tw// suicide

"No, you're lying! Ikaw gumawa niyan sa sarili mo kasi ikaw yung impostor!" I countered.

"Tangina naman, Sky! Si Skyler gumawa sa akin nito! Bakit ko naman sasaksakin sarili ko?" he said, looking at me like I've completely lost it.

"Para mapaniwala mo kami na hindi ikaw yung pumapatay. I saw you closing the vents then it made sense," I answered. "Hindi mo alam yung mechanics and everything tapos pagala-gala ka pa at hindi ka nakaassign sa kung saan," I explained.

Tim sighed. "Alam ko nakakaduda lahat ng ginawa ko pero kasi hindi nga ako."

"I don't know how you slipped and got inside here pero sigurado ako na ikaw yun," I said, ignoring his sentiment.

"Hindi nga ako! Pucha! Bakit ba ayaw mo tanggapin na yung putanginang boyfriend mo yung putanginang impostor!?" he yelled.

"Because he can't do that! Hindi niya kaya gawin yun!" I yelled back.

The three of us got startled when the door of the balcony opened. I turned around and saw Skyler. His eyes widened when he saw the three of us.

"A-Anong nangyari?" he asked, referring to Tim.

"Drop the act, Skyler. Alam na namin na ikaw yung impostor," sabi ni Maia.

"Maia!" sita ko.

"Yun ang totoo, Sky. Tanggapin mo na," she said.

"Nagsisinungaling sila, right? You can't be the impostor. It can't be you. Hindi mo kayang gawin yun, di ba?" sunod-sunod na sabi ko.

He was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I'm sorry, Skyzea."

I suddenly felt my eyes watering. "Skyler, please tell me your joking," I pleaded.

"Sorry," he said, avoiding my gaze.

Napapikit na lang ako at naiharang ang mga kamay sa mukha ko. Doon ako umiyak ng umiyak.

I wish he just denied it. I wish he made me believe that he wasn't the one who did it. I wish he tricked me because I'll agree to everything he'll say. Ganun na ako katanga sa kanya na kahit anong sabihin niya ay paniniwalaan ko.

"So, you were pretending to be one of us all along?" I asked.

"I am one of you. May mga kinailangan lang akong gawin para mangyari yun," he answered.

"And what is that? To kill all of us? Make sure you're the last person standing?" I cried.

"Sol made me do it," he said.

"Sino si Sol?" I asked.

"He helped me get in. I wanted to become an astronaut so bad but my credentials weren't good enough to make the cut," he answered.

I looked at him in shock. "But Maverick said you were an honor student."

"Back in high school, yes but I can't say the same for college. I got in the best schools but we couldn't afford it kaya napunta ako sa school na hindi ganoon kaganda," he answered.

"Sol wanted me to kill the competition. He considered all of you as enemies and a hindrance to our success. I obeyed because I owe him everything I have. I was doing great until now." He sighed.

"I can't kill you anymore." He pointed at Maia. "Because you already know who I am."

"You, I don't know how you survived but here you are." Baling niya kay Tim.

"And you." He looked at me. "I can't murder you. No, not you." He shook his head before sighing. "I can never kill you because I love you," he confessed and my eyes widened.

He walked towards me and held my hand. He smiled a bit before cupping my face. I closed my eyes and felt his warmth against mine.

In a span of a few seconds, all of the possibilities came fast forwarding in my head.

I saw myself in the moon, holding his hand while we explore. I see him kneeling down on one knee, holding a beautiful ring. I thought of us getting married and raising children. Lastly, I saw the both of us sitting on rocking chairs as we the watch the sky above.

He wiped the tear that slid down my cheek. I opened my eyes and I went back to reality. This is the problem we are currently facing. Everything I thought was just a possibility that can also turn into an impossibility.

"I'm happy that I saw you again, Skyzea but I'm afraid I have to go and leave you once again," he said.

"Saan ka pupunta?" I asked.

"To the sky," he answered. I felt nervous by what he said. Sana mali ang iniisip ko. Sana hindi yun ang gusto niyang mangyari.

"Please tell me you're not saying what I think you're saying."

He sighed and held my hand. Hinila niya ako palapit sa railing at hinarap ako nang malapit na kami dito.

"Sol and I made a deal," panimula niya. "Kill everyone or else he'll kill me and I told you that no one can force my death besides me."

"Skyler, the only person who can claim our lives is Someone from High Above. Siya lang ang pwedeng magsabi sa atin kapag oras na," I contradicted.

"But my time is up. Si Sol na mismo ang kukuha sa akin and I don't want that."

"I'll protect you." Pinisil ko ng marahan ang kamay niya. "I'll do anything if it means that you'll stay."

"Thank you but I don't want to be a burden to you anymore. I've done enough damage. Tsaka ito yung gusto nung mga pinatay ko," sabi niya bago sumampa sa kabilang side ng railing.

"Skyler, no!" I cried, holding his hand tighter. "Don't do it, please. Huwag mo ako iwan."

"I have to. This is the price I have to pay for siding with the demon," he answered, his eyes getting teary.

"Skyler, ayaw mo na ba ako makasama? Am I not enough to make you stay?" I asked.

He gave me a small smile before saying, "Reach for the stars, Sky and do me a favor, touch the clouds before you proceed on your way."

"No, Skyler. Stop saying your goodbyes. I wouldn't accept it. I don't want to accept it," I said while shaking my head. I held on his hand tightly, afraid of letting him go.

He looked at me in the eye. "I love you, Skyzea. I always have and I always will," he said before kissing me softly. I closed my eyes and just felt his presence. When he pulled away, he instantly removed his hand from my grip and whispered, "Until we meet again, my love."

He then let himself fall over. I tried to catch him but it was too late. My knees gave up on me and I collapsed on the floor while covering my face as I sob. I couldn't watch him pass away.

Then we heard a loud thud. Then and there I knew, he left me and he's now gone forever.

From that moment forward, he became the closest cloud on land. So near but still so far away.