Sorry sa matagal na update, at sorry rin sa lahat ng errors ahead! Please read the note at the end! Enjoy reading! :)

#TCS16: Target of Fate

"My gosh! Naikot pa rin yata ang ulo ko!" Reklamo ni Biblee nang maibaba sya mula sa pagkakatali sa kanya ng pabaliktad. Napa-upo na lang sya sa sahig at saka napapikit. Looks like I am not the only one who's still in denial about what's happening right row.

Halos nakawala na kaming lahat sa pagkakatiwarik at naka-upo na sa sahig. Hindi nga lang kami makapagsalita dahil sa masamang pakiramdam. Ikaw ba naman ibitin ng patiwarik. Ewan ko na lang.

Buti na lang ako, medyo wala na 'yung pakiramdam na parang nasusuka. But the others are still recovering. While we are all experiencing pain and confusion. One person across all of us is watching.

She has this big smile on her face. Her eyes are glowing with joy. Para syang nanunuod ng isang nakakatuwang palabas. Sobrang gaan at saya ng awra nya. And to top it off, she's breathtaking. Gorgeously breathtaking. Hindi ko maintindihan but she gives off the kind of angel or a queen's aura. Gosh. Never thought her presence would be this powerful.

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Ito ba talagang kaharap ko ay ang nag-iisang Gabby Evans? As in the Gabby Evans? The one we only heard about? Kasi kung sya nga... medyo nakakagulat lang talaga.

One second she is determined to kill us, then the next she is sitting there brightly watching all of us tenderly. Just... just what the freak? I just have no words at this moment.

"Okay na kayo?" She suddenly asked with that bright smile on her face. Even her eyes are smiling.

Nagkatinginan kaming lahat. Halos sabay sabay napalunok at napatango. "Y-Yeah." We answered in unison. Though, I have this feeling that we did not really choose that particular word, it is like she made us use that word.

Is that even possible?

"Are you really Gabby?" Lakas loob na tanong ko.

Mabilis syang nagslide papunta sa akin, kaya halos napaatras ako sa pagkakaupo ko. But I could not escape her. She sat closely to me and said, "Hulaan mo." She said teasingly while chuckling.

Napanganga yata ako sa sagot nya. Maging ang buong barkada ay hindi makapaniwala sa nasasaksihan nila. Who would?

We are facing an Evans in front of us... and we kind of thought that this Evans is the scariest and the most dangerous... oh, yeah, she is. The way she made all of us scared to death earlier, she really is. But... I can't see even one ounce of that aura in her right now.

She's like a completely different person. No, not really a person, more like an angel.

"Ate Hopie, bakit ayaw mong maniwala?" Her smile automatically vanished and the corner of her lips went down. Parang bigla ko syang gustong yakapin. Yung tipong ayaw ko syang makitang malungkot?

What? Bakit parang kontrolado nya ako? Ang emosyon ko? What the hell is this sorcery?

"A-he-he-he." Biglang tumawa ng alinlangan si Biblee. Natuon sa kanya ang pansin ni Gabby. Natahimik si Biblee ng tingnan siya ni Gabby. Parang naging tuta. Gusto ko sanang matawa.

The pilyang Biblee Yoon tiklop agad sa tingin ni Gabby. Gosh this is an epic moment. Tahimik si Biblee! A miracle!

"You know... you may be a fake?" Sobrang gusto kong batukan si Biblee sa sinabi nya. What if ma-offend 'tong si Gabby, edi balik kaming lahat sa pagkakatiwarik? Kinabahan ang lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Biblee. Though, we also want a solid confirmation that she is...

But the thing is... I felt like she already did give us a solid proof that she is.

Biglang tumayo si Gabby mula sa pagkaka-upo at saka naglakad papunta sa gitna namin. Napalunok yata ako ng ilang beses. Her aura suddenly changed. In an instant! I could not belive it although I am experiencing it!

Ang bigat sa pakiramdam. Tumaas na lang ang mga balahibo ko sa batok at braso. Napatingin ako sa buong barkada at lahat sila ay kitang kita ang kaba sa mga mukha. Ang trio na madalas ay kalmado ay pagkakakitaan mo ng pagiging takot.

