This would be the final chapter of Hidden University. I'm really thankful that this is over. Ang haba rin kasi ng iginuguol kong time dito eh. At least, I've finished it now. Worth it din.

Thanks!

Enjoy reading!

***

~Spring's Pov

Nang magising ako, puting usok agad ang sumalubong sa akin.

Wait, what happened again? Did the explosion... happened? Of gosh!

Winter!

Agad akong tumayo sa pag-aalala pero agad din akong napahawak sa ulo ko. It hurts, medyo nauntog ata kanina nang tumilapon ako sa lakas ng pagsabog.

"Ah—ah. S-Spring..."

Napalingon ako kay Aliza na nagigising na rin ngayon.

The smoke is slowly fading and the scattered things around us welcomed my sight.

I massage my head slightly and look for Winter. I pray she's okay. She can't die, if she dies... There are people who would be truly in pain.

"Winter!"

"Doctor!"

Aliza and I shouted together. Nauna siyang tumakbo patungo kay Doctor Watson na hindi pa nakakatayo. Ako naman ay agad tumakbo patungo sa human size glass tube. Pero napatigil ako nang makitang basag na yun at...wala na ang kapatid ko.

Fear crawled up to me. A dreadful thought entered my head as my eyes roamed around.

And there she is, lying on the floor unconscious.

"Winter!"

I hurriedly went to her and lift up her head. Carrying half of her and shaking her shoulders.

Pakiramdam ko naka gawa ako ng sobrang laking kasalanan. I can't forgive myself if she...dies.

It was all on me. I know this would happen but still, I operated the experiment.

"No...no...baby, please wake up. I'm here, I'm here..."

I know the experiment is dangerous, I know from the start! But I still did it!

Akala ko kasi kakayanin niya. Akala ko lalaban siya. I calculated everything already, but something went wrong!

"Winter, hold on. Makakalabas na tayo oh. "

When Ceixarder told me no, I contradicted him. Because this is the only way, my sister is the only way! Sana ako na lang para hindi na nagkaganito. Pero hindi ako pwede eh. Kasi siya lang.

"W-Winter! Winter! Oh God, she looks lifeless!"

Sigaw ni Aliza na ngayon ay nakalapit na rin. Behind her is Doctor Watson. Nakatunganga siya at hindi gumagalaw.

"Doctor, help her! Please do something!" Cause I can't. I can't even think straight! Kasalanan ko, sana hindi ko itinuloy.

"Sorry... baby, sorry..." If only we can exchange position right now, I would gladly be at your state.

"Kailangan natin siyang dalhin sa hospital. Sa Manila. Aliza, ibaba mo ang tower ngayon din at ng madala natin si Winter sa hospital."

Napanganga na lang ako habang nakatitig sa kanya na namumutla at hindi gumagalaw. Hanggang sa isang hikbi ang kumawala sa bibig ko at nagtuloy-tuloy na.

She can't die, Mommy will surely hate me and Ceixarder will be angry at me. But I am willing to catch all of that, mabuhay lang siya.

"I...l-love you...sorry, I didn't. Hindi ko sinasadya… "

My sobs get louder and faster. As minutes passed by, the hate I felt for myself and the guilt is getting bigger as well. Ngayon hindi lang malaking kasalanan ang ginawa ko, isa rin itong pang-aabuso.

Not just to her but also to Ceixarder.

"Winter, are you sure about this? This is dangerous. I hope you already know what this takes."

"Alam ko, pero para rin 'to sa lahat. Para sa kanya, kilala mo naman ang tinutukoy ko diba?"

"Si Cadmus."

"Hmm. "

"And I also know him well. I'm sure as hell he didn't permit this, you even. Magagalit siya."

"I know, Dr. Watson. But what can he do? What can his anger do if I am already into this? Nothing. Saka na ako iiyak at magluluksa kapag nasa afterlife na ako. "

Rinig na rinig ko na ang usapan nila. Alam kong malapit na sila pero hindi ako gumalaw sa aking kinatatayuan.

