A/N: At last, welcome to the epilogue! I would like to congratulate you dahil nakaabot ka sa chapter na 'to. Thank you for being part of their journey at kahit ang daming mali, still tinuloy mo pa rin ang pagbabasa. Thank you so much sa walang sawang pagsuporta hanggang huli! I love yooou!

~*~

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Ano yan, Master?" tanong ni Ezra nang mapansing may sinusuri ang hari. Nakaupo siya sa usual niyang upuan sa living room ng Alpha habang nakaharap sa malaking bintana. Kita dito ang buong Academy.

The Battle of the Prophecy has been fulfilled. The Kingdom of Light once again reigned over the world. Darkness has been defeated kaya humina ang kadiliman sa kasalukuyang panahon.

The Underworld mourned for the death of their queen. Simula nung natalo si Shea, hindi na nagpakita ang mga dark apostles, si Seraphina, at iba pang mga taong malalapit sa reyna.

Ganon naman palagi, eh. Light will never be defeated by darkness. That is commonly the mindset of the people when asked who do they wanted to be victorious.

But stars can't shine beautifully without the presence of darkness, right?

Bumalik na ulit sa normal ang lahat. It's been few months since the battle happened.

As the second highest governing body, and the leader of the Alpha, si Kiyan ngayon ang itinalaga bilang bagong namumuno ng Myrrh Academy. He is the current Headmaster.

"Master?" tawag ulit ni Ezra. Kiyan was so drawn to the object he's holding that he completely ignored the presence of his apostle.

Tiningnan niya si Ezra ngunit bumalik rin agad ang pagkakatitig sa isang bato na hawak niya.

"This pendant is not made of ordinary stone," sabi niya na halos pabulong. Nagsilapit naman sa kanya ang Alpha.

"Where did you get that?" tanong naman ni Fire.

"From Eloiny. I found it after she disappeared," he answered.

Dali-dali namang sumiksik si Trevor upang makarating sa harap dahil nga sa nagkukumpulan silang anim sa paligid ng master nila.

"M-May I hold it?" Bakas ang pangungulila sa mata ni Trevor. His eyes were never the same as before at hindi na siya ganon kasigla simula nung nawala ang babaeng mahal niya.

Binigay naman ito ni Kiyan sa kanya. "Can I keep this?" he asked.

Hindi agad sumagot si Kiyan at halatang malalim ang kanyang iniisip.

Until a few moments, parang may umilaw na light bulb sa ulo niya.

"She's amazing," the King uttered in admiration while looking at the pendant Trevor is holding.

"Who?" tanong ni Alison.

Hindi sumagot si Kiyan at napailing na lamang habang nakangiti.

"That pendant isn't just made of stone. It is made by the magic of the Queen herself," panimula niya.

"Si Shea?"

"Ay hindi, Ice. Ako. Reyna din sana ako kung natuluyan ako at di ko nakilala si Eloiny. Kaloka," pag-singit ni Trevor sa usapan gamit ang ipit niyang boses.

Tumawa naman si Ezra, "Uy, namiss ko ang dating Trevor."

"Mas miss ko siya," sagot naman ng huli.

There was an awkward silence after his remark. Tumikhim nalang si Ice to break the awkwardness.

"This pendant was made for Eloiny to protect her from anything that involves the Underworld and the Demon Clan," paliwanag ng Hari.

Masusi lang silang nakikinig sa paliwanag niya.

"And Shea must have thought ahead that if something were to happen to her friend and she wasn't there, someone might still save her."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin, Master?" di na mapakaling tanong ni Trevor.

"Shea added a spell that only triggers if Eloiny will die. After her death, this pendant will absorb all her magic and her soul, will remain dormant and unnoticeable by dark users that even the Goddess herself will not be able to sense it. Her magic was concealed only to the dark side. Not from us."

"So you mean sa una pa lang binigyan na ni Shea si Eloiny ng protective magic gamit ang kwintas na 'yan in case may mangyaring masama sa kanya at di niya mailigtas si Eloiny?" pag clarify ni Ezra.