Si Cleon at Theon na madalas namumuno sa amin ay nanatiling nanunuod at nakatulala. Hindi alam ang gagawin. Maging ang magkapatid na Sy ay walang laban sa ipinapakita ni Gabby.

"Ehem." Tumikhim na lang syang bigla, halos mapatalon ako sa kinauupuan. Ayoko nang mabitin ulit! Masamang tingin ang ipinukol ko kay Biblee na mukhang pinagsisisihan ang sinabi.

"Good evening, everyone!"

Jaw dropped.

Eyes wide open.

Heart stopped beating!

What the heck?! What the actual freaking hell?!

"I am Fate Light Gaebryelle Smith-Evans! Matangkad sa mata ng iba, hindi nila alam maliit lang sila!"

"I am from Isla Tagong Bayan, hindi madaling mahanap, hindi madaling makita, kaya nga tago ang pangalan, mag-ingat baka maligaw ka!"

"May isang dyosang Ate, palaging nawawala pero hindi kailangang i-report sa bantay bata!"

"May tatlong asungot na mga insekto, ang isa ay akala mo kung sino, ang isa ay akala mo matalino, at ang huli ay walang modo!"

"At naniniwalang sa kasabihang, ang kadyosahan ko'y walang kapantay, masindak ka sa tingin, dahil lahat ng wala sa'yo ay nasa akin! And I thank you!"

Dead silence.

Dead silence.

Dead silence.

WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK?

Tinapik tapik ko ang pisngi ko saglit dahil baka nanaginip lang ako. Tulog lang siguro ako ngayon, kaya ko nakikita at naririnig ang mga bagay na 'to. Ehhh, masyadong imposible na tunay 'to 'di ba?

"Ahm? Hindi pa ba sapat? Kulang pa? Ano ba 'yan, hindi epektib 'yung sinabi ni Ninang na dapat ganito ako magpapakilala sa inyo, para kabog at bongga. Walang tatalo at tatak sa inyo. Psh!" Mahinang reklamo nya at saka tamad at pasalpak na napaupo sa sahig.

Naiwan kaming tulala at hindi alam sasabihin o magiging reaksyon.

Then...

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my gosh! Wait! Hindi ko na kayang pigilan 'yung tawa ko! Hahahahaha!" Bigla na lang bumulanghit ng tawa si Biblee, at nagulat ako 'nung sundan 'yun ng tawanan ng trio at maging ni Akira!

I slowly looked at Cleon and Theon, and Cleon is already rolling on his stomach while laughing out loud, and Theon's eyes are already smiling, then he also burst out laughing.

The two saints also followed the laughter and they even high five-d each other.

Then I realize everybody's already laughing their hearts out. That was when a soft chuckle went out of my mouth. Huli ko na napigilan, all I knew after was I was already laughing while crying.

Oh, damn.

The great Gabby Evans is really the great Gabby Evans.

"That was one of a heck epic introduction I've heard in my entire life!" Tawang tawang sabi ni Biblee, habang papalo palo pa sa sahig ang isnag kamay at ang isa naman ay nasa tiyan na.

"Hahahahaha!"

The laughter continued for a minute or so... natigil lang kami sa pagtawa 'nung masayang tumayo si Gabby.

"So... do you believe me now?" Tanong niya sa amin.

"Sino ba naman maglalakas loob na tawagin si Law na akala mo kung sino?" Theon told her while chuckling.

"Mocked Justice as akala mo matalino." Akira even stated while clapping his hands.

"And labeled Rebel as walang modo." Pahabol ni Cleon habang nakathumbs-up kay Gabby.

"No other than... the only absolute, Gabby Evans!" Masayang sabi ko sabay palakpak. Mukhang tuwang tuwa si Gabby sa sinabi namin kaya naman tumalon talon ito habang napalakpak.

"You are the best Gabby!" Harper told her while smiling and giving two thumbs up.

"The most memorable introduction, ever!" Honoka complimented while giggling softly.

"Unpredictable Evans. Who wouldn't believe you after that awesome speech?" Art commented while standing up slowly.

