｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. NARRATION

"How are you feeling?"

Nadikit lang sa kinauupuan ang siyam na magkakaibigan as soon as the video ended. Crow turned off the TV and looked at the group in front of him. Most were crying... but the rest were just plainly shocked.

They watched Hermés be sent to jail. Apollo... was devastated too. He really treated Hermés as his ride-or-die buddy. He was disappointed, of course, but you could not blame the man to reminisce some of their memories.

After all, Apollo trusted Hermés too.

The group did not really die... his team was skillful enough to fake their deaths. After they recovered, Crow let them watch what will happen in a separate room. That was Crow's way of letting them know about the truth.

Pinipigilan nga ni Crow tumawa tuwing nakikita niya ang mga gulat na ekspresyon ng mga binata't dalaga nang makita ang mukha niya. Zeus even threatened to beat him up... ayun tuloy, he was restrained at first.

"Yves loved Achilles but the boy does not feel the same," saad ni Crow. "He was in love with Prada."

Prada felt bittersweet. Huli na talaga ang lahat. The world told them that time would never be in their favor kahit ano ang mangyari.

They were supposed to find for each other... but never meant for each other.

"W-who... killed Achilles?" Prada, who had her tongue back, cried. Hades could not do anything but to comfort her. Nang "namatay" si Hades, he was so glad to discover that his best friend and ex girlfriend were alive.

But, he felt betrayed too... Na nagsakripisyo si Prada para sa kanya.

Nakayuko lang si Apollo. He knew by now na hindi siya ang pumatay, at mas lalo nang alam na niya rin na nakita ni Zeus ang ginawa niya. However, he beat himself so much for it. He felt terrible and he loathed himself for that.

"Yves... killed him." Crow gave them a bitter smile as Prada can only tear up in shock. Para bang may pana na tumusok sa puso niya... she thought that Yves loved Achilles. Bakit niya papatayin?

"Yves thought that their issue will grow bigger kapag nandiyan si Achilles," Crow explained, na para bang narinig ang mga tanong sa isip ng grupo. "Natatakot siya na kumalat na buntis siya... after all, she was thinking of herself that time."

Zeus felt so betrayed. Binabaan niya ang pride niya at sinubukang amuin si Yves because he thought she was devastated over the loss of her brother. Ayun pala, she was the reason why he is dead in the first place.

"Sino ang pumatay kay Yves?" It was Zeus' turn to ask... tears brimming his eyes. At first, pingasuspetiyahan na niya si Gucci. But, he saw in the end of Crowbones that Gucci was innocent.

"Lucas Santos..." Gulat na napatingin ang magkakaibigan kay Crow.

"Putangina?" Sambit ni Apollo.

Lucas had always dreamt to be a part of their squad... Na kahit hindi siya tipo ng magbabarkada, pinagpilitan niya sarili niya. The group was right when they said something was wrong about him.

Among them, Hades was most shocked. That was his classmate... and friend. Alam niya rin na umuwi si Lucas noong gabing binalak nilang patayin si Yves!

"Tangina?" Hades could not help but blurt out while Chanel looked at him in worry. She was already having suspicions in her head... hindi niya pa alam na binalak nina Hades na patayin ang bunso nilang kaibigan.

"Based on my team's investigation, Mr. Lucas had a sexual desire for Ms. Yves ever since the two siblings rented their apartment in their residences." Kumuyom ang kamao ni Zeus as soon as he heard that.

It was never them to begin with.

"Binalak namin siyang patayin... ako... si Hades... at si Gucci." Napatingin ang lahat kay Dior na nakayuko lamang. She felt so guilty... alam niyang hindi na dapat itutuloy ni Hades ang plano ni Gucci. Kundi lang sa sinabi niya, this would not even happen in the first place. "Pasensya na... ako ang unang nakaalam na buntis si Yves."

Napahagulgol si Prada when she heard that.

