I'll Save You Forever

Kabanata XXXV

INIGO

"Ikaw—" Mabilis akong lumapit sa matandang lalaki. Hinila ko ang kwelyo ng suot niyang kamiso. "Sino ka ba? Ano ka? Bakit mo kami pinaglalaruan ng ganito?"

"Bitawan mo ako Inigo. I'm not someone whom you can treat this way," aniya ngunit hindi ko 'yon pinansin. Mas hinigpitan ko lang ang pagkakahawak ko sa kwelyo niya.

"Sino ka ba kasi?"

Nagulat na lamang ako nang bigla siyang nawala sa harapan ko at lumipat sa gilid dahilan para mabitawan ko ang kwelyo niya.

"Ako lang 'to hijo," aniya. I averted my gaze to where he teleported. Dahan dahan niyang hinubad ang salakot na lagi niyang suot ngunit nanlaki na lamang ang aking mata nang makita ang mukha niya.

"D-dad?" Nanigas ang buong katawan ko. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.

Siya ang lalaking tumayo bilang pangalawa kong magulang. Walang nagbago sa mukha niya liban na lang sa kaniyang balat. His skin is slightly older than before. But his hair is still as white as ever.

Wait, why is he in front me of now. Hindi ba't—

"Matagal na akong patay hijo," he cut my thoughts. "And I'm a ghost too."

"W-what?" Nangunot ang aking noo. Akala ko'y naliwanagan na ako sa lahat ng mga nangyayari. But what the hell is happening now?

"After I died, I tried to cross the bridge to the afterlife but I couldn't," aniya. Kaya pala napaka-pamilyar ng kaniyang malamig at nakakakilabot na boses. "Funny, isn't it?"

Natawa siya matapos magsalita. Meanwhile, I didn't utter any word. Nakatutok lang ako sa kaniya habang naghihintay na magpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita.

"Para makatawid ako sa kabilang mundo, I must finish a mission. And that is to bring your compassion back. I need to twist your sense of justice and your view towards how life works. After all, I was the one who made you a monster."

He took a step towards me. His face has become sincere. Never in my life had I seen that once before.

"I was given all means and power to execute that mission. But even before I could do that, you unexpectedly died in Callista's hands. But then I realized that it could be an opportunity to start my mission."

"What do you mean?" Sa wakas ay nagawa ko na ring magsalita.

"Naisipan kong pansamantala kayong pagpalitin ng buhay. In that way, you will live the life of a policeman. At makikita at mauunawaan mo ang konsepto ng buhay sa ibang anggulo." He patted my shoulder. Then I saw a smile from his face.

"Inigo..." he called my name. Minsan niya lang akong tawagin sa pangalang 'yon. "The world may be cruel, but it doesn't mean you need to be cruel too. You may choose not to live in accordance to the wicked world."

I stared at his eyes and I saw a glimpse of sincerity in it. His words didn't sound like he was my master or my manipulative boss. For the first time, he sounded like a father.

A real one.

"Whenever you fall, do your best to get up quick. But never—ever be everyone's worst while you do your best to rise."

Hindi ko lubos maisip na naririnig ko 'to sa boses ng lalaking 'to ngayon. He didn't sound like a serial killer actually.

"Why are you saying all of this to me?"

"Dahil katulad mo, narealize ko rin 'yon sa loob ng pitong taon. I watched you living Callista's life and there, I also learned everything you did," tugon niya. Unexpectedly, he enveloped me in a tight hug. "I'm happy to be your second dad, Inigo."