"Gabby, you gotta teach me how to do that too!" Nakataas na kamay na sabi ni Biblee at saka mabilis na tumakbo papalapit kay Gabby.

"Welcome to the gang, Gabby Evans." Nakangiting sabi ni Pierce at saka tumayo at lumapit na rin kay Gabby.

"We been looking for you, for a life time just to find you like this, what a surprise." Iiling iling na sabi ni Thorn habang nakangiti kay Gabby.

Lahat kami nakatayo na pala, at saka pinalibutan si Gabby. Halos ang liit nila sa kaniya, ako lang yata ang ang mga lalaki ang halos ka height at mas mataas sa kanya. Halos maiyak iyak ako kahit ang saya saya ko.

Humarap ako kay Gabby. "One down, four to go." Makahulugang sambit ko sa kaniya at saka ko siya niyakap ng sobrang higpit. While hugging her, I felt that she returned my hug, and everyone also enveloped us into an embrace.

We are all smiling from ear to ear because of her. And... with her chuckling and hugging us back, I felt safe—we felt safe. It just shows how strong her aura could be, even though she's unpredictably funny.

"Hey, guys, can't breathe!" Natatawang anunsyo niya kaya naman kaagad kaming kumalas sa pagkakayakap.

"Ang saya saya!" She stated with excitement. "Finally met all of you, though it's is incomplete right? Hindi na kayo na-e-exist sa kwento lang! I am so happy!" She told us sincerely and once again, we could not help but hug this little—I mean, tall angel that blessed all of us.

***

Akala namin hindi sasama sa amin si Gabby sa bahay, pero siya pa mismo ang nag-aya para pumunta sa amin. Walang pag-uudlot kaming sumang-ayon at saka mabilis na sinabi sa kanya kung nasaan 'yung mga motor na ginamit namin para makapunta rito.

"It's gonna be dangerous once we are out of this room." The tension suddenly skyrocketed with her serious words. My heart beat doubled and got louder. Her strong presence dominated the whole room.

"I'd rather have you go on your own, and meet you at the entrance of the subdivision." I was jaw dropped because of her words. What?! Iiwan namin siyang mag-isa? At saka pano kami makakasigurado na tutupad siya sa sinabi niya?

Ang tagal namin siyang hinanap, tapos mawawala lang agad?

I shook my head slightly... no... we just met her... I don't want to part from her again.

"No Gabby, I think we should go together." Lakas loob na pagtanggi ko sa plano nya. Napayukom ako ng kamao dahil kabadong kabado ako sa kanya ngayon. She's younger than me, but ther power of her authority is definitely higher.

"Yeah, I agree with Amythee." Theon seconded.

Biblee even gave her a puppy eyes. Please say okay, please give us your eye smile, please...

"No." That moment I heard no, my heart sunk to the bottom of the ground. There is no way I can change her mind. She is so fixed about it.

Tumayo siya at saka pumunta sa isang banda. I saw how she took a gun from there and put it on her waist and legs. May mga lalagyan siya ng baril don.

I was frozen that moment. Gabby is on a different league. She is not on our level.

Kitang kita ko kung paanong bumagsak ang balikat ng buong barkada, marahil ay napagtanto nila na hindi basta basta si Gabby. We witnessed it first hand, the way she made all of us trembling in fear that we would want to choose going to hell on our own, than in her hands.

"I promise that you'll meet me again at the entrance of the subdivision." Nang sabihin nya yun gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. She went to my direction and showed me her pinky finger.

"Huh?" I asked in confusion. She smiled, then spoke, "Yakssok?" (Promise?)

I grasped her intention and made a pinky promise with her. Even though it is childish, it  made me sure that I will be able to meet her again later.

"Then... it's good bye for now." Then she glimpsed at the gang, and smiled.

Naging tahimik at maliksi ang sunod na mga kilos niya. Sa isang iglap wala na sya sa paningin namin. She's already out. She used the window on the other side to go out. And I swear something in her aura has changed yet again, when she stepped out of this room.

"Let's go!" Nakangiting sabi ko at saka tinulungan tumayo si Honoka na nasa tabi ko.