The love of your life... being the father of another woman's baby. Para bang pinagkaisahan na siya ng mundo. It really told her that Achilles was not for her. Napagtanto ni Prada na wala na talaga. Even after death, wala na.

"Alam ko 'yun..." Zeus said while Gucci looked at him, guilt filling her eyes. "I followed Dior... at nakita ko paano bugbugin ni Apollo si Achi. I was the one who took him to the hospital."

Nagpalabas ng maliit na ngiti si Apollo kay Zeus... he felt so thankful. Pero, alam niya na mayroon din siyang kontribusyon sa pagkamatay ni Achilles. Nang malaman ni Apollo 'yon kay Zeus noong isang araw, he repeatedly thanked him.

"Yves Moreau was not pregnant with Achilles' baby." Agad na napatingin ang mga magbarkada sa kanya. "It was Hermés'."

It was Dior's tears who were evident now. Pinaghinalaan niya si Achilles... and siya ang dahilan bakit ito pinatay. Siya rin ang dahilan bakit pinangunahan ng galit sina Hades at Gucci, resulting them in plotting to kill Yves.

She was impulsive.

"I-i'm sorry I spread the video..." Tiffany, who was watching them, could not help but to cry. Just like her best friend, naging impulsive rin siya sa mga actions niya. She failed to investigate... at sa kanya nagmula ang viral video. Ares had to hug her. "I also... burned and destroyed the evidences."

Nang malaman ni Tiffany kung sino ang pumatay kay Yves, she felt guilt swallowing her whole. Tinulungan niya ang isang rapist... to clear the tracks of his dirt and murder. Imbes na matulungan ang mga investigator, she even helped the murderer.

"And, I believe that Ms. Gucci would like to confess something to Mr. Zeus..." Gucci could not help but avoid the gaze of Zeus. However, she had to do it.

Everything... every lie... and every secret... had to be stopped now.

"The money you have been giving to Yves..." Lumuha si Gucci, feeling relieved that after all these years, masasabi na niya ang totoo kay Zeus. "She's putting it into waste."

Wala nang nagawa ang grupo kundi panoorin tumulo ang mga luha ni Zeus habang nakikinig sa kwento ni Gucci. Hindi niya inakala na ang taong he genuinely loved... was loving the material part of him. Naging sila because of his money.

"I'm sorry it took this long..." Mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Gucci as Zeus pulled her closer to him and hugged her. He was not mad at the girl... hindi niya kayang magalit dito since she stayed by his side. He was disappointed, of course, but never angry.

Mag-best friend sila, e.

"I'm sorry, naging late ako..." Chanel teared up while Hades immediately welcomed her into his embrace. "Masyado akong obsessed sa pagiging maingat... hindi ko na naisip na pinapabagal ko lang ang oras."

Chanel was wrecked noong nawalan ng dalawang buhay sa grupo nila. She promised to help Yves... but she was too late. Hindi niya natupad ang pangako niya sa magkakapatid. Pakiramdam niya ay iniwan nalang ito sa ere.

Then after, a man's sobs were heard.

"D-dior..." Humahagulgol si Ares habang lumalapit sa dalaga. Pakiramdam talaga ni Ares ay nakapatay talaga siya ng tao. "Patawarin mo ako... I'll pay for what I did. I'm really sorry."

Dior gave him a bitter smile and nodded. She felt so lost nang nawala na ang lahat sa kanya... she was also an only child. Who will be her parents? Paano siya makaka-survive sa mundong ito? That was the reason why it was hard for her to let go.

Kaso nga lang, ayaw niya rin maghold ng grudges.

Amidst all these, Ares felt glad... they were free from their secrets and lies. Alam na alam niya na hindi na maibabalik ang dati. Of course, they had to make space for each other for a while. However, at least they got the closure they needed.

"These are the pictures you found on the first day." Crow butted in as he laid ten pictures in the table in front of them. Nagkatinginan muna ang magbabarkada at saka tumayo upang lumapit sa mesa.