I'm excited to her again, after how many months. She thought I was there, outside and studying at Manila but actually, I am not. Nandito na ako noong nakapasok sila dito. Sobrang gulat at alala ko nun dahil hindi dapat sila nandito.

But Ceixarder assured me my sister's safety. He said he'll keep her safe.

"If that's so..."

"Nga pala, why are you calling Ceixarder 'Cadmus'? What's that faggot's real name?"

"Ah, his name is so long, kaya kinuha na namin ang bawat first letter ng name niya at yun ang pinarehistro. It's 'Cadmus Eveary Ixer Xavier Adcel Reign Denver Easeley Reñier."

"What?! That long?!" Nahihimigan ko pa ang gulat at pagkamangha sa boses niya.

Hindi na nakasagot si Dr. Watson dahil nasa harapan ko na sila.

Nakatingin siya sa'kin ng diritso kaya tinignan din ako ni Winter.

And the shock expression in her face made me smile genuinely. I know this would happen, I expected her to be that shock but seeing her face now? It's priceless.

"Winter. "

"S-Spring...ano..ng..ikaw? Paa- nong....."

Her tongue got stocked. Her wide eyes never left mine. Her lips were parted apart and she stood frozen.

Smiling, I approached her and gave her a hug. How I miss my stubborn sister.

Pero tinulak niya ako at tinapunan ng matatalim na tingin.

"What's going on? Spring, what are you doing here? How come..you're here? Where did you...god! Are you okay? Saan ka dumaan?"

She hysterically asked and examined me when in fact I should be the one examining her.

"I was already here before you."

"What?! How come? Where's mom?"

"She's fine. She's waiting for us to come back."

Napa tulala siya sa'kin at hindi makapaniwalang umiling.

"No..paanong nauna ka? Diba nasa Manila ka't nag-aaral na maging Doctor din?"

"I lied, baby. I'm just here. Yes I'm studying but I stopped. I'd rather be here and get the cure done. Kailangan na tapusin ko ang sinimulan ni Dad." Mas lalo siyang napailing-iling. Naguguluhan niya akong tinignan at ang buong lugar.

"D-Dad? What are you talking about, Spring? Anong sinimulan niya? Magpaliwanag ka! Hindi ko maintindihan! At paanong nandito ka lang pala pero ni hindi ko alam."

"It was Ceixarder's plan——"

"Him? He knew? He knew from the start and he hide this from me? I can't believe him! Ang dami niyang tinatago sa'kin." In is niyang utas at para na siyang maiiyak pero ang matinding galit niya ay pinipigilan ang luha niya na tumulo.

Instead, her eyes glistened in anger and hatred. Umiling ako sa kanya at hinawakan siya sa braso.

"Let him explain, Winter. He has reasons why he did that. Maybe he just want to keep you safe."

"I am safe. He don't need to protect me by lying and hiding the truth. He could've told me!"

"Like I said, he has reasons. Please don't get mad."

"Here you go again. Masyadong malawak ang isipan mo at naiintindihan ang halos lahat ng bagay sa mundo. Pero ang dami niyang tinatago eh, and what again? About dad?" She never see dad, not even a picture of him. She has no idea either.

"Dad...is the one who started this mess. He is Zacharias Wright. You were the child he's been hiding from all of them. Ikaw yung batang sakitin na dahilan kung bakit niya ginawa ang gamot."

"In other words, I am the reason of all these. I was the reason why. Sana hindi na pala naimbinto ang gamot na yun. Edi sana hindi nangyayari ang lahat ng 'to." Napailing siya at napabuga ng marahas.

"Gawin na natin. I'm sure you're the one who will do the experiment. I trust you."

Napaawang ang labi ko sa kanya. Hindi agad ako nakagalaw.

Hindi ko rin kasi naisip na papayag siya. At ayuko rin. I'm afraid something might went wrong and her life would be on the line.

"No, no. Winter, this is dang—"

"Dangerous or not, I'll still do it. Come on, Spring. Ayaw mo bang matapos na'to? Hindi ka ba napapagod? Because I am, I am so tired of being here and fighting a nonsense battle. "

"But you might die, Winter. I can't do this. Ayaw din ni Ceixarder diba? Just listen to him. Hahanap siya ng paraan. "

"I can do it. And this is not just for everyone, this is also for him. He suffered enough. I've witnessed enough. I am here, I am the only option left! Bakit pa niya aayawan?"