Nagsimula na kaming kumilos lahat. The moment we stepped out the room, the whole place became scary and perilous. Madilim at masikip. Umuna na si Cleon at Pierce samantalang nasa likod sina Theon, Thorn at Akira.

Nasa gitna kaming mga babae—ako, Biblee, Honoka, Harper, at Art. Tinahak namin ng masikip at makitid na pasilyo hanggang sa hagdan pababa. Maingat lang kami at iniingatan na makagawa ng ingay.

Tanda at ramdam ko pa rin 'yung takot ko kanina bago kami makuha ni Gabby. Lahat ng tao rito hindi basta basta at delikado. Kailangan namin maging dible ingat kung gusto pa namin makauwi ng buhay.

Habang pababa sa hagdan na may ilaw, pero patay sindi, bigla na lang akong may naapakang papel. Pinulot ko ito dahil hindi pa naman ganon kadumi. Laking gulat ko na lang ng makita ang isang malabong sketch.

Wanted.

Isang wanted sketch.

"What's that Amythee?" Agad kong naitago sa likod ko 'yung sketch. Bumilis din bigla ang paghinga ko. My heart almost jumped out of my chest! That scared me!

"Nothing." I answered Theon laking pasalamat ko na lang 'nung hindi na siya nagtanong.

I know this person. The one on the wanted sketch. My heart became heavy and uneasy.

Wanted: Bullet.

The sketch of Gabby was printed. Sa totoo lang aakalain mo na lalaki ito. Nakataklob kasi ang buong mukha nito ng maskara. A vendetta like mask. Who would have known this person based on a mask? Maraming pwedeng magpanggap kung sino ito.

But what made me sure that it was a certain person was the tattoo at the side back of the neck.

A letter H with crown.

I was Gabby had it earlier, 'nung solo pa lang ako sa taas ng rooftop nung lumabas 'yung nakakulay itim. Si Gabby 'yun, 'yun pa rin kasi 'yung suot n'ya nung magpakilala sya sa amin.

That was the meaning of her words earlier.

"I'd rather have you go on your own..."

That was because she knew she's wanted here. She wanted at underground cities. And... the most terrifying thing about it is... she is wanted whether dead or alive.

I realized one thing after seeing that sketch. Gabby... is a dangerous angel. A deadly one.

Mabuti na lang at hindi kami kilala sa lugar na 'to kaya naman nakarating kami kaagad sa pinag-iwanan namin 'nung mga motor. Umiwas kami sa gulo at sa pakikipag-usap sa mga tao rito.

Thankfully, they are all busy with their businesses. Another thing to be thankful is that Sven and Kalix are out of sight. Ano na lang mangyayari kung makikita kami nung dalawa? Mabuti na lang talaga.

Binilisan na lang namin ang kilos hanggang sa makarating kami sa labas ng Forbidden City. Malamig ang ihip ng hangin at wala na 'yung mausok at magulong lugar. Tahimik na lang kaming bumyahe pabalik.

Hindi rin nagtagal nakarating kami sa entrance ng subdivision. Halos three na rin ng umaga kaya naman napansin ko na humihikab na ang iba. Mukhang pagod na pagod sa nangyari kanina.

"Umuna na kayo, kami na lang ni Amythee ang maghihintay kay Gabby." Theon suddenly announced.

I saw how Biblee wanted to protest so I cut her off. "Please, antok na rin naman kayo. We'll make sure, once you wake up tomorrow Gabby will be with us." Nakangiting pahayag ko.

Napatango si Harper sa akin, kaya naman sumang-ayon na rin 'yung iba.

Nang makaalis sila kami na lang ni Theon ang natira. "What if she—" Umiling n alang ako at hindi ko itinuloy ang sasabihin ko. Naniniwala akong tutuparin ni Gabby ang pangako niya. She is an Evans, and we Evans don't make a promise unless we mean it.

"Hey, she'll be here any minute now." Pang-aalo sa akin ni Theon.

I smiled at him. "Can you believe it? We already found one Evans." Napatingin ako sa langit. My voice sudden cracked. Dang, why am I so emotional? Siguro kasi akala ko sa panaginip lang 'to mangyayari.