Positive Pregnancy Test - Dior Aurea

Boy and Girl Running - Apollo Andrigre

Blueprint of the School - Hades Van Doren

Sex Room - Hermés Bertillon

Video Recorder - Chanel Sovanna

Money - Ares Revaz

Silhouette in front of a fire - Tiffany Lamanie

Dead Fetus - Prada Guillebeaux

Silhouette holding the head of a girl - Gucci July

Yves and Achilles - Zeus Bechtel

"There's also a reason why I placed the keys in Prada's eye, Dior's stomach, and Chanel's mouth," dugtong nito.

Kahit hindi na sabihin ni Crow, alam na ng tatlong babae ang dahilan.

"Prada saw Yves' dead body. Dior found out that Yves was pregnant. And Chanel..." He sighed. "She did not say anything."

After that, Crow left for a while so that the group could let out any of the secrets they had left. He wanted to take this time to let the group know of the lies plaguing them... lalo na Hermés used Crowbones to hide his secrets while exposing the others.

Hermés surely did not study Crowbones enough. Crow wanted justice to prevail at all costs.

"All done?" Muling tanong ni Crow nang bumalik siya sa kwarto. Tumango ang mga magkakaibigan sa kanya. Agad niyang binigyan ng tissue ang grupo because they looked like a crying mess.

"I have to announce something," panimula ni Crow. Napakunot ang noo ng magkakaibigan dahil pakiramdam ng mga ito ay may pakulo nanaman siya. Baka sa katotohanan ay hindi pa talaga tapos ang Crowbones. "Damn, chill!"

Nape-pressure si Crow.

"You get to return to your normal lives... I have coordinated with the proper authorities about your case," Crow said as he saw how some heaved a sigh of relief. "Money will also be transferred to your accounts."

"Hindi namin kailangan ng pera," Prada hissed as she crossed her arms. Their lives and cases were not up for transaction. Knowing the truth was more than enough for her.

"But, I transferred it already." Napangiwi sina Dior at Gucci nang makitang ngumuso si Crow.

"Baka naman pwede pa akong makapatay ngayon," Hades threatened, making Crow burst into laughter. "Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat."

"It is your choice if you want to go back to your university or not," dagdag ni Crow. "You can arrange with my team if you want to go someplace else."

"Anong catch?" Apollo asked. "Bakit ang bait mo?"

Oo nga naman, bakit naman 'yon gagawin ni Crow para sa kanila? He literally just played with their lives... and even forced them to expose secrets about their friendship. Why was he suddenly letting them coordinate with him?

"Mr. Hermés came here to clean his reputation... and at the same time... tarnish yours," Crow answered. "His mistakes led you to questionable decisions, not gonna lie... But you were not murderers."

"You deserve a second chance," dugtong ni Crow.

- -

SEVEN YEARS LATER

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. GUCCI

"Ah... Manila, you're still beautiful."

I stepped out of the plane and pulled my luggage with me. It felt nice to be back in my hometown. Being a flight attendant required me to stay away from Manila for a long time. But, still, I achieved my dream.

I also became the purser of our cabin crew.

Halos apat na taon na ako sa industriyang ito... and I was still going around the world just to look for him. Wala na akonf balita and I never saw his name in the list of pilots. Wherever he was, I just hope his skies are always safe.

Seven years na ang lumipas simula nang mangyari 'yon sa amin. Magsisinungaling ako kapag sinabi kong hindi ko 'yon naaalala. It was both my nightmare and daydream. Pero, ayun din ang dahilan bakit magkakahiwalay na kami ngayon.

I never even had contact with my other friends.

After the incident, only kuya Hades and I stayed in our university. However, hindi na rin naman na kami nagpapansinan ni kuya. Siguro, nagbabatian? But, the friendly conversation... we lost that. We stopped being friends.

Hey, kuya Hades became a businessman! Mayroon na siyang nationwide franchise ng restaurant niya and he invests in other companies too. Malayo na ang narating niya and I could never be more proud.