"Because he loves you." She closed her eyes as if she's savoring what I'd said.

"And I love him more that's why I'm doing this. I want to free him. He did great, for me he's the greatest and he deserves freedom." Muling namula at namasa ang mata niya.

"Come on, Spring. Hindi naman siguro ako mamatay'ng talaga. That's just a prediction. And I will fight. I swear, for you, for mom and for him. So let's do this."

In the end, I was convinced because I felt hopeful of her words. She maybe be stubborn but I trust her words.

Na dapat ay hindi ko pinaniwalaan.

"Winter! What the fuck—no! No! Winter!"

Isang sigaw mula sa elevator na nakabukas ang gumising sa'kin mula sa pagkatulala.

Isang nag-aalala at namu-mutlang mukha ni Ceixarder ang agad kong nakita.

Halos liparin niya ang pagitan namin at agad na dinaluhan ako. Ni hindi ko nakita ang pag-hagkan niya sa kapatid ko at ang pagbuhat niya dito.

"No...no...baby, no...please no. Don't leave me. Sabi mo hindi ka aalis, sabi mo hindi mo na gagawin!"

Fear, anger, guilt, pain. All of those reflected in his eyes and face.

Hindi niya alam kung hahawakan ba niya ang kapatid ko o hahalikan o mag sasalita siya.

"Winter... baby...you're a liar..."

Sunod-sunod na nahulog ang luha niyang kasing dami ng ulan. Napayuko na lamang siya at itinago ang kanyang mukha sa leeg ng kapatid ko habang hindi maawat ang kanyang luha.

Nagsidatingan din ang mga authorities at iba pang matataas ang tungkulin sa pamahalaan na tao.

Mga SWAT at iba ring guro mula sa labas. Even a medic.

They inspected the whole Tower itself.

Napaangat ang tingin sa'kin ni Ceixarder. His lips are trembling and his eyes proclaimed pain in every angle. His face showered by tears.

"S-Sorry....I couldn't...." Parang may bumara sa lalamunan ko at hindi na nakapagsalita.

"Ceixarder! Shit! Medic, here!"

Nakita ko si Naythan na dumating at may mga lumapit sa'min na mga nurse at medic.

Binuhat na ni Ceixarder ang kapatid ko at walang lingon-likod na umalis.

Muli akong umiyak at nanghihina na tumayo pero hindi ko kinaya.

Hinang-hina ang tuhod ko na nanlalambot.

I tried again but still failed. Napasalampak ako sa sahig at humagulgol ng iyak. Napa takip na lang ako ng mukha at sinubukan ulit na tumayo nang biglang may matitipunong kamay ang pumalibot sa binti at baywang ko.

My tears automatically stopped as my body was lifted.

Nilingon ko kung sino yun at napaawang ang bibig ko nang makita siya, ulit.

Parang nahugot ko ang hininga at kinapos ng hangin nang nagtama ang mga mata namin.

His intense gaze covered me. Making me frozen in his strong arms.

"R-Rayven...."

"Let's talk, Spring."

~Kiana's Pov

Napangiwi ako dahil sa sakit sa aking tagiliran, tama ng bala.

Naaalala ko pa noon kung paano kami pinaulanan ng bala ng mga hayop na tang'nang mga Mafia na yun.

Isabelle, Zetro, Blaise and I just didn't see that coming. I thought that they only want Winter that time, that they just want to barter with us. But like what the fuck?! Bigla na lang nila kaming pinaulanan ng bala. Mga walang kwenta! Leche!

"Aw! Fuck! Why does it have to fucking hurt like fucking this?!"

Mura ko at napahawak sa sugat ko sa gilid ng baywang. Mayron pa sa balikat at sa binti. Parang binubugbog pa ang katawan ko sa sakit. Napapamura na lamang ako na hindi ko rin madalas gawin.

