Fire Exit (Completed)

EPILOGUE (2)

Gideon's POV

I stared at the door in front of me. Pinipigilan ang sarili kong pumasok sa loob para makita siya. I thought to myself, nah, and put the key back in my pocket. Tumalikod na ako at pumasok sa loob ng cottage, inaasahan kong bubungad sakin 'yung dalawa na nagtatalo but instead, they greeted me with serious faces.

"Hindi bagay." Masungit na sabi ko.

Nagkatinginan sila na para bang may masamang plano. Umiling nalang ako at naglakad papunta sa hagdan. Napahinto ako nang tumakbo si Eaton palapit sakin.

"Gideon! Baka naman nakakalimot ka, village festival mamayang gabi, ah!"

I chuckled and patted his head then made my way upstairs. Pang-ilang festival na ba ngayon simula 'nung hindi na ako pumupunta? Pang-apat na yata. Ever since Ari left this place, I've lost my interest in doing things I used to do.

Pero tapos na ako sa puntong 'yon. I have freed myself from being upset whenever she crosses my mind. I just know that she's happy now. That's all that really matters.

"Gideon, hindi ka na pwedeng wala mamaya, ha! Aba onti nalang, mawawala na sayo ang pagiging leader ng race natin. Sige ka."

Napatingin naman ako kay Eric na nagsasalita sa likuran ko. Hindi ko siya pinansin kaya naman naramdaman kong tumabi siya sakin dito sa balcony.

"Ang ganda ni Hera, 'no?"

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Hera?"

"Oo!" At ngumiti pa nga ang mokong. "She lives nearby. Bro, may gusto talaga sayo 'yon matagal na! Bakit ba hindi mo binigyan ng chance mag-work kayo? Bagay naman kayo sa isa't isa."

"No, she's not my type." I simply said. I gotta admit, Hera was pretty and so close to being a goddess-like. Every man in this town obviously wants her. Well, it's not really my business but Eric kept on pushing me to, at least, give it a try.

"Isn't she?" He teased. "Dang, man. I miss seeing you happy with a girl! It's been a while since you last--"

"I'm too busy for that, Eric. Hindi ko naman kailangan ng babae para sumaya. If you want her so bad then why don't you date her yourself." I shrugged.

He laughed and got up to leave. I rested my elbows on the railings and stared at my town. Paano kung naging normal na mga tao nalang din kami, kagaya ni Ari? Would it be more easier?

I laughed when I thought of what I did last night, I was practicing astral projection and went to Ari, I just thought it would be fun to check on her after four years only to found her being drunk. She has changed a lot, I must say... she became slimmer which made me slightly worried. I hope she's taking care of herself.

"Gideon?"

I panicked when she called my name so I instantly went back and blow the candles off. Akala ko nakita niya ako but how is that possible? I wasn't really there, it was my astral body. Maybe she was only hallucinating.

"Gideon! Pupunta ka sa festival mamaya, ha! Maghahanap na ako ng girlfriend ko so ikaw na bahala doon mamaya." Si Eaton naman ngayon ang tumabi sa akin.

"Girlfriend?" I laughed. "How is it going with Hermione?"

"Ah.." He scoffed. "Wala, ang controlling masyado, e. Akala ko naman matino! Pero, oo, matino naman siya. Yun nga lang, pinipigilan niya ako sa mga gusto kong gawin. Edi hindi rin masaya. Saka okay na rin 'yon, may ex akong maganda." Saka siya tumawa nang nakakaloko.