IV.

IV.

Ashton knew that there's something wrong about Mallory, aside from the fact that she is color-blind. He hasn't even seen her for weeks...no months. It has been exactly four months since he saw her personally.

"Where's Mallory?"

His eyes gazed to the entrance of the

"Hindi raw siya makakapunta. Hindi ka ba niya tinawagan?"

The feeling of betrayal rushed on Ashton's thoughts when he heard Natasha's confused answer. It may look like Mallory was avoiding him but they were constantly in contact with each other. Minsan na silang magdamag na nag-uusap at sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi na niya tinatanong si Mallory tungkol sa libro ni Natasha.

But today all he should talk about is finally getting a hold of the last book of Natasha's book series. However, he can't even focus that Mallory isn't even there. Alam niya gaano kalaki ang suporta nito kay Natasha at ang malaman na hindi ito makakapunta ang siyang ikinagulat niya.

Today is the launching of the last book of three part fantasy novel of Natasha that goes by the name Heaven's Ascension Series. The three-book series will be having its signing event in the book fair.

He just wanted to accompany and buy the book but seeing Mallory was not around Natasha's important day, he knew something's wrong. Lalong-lalo na't ayaw nitong magpakita sa kaniya ng personal. They did video calls but it's sometimes too short and too often.

Naunang pumasok sa convention center si Natasha. He stayed outside and starts calling someone. He doesn't even care if he caught the attentions of some passerbys for conciously tapping his car's roof.

"Red."

"Oh? Ash? Himala napatawag ka?"

"Can you help me find someone?" Ashton heard Red's subtle laugh. "Hindi ako nagbibiro Red."

"I see. I see. It's just so strange you're asking me to look for someone."

Red was a techy guy. He hacks, and sees everything that the internet has. Ashton knew he asked the right person. Kahit na ang kapalit nito ay ang pagiging chismoso nito.

"Who? Give me anything you know about them." Red turns into work mode as Ashton heard him tapping his keyboard. "This is interesting."

"Michelle Mallory Manliguez, 25. An average lady with long black hair and almond brown eyes."

Red sneered on the other line. "A woman? And you describe her like someone who owes you something. Perhaps a criminal?"

"Just tell me where she is. That's all I'm asking you."

"Yes sir. Will send her location asap."

Tuluyan na niyang ibinaba ang tawag at pumasok sa loob ng convention. It didn't even hard to find Natasha as she was lined up with other authors near the entrance who also held their book signing.

Lumapit siya kay Natasha at bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay iniabot na sa kaniya ang isang librong nakabukod sa mesa. She was still signing books as she did that so he immediately got the book and stood behind her.

"The protagonist's name I finally revealed it. Wanna know why it took 3 books to finished it?" usal ni Natasha na hindi man lamang lumilingon sa kaniya. There's only a few more people waiting their turn for Natasha to sign their books. He knew too well she's talking to him.

"Bakit?"

"Kisaragi Asahi."

That name sounds so familiar to him. He ends up losing the grip to the book he was holding. The name was familiar like it was once his. He can't believe the strange familiarity he is feeling.

"It's the protagonist's name."

"It doesn't sound like one."

Napatawa si Natasha sa sinabi niya. Even him, he realized how dumb that statement sound. Pero pakiramdam niya pangalan niya ang sinasabi ni Natasha. He was just frustrated. How did the heavens let him descend and ascend to the heavens without knowledge of his first life?

Now, he ends up clinging to a mortal's book like believing it was his life.

Tuluyan ng lumingon sa kaniya si Natasha nang mabakante na ito. She just looked at him as if she didn't say something confusing to his comprehension. Why was she even telling him that if he'll even just read it.

"This is your last chance to complete your journey and finally ascend to the heavens for good, Asahi." Natasha crossed her arms and legs sitting on a chair facing him. "You almost come by late. You made it this time though."

"Who are you?"

Ashton was doubting if he's still talking to Natasha. Was there even a Natasha in the to begin with?

"You know me too well in the heavens, Asahi."

"Just tell me who are you?!" Halos pasigaw na tanong ni Ashton. His voice wasn't that loud. The noise of the convention taking place covered his voice, only making a few headturns.

"Celestia." Natasha pulled a familiar pocket watch from her sling bag. The old golden watch was so familiar to him that it made him halted back.

It is the watch that sends him back to the mortal realm. It is probably also the watch that sends him back to heaven. As he always sees it before he passed away in his few lives.

"Time is running, Asahi. You're mission is still not complete. Figure it out before it's too late." Tumayo si Natasha at agad na umalis at nakihalubilo na sa mga tao na nasa convention.

"My mission?"

His phone rang. Dali-dali niya itong sinagot at narinig ang seryosong boses ni Red.

"She's at the hospital just around the corner where you are now. She'll be in a surgery an hour from now."

"Su—surgery?" Nagmamadali siyang lumabas at halos mabangga na ang iilang booth na madaanan niya. That doesn't make any sense. Mallory is sick?

He didn't know how did he arrived at the hospital and managed to get Mallory's room but before he could even get there Doctor's were alreaady rushing to that room. His heart beating fast. He was so nervous and he didn't even understand why is he feeling that way.

"Mallory!"

He saw tubes inserted to Mallory's body, machines beeping on the side and medical staff checking on her. Nurses pushing him out but he didn't care. Mallory is in that state he didn't expect how would he even care about himself getting banned or sued by the hospital?

Mallory's weakened and fragile arms lifted on Ashton's direction. The doctors shook their head as if they just surrendered. They knew Mallory couldn't last long. If that man was the last person Mallory wanted to see, then so be it.

"Himari."

"A—asa—hi." Mallory's cracking faint voice was clear to Ashton's ears. The sound of the machines beeping, the cold room, Mallory's voice. He knew he reached the dead end. "So—sor—"

Ashton draws near to Mallory's fragile body. It has been only a month since they last had a video call. It's no where near her current state but he already hinted that there's something's wrong. He should've known it earlier.

"I—I'm sorry. I came in late. I—I didn't know. I didn't have my memories. I—I wasn't prepared for anything." Ashton's voice was cracking in panic. He held gently on Mallory's frail hands. He wasn't sure if he was gentle but his hands were shaking as tears fell from his eyes. "Why am I crying?"

"I...had loved you as Himari. I...still...love you as...Mallory. Asahi...Ashton... whoever you are...I love you. Ma—may the heavens fi—finally accept you."

There was a loud noise, the life-support going berserk, followed by the flat line. The machine told him, she was gone.

He frantically held her body trying to wake her up as the doctors rushed towards the room again.

"No! No! Himari! I haven't told you yet!"

The nursed pushes him back outside. Finally he gave in and let his body astray in the cold hospital's corridor. He hasn't told her. He was too early to ascend into heavens before. Now, that he wished to have his life in mortal realm longer, this happens. Why did he even descend? Why was he even worthy to enter the heavens?

"I haven't told you yet, Mallory. My Himari. I do love you."

There were scenes flashing in front of him. As if he was summoned into another place. He saw Celestia signing the third book she is launching. The last pages of the book opened.

Life is something that the former shogun who's living in the modern world, wanted to be taken away. But the life he never wanted to live was the life somebody else's had dreamt of. When he became sure of having someone worthy of his lenghty life, the fate played him and paired him to someone who is short lived.

They had never lived to developed nor linger the sensations of loving someone but love never had a good or bad timing. Love can be shown in a split second and will still be worth it. A love that is never been told but will always be felt.