The Mafia Princess

Epilogue

"Bat ang tahimik mo?" Tanong ni Aaliyah sakin.

"I'm just thinking na tumigal ka na ako na maghahawak sa RDM. I don't want you to feel pain. I want you to live a normal life." Andito kami ngayon sa balcony ng kwarto ng kapatid ko.

I want to protect her at all cost. Kahit buhay ko pa ang kapalit. I can sacrifice for both of us. I can scrifice for her to live a normal life.

"We can only do this together, Kiel." Ngiti niya sakin. That smile, that inoccent smile.

Will you still be like this after all this? Will you still be my sweet twin sister?

"I can do this alone. Basta safe ka." Sagot ko skaanya.

"We will both find a way to survive this. We knew this will not be easy. Nakatakda na ang tadhana at ito na yon." Sagot niya.

"Kaya ko nato magisa, Aaliyah." Kumunot ang noo ko sakanya. I want her to listen to me.

Umiwas siya ng tingin. Hindi ko mabasa ang ekspresyon niya. Nakatingin lang siya sa kawalan at huminga ng malalim.

"Ginagawa mong panangga ang sarili mo para protektahan ako. But you're not my shield... You're my brother. Alam ko ang ginagawa mo iniiwas mo ko sa RDM. You don't walk the path alone Kiel. Kasama mo ko." May diin at galit sa mga salita niya. "Sa bawat hakbang.. sa bawat galaw kasama mo ko." May mga nagbabadyang luha sa gilid ng kanyang mata.

"I'm just trying to protect you." Tumingin na rin ako sa kawalan, "I'm always worried for. I can't sleep."

"Alam ko Kiel. But, can't we protect each other? I know you're worried Kiel. Tahimik ka lang pero ramdam ko. Sa ilalim ng matapang na panlabas mo alam ko kung sino ka talaga. You're my brother. I know."

"I can't afford to lose you." Lumandas ang luha saking mga mata. Iniisip ko palang na maaaring mawala siya nasasaktan nako.

"If something happens to me. Will you live for me? If we can't survive this and I die remember kahit sa kabilang buhay pa yan, I will always be with you, bro." Ngiti niya na may lungkot sa mga mata.

"Don't talk like that, Aaliyah!" Napataas ang boses ko. Natawa naman siya.

"You are not alone. Remember our promise?" Ngiti niya

"Twins, side by side we'll fight and protect each other. Promise." Sabay naming sambit at ngumiti.

Umiiling ako habang nasa bahay. This is not real. My sister's not dead. This can't be. We promised. Hindi ko siya naprotektahan. No. No. This can't be happening? Umiling ako ng umiling. Habang nakatulala ako sa sahig.

Nakita kong may lumuhod sa harap ko. Tinignan ko siya. She will be my only reminder if my sister.

"Kiel. It's okay. Cry." Mugto ang kanyang mga mata. "Alam kong nasasaktan ka. Iiyak mo lang." Sabi after that all my tears came running. I can't. I can't do this alone. No. I can't

Niyakap ako ni Steph at umiyak ako sa balikat niya. "Iiyak mo lang."

"Kasalanan ko. Kasalanan ko." Iyak ko sakanya.

"Hindi matutuwa si Aaliyah na sinisisi mo ang sarili mo. Please stop." Her voice cracked.

Dumating si Jayden galing sa HQ at umupo sa opposite na sofa. Umayos ako ng upo at pinunasan ang luha ko. Mugto ang mata at tulalang umupo. May dala siyang papel.

"Malinis na lahat. Walang bakas natin sa lugar na yon." Sabi niya habang nakatulala.

Binato niya ang papel sa coffee table.

"Galing sa desk ni Aaliyah. That's written nung hinand over ang RDM sainyo. Tito's in the hospital devastated inatake siya sa balita..." Huminga siya ng malalim. "I'm sorry Kiel hindi ko siya naprotektahan. I-i'm really sorry." Tinakpan niya ng palad niya ang mukha niya.

"Jayden it's not your fault." Seryoso kong sabi. Because it's my fault.

Kinuha ni Steph ang papel at inabot sakin. Sulat kamay ni Aaliyah.

To My Brother

Kakapasok lang natin sa RDM. I wrote this letter para sayo, Kiel. If ever something happens to me. Like I said I want you to be happy and go on with your life. Don't blame yourself. And please take care of Steph, Jayden and Daddy for me. They are my only family bukod sayo. And please stop crying dahil wala nako para punasan ang mga luha mo.

Our destiny is hidden in darkness where our power grows. I want you to quit and build a new life but I know you won't. Don't suffer in silence, bro. May mga taong nagmamahal sayo wag kong solohin. Sa kabilang buhay, I will guide you brother.

And if you still want to go on with this kind of life. I will not let you die. Walk where I cannot walk anymore. We are meant to do this together and you will show them all, good and bad. That we are stronger kahit di na tayo magkasama. Alam kong marami kang makakabangga, Kiel. But remember they will only see the strong Kiel, they will never see your weakness because I know even if you don't tell me I am your weakness. And when I die they will not have grasp on you.

If the pain awaits you in the darkness run to it, unafraid. Faith Kiel. Kung nababasa mo to. Only one of us survived at ikaw yon. Alam ko nang mangyayari to dahil sa kambal isa ang napapahamak. Each of us is an offering and that's me. I am with you.

You're in pain so they will too. We will no longer hide. I know they will not escape what's coming because I know you, Kiel. You did well my brother.

I love you my devilish twin brother.

Naiyak at natawa ako sa sulat. Yan ba talaga ang tingin mo sakin, Aaliyah? Devilish? I will continue your legacy. I will make them pay. I will be strong. I will do everything para makakuha ng hustisya sa ginawa nila sayo.

We walk through violence. Our path is set between the last breaths of our enemies.