Claiming Her

Thirty Nine.

His POV

I was praying silently as Julia drove, I can see her tensed glanced as I tried to calm myself. My teeth were clenched.

I slowly closed my eyes and made the sign of the cross. Before I could even start, a tear already rolled down my cheek.

"Words can't explain how badly I need all your help, I never believed in miracles nor prayers but if this is the last thing I should do then so be it. I was always the strong one but how can I be strong when all you can do is trust someone who can kill the only person that made your life meaningful. I will never be a nice person, but I tried to be a good man because of her. If she dies today, I don't know how to stand up again. She's my hope, she's my guide, she's my everything. Please help me. I beg you."

I haven't noticed that I was already speaking loud as I prayed, as I opened my eyes Julia's looking at me.

"It will be over soon, I promise." She gave me a reassuring smile. But none of it worked as I tried to imagine my Kathryn's laughter.

All I could hear is her endless “I love you's,” her captivating laugh, and her sweet voice. How can someone hurt an angel of a girl.

We're all evil inside, but Kathryn has never been. She's clean inside and out, she can't even hurt an ant. She's an angel.

Heaven is full of angels alreadt, please don't take mine.

As Julia turned left my heart beat a little faster.

"Daniel you have to calm down, you need to be strong for her, for your baby." I teared up, I remembered our child. She's carrying a life. She's carrying my child. My hand clenched into a fist, he can't hurt them, he can't hurt my family.

"Malapit na tayo." She whispered. I nodded in response, trying to save the energy I have left

It's easy to tell someone that it's going to be okay, until you put yourself in their shoes.

I gently wiped my tears away as we entered a darker place. I know I looked 10x shittier but everyone knows I'm willing to take a bullet for Kathryn.

Julia suddenly stopped at an old abandoned house, I'm already a nervoys wreck. This is the battle I know I'm never going to win. This is something I can't buy, this is the only war where I'm the weaker side.

Julia looked at me and mentioned the craziest thing "Pwede ka pang umatras." No there's no backing down, it's now or never.

"Love kills everyone doesn't it?' I tried to joke around but we both know what I really meant.

She gave me a little pouch.l and said, "You'll need it."

It was a gun.

"Hindi ako mamamatay tao, Julia " I tried giving it back, but she stopped me.

"Hindi ka mamatay tao pero mas gugustuhin mong mapunta sa kulungan bukas kesa sa puntod ni Kathryn."

Clarity, that's what she gave me. Thanks, Julia.

Her POV

I came to with a throbbing headache, I tried to scream but my mouth I realized I'm gagged.

"Gising na pala ang, prinsesa. Tamang tama natawagan ko na ang pinakamamahal mo." His voiced creeped me out.

How can this be, he's been there for me since the very start. Who is this guy?

I tried to tug on my hands but I was stuck, I was roped from the waist down onto a thick pole.

My eyes and throat heated up as I cried. I'm already dying, what about our child.

"Aww don't cry, princess. Mauubusan ka ng luha niyan." He said mockingly.

I tried to look down but I know it was too late when we heard an engine close from outside.

"It's showtime, princess." He walked through the door on my right and locked it.

Panginoon,

Ikaw na po bahala. Wala na po akong control sa kapalaran ko. Kung mamamatay ako okay lang basta ho iligtas nyo si Daniel at ang baby. Wala na po akong ibang hihilingin. Hindi ho ako humihingi ng extension sa buhay ang akin lang gabayan niyo pamilya ko.

I continued to cry.

Ano bang mali namin? Ano bang tama dito?

Kelan ba naging tama ang gumawa ng mali dahil nagawan ka nila ng mali?

Ang alam ko lang tama sa lahat ng to, pagmamahal, sa lahat ng nangyayari at mangyayari alam ko at naniniwala ako may puso ang lahat ng tao. Lester, wag mong gawin to.

"KATHRYN!" Daniel yelled.

Don't come any closer! Don't come in!

I could only yell in my head, and groan through my gagged mouth. I was thrashing, but it was a futile effort. Daniel still came in.

He saw me, and just like a kid who lost his mom, he ran towards me, he ungagged me and started to untie me.

Before he could speak, I cut him off and said,  “Kahit anong mangyari, mahal na mahal kita.”

Before I blacked out, I heard him say through his tears,
"Kung hindi mo na kaya tanggap ko na, wag mo ng pahirapan ang sarili mo. Mahal na mahal kita, Kathryn."