"Exactly. At kung sakaling nahuli ang lahat at namatay si Eloiny, i-aabsorb ng kwintas na 'yan ang magic niya nang hindi nase-sense ng mga dark specials o kahit ng goddess mismo. She will stay hidden and unnoticeable by ordinary beings inside that necklace. In short, Shea made sure to keep her safe while waiting to be rescued. So if the dark side cannot do anything to her then we, as the light can..."

A sudden realization hit them. Napatakip ng bibig si Ezra at Ice habang si Trevor ay napatulala na lang.

Nagpatuloy si Fire sa kanyang paliwanag, "And if Eloiny's magic and soul is in there that means..."

Tumingin ng diretso si Kiyan kay Trevor, "I can use resurrection magic on Eloiny."

Panandalian silang napatigil.

Napaluhod si Trevor. Nagsimulang tumulo ang luha sa mga mata niya. Napasigaw sa saya ang buong Alpha while Kiyan cannot hide his admiration towards the Queen.

"Thank you, thank you for saving her," pabulong na sambit ni Trevor at di na napigilan ang pag tulo ng kanyang mga luha.

"Even after all of these, you never fail to amaze me," pabulong na sabi ng hari. "You really entrusted your friend to me, huh?" he said as he looked at the tree sappling na nakalagay sa gitna ng silid covered by a glass tube.

The seed that Shea gave him which will become the Tree of Creation and Destruction.

The tree that will be the one to maintain the balance of the universe.

Kiyan summoned his grimoire, "You ready?" tanong niya kay Trevor. Mabilis namang tumango ang huli. He is mixed with emotion at hindi niya mapigilang manginig habang iniisip na muli na niyang mayayakap ang babaeng mahal niya.

The grimoire emitted a blinding light that filled the whole room as Kiyan chanted the resurrection spell written from the book.

A golden magic circle appeared to where he's standing as Kiyan's eyes started to glow. Maya-maya pa, a magic circle mixed with the color of blue and gold starts appearing in front of him at kung saan nakalagay ang kwintas ni Eloiny. Lumalaki ito ng lumalaki. Napuno ng liwanag ang buong silid until finally a girl covered with light and dark glow, appeared.

Slowly, she opened her heterochromic eyes---gold on the right and black on the left---it's like both the power of light and darkness are mixed inside her; and they are very beautiful.

"Eloiny..." Trevor finally uttered the name he is longing for.

The girl smiled as she stepped out of the magic circle and hugged the man she wishes to be with for eternity.

"Don't ever leave me again," he said at mahigpit na niyakap si Eloiny.

"Penge hotdog, Trev," the first sentence she uttered right after she was resurrected.

"Shuta ka bakla!" sigaw ni Ezra at tumalon payakap sa kanila. Sumunod rin ang ibang mga apostles habang napuno ng saya at tawanan ang buong silid.

Pinagmamasdan lang sila ni Kiyan. He's happy for them. Malungkot siyang ngumiti as he once again felt the emptiness in his chest as he looked at the tree sappling Shea gave him.

"I wish you could see this too, my Queen."

~*~

2,000 years later

The sound of heels echoe throughout the empty hallway. Kakasimula lang ng klase at nagsipasukan na ang lahat ng mga estudyante sa kani-kanilang mga silid.

A woman in her late 20's hurriedly walked along the isle, still keeping her poise. It's 8:15 and she's already 15 minutes late to her class.

Dumiretso siya sa pinakadulo at secluded na bahagi ng building. This is also the place kung saan iniiwasan rin ng mga ibang estudyante ang pumunta o lumapit manlang.

Huminga siyang malalim bago buksan ang pintuan sa harapan niya.

Class 4-D.

Ang section kung saan nabibilang ang mga pinaka-undisciplined na mga estudyante at mga sinukuan na ng mga magulang at guro. It's been a month since the opening of classes and every teachers didn't even last a week handling this class. Lahat ng mga gurong sinubukang patinuin ang mga estudyante dito end up traumatized by the students. And so the headmaster of the academy had no choice but to send her.

