Her Eyes #Wattys2018 Winner

Chapter 29

[Reed]

There they were sitting across me. Roses in their hands. Not just any kind of roses but roses of different colors.

In front of me is a black rose. I stared at them dumbfounded with whatever they will say. His eyes never lock with mine. Hawak lamang niya ang pulang rosas at pinaiikot ito sa kanyang mga daliri.

"Reed, alam naming mahirap intindihin ang mga nangyayari pero sana maniwala ka."

Hindi sa hindi ako naniniwala. I can't stop thinking bakit ako? Out of billion people why us? Hinawakan ko ang itim na rosas and every time I hold unto it the same visions were rushing inside my mind.

My visions of them dying. They were bathing with their own blood. Dying seeking for my help. Dying while their hands extended to me.

"But sinabi niyo may mga nakikita ako na hindi niyo nakikita. Bakit ganoon?"

They all looked at each other except him. The guy who sees danger. The guy who walks away and the guy who I can't remember but his name.

"Bakit ganoon? Bakit ako nakakakita ng mga numero na lumulutang? I can even know who you are with just the glimpse of your face."

"Dahil iba ang kakayahan mo sa amin. Unlike some na oras na nahawakan mo sila ay malalaman mo ang mga mangyayari sa kanila yours is a different case. You can see it either by their eyes or by touching them." Wika ni Ryoichi as if he was pissed off with my questions. "I can see danger but you can see premonitions. We may be alike pero hindi ako tulad mo na makikita ko kung paano ito matatapos. Danger ends with death sometimes but then sometimes danger doesn't end at all but continues."

Inilapag niya ang pulang rosas sa lamesita na nakapagitan sa amin and he crossed his arms in front of me. Now his stance is intimidating. His brows furrowed.

The tension in the room is undeniably eerie. A girl with an eye patch heave a sigh. "Ang hirap ipaliwanag. Sabihin na lang natin na ganito. Hindi lahat ng tao pare-pareho. May iba't ibang kakayahan at ang kakayahan na 'yon ang nagbibigay sa iyo ng pagiging kakaiba sa iba. Katulad ng mata mo, kakaiba ka dahil na rin ikaw lang ang may kakayahan makakita ng mga nakikita mo. Lahat tayo iba-iba." Aether said with her monotone voice.

Then my dreams suddenly flashed back to me. The other night I dreamt that I was captured. The place is too light. But there are voices everywhere. But what's weird is that the light follows me and with anywhere I look I can see blood.

I even saw myself standing in front of me bathing with my own blood screaming at me that everything is my fault. Like that it continues as I am continuously drenched by blood. Hands trying to drown me.

And I saw them, these five person in front of me laughing maniacally. I tried to ask for their help but to no use they let me drown.

"Kanina ka pa nakatulala ah." Umupo si Dieve sa tabi ko at inabot ang mainit na cup ng choco drink. "Wala may iniisip lang."

He took a sip of his drink then looked at me. "Mind to share?" Umiling ako at tinignan ang inumin ko. "Kahit naman sabihin ko maguguluhan ka lang. Katulad nga ng sinabi nila iba ang nakikita mo sa nakikita ko."

Bumuntong hininga ako at tumingala sa langit. "Darkness seems so calm yet eerie. Nakakatakot na hindi mo alam kung ano pwedeng mangyari yet when darkness if filled with stars it grew beautiful and calm. Just like our life. We may be in our darkest of times yet we still shines like a star keeping our beauty alive."

"Yet you are the most beautiful star that have been a part of my night sky." Napatingin ako sa kay Dieve sa sinabi niya. "What do you mean?"

He held my head and place it on his shoulders. "Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tinatakbo at dinidikta ng puso mo. Di ko alam kung sino ang laman niyan. Pero katulad nga ng sinabi ko ikaw ang pinaka magandang bituin sa kalangitan para sa akin. Your eyes may have seen death yet for me those are full of life. I don't mind you bringing me to my death. Mas pipiliin ko pa ito kesa wala akong gawin para sa iyo."

I felt him move a little and the next thing I know his lips against my head. "Mahal kita, Reed." His voice so soft– it calms the turmoil of emotions inside of me. "Never doubt how I feel. Mahal kita kahit ilang beses mo akong makalimutan. Handa ako magpakatanga para sa iyo."

My mind cannot register what he just said. "Dieve, mamamatay ka na ba?" I heard him laugh a little. "Why are you asking me that when you're the one who can see when I will die."

Pumikit ako habang nakahilig sa kanya. His hands caressing my shoulders. My mind trying to sort things out. I tried to listen to my heart but why does it says something odd? I tried to know what Dieve really is for me but he is nothing but a friend. I love him because he is a special friend but nothing beyond that.

"Dieve?" I asked. "Hmm?" He replied. I can't mutter the words I want to say. I just know even if my feelings aren't sorted out I know he's important to me that I feel safe with him. "Just don't die in front of me. Please, promise me that."

"I won't. And I never intend to, la mia stella." My brows furrowed with what he said. "Ano sabi mo?" He just smiled. He hugged me that I can even hear the sound of his heart beating.

"I love you, Reed." His hug tighten. "Please let me hug you this way—" he said something inaudible that I cannot understand but by the tone of his voice I know he's hurt.

I can feel his tears on my shoulder. I pat his head lightly then stroke it like a child he burst out crying on my shoulder. Hindi ko alam bakit ako nasasaktan ng sobra marinig ko pa lang ang pag iyak niya. His hug tightens more.

"I'm sorry, Dieve."

I said as I wiped his tears while my tears travel down my cheeks.

Like the stars that shine that night. His eyes glisten as tears stream down his face.