Kuya Hades and ate Chanel never got back together.

Nag-transfer din ng university si ate Chanel and she became a successful architect while juggling her modeling career. Her face was all over the internet everyday. As for dating rumors about her? Maraming nali-link sa kanya but she never confirmed a relationship.

As for ate Prada, nabalitaan ko na bumalik na raw siya sa Los Angeles. Rumors told me na roon na napagpasyahan ni ate na i-pursue ang kanyang med degree. I think she's taking surgery as her residency now. Hindi na rin ata sila nagpapansinan ni kuya Hades, e.

But nevertheless, I felt so proud.

Sina kuya Ares at ate Tiffany... well, I heard they broke up. However, may mga nagsabi rin na nagbreak sila to focus on their studies first. Once maging abogado at doktor na sila, they'd go back to each other's arms. Lumipat din sila ng university.

Abogado na si kuya Ares, e... so I think he's waiting for ate Tiff to finish her pediatric residency?

Then, kuya Apollo and ate Dior... our unlikely lovebirds. Sabi-sabi ng balita na sila pa rin daw. They moved to kuya Apollo's province where he continued his law degree. At ngayon, abogado na rin siya like kuya Ares. Ate Dior, on the other hand, is now the engineering head in her real estate company.

Kuya Hermés... bailed out a year ago. But I heard that he already went abroad so he would not be bothering any of us.

While, Zeus... wala na akong balita sa kanya. He disappeared like thin air at hindi na nagparamdam sa amin... sa akin. But, I really hoped that he was happy and well. He deserves his peace.

But, I missed them too. Should I?

ONE WEEK LATER

Why the fuck was I getting nervous? Sila lang naman ito?

I contacted them... except for kuya Hermés dahil hindi na kami komportable sa kanya. I asked them if they could meet with me in a cafe near our old university. Gusto ko lang naman sila makita... and hopefully, bring back what we lost.

Hindi naman siguro masamang subukan?

Only ate Tiffany confirmed na makakapunta siya. Ang usapan namin ay 4PM and fuck... 4:30PM na! Hanggang pagtanda ba ay wala pa rin silang sense of time and punctuality? But still, I missed this.

"Guch!" Maligayang ngiti sa akin ni Tiffany as she entered the cafe. Mas lalo siyang gumanda... and her features matured! Nako, kuya Ares, dalian mo at baka maagawan ka. "Super ganda mo!"

"Mas maganda ka, doc!" I exclaimed and hugged her like there's no tomorrow. I saw how she giggled at what I called her. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too!" Sabi ni ate Tiffany. "Balita ko purser na ang baby namin?"

"Saan mo naba-" I was cut off with a familiar voice.

"Ako hindi niyo miss?" Napalingon kami kay ate Chanel na kararating lang! I was shocked... akala ko talaga hindi siya makakapunta! Her schedule made it even worse to contact her kaya akala ko hindi niya nakita ang messages ko.

"I missed you, Chanel!" Agad na yumakap si ate Tiffany sa kanya at sinundan ko naman. "Big time ka na, ha!"

"Namiss ko rin kayo!" Ate Chanel flashed a gorgeous smile at us. "Ang successful niyo na... I am so proud."

"Upo muna tayo!" Inaya ko silang umupo dahil pinagtitinginan na kami sa loob ng cafe. Bakit kasi dito ako nag-aya?! Bawal pala ang maingay dito!

"Kamusta lovelife?" Ate Chanel was the first to ask at mapang-asar kaming nginitian. Porket siya, hinihintay ata ni kuya Hades! Ata ha! Ata! I was only relying with the rumors from the marites. Bawal maniwala agad sa words ko.

"May... babalikan ako." Ate Tiffany took a deep breath and we immediately got what she meant. May balikan palang mangyayari! Kuya Ares, hurry the fuck up!