She opened the door at hindi pa nga niya tuluyang nabuksan ang pinto ay meron na agad na lumipad na kape diretso sa mukha niya. Agad niya itong iniwasan at tumawa lang ang lalaking nag bato 'non at gumawa na naman ng panibagong kalokohan.

The students didn't even gave any attention to her kahit teacher siya. Napakagulo ng classroom. May nag babatuhan, nagsisigawan, magugulo ang mga upuan at sobrang kalat.

Kalmado niyang nilagay sa table ang kanyang bag. She fixed her glasses at huminga ng malalim.

"GET ONE WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER!" she yelled and the whole class suddenly went into silence.

"Sino ka para utusan kami?" taas-kilay na pagsagot ng isang babae.

"I'm your new teacher," the woman answered.

Biglang may nagbato ng crumpled paper sa kanya at tumama ito sa mukha niya. Nagtawanan ang mga estudyante.

"Like we give a f*ck," a guy with an earring on his nose answered. Kulay berde rin ang buhok nito.

"Get one whole sheet of paper and write something about yourself. Walang lalabas ng room hangga't di nakapag submit."

Tumayo bigla ang isang lalaki. Lumapit ito sa table niya habang nakangisi. All of a sudden, hinawakan niya ang bag ng teacher at binato ito sa pintuan. Nagsiliparan ang mga gamit ng guro at nagtawanan na naman ang buong klase.

But the teacher remained unfaze and calm.

Muli na namang ngumisi ang lalaki at akmang lalabas na sana ng room nang hindi niya mabuksan ang pinto. Nagtaka naman ito at masamang tiningnan ang guro.

"The f*ck?!" he exclaimed angrily.

"Kakasabi ko lang na walang lalabas hanggat walang naipapasang activity. Go back to your seat and work on it," casual na pagkakasabi ng guro at naupo sa ibabaw ng kanyang mesa.

"Hindi mo yata alam kung ano 'tong pinasok mo miss," nakangising demonyo na sabi ng isa pang lalaki.

The teacher remained calm at hindi pinansin ang sinabi ng estudyante.

"Pikon na si Arthur. Kawawa na naman ang bagong teacher na 'yan."

"Hayaan mo na, buti nga sa kanya. Tayo pa talaga hinamon niya."

"Eh delikado kapag nagwala na si Arthur at Jade, eh. Pwede nilang sirain ang buong school."

"Ang teacher pa rin ang mananagot diyan. Pft!"

Tumingin ang guro sa relos niya, "You have 30 minutes left before the submission. Ang hindi magpapasa will do community service to the entire campus for a week."

"You really don't know whom you're dealing with." Tumayo na ang lalaking may berdeng buhok.

The muscles in his arm grew bigger as he mangled the table in front of him like it was just a piece of paper.

"That teacher is dead."

"Pft! She deserved it."

"Arthur is the strongest when it comes to physical strength and power. Lahat ng mga naging teacher dyan natrauma."

Napuno ng tawanan at sigawan ang buong silid. Para silang nasa loob ng isang sabungan. The woman is just petite at parang hindi pa makabasag pinggan ang itsura. She's wearing a 4-inch heels at sigurado silang mahihirapan gumalaw o dumepensa manlang ang guro sa gagawin nila. But she remained calm at parang wala lang sa kanya ang mga nangyayari.

"This will be your first and last day in Myrrh Academy, b*tch." The guy just cursed his teacher.

"Sigurado ka diyan sa gagawin mo?" the woman asked in a warning tone.

"F*ck off."

The guy was about to attack the woman when she simply held Arthur on the collar at malakas na binalibag ito sa sahig. All while maintaining her grace and elegance.

Hindi agad nakagalaw ang lalaki. All of them were surprised of what they just witnessed.