Theon grabbed my wrist and draped his arms around me. "Yeah, we finally found one." I can sense the happiness in his tone. I can feel the warm from his presence.

"Silhoue." He suddenly vocalized with tenderness and mellowness. Nabato ako habang nakakulong sa yakap niya. My heart suddenly felt pain. Bakit ganun? Bakit pakiramdam ko hindi ako makahinga?

"We are already so near to seeing her again." Halos mahimigan ko ang pagkasabik at lungkot sa binigkas niya. Nawalan yata ako ng lakas, pero naramdaman ko na lang na mas hinigpitan niya ang pagkakahagkan nya sa akin.

"Amythee..." He called softly. "I miss her so much..." Mahinang dugtong niya. Hindi ko na kaya. Marahan ko siyang tinulak. He is hugging me this tight because he thinks that I am Silhoue right now.

"Theon—" Tawag ko sa kanya pero naputol 'yon nung biglang may dumating na motor.

"Ate Hopie! Kuya Theon!" Masayang tawag nito.

Hindi ko alam pero kusang gumalaw ang katawan ko para yakapin ito ng sobrang higpit.

One. Maybe one of the reason why I suddenly hugged her so tight was because I don't want her to disappear like her sister did.

Two. Maybe because my heart is aching right now and I need comfort.

And three. It may sound selfish... but I am wishing... Silhoue... 'wag muna please? Huwag muna...

"Ate... are you okay?" Gabby carefully asked. I broke the hug and nodded while smiling. Nung makita ko ang mala anghel niyang mukha ay nakaramdam ako ng guilt.

Ano ba namang klaseng mentality yan Amythee. Saway ko sa sarili ko. Bigla kong pinagsisihan na nag-isip ako ng ganun kay Silhoue. Dang, ang sama ko. Ang sama sama ko.

"Tara na?" She told me. I nodded.

"Can I ride with you?" Tanong ko.

"Sige!" She agreed enthusiastically.

"Hey, Amythee—" I cut off Theon. Masakit Theon, hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero masakit.

"Kay Gabby na lang ako sasabay. Malapit na naman, kaya tara na." Yun na lang ang nasabi ko at saka pinaadar ni Gabby ang motor.

Nang makarating kami sa bahay, dumiretso ako sa kwarto. I told Gabby that she can use one of the bedrooms no is using, and she told me that she can handle herself.

Bumagsak na lang ako sa kama.

It's been a long day... and night...

***

When I woke up after some hours of sleep, I found myself running towards the room I told Gabby could use yesterday. Nang buksan ko iyon ay walang tao kaya naman kinabahan ako.

Panaginip lang ba yung kagabi?

Bigla akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. Maybe it was really just a dream.

Bagsak ang balikat na lang akong bumalik sa kwarto para magtooth brush at magsuklay ng buhok. Pagkatapos ay walang ganang bumababa para sa almusal. Habang pababa I heard laughters.

"Hahaha! Talaga? Sa isla kayo nakatira at kaya hindi namin kayo mahanap kasi tago?" I heard Tatay's voice.

"You resemble Ayah is so many ways." I heard Nanay's sweet remark.

"Truth! Oh my gosh, the good hilarious days! Anak ka nga ng nanay mo!" Even Tita Dyosa's exaggerated chuckle was echoing.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Kaya naman halos takbuhin ko na ang dinning room.

"Good morning, my first princess!" Tatay greeted with a big smile on his face, and his sipped his coffee.

"Puro kalokohan kaya late ang gising." Matalim naman akong tiningnan ng Nanay. I gulped then looked at the whole dinning table. Puno ito at may ilan pang nakatayo.

Hindi ko mapigilan napangiti. Tinakbo ko silang lahat.

"I thought it was a dream!" I stated unbelievably.

"Amythee, grabe naman sa kadyosahan itong pinsan mo, hindi pwedeng sa panaginip lang 'yang ganyang beauty!" Natatawang kontra sa akin ni Tita Dyosa.

"Good morning, Ate Hopie!" Gabby greeted while munching food. Umupo agad ako sa tabi nya at saka siya niyakap.