"Kiana. Masakit ba talaga? Tatawag ako ng doctor." Puna ni Zetro sa kabilang stretcher na mas malala pa ang lagay kaysa sa'kin.

Ang lakas ng loob niyang mag-alala sa'kin samantalang mas malala siya.

"Naah. I'm fine Set, I just need pain reliever. Ako na lang ang kukuha. "

"But you're still weak. Ako na."

"Weak my ass! Ako na kasi. Magpahinga ka na lang diyan." Nakatayo na ako kaya wala na siyang nagawa.

Paalis na ang ibang ambulance na inuna ang mga sugatan at fifthy-fifthy na.

Hulaan ko, kukulangin talaga sila sa ambulance at tiyak na mapupuno ang mga hospital dito sa tagaytay maging sa kalapit na mga probinsiya.

"Miss, pengeng pain reliever please." Nakangiwing sabi ko sa nurse na kakatapos lang gamutin ang sugat ni Raisen. Naisip ko lang, bakit hindi pa agad-agad na dinala sa hospital ang lalaking'to eh ang dami ng tama.

"Heto. Naku, tumayo ka kaagad? Baka mabinat ka niyan."

"I'm fine. My wound is just hurting. Besides I've rested enough. " nakapagpahinga na kaya ako.

Napatingin sa'kin si Raisen na kanina pa nakatanaw sa labas ng Hidden University kung saan tanaw ang mga matataas na buildings ng Supreme Academy.

"You okay, Kiana? You don't look fine to me. In fact you look paler than before."

"I'm used to this, thanks for your compliment." He laughed slowly in my joke. Siya ata ang mahina eh, namumutla rin siya at may tuyong dugo pa sa damit.

"Yeah right, like you're not a human anymore to not feel the pain? Mahiga ka nga ulit dito." Sabi niya at napaangal kaagad ako nang tumayo siya mula sa higaan niya.

"Raisen! Bubukas ang sugat mo!"

"I'm okay. Dadalhin din naman ako sa hospital." He even laugh. Bigla ring sumakit ang sugat ko kaya tumango ako.

Akmang mahihiga na rin ako nang may kamay na dumapo sa baywang ko at may bumulong sa tenga ko bigla.

"Really Kiana? I thought your wound is hurting? Why still flirting, honey?"

Literal na nagsitayuan ang mga balahibo ko at parang gusto kong magmura.

Shit! He's here again. Manggugulo na naman.

"Fuck off, Night. Bitawan mo nga ako. At hoy, hindi ako naglalandi. Hindi ako tulad mo." Kinalas ko ang kamay niya at inirapan siya. Saktong sumakit na naman ang sugat ko kaya napangiwi ako.

"See? You're so stubborn. Dapat nagpapahinga ka——"

"Oh shut up. Hindi ko kailangan ng pangaral mo. "

"I'm worried. I'm trying my best to be nice——"

"But you're not so stop. Buti pa ay umalis ka na, sinisura mo ang mood ko." Nilampasan ko na siya dahil isasakay na sina Zetro at Isabelle sa ambulance. Sasama na ako kahit umupo na lang  ako sa gilid wag lang ako maiwan dito. 

"Kiana! " I didn't look back, I remained walking.

"Kiana!" But he's just too annoying. Hinablot niya ang kamay ko na nakahawak sa sugat ko kaya napasigaw ako sa sakit.

"Ah! Araaay! What the fuck?!"

"Shit, sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Hinablot ko pabalik ang kamay ko at iniumang sa mukha niyang pangit ang kamao ko.

"I said fuck off! Can't you just let me go? Ayaw kitang makita."

"You can't just get rid of me, honey. Sasama ako sa'yo sa hospital." Napapikit ako sa inis. I plan on how to kill him later when I get better. Maghintay lang siya.

"You can't. Wala ka namang sugat eh."

"Edi sugatan natin. Walang problema." Napaatras ako nang bigla niya na lang nilaslas ang pulsuhan niya gamit ang matalim na kutsilyo. His blood immediately dripped, like a flowing river.

"Shit! Night! What the hell did you do?!"