The man used his strength magic to get up thinking that if their teacher tried to stop him, ay titilapon lang ito. But the woman effortlessly stepped on his face at yung 4-inch heels niya ay ilang inches na lamang ang layo sa mata ng lalaki.

"Try to move and you'll be blind until you die. You want that?"

Hindi nakagalaw ang estudyante. Kaya naman niyang hawakan ang paa ng guro at ihagis siya palayo. But his body just froze. Fear started to crawl on his system.

Another student threw a dagger towards her ngunit bago pa man ito makarating sa kanya ay ibinalik niya agad ito sa tumapon. The blade was about to hit the student pero bigla nalang itong naging abo. Nanlambot ang tuhod ng estudyante at napaupo.

"I-I can't use my magic! A-Anong nangyayari?! I cannot summon a fire!" another guy exclaimed from the back habang sinusubukan nitong palabasin ang apoy sa kamay niya.

"Ako din! I-I cannot use my telekinesis."

Nabalot ng takot ang lahat ng mga estudyante sa silid when they realized that their magic has disappeared.

"Oh, you mean this?"

Sunod-sunod na may lumabas na kapangyarihan sa kamay ng guro and all of it were the magic from her students.

"I temporarily 'confiscated' your magic. Ibabalik ko naman 'to kung kelan ko gusto," she smirked at mapang asar silang tiningnan.

"W-Who are you?"

Nanlaki ang mata ng guro when she realized that she totally forgot to introduce herself. Inalis niya ang paa niya sa mukha ni Arthur at lumapit sa board.

She wrote her name.

Shea Alysia Valdemore

"Read my name aloud," sabi niya.

Walang pag alinlangang sinunod ito ng buong klase. Maging ang lalaking nakahiga pa rin sa sahig dahil hindi pa yata nawala ang sakit mula sa pagkakabalibag sa kanya.

Mula sa pagiging maangas at matapang na section, ay para silang naging maamong tupa sa isang iglap.

"I will be your substitute teacher for now until the school finds you a permanent one. I hope we can have a great time," matamis na ngumiti si Shea habang tahimik ang buong klase.

Dahan-dahang tumayo si Arthur at parang matanda na yumuko sa harap ni Shea. His forehead touched the floor.

"Ikaw na ngayon ang bago naming boss, ma'am Valdemore." biglang sumunod sa pagkakayuko ang buong klase.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Shea sa kanyang nasaksihan. She feels nostalgic as an image of her as the Queen of the Underworld flashed in her mind kung saan ganito rin gumalang at yumuko sa kanya ang mga nilalang ng kanyang nasasakupan.

"I am not your boss. I'm your teacher. Get up," she said at mabilis naman sumunod sa kanya ang buong klase.

She smirked.

"Ikaw pa rin ang kikilalanin naming boss ma'am. Napaka-angas 'non pag nalaman ng kabilang year na ganito kalakas boss natin. Di ba, guys? Tiklop agad yun pag nakita nila ang lakas ni boss ma'am."

"Boss ma'am? Ayan tawag nila sa 'kin?"

Napailing na lamang siya when everyone agreed to what Arthur said. Lahat sila nag ingay at unti-unting inayos ang kanilang mga gamit at mga upuan. Someone picked up Shea's bag at maayos na binalik ang kanyang mga gamit na natapon.

"Lahat ng sasabihin mo susundin namin ma'am!" muling sambit ni Arthur.

Shea sighed in defeat at napailing na lamang. "Suit yourself. Now finish that activity."

"Yes po!"

  
SHEA'S POV

   
"Good bye ma'am!" masiglang pag papaalam ng mga estudyante ko sa 'kin bago ako lumabas ng room.

Palihim na lamang akong tumawa at napailing dahil akala ko pa naman mahihirapan pa akong i-manage sila base sa mga usap-usapang naririnig ko.

