Epiphany

Prologue

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We continued running away from the people chasing us into the dark side of the woods not knowing where to head towards. Funny how the rain is actually pouring hard making it even harder for us to see the way clearly. It's like we were destined to experience something extremely awful as this. My mind started wondering why it had to be us, out of all the people in the world, why us? Why now?

The weight of his arms around my shoulder is starting to feel heavier as I try to support him in running. I can hear him breathing heavily as we try our best to run away from them.

"We'll get through this okay? Just don't give up now." I whispered to him. I was expecting a nod but I never felt any other movement from him. Napasulyap ako sa damit niya na kasakulukuyan ng punong-puno ng kaniyang sariling dugo. Hindi ko man lang inaasahan ang napakabilis na pagbabago ng mga pangyayari, earlier I was just thinking about how he looked so good on that shirt not until in a snap of a finger, everything is suddenly ruined.

Parang kanina lamang ay masaya kaming nagu-usap sa pagaakalang ligtas na kami pero ngayon ay tumatakbo na sa isang madilim at maputik na daan para lang matakasan ang mga humahabol sa amin.

I know that he is slowly losing a lot of blood and I can't even do anything about it, how I hate situations like this. I can feel tears forming on the side of my eyes as I try my best to get a hold of him. It would have been better if I was the one who got shot instead of him. I'd rather have that kind of pain instead of the one I'm feeling right now.

The rain is starting to pour heavier together with the wind that blows at us strongly. Napaisip na lamang ako kung kailan matatapos ang paghihirap na ito? Makakaligtas ba talaga kami dito ngayong wala akong makitang pag-asa sa sitwasyon namin ngayon?

It's getting harder and harder to run away with all the bruise we have that is slowly taking away all the energy left inside our bodies. Inaamin ko na pagod na pagod na ako pero ayaw ko namang sumuko lalo na at nandirito siya sa tabi ko. Ngayon pa ba ako susuko kung kailan may isang tao na naman akong pinapahalagahan sa buhay ko?

Just when I was feeling weaker as time passes by, I noticed that the men chasing us are not behind us anymore. It seems like we lost them.

Unti-unti ay naramdaman ko ang pagbagal ng kaniyang mga hakbang sa tabi ko "Abhaya,let's stop," he said as he squeezed my shoulder to stop me from running. I followed what he said and helped him sit behind a tree.

He groaned because of the pain he was feeling. I ripped a part of my dress and started wrapping it around him to somehow stop the bleeding of his gun shot. My hands were shaking because of tiredness and probably this scary feeling inside of me. He held my face shoving off the hair that was covering it. He gently caressed my face as I can feel him staring at me intently. I never tried meeting his eyes for I am afraid. May nararamdaman ako na possible niyang sabihin base na rin sa mga kinikilos niya at alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko ito magugustuhan.

"Abhaya, look at me." I avoided his gaze and stared down not wanting to meet his eyes. I can't believe that I'm actually doing this when all I wanted to do before was to stare into those dark orbs of his "Abhaya, just leave me he---," I knew it!

"NO!" I stopped him before he could even finish what he wanted to say

"We both know I can't make it."

"No, you can. We can! You just have to hold on for a little bit longer, please." I held his hands tightly as I desperately wish that he would agree with me knowing the kind of person he is.

"Abhaya, just leave me here. I'm weighing you down, hindi ka makakaligtas kung pipilitin mo akong isama sa'yo." I started shaking my head continuously and the tears began to fall. Dahan-dahan niyang hinawakan ang mukha ko para tanggalin ang mga luha na patuloy na umaagos.

"I'm not gonna leave you here. I'd rather stay here and die with you than walk away from you." Nananatili ako sa tabi niya kahit na ilang beses niya pa ako pinipilit na gawin ang gusto niyang mangyari. Nagbingi-bingihan na lamang ako sa mga bagay na patuloy niyang sinasabi sa akin.

"Where did they go?! Hanapin niyo sila! Paniguradong hindi yun makakalayo lalo na't my tama ang isa sa kanila!" We heard voices near the tree where the two of us were hiding. We became silent but heavy breathing was evident. I examined his situation and noticed he was slowly losing consciousness because of so much blood loss.

This is too much, he might die if we stay here or even continue running away. To be honest, he's partially right about what he said earlier but I will never do that. I'll continue staying with him even if it costs my life. I brushed off the tears and stood up from where I was hiding. He got alerted with my sudden movement and held my hand tightly "What are you doing?!" he said in a low but firm tone

"This is the only way." I removed his hands from mine and started walking towards an area where those men can see me clearly. I've made my decision and the only thing that I have to do now is be brave enough to face it. The men immediately saw me and pointed their guns at me.

I'm confident that they won't shoot me but I still put my hands up on each side as a sign of surrender "We'll surrender ourselves but you have to help us" confusion was written all over their faces.

Hinugot ko ang aking pocket knife at tinapat ito sa leeg ko.

"If you won't agree, then I'll kill myself." I was dead serious about what I said and I will never take it back. They seem to be alarmed with my threat. Why? Because they need me, alive.

Hindi ko matanggap na naninirahan ako sa isang mundo na may mga taong katulad ng mga 'to. Ni hindi ko matanggap na naiipit ako sa sitwasyon na ito dahil lang sa kasakiman ng mga katulad ng mga taong ito.

As much as I want to run away, I can't do anything now. This is the only way to save him even if it takes away my freedom. I'd rather do bad deeds for these people than see him dying in front of me.

I suddenly wondered, if not because of my ability, then I wouldn't be stuck in the middle of this situation, but then if not because of this too, then I wouldn't have met him. Now, all I need to do is survive with him. The men walked towards me and I averted my gaze to Noah who was still leaning against the tree deeply staring at me and finally, I met his gaze.

"I love you." I heard his voice clearly, sweetly whispering those words even if I didn't see him uttering a single word.

How?

Because I can read minds.

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