Narinig ata ako ng mga nurse at medic kaya napatingin sila sa'min. They saw Night looking at his wrist and watching himself bleed. He's unmoving and now getting pale. I remembered how he hate to see blood, especially if it's his!

Ang tanga ng lalaking 'to! Bakit niya ginawa yun? To come with me? He can! No need to harm himself!

"Night. Do you know how stupid you are?"

"I'm always stupid when it comes to you, Kiana.  I'm willing to be forever stupid for you, honey."

~Blake's Pov

"Blake, hindi ka ba sasama sa'min ni Chesca? "

"Susunod ako. Kailangan ko lang makausap si Ceixarder tungkol doon sa bata." Paliwanag ko kay Amira, the girl I've been hiding for five years just for Ceixarder's plan. Luckily, it worked. 

"Okay. Basta sumunod ka agad ah. Paghindi talagang makakatikim ka sa'kin——"

"Natikman na kita, pero sige, gusto ko ulit na matik——"

"Blake! Napakawalang hiya talaga niyang bibig mo! Nakakahiya, baka may makarinig." Her cheeks turned red. Napangisi naman ako at napatakip sa mukha.

Shit! Why does she have to be so innocent? And she's always blushing? Nakakalibog tuloy.

"What? Why? Hayaan mo sila. Buti nga eh para malaman nilang akin ka." Inirapan niya lang ako kaya mas natawa ako.

"So possessive. So territorial. So protective. Can't he just shut his mouth up?"

"What? What were you saying, honey?" Natatawang tanong ko kasi may binubulong siya sa sarili.

"Wala! Sige na nga. Alis na Blake. Aalis na rin kami ni Chesca." Close sila ng kapatid ko. Best friend rin sila mula noon pa kaya kami nagkakilala.

"Okay. Take care, Amira. I love you." Bigla kong naramdaman ang pangungulila sa kanya. Ngayon pa lang kami magkakahiwalay ng matagal dahil tiyak na nasa labas na naghihintay ang mga magulang niya.

I kissed her gently on the lips and for a second, parang ayaw ko na pala siyang paunahin.

"Sige na, aalis na kami." Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit, ganun din siya sa'kin. Tumango si Chesca sa'kin na kanina pa naghihintay.

"Arthur, where's Ceixarder?" I asked Arthur, the fifth general of Black Elite Society.

"He went to the hospital with Winter. She's... you know, almost dying."

"I hope she's fine right now. I wish she'll live too. I'm sure Ceixarder will be devastated."

"Yeah, like he's not going to live a normal life again after the calamity." Sumakay na siya sa sasakyan niya. May lalaking dumating at sumakay rin doon. They look slightly the same. I wonder if they're siblings?

"Why are you asking anyway?"

"It's about Royce Avelarde." I was the one who stole that girl away from his family.

She needs to be treated right away otherwise she won't make it.

Tumango siya bilang pahiwatig na naiintindihan niya ang dahilan.

Then they left. Some more followed. Even the teachers and other factory workers, the last one to leave is me.

Palabas na ako ng Academy noon nang may nahagip ang mata ko. Agad akong napahawak ng mahigpit sa manubela at hindi siya nilubayan ng tingin.

Walang tao sa kinatatayuan niya at sa dinadaanan ng kotse ko kaya matapang akong huminto sa tapat.

He's wearing a black rugged jeans and a white T-shirt, with a black leather jacket.

Hindi mo siya makikilala kapag hindi mo malapitang makita ang mukha niya.

Lumabas ako ng kotse at matalim siyang tinitigan. His eyes are dark, deep and sharp. It shadows mine.

"How dare you leave behind your family and gang. And now you're here, waiting for me or to whom, Nazi?" His jaw clenched in anger. Maybe he's holding back his anger and resisting himself to attack me. But don't he dare think that I'm not prepared. Because I always am.

"How dare you took away my sister."

"Nilalayo lang namin siya sa kasamaan, hindi kayo nakakatulong sa kalagayan niya. Kung mahal niyo siya hindi na dapat kayo kumalaban sa'min. You could've let us finished the cure."

"Don't judge the way I love my sister. I'm doing what's best for her."