Myrrh Academy is so different. Mas lumaki ang sakop ng campus, nakapag patayo na rin ng other campuses to other realms, at mas gumanda at dumami lalo ang mga infrastructures compared to 2,000 years ago. I cannot even recognize that this was my alma mater kung hindi lang sa napakalaking gate na may nakalagay na M.A dito. Sa buong bahagi ng school, ito lang ang hindi nagbago. It feels so magical and nostalgic just seeing it.

Dumiretso ako sa headmaster's office at padabog kong nilapag ang mga gamit ko sa table niya.

Nakuha ko naman ang atensyon niya at ngumiti siya sa 'kin. For 2,000 years, parang wala pa ring pinagbago ang mukha niya. Though parang tumanda siya ng mga 5 years which makes him more captivating to mature women.

"How was it?" he asked.

"Just fine," sagot ko.

Umupo ako sa couch at tinanggal ang heels ko saka itinaas ang mga paa ko sa upuan. This feels so nice.

"You didn't threaten to kill them, right?"

Inirapan ko siya, "I would've killed you instead. Bakit di nalang ikaw ang dumisiplina dun? Why do you have to call me?"

Tumigil siya sa kanyang ginagawa and looked at me. "Because I'm bored."

Tumawa ako, "Yeah, right. Ikaw ba naman mabuhay ng 2,000 years." I chuckled and went into his mini-kitchen. Kinalkal ko ang ref niya.

I'm starving.

"You want me to make you something?" he asked.

"No thanks, I'm good."

Kumuha lang ako ng dalawang slice ng pizza tsaka juice.

"Hey, Kiyan Hayashi!" I called.

"What?"

Tumawa ako. Alam kong naiirita na siya. Ganti ko nalang 'to dahil ginulat niya ang nananahimik ko na sanang buhay sa common realm.

Ikaw ba naman ang mahimbing ang tulog, then a guy just freakin' showed up right in front of your bed at 2 am telling you to teach some delinquents from his school? I freakin' screamed.

And yeah, he's now the headmaster of Myrrh Academy for 2,000 years. The consistency of this man is so amazing. Sabi niya, wala naman daw siyang ginagawa. He said he's looking for a student that has potential to inherit his magic someday.

The concept of discipleship and war between the disciples has come to an end. The Tree of Creation and Destruction continue to bloom until now and it keeps everything in balance. Ang dating magic na kailangang ipamana sa susunod na disciple ay tuluyan nang nawala. Instead, our magic became one with the world as the Tree became the center of balance and peace.

As I've said before, the flower of the Tree will make a wish come true. Kaya mainit rin ang mata ng ibang mga nilalang dito. But a few knows that the flower only grants a wish from a pure heart. An evil heart will assume death from the Tree itself.

"Anong gusto mong kainin?" tanong ko kay Kiyan mula sa kusina.

"Just bring me anything,"

I brought him the same snack I'm having. Nilapag ko ito sa gilid ng laptop niya since busy pa naman siya.

"How's Eloiny?" tanong ko sa kanya.

I haven't heard from her ever since I came back.

"She's married."

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "Really?! With who?"

"Tingin mo?"

Napatakip ako ng bibig. "Trevor?"

"They've been married for 2,000 years."

Napangiti ako habang di ko namalayang may tumulong luha sa mga mata ko. I was overjoyed.

"You saved her?" Di makapaniwalang tanong ko.

He stopped typing at tuluyan nang isinarado ang laptop niya.

"No. You saved her. I just did what you want me to do that time."

I was out of words as I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"SURPRISE!"

The door suddenly opened. Halos mapaupo ako when I saw the people in front of me. Lahat nakangiti at may dalang mga regalo at pagkain.

"SHEAAAAAA!"

An extremely loud and familiar voice filled the room at hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang may-ari nito kahit ilang libong taon pa ang lumipas.

"Eloiny..."

She jumped and hugged me at napaupo pa talaga kami sa couch sa lakas ng talon niya. I hugged her back at tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luha ko. At alam kong ganon rin siya. I hugged her tightly as our memories together flashed in my mind. Mas lalo akong naiyak.