"May... hinihintay ako." I flashed a small smile at nakita ko paano nalungkot ang mga mukha nila. They knew that Zeus was impossible to contact dahil wala na kaming alam tungkol sa kanya. After Crowbones... he left everything behind.

Including us.

"Hindi pa kayo nakakapagmove-on?!" Ate Chanel exclaimed which made me scoff.

"Ay mars, ikaw move on na?" Tinaasan ng kilay ni ate Tiffany si ate Chanel making me laugh. Nanahimik nalang si ate Chanel at ngumuso.

"Hoy, mga tukmol!"

"Puta, pumasok ka na! Umuulan!"

Alam namin kaninong boses 'yon. Napalingon kami sa couple na dumating... kuya Apollo and ate Dior. Grabe, hindi ko napigilang mapatitig kay kuya Apollo. He looked much more handsome than before!

"In love ka, Guch?" Pang-aasar ni ate Dior sa akin. Nahalata niya pala! Anyways, ate Dior really looked stunning. Bagay sa kanya ang long black hair niya. She was even wearing a formal attire.

"Ulol, ate!" Singhal ko at niyakap silang dalawa.

"Kayo pa rin pala?" Ate Chanel chuckled and hugged the both two. Kuya Apollo smirked at them and wrapped an arm around ate Dior's neck.

"Strong na strong!" Kuya Apollo said. "Namiss ko kayo! Ang gaganda niyo, ah! Ikaw, Chanel, big time na big time!"

Nagkaroon ng saglit na katahimikan while I processed the situation.

Nakatitig lang sina ate Dior and ate Tiffany sa isa't isa. I guess... they lost contact with each other too. Naalala ko pa naman gaano sila kalapit sa isa't isa noon. They were like twins... much more than blood sisters.

"Namiss kita, tanga." Ate Dior flashed a smile and initiated the hug with ate Tiffany. Makaraan ang ilang segundo, nakarinig na ako ng nag-iiyakan. Nahiya ako dahil pinagtitinginan nanaman kami!

"Dapat talaga hindi tayo sa cafe nagkita-kita." Kuya Apollo chuckled.

"Prada?! Akala ko nasa States ka!" Napalingon ako kay ate Tiffany when she exclaimed. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin at nakita ko si ate Prada na kapapasok lang ng cafe! She looked like a model!

"Prada!" Bulyaw ni ate Chanel and ran to her to hug her.

"Hey, hey, hey!" I smiled when I heard that familiar voice. It was kuya Hades with kuya Ares! They looked better with their formal attire... and they got taller too! Para na tuloy silang mga higante.

"Hello!" Bati ni kuya Ares sa amin at saglit na tumingin kay ate Tiffany. I had to smirk at that... mukhang may pupuntahan kaming kasal, ah?

"Hoy, Prada." Ngiti ni kuya Hades sa kanya. "Long time no see, no talk."

"I missed you too, dimwit." Ate Prada chuckled and hugged him. I glanced at ate Chanel who was looking at them so endearingly.

"Mga tukmol, na-miss ko kayo!" Sumunod na yumakap sa kanila si kuya Apollo na para bang mga bata pa kami. Nagsisitalunan pa silang tatlo! They acted like we were still young!

Well... after all, they were my youth.

"Pogi niyo na, ah!" Pang-aasar ni ate Dior at saka niyakap din sila. Pakiramdam ko ay parang mga tito at tita na kami ng Manila. Kung kanina ay para kaming mga bata, para na kaming mga tanders ngayon!

"Namiss ko kayo, mga kuya!" I giggled and gave them a hug.

"Hi!" Sabay na bumati sina ate Chanel at ate Tiffany kaya naman agad na namula ang mukha ng mga kaibigan kong lalaki. I think, mayroong magco-comeback. Sana ready na si kuya Hades maging non-showbiz boyfriend.

"Ayun, tayo, e." Kuya Apollo smirked, making kuya Hades and kuya Ares glare at him. Mahina siyang pinalo ni ate Dior at saka pinatahimik.