"Hug monster." Loko sa akin ni Gabby kaya naman nagkaron ng tawanan sa lamesa.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na totoo ang lahat at kasama na naming lahat si Gabby. Kinuwento sa akin nina Nanay na nakilala na nito ang mga mas nakababata pa. At masaya silang nagkwekwentuhan kanina pa.

Ako pala ang kahulihang nagising at kanina pa sila nagba-bonding dito. Ang kaso wala ang magkapatid na si Kalix at Katniss pati na rin si Sven ngayon, bumalik daw sa school. Importante. Dahil yata sa nangyaring paghahanap nila ron sa tinutukoy nilang First kagabi.

Ang dami na nilang natanong at nakwento kay Gabby. At tuwang tuwa naman si Gabby dahil sa wakas nakilala na niya ang mga mahahalagang tao sa buhay ng parents nya.

"Am I really like Ayah Lynn Rivera? Who's that though?" Gabby asked.

Our parents laughed so hard. "Pards Gab and Incess didn't tell you?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Tito Gwapo.

"Mukhang ibinaon ni Incess si Ayah ah, mukhang ayaw maalala ang jeje days nya." Halakhak naman ni Tita Dyosa.

"Ayah Lynn Rivera is a legend Gabby." Tita Shana told Gabby while giggling.

"Yeah, the legend of them all. Kagaya mo, legend ang mga banat, legend din mga plano. I still remember that dora map she created. Hahaha!" Tawa naman ni Tito Jacob.

"At saka 'yung mga kalokohan niyang walang palya. Minsan ang sarap nang iuntog!" Nanay told us while chuckling.

"Mga pakulong walang kupas, at naghatid ng kakaibang sakit ng ulo at tawanan sa barkada!" Tatay said cheerfully.

Gabby's forehead knotted because of curiosity.

"'Yung babaeng nagturo muli sa Dada mo kung panong magmahal ulit." Biglang sumeryoso ang lahat sa sinabi ni Tito Skyler. The laughter slowly toned down.

"'Yung babaeng nagbigay ng kulay sa buhay namin na wala ng patutunguhan. Sya yung naging bituin namin sa madilim na langit, Gabby." Nakangiti at marahang sabi naman ni Tita Annicka.

"But, but, but..." Nakita namin kung paanong naalarma si Gabby. "My Dada's only for my Momo! I don't want that Ayah Lynn Rivera! My Dada's only for Princess Light Smith!" She snapped and made a sad face.

Napaawang ang labi nina Nanay. Nagulat sila sa reaksyon ni Gabby.

"Oh, baby, we did not mean it that way..." Tita Tiara spoke gently and approached Gabby who looks like a sad puppy.

"Ayah Lynn Rivera is your mom, sweetie." Tito Kurt explained.

Gabby's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Biglang nag-iba ang awra ni Gabby at saka niya kinalampag ang table. "Ampon ako?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya. "My Dada had an affair?" Naguguluhang dugtong pa niya.

"Oh damn, she's really Ayah Lynn Rivera 2.0." Mahinang bulong ni Tita Cassy sa asawa niya.

Gabby's face darkened and her eyes watered. Napatayo lahat ng mga magulang namin at saka hindi magkaintindihang nagsalita. Halos sabay sabay silang nagsalita kaya naman hindi lalo nagkaintindihan.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Gabby. Kaagad niya akong niyakap. At pakiramdam ko konti na lang iiyak na 'tong batang 'to. She's still a child. She's only fifteen for pete's sake.

"Hey, quiet down, people." Saway ni Tito Skyler.

Natigil silang lahat. Napatingin kay Gabby at saka napangiti.

"Gabby," tawag ni Tatay sa kanya, lumingon si Gabby sa kanila. She's so sweet.

"Ayah Lynn Rivera is Princess Light Smith. Iisa lang sila okay? Iisang tao. Iisang tao lang ang minahal ng Dada mo. And funny how he fall in love with the same woman twice. Isn't amazing?" Nanay clarified softly.

"Talaga po?" Paninigurado ni Gabby.

