Fia's POV
Nasulit ang isang linggong bakasayon na hiningi ni Renz. Ngayon kakadating lang namin sa Manila at kanya kanya na kaming sasakyan. Si Lhester at Zia, sila Blake at Patrice, Si Oliver at Renz naman magkasma at si Solomon at Chineth. Speaking of the two, we were surprise when Chineth arrived. Though I am not so surprise to know their connection.
"Ufi," Zehl called me and held my hand. He was driving us home.
"Yes?" I asked smiling, he smiled back. Though his eyes are on the road. I felt really contented right now, especially that he's my fiancé already.
"Are you really fine by the idea of Solomon and Chineth being arranged married?"
Napatingin tuloy ako sa bintana. "Kuya Sol said they we're childhood friends and marriage is most likely to happen. Lalo pa't nanggaling sila sa magkakamping Clan. Kahit pa alam ko rin naman na dahil sa paghihiwalay namin ni Renz kaya na-trigger na ipakasal sila. Pero sa tingin ni Kuya kay Chineth, alam kong mahal niya ito. Maybe they can make it work."
Hindi na naman na sumagot si Zehl at hinalikan ang kamay kong hawak niya.
"By the way, where do you want our wedding to be held, Ufi? Church? Beach?" I smiled on his question, but it's not there.
"I just want a garden wedding full of butterflies. You know butterfly symbolizes our clan right? And I love butterflies too. Kung okay lang sa'yo."
"Oo naman, then garden wedding it is." Sabi niya at nilingon ako saglit, kaya namna ngumiti ako ulit.
"Hmmm, Zehl. Answer me honestly, how many kids do you want?" NArinig ko kaagad ang apgtawa niya at nilingon na naman ako saglit bago sumagot.
"Actually, at first I wanted three or four. But hearing Zia scream like that in delivery room, maybe I'll settle with one or two."
Natawa naman ako sa sagot niya. Gusto ko talaga ng isa o dalawang anak lang rin at hindi ko alam na kahit sa mga ganitong usapan pala ay matutuwa na ako ng sobra sobra. I never thought talks like these are enough to make my heart flutter and warm.
Tumagilid tuloy ako para matitigan ko ang mukha niya. "I love you."
Napatingin kaagad siya sa gawi ko dahil sa sinabi ko. Siguro nagulat kasi bigla ko na lang sinabi, pero iyon ang totoo. I love him, so much.
"I love you too, my Ufi."
Nakuntento na lang rin ako sa pagtitig sa kanya.
Mahaba haba pa ang byahe namin, kaya naman umayos na ako ng upo pagkaraan ng ilang sandali. Nagtaka naman ako nang pagitnaan kami ng dalawang ten wheeler truck, kasi wala naman kaming kasabayan kanina. Wala masyadong dumadaan sa dinaraanan namin, kaya nagtaka ako anng bigla itong sumulpot.
"Zehl," I called his attention. Tumango naman siya. Mukhang naintindihan niya ang babala ko. Inihanda ko na rin ang baril ko. Saktong malapit na kaming lalagpas sa intersection nang biglang huminto ang dalawang truck sa tabi namin. At dahil naka go naman ay dumreteso kami, pero mali ang ginawa namin.
In an instant a car crashed on us. It was on Zehl's direction, the crash wasn't strong enough. But it was enough to flip our car. I was unconscious for a bit, but I got back on my senses. But Zehl was still unconscious.
Hindi ko na inasahana ng sumunod na nangyari. May isang motorbike na huminto sa tapat ng nakataob naming sasakyan, kaya nakakapagtaka dahil nasa highway kami. Akala ko at tulong ang dala nito, pero nagkamali na anman ako.
"Zehl!" I screamed when a bullet hit the bulletproof glass. The masked guy in motorbike continued shooting fast in front and when the glass broke, Zehl was directly on his head. And all I can do is scream, but then I held my gun and tried to hit the guy. But I can't, the bullet won't easily penetrate that's why he quickly escaped. I hurriedly move out.
"Zehl, Zehl," I was trembling as I got out of the car. I quickly pulled Zehl out too. But he's not responding anymore.
"Zehl, wake up. Please. Open your eyes."
Inalog alog ko siya, pero punong puno na ng dugo ang buong mukha niya, he was head shot.
"Zehl! Wake up! Zehl! Zehl! Don't---Please, don't leave me. Zehl!" I hugged him tighly as I was crying.
"Please, Zehl. Open your eyes. Zehl! Zehl! Zehl!" I screamed and screamed but it was to no avail. Because he was gone, he's gone.
Zia's POV
Zehl's funeral was held on a funeral home in Japan. His funeral went on for a week, but Fia didn't attend. We all went at the same time in Japan, but Fia stayed on Zehl's house in the Philippines. About his case, the bullet easily entered the car, because the car's windshield was penetrated after six rounds of continues shooting at the same spot. That was why the bulletproof glass didn't work. We found and traced the vehicles involved that were caught on the CCTV in the intersection, but it was all stolen vehicles. That's why it was very sad to say that we don't have any lead.