"Nagmo-moment sila, baby," I heard ate Dior whisper.

"Tangina, kayo pa rin?" Kuya Hades asked as he looked at kuya Apollo who was hugging ate Dior from the back. Ano ba 'yan?! Nakakabitter sila!

"Engaged na kami, tanga." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni kuya Apollo. Naghiyawan naman ang iba kong mga kaibigan kaya pinagtinginan naman kami! Hindi ko naman kasi inakala na maingay pa rin sila hanggang sa pagtanda!

"Congrats!" Bati namin.

"May balls ka na, putangina mo!" Malakas na tinapik ni kuya Hades si kuya Apollo kaya gumanti naman siya at pinakyuhan ito. Sigh... bakit ko nga ba sila naging kaibigan?

"Ako maid of honor, Araceli!" Ate Tiffany glared at ate Dior who just nodded and hugged her. I felt so happy for them... ako kaya, kailan?

"Nasaan pala si Zeus?" Kuya Ares asked.

Wala siya.

"Narinig ko pangalan ko?"

My heart doubled in beat when I heard that voice. I searched all over the world... for his presence again. Hindi ko magawang lumingon. Akala ko ready na akong makita siya but nawala ang angas ko.

"Gago!" Hiyaw ni kuya Hades at saka sunod-sunod na silang lumapit kay Zeus! They all took turns hugging him while I mustered up the courage to turn around. When I faced him, our eyes met.

Mama, rumurupok nanaman ako.

"Hey..." Ngiti ito sa akin nang makalapit. Sasagot sana ako nang bigla niya akong niyakap. The fuck naman... I thought I was not marupok na, e! "I'm sorry for cutting you off my life. I'm willing to be part of it again."

As a best friend ba?

"I'm willing to see wherever the fuck we'll go." My eyes widened as I saw a smirk creeping up his face. What the fuck? Why was he flirting with me? "Kinilig?"

"Kapal mo." I rolled my eyes at him.

After that, we all sat down as we talked about our lives. Nag-break pala noon sina kuya Apollo and ate Dior but kuya courted her again... talk about true love. Si ate Chanel naman ay in-offeran noon ng acting gig but she refused. Ate Prada will be staying here for good!

Si kuya Hades naman ay pasimpleng nagnanakaw ng tingin kay ate Chanel, mukhang hindi pa nakapag-move on. On the other hand, sina kuya Ares at ate Tiffany ay nag-open up about their lives. Malaya silang naglalandian sa harapan amin kahit sinasabi nilang mag-ex sila.

Then Zeus, he was a pilot now. Kaso, he was a captain for the airlines in the province kaya ngayon lang siya nagkaroon ng oras para makita ang mga messages ko. He thought about... moving to Manila.

No one talked about Crowbones nor kuya Hermés. We put all the past behind us... and we were only talking about the present. I hoped that all of us were able to sleep peacefully now at night. We all deserve the peace we have.

"Na-miss ko talaga kayo," I said. "Life has been so different without you guys."

I hope we all felt the same way. Sa nakikita ko ngayon, it seemed like we were back to our youth. They were still the person I was friends with seven years ago. Witness sila sa mga kagagahan at kalungkutan sa buhay ko.

We were there at each other's best and worst. Kami ang tumayong pamilya ng isa't isa... and that was much better than blood. Marami kaming naging challenges, oo, but our love for each other prevailed.

Siguro nga, we had to find our peace. It was best to find it separately... because our dreams and our lives were not meant to stay with each other at that time. Para na naming pinapatay ang sarili namin noon.

So now, I want us to start over. We will forget about the past and move forward. Kahit bawas na kami, I desperately wished that the remaining ones continue. Because this group... this is my family.

I would not trade anything else for this.

"May tanong ako..." Ate Chanel said as we all looked at her.

"Can we all kiss the death of our past and start over?"