"You stink," bungad ko sa kanya matapos naming mag yakapan.

"May utang ka pang kwek-kwek sa 'kin," sabi niya at sabay kaming nag tawanan.

Nandon rin ang buong Alpha. Sina Ehra, Vishna, Ice, Fire, Alison, even Alzena, at si Trevor na may dalang bata. About 2 years old I gues.

Pati sina Seraphina, Cein, Drew, at aking mga dating apostles. I just can't believe that all of these are real.

Isa-isa ko silang niyakap kahit si Alzena na inirapan muna ako bago yumakap sa 'kin.

"Is this...?" nanlalaki ang mata ko habang nakaturo sa batang buhat ni Trevor.

"Hehe... Shekainah, that's your tita Shea," sabi ni Eloiny at kinuha mula kay Trevor ang bata.

"Woah! You're my mommy's guardian angel!" the kid exclaimed excitedly saka nagpabuhat sa 'kin. I was surprised.

"She's 2 years old now. Gusto ni Eloiny na hintayin ka nga daw muna bago kami bumuo ng pamilya. But I guess we can't wait that long," ani Trevor saka kinindatan si Eloiny. Namula naman ang huli.

Malakas akong tumawa saka tumingin sa bata. "What did mommy tell you about me?" tanong ko.

"Mommy said that you beat up an evil monster and there were two princes who's inlove with you! I want to be like you, tita!"

Ngumiti ako at mahinang kinurot sa pisngi ang bata, "Well, maybe mommy's letting you watch too much disney movies."

Sabi ko at inirapan ang mag asawa. Tumawa naman silang dalawa.

Muli kong inikot ang paningin ko sa paligid. Everyone's having a great time since mukhang ngayon lang ulit rin sila nagkita-kita. Tumingin ako sa pintuan, hoping that someone will open it again.

"Waiting for someone?" mapang asar na tanong ni Eloiny sa 'kin.

"Wala," I shrugged at sumandal sa couch. Panandalian akong napapikit.

Moments later, I felt strange. Parang ang lamig at nahihilo ako. Unti-unti kong minulat ang mga mata ko and there was nothing in front of me but a wall.

What happened? Nasan sila?

I tried to move my arm but I can't. My head is bleeding. I was chained in both arms and there's water continuosly flowing from below. Nasa bandang tuhod ko na siya.

I was confused. Unti-unti akong nilalamon ng takot. Wala akong lakas para kalasin ang mga kadenang nakatali sa 'kin. It's like all my magic were gone. I tried to scream but no one seems to hear me.

Pataas ng pataas ang tubig. I kept on pulling the chains as I scream and scream. Pero wala talagang nakakarinig sa 'kin. My time is running out. I set aside my confusion as I focused on how to escape. I took a deep breath as water consumes me.

Nagsisimula nang uminit ang dibdib ko. I'm running out of air.

Is this my end?

A dark figure suddenly appeared before me. Hindi ko alam kung hallucination ko lang to o totoo. He firmly presses his mouth to me as air fills my lungs. Dahan-dahan kong minulat ang mga mata ko.

A glowing crimson eyes are staring back at me.

Long, white hair.

Fox ears.

It's him.

Kinalas niya ang kadenang nakatali sa 'kin as he pulls me closer to him.

We are quickly moving through the water as he holds me tight. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. I hope I'm not hallucinating because if I do, I wanted to stay this way.

We reached the surface. I quickly gasped for air. Pareho kaming habol ang hininga.

We stared at each other.

"You found me,"

The first word I uttered. Hinawakan ko siya sa mukha to make sure that he's real.

And he is.

"Always,"
   
   
~*~
  

Naramdaman kong may yumuyugyog sa 'kin. Kinatok pa ang noo ko.

"Hoy,"

I slowly opened my eyes. Bumungad sa 'kin ang mapupungay niyang mga mata.

"What?"

"What did you do this time?"

Naiirita niyang saad habang masama akong tinitingnan.

