kong makasama sila at maglibot sa bansa, mayroon na silang hinala sa sitwasyon ko.

At 'yong oras na kailangan kong sabihin 'yon, hindi ko rin matatakasan 'yon. I had to tell them the truth.

We spend three days on a beautiful beach resort. It was a windy evening. I was standing on the door habang malayo ang tingin ko sa karagatan. Mom walked beside me. Inabot niya sa akin ang isang baso ng wine. Tahimik kaming uminom hanggang sa nagsalita si Mama.

"What's happening to you?"

My hair was completely white and some parts of my skin already wrinkled. Unti-unti na ring nanghihina ang katawan ko.

Lumunok ako habang nakatingin pa rin sa karagatan.

"I... I'm dying, Ma," sagot ko saka ako tumingin sa kanya.

I could see the pain and sadness on my mother's face but she just nodded. She completely understood what I gambled, what I did.

"I can see it, anak," sagot niya sa akin at doon na naiyak. She was crying for it was already evident on my body that I was dying and they could clearly see and watch it.

"Is there no other way to save you?"

"There is one," sagot ko at muling uminom sa baso ng wine. "Alam mo na rin kung ano 'yon, Ma."

"Maru..." Hinawakan ni Mama ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.

"Tell me again why you agreed to Lilith?" tanong niya.

"To come back, survive, and live..." I answered my mom and that finally made me cry. I burst into tears and Mom hugged me tightly.

"Why?" tanong niya ulit.

"So I can hug you and Dad again, so I can live with you again."

Huminga ng malalim si Mama habang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.