"And this is the best for you? Are you dumb, fool or stupid? As you can see, walang naidulot na maganda ang ginawa niyo."

"All that matters to me is my sisters, and because you took her, you should take care of her. Kasi hindi lang kita pahihirapan kapag may mangyaring masama sa kanya." Banta niya sa matalim na boses.

"If you really care for your siblings, then you should've do the right thing a long time ago! Hindi mo na dapat tinulungan ang Ina mo at ang ama mo. But instead, you pursued their plans and now, you're hiding? Leaving?"

"I will not put myself in jail, of course. I'm not out of my mind yet, Blake." Namulsa siya at tinignan ako sa mata ng diritso.

"I don't care about Mom and Dad now. As what I've said, only Royce and Rollyn are what that matters to me."

"The authorities had captured your mother, but your father has escaped. If you want your siblings' safety, if you really care for them, makikipagtulungan ka sa'min." Let's see if he's true to his words or he's just bluffing.

"Why would I? I don't have to, I can take them away anytime."

"Of course you can't, unless you want to get captured too. The security for them from now on would be very strict and strong, the authorities believe that to capture the father, the children need to be taken care of, strictly." Napatiim-bagang siya. Kung talagang wala na siyang pakialam sa ama niya ay papayag siya sa alok ko.

"I want my sister Royce be healed."

"Let's compromise then, Nazi. We will cure your sister and in return, you'll have to hand over your father to the authorities, you'll tell them the illegal deeds of your father. That's all. So easy." I saw nothing in his eyes but stress. Tila ba ay sobrang laki ng problema niya. Well, malaki nga. Nasusubukan ang pagmamahal niya sa kanyang mga kapatid at sa kanyang ama.

But if I were him? I will choose my sister.

"I will, just make sure of my sister's health. I want her to be completely healed, in exchange, I will tell to the authorities my father's every illegalities." He looks sincere, he never smirk or what, neither left my eyesight.

"Deal. How about you? You have did wrongful things. "

"We're just the same. All of us had did wrongful things while we're in the University. I am just trying to survive, I just want to survive." He has a point. Even I did things like killing, blackmailing and such.

"Don't forget our deal, Blake. And tell Rollyn to take care of Royce." At talagang inutusan pa ako. Ang lakas ng loob niya ah, did he forgot that we...never have a good chat without fighting and threatening each other.

"Bakit ako? Bakit hindi mo sabihin?"

"I will go to nowhere. Where no one knows me, no one will notice me, and no one will make me remember my old life."

"Oh? Changing lifestyle? Magbabagong buhay ka na? Iba yan ah." I thought if we will finally be freed, he will end up in the jail. I never thought that he'll go to a peaceful place and change his life into something innocuous.

Tumalikod na siya at walang imik na iniwan ako. Wala nang tao sa maliban sa'kin.

I sighed.

Maybe this ends here? Everything seems fine now. Everyone seems okay and will be okay. We will abandoned the University that was once our home. Malungkot man isiping iiwan na namin ang lugar na'to pero alam kong wala namang gustong manatili rito. Ang tanging binigay ng lugar na'to ay sakit, pighati, galit at paghihirap. Ngunit kalahati ng kalahati ng buhay namin ay dito nangyari.

After our long journey and tiresome fight to survive, finally we're free. We are in Alfresco.

***

Annyong! Kunichiwa minna! This would be the final chapter. Nakakalungkot man pero kailangan talaga nitong matapos. Habang nage-edit ako nito ay marami akong natutunan at narealized lalo na dito sa pinakahuli. Naantig ang puso ko. Gusto kong bigyan at gawan ng sari-sariling kwento ang bawat isa sa kanila pero alam kong malabo. But I'll try someday. If possible.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, for the reads, for the votes and comments. Alam kong kunti pa lang ang nagbabasa nito pero sobrang thankful ko na po. Hindi ko ata 'to matatapos kung wala ang suporta niyo. Hindi man kayo marami talaga at kukunti lang ang nagco-comments pero mas ginanahan pa po akong tapusin ito. Salamat talaga.

Nagmamahal,
AerisScarlet

[Edited]