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko, "Nothing."

"Anong wala eh ramdam na ramdam ko ang takot mo? Sira ulo ka ba? You manipulated your soul again to trap it in your own realm and put water in it to drown yourself, just to call me?"

Narinig ko ang mahihinang tawa nina Eloiny at ibang mga kasama namin sa loob.

"Ilang beses ko bang kailangan sabihin sayo na di mo kailangang ipahamak ang sarili mo para lang mapuntahan kita? Alam mo namang isang tawag mo lang sa 'kin iiwan ko kahit ano pang ginagawa ko mapuntahan lang kita, eh. Kahit saan ka pang lupalop ng daigdig Shea, pupuntahan kita."

Bakas sa mukha niya ang inis at pag aalala. His crimson eyes glowed for a split second and his fox ears are twitching which means he's being too emotional.

"It's because you're too busy." yumuko ako at nakuyom ko ang mga kamay ko.

He sighed in defeat as he pulled me closer to him. "Don't ever do that again. I'm sorry. Hindi ko alam na napapabayaan na pala kita."

Tiningnan ko siya at ngumiti. Bigla siyang namula kaya iniwas niya ang tingin niya sa 'kin.

"Sana all," rinig kong sabi nila.

"Wait, kayo na? Nagkita na kayo?" pag-iintriga samin ni Ezra.

Bigla akong inakbayan ni Paxton.  Nanigas ako at ramdam ko ang pag akyat ng dugo sa mukha ko.

"Yep, we're dating," mayabang niyang saad kaya napairap ako.

"Weh? As in? Since when?" pang-aasar ni Eloiny.

"I don't know," sagot ko.

"Anong di mo alam?"

"He didn't even court me. Sinabi niya lang na kami na daw."

"Pumayag ka naman?"

Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Paxton smirked. Umaapaw talaga ngayon ang kayabangan niya.

"She confessed 2,000 years ago," pag singit niya habang nakangiting aso.

Kung pwede ko lang siya sakalin ngayon, ginawa ko na. Kaso bawal manakit ng aso.

Nagtawanan silang lahat.

"Kakaiba ka rin pala mag papansin ghorl, literal na nilulunod ang sarili. Pero thanks sa tip," saad ni Eloiny kaya binatukan ko siya.

I've never been this happy and contented my whole life.

"I'm happy for the both of you," nakangiting sambit ni Kiyan habang nakatingin sa 'min.

"Meron na rin 'yang si Master," nakangising pang aasar ni Ice.

"Gagi, sabing di pa ako sure." binatukan naman siya ni Ezra. "Chinichismis mo naman agad."

"Aray ko naman! Eh nakita ko silang magkasamang kumain sa common realm last week, eh!"

"Talaga?!" we all exclaimed at tumingin kay Kiyan.

Ngumiti lang siya. Pero halatang may kakaiba na sa ngiti niya.

"Who's the girl?" tanong naman ni Alison.

"She's just a friend."

"Sus, friend."

Para kaming nasa sabayang pagbigkas at sabay talaga naming lahat sinabi iyon.

Napuno ng tawanan ang buong silid.

Dati, hinihiling ko lang na sana magkaroon naman ako ng normal na buhay. But I guess being normal isn't really for me because I wouldn't have met this people who taught me how to be happy, to sacrifice, and to love.

They knew how to look beyond the surface. Beyond appearances, and to love beyond boundaries. They taught me that the world is not just about pain and sadness; that it can also be as beautiful as what I'm seeing now.

The beauty of love and friendship can overcome boundaries that we can't even imagine. They taught me to be hopeful even in the middle of despair and sadness. And I say to myself that I am the happiest person right now because of them. And especially, because of him.

Sumandal ako sa balikat ni Paxton as he encircled his arms behind me. Hinalikan niya ako sa noo.

"I love you, Shea. And I always will."

I smiled. I've never been this happy my whole life, "I love you too, Paxton. And forever will be."

  
 
-Fin-