Everyone nodded. We all know this tale too, this story. Matagal ng nakwento ng parents namin kung gaano kamahal nina Tita Incess at Tito Nate ang isa't-isa at kung paano nila prinotektahan ang buong barkada at maging mga pamilya nito.

Kaya ganun na lang ang paghanga namin sa mga Evans. Kaya ganun na lang ang pagpupursigi na hanapin sila. Kaya simula ngayon, sisiguraduhin namin na magiging mas malakas kami...

Dahil, kami naman ang magproprotekta sa kanila. Kami naman ang magproprotekta sa mga Evans.

MATAPOS ang umagahan nagpunta kaming lahat sa garden para magkwentuhan at magkulitan ulit. Samantalang ang mga parents namin ay nasa loob ng bahay. Kami naman makakabonding nitong si Gabby.

"Gabby, do you mind if I ask a question?" Tanong ni Akira.

"Nope." She told him popping the 'p'.

"Alam mo kung nasaan ang triplets?" Diretsong tanong ni Akira.

Napa-isip saglit si Gabby. "Ahmm..." Lahat kami napapunta sa kaniya ang atensyon. Naghihintay ng sagot.

"Oo." She finally answered. Lihim kaming napa-'yes' lahat. Napasuntok pa nga sa hangin ang kambal at napapalakpak ng tahimik ang trio. Paniguradong napa-'amen' naman ang magkapatid na banal.

"Can we meet them?" I queried with hesitation.

"Oo naman." She retorted straightforwardly.

"Talaga?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng trio.

"Pati si Law?" Pahabol pa ni Harper.

"Si Justice?" Honoka asked.

"And Rebel?" Art added.

"Yup! But my brothers are headaches you know." Gabby even rolled her eyes. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"How about Silhoue?" Tanong ni Theon.

Natigilan kaming lahat. Walang nakapagsalita. Maging si Gabby.

She let out a sigh before answering. "I honestly don't know." Sagot nito. Bumagsak ang balikat naming lahat. Hindi rin alam ni Gabby kung nasaan ito.

"But the good this is we can meet the triplets." Pierce stated positively.

"That's true. Where are they though?" Thorn asked.

"Sa school." Simpleng sagot ni Gabby.

"Seryoso?" Sabay na tanong ni Cleon at Biblee. Gabby nodded.

"Pwede mo kaming samahan sa kanila?" Sambit ko naman.

"Yeah." Wow! Is this real? That easy?!

"Really?!" We all said in unison, we could not hide our excitement. Halos dumugin namin si Gabby.

"Ay, joke lang. Ayoko na pala." We all grunted and protested but Gabby only replied with a sweet laugh.

"You think it'll be that easy?" Natatawang sagot nito. We all shook our head. Of course no! Umasa lang kami na baka pwede kaming mag-short cut—kung meron man, pero confirmed ngayon na wala.

Matapos non ay mahabang katahimikan. Napa-isip na lang ako kung paano namin makikita ulit ang triplets at kung paano sila makakasama ulit. Paniguradong ganun din ang iniisip ng barkada ngayon.

"Hey, what are you thinking right now Gabby?" Harper questioned gently. Maybe she noticed how Gabby is intensely looking at nowhere.

"A-Ah?" Mukhang malalim ang iniisip nito at medyo nagulat.

She smiled sweetly. "Ah, iniisip ko lang kung bakit sobrang bait ni Pierce, Thorn at Blithe pero sina Tita Alyx at Tito Thon hindi naman. Ampon yata kaying tatlo, si Altair lang yata kadugo ng mga magulang nyo."

Napanganga sina Pierce at Thorn sa sinabi nito at napahalakhak na lang kaming laht ng tawa. Gabby is so serious when she stated that! Priceless!

Habang nagkakatawanan kami bigla na lang sumigaw si Tita Dyosa.

"Hey kids! Let's go on a short vacation!" Masayang anunsyo nito.

"Let's go, we already prepared everything!" Tita Tiara told us.

"Really? I would love that!" Gabby screeched joyfully and we all followed.

