Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Twenty-Two: Never Lose You Again

-chapter twenty-two-

FINN

"Baste?"

Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. This is Sebastian. From his black hair to the thick-rimmed eyeglasses that's perched in his nose. I've spent more than ten years with him, I'd know Sebastian immediately.

Mula sa paglaki ng mata niya't sa surpresa na kitang-kita sa mukha, hindi na pwedeng magsinungaling si Sebastian sa'kin.

"What are you doing here?" tanong ko ulit at mas lumapit pa.

First it was Gavin, now Sebastian. I don't really have any negative reactions to them playing. I'm just a bit upset that they didn't tell me. We've always told each other everything, and they've lied to my face several times about not being interested in games at all.

Tumigil ako sa paglapit nang may maisip. Oh, is that why they didn't tell me? Maybe... Maybe, I was really too much to be with that they had to resort to games just to get away from me. Kaya hindi nila sinabi sa'kin.

Ayaw nila akong makasama.

My eyes widened as I took a step back. As always, by the wince that came from Sebastian, he probably knows what I'm thinking.

"Finley." matigas na tawag niya't hinawakan ang kamay ko. "That's not it."

"It's okay. You don't need to lie." mahina kong tugon.

I don't want aything to do with myself too.

"I'll explain things." bumaling siya sa mga kasama. "I'm sorry. Didiretso na lang ako sa base natin mamaya."

Then, without waiting for an answer, Sebastian pulled me away. Pinanatili kong nakayuko ang ulo at inignora ang pares ng mata na tumutusok.

Sebastian told me he'll explain things. Is it because he feels responsible now that I've found out? Perhaps, it's guilt that's running through his mind? Kasi kung nabigyan ko lang siguro siya ng pagkakataon na makalayo, wala siya sa harapan ko.

Kaya nga siguro kahit na alam ni Gavin na naglalaro ako ay hindi niya na ako kinausap pa. They're already taking care of me outside the game for how many years, it must be a pain to bother with me inside the game as well. They should just enjoy⁠-

I froze when a pair of warm hands held my face. Seryoso akong tinitigan ni Sebastian, parang ang tingin niya kapag may ginagawa akong masama o hindi nila gusto.

"Finley Lilliane. Stop overthinking."

Iniwas ko ang tingin. He only calls me by my full name when it's serious.

"'m not. I know why you didn't tell-"

"Hindi ako nagsinungaling sa'yo."

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi.

"Finn, nang sinabi kong mas gusto kong magbasa o mag-aral kaysa maglaro nito, totoo 'yon. If you've met Gavin here, he's also telling the truth. We- We don't play games. We've never lied to you about that."

"You're here..."

Ilang sandali ang lumipas na hindi sumagot si Sebastian. Only silence filled the space between us. Ngayon ko lang napansin na nasa gilid lang naman pala kami ng plaza, nakatayo sa ilalim ng puno at natatago ng dilim ng gubat.