At ngayon, ngayon na ang libing ni Zehl. Sinusubukan kong tawagan o ipasundo ang kapatid ko, pero hindi siya sumasagot at sinasabi ng mga nag-attempt na puntahan siya sa bahay na wala ng tao roon. Kaya hindi ko na alam saan pa siya hahanapin.
"Zia," Tawag ni Kuya Renz sa akin. Nasa sementeryo na kasi kami, pero wala pa ring Fia na nagpapakita.
"Bakit, Kuya?"
"Maybe, you'll have to say a word in Fia's stead." Napatango na lang ako. Asan na ba kasi 'yong siraulo kong kambal. Alam kong nasasaktan siya, alam kong nagluluksa siya. Pero bakit naman gano'n?
Huling sandali na para makasama niya si Zehl, pero hindi man lang siya pumunta.
Everyone was wearing black as a tradition in Japanese Burial. At dahil natapos na ang pagmisa ng pari ay isa isa nang lumapit ang mga malalapit kay Zehl sa museleo na pinagawa ng mga magulang niya upang paglagyan ng mga labi niya.
And as for last words, everyone shared their last words for Zehl and offered a white rose on his tomb while it is still open.
Nang matapos na ang ibang kaibigan ni Zehl ay sumunod na kaming Shadows. Nauna si Kuya Sol.
"I admire you so much, man. Thanks for being a friend and a brother to me." Paglagay ng puting rosas ni Sol . Sumunod naman si Blake katabi si Patrice.
"We owe you a lot, Pare! Thanks for being there always." Saad ni Blake at naglagay na sila ni Patrice ng bulaklak.
"You never failed us, as an agent and a friend. Until you last breathe, you gave it to us. Thank you."Saad naman ni Oliver at naglagay na sila ni Sonrex
Bumuntong hininga naman na ako at lumapit na.
"Zehl, kahit 'di tayo masyadong close, pero tangina ha! Sobrang laki ng utang na loob ko sa'yo. Kasi kahit sandali----"
Natigilan na ako nang tumulo ang luha ko. Naghahalo ang emosyon ko ngayon, kasi alam kong sa oras na 'to, umiiyak rin ang kambal ko.
"Zehl, kahit sandali lang 'yon. Nakita ko kung gaano mo napasaya ang kambal ko. Hindi ko alam kung maiinis ba ako, kasi ang selfish mo.Iniwan mo kasi siya, iniwan moa ng kambal ko. Pero wala na kasi akong magagawa e, and'yan ka na. At alam ko na kahit sa huling hininga mo, pinrotektahan mo ang kambal ko. Salamat sa lahat. Kahit pa pinatunayan mong mali 'yong kasabihang first love never dies, kasi first love ka ng kapatid ko, pero namatay ka e."
Pagkasabi ko ng huli ay nagtawanan sila, pero sumeryoso na naman ako.
"Farewell, Zehl. And I know you'll be guiding my twin from there. May you rest in peace."
Saka ko inilagay ang bulaklak, kasabay ko na naglagay rin si Lhester. And now, it's Kuya's turn.
"Zehl," he sighed looking at Zehl's casket before proceeding.
"I don't have any words to say but thank you for being alive even if for a short while. You were a great comrade, a trusted friend and the best guy for Fia. I am not saying this to disrespect, but I just want to you be at ease, that I will take care of her and I promise to bring justice to your death."
Matapos maglagay ni Kuya ay napabaling kaming lahat nang may biglang dumating sa museleo. Siya lang ang bukod tanging nakapulang dress at may hawak pang pulang rosas.
It was none other than my twin, Lufia. Gusto kong kutusan siya at sitahin dahil sa suot niya. Kasi inappropriate para sa Japanese custom ang pag-susuot ng pula sa libing. Pero binali niya itong lahat, she's wearing red all over her.
But still, no one dared tried to stopped her. Lumapit na siya sa kabaong ni Zehl at saka niya inilagay sa itaas nito ang plang rosas. Napatitig pa siay ng matagal sapicture ni Zehl sa nakasabit sa dingsing ng museleo.
We were all quite, though we can hear Zehl's parent's sobs. Lahat kami ay nakatitig lang sa susunod na gagawin ng kapatid ko.
"My dear, my love, Zehl. Fck those idiots who did this to you! I mean it. That's why I promise you, when I catch them, we'll all meet in hell. I promise you that. And I hate to say this, but I have to say goodbye. I love you, Zehl. I love you so much. I want you to leave at peace. But you will always be in my heart, goodbye, my love."
Otor's note: Did anyone cried? Who was rooting fro Zehl and Fia, kindly speak up! Hahaha