Bigla na lang kaming napunta sa maikling bakasyon sa isla malapit sa kinalakihan ni Gabby. Syempre sobrang excited kaming lahat dahil buong pamilya kami at buong barkada. Mukhang magiging masaya 'to, lalo na at nandito na si Gabby.

That day we all went to an island. A beautiful and breathtaking island.

There was a huge mansion like hotel in there. They told us that we are gonna stay in there for two days and one night. Sobrang saya naming lahat. Parang lahat umaayon sa gusto namin.

First, our families aren't mad at us now because of what we did, although they were yesterday.

Second, we found Gabby.

Third, a happy and uplifting vacation!

Ano pa hihilingin namin? We are gonna go have some fun!

We landed in the island with smiles on our faces, peace in our minds and joys in our hearts.

It was a fun vacation. It WAS. It was supposed to be...

But...

It became... bloody.

"N-Nanay... please..." Nakahawak ako ngayon sa kamay ni Nanay habang naliligo siya sa sariling dugo. Nanginginig ang buong katawan ko at nag-uunahan ang mga luha kong lumalandas sa aking pisngi.

My voice is trembling with fear and pain.

"Gumising ka, Nanay." I pleaded but got no response.  Kahit takot na takot ay marahan kong ibinaba ang isang daliri ko malapit sa ilong ni Nanay, pero...

"Nooo! Nooo! Nooo!" I cried and cried and cried in pain. It hurts... it's killing me...

"Nanay!" I mourned with my heart breaking and my world shattering into pieces.

Akala ko 'yun na 'yung pinakamasakit. Pero biglang dumating si Biblee habang umiiyak. Napaluhod na lang siya ng makita si Nanay na hagkan hagkan ko sa kandungan ko.

She's shaking so bad, and she's full of blood. "A-Ate..." Hindi siya makapagsalita ng maayos. Lalong lumakas at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko... tell me it's not what I'm thinking... please...

"T-Tatay's... A-Ate..." Biblee suddenly broke down.

She hugged the lifeless body of our Nanay. "Tatay... please... huwag mo munang isama si Nanay."

"What are you saying, Biblee?!" I demanded hysterically while crying.

"A-Ate... Tatay's gone..."

Please wake me up from this nightmare... please end this pain inside of me...

Please...

"N-Nanay... Ta-Tatay..."

While mourning, Biblee and I jumped in fear because of what we've heard.

Another gun shot.

Another fallen one.

My hands balled into fists...

They will pay... I

will make them pay...

That night, we became the target of the cruel fate. And we were left bloody while crying for our parent's death.

***

Note: Please read this! 🙏🏻

Hi! First off, sorry kasi sobrang tagal kong hindi nag-update. I know, alam ko po kaya sorry po talaga. I had a block for The Crown Sinners. Wala talagang napasok sa isip ko na idea for this story. As in, nganga, wala, nada. Kabado na nga ako, kasi pano kung hindi na bumalik 'yung loob ko rito. Omyychii! I'm gonna go cry in the corner.

Luckily, medyo nabalik na sya, I have ideas for now. And alam ko na ulit 'yung takbo 'nung story! Buti na lang! But, still... hindi ko masasabi na okay na ako sa pagiging block ko, sana mawala na ng tuluyan.

Maybe feedbacks and comments will help? Kasi naeexcite ako kapag alam ko yung nararamdaman nyo tungkol sa story, ginaganahan akong magsulat. Or maybe don't pressure me too much to update fast? May work at school po ako, please lang po. 😭🙏🏻

Anyways, thank you for your understanding! I struggled writing this chapter kasi paputol putol talaga ako, gawa nung block. But hopefully, nakabawi naman ako! Thank you for patiently waiting.

And!

I am writing a new fantasy-action story! Hope you'll also support this as much as you support The Crown Sinners. Sa story na 'to wala akong block, as in tuloy tuloy flow ng imagination ko rito, kaya sana while waiting for TCS you'll give this story a chance.

Hoping to see you too in there! Thanks a lot! Comment din kayo ron please! Hindi kayo magsisisi, excited na ako sa twists ng story na 'yun!

My new story is entitled DISTRICT 13. Hope you'll check it out! Thank you thank you! xx

Covered in glitters,
chantal.