Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Forty-Two: Always a Tomorrow for us Four

-chapter forty-two-

FINN

Simula noong bata ako, I always thought Death was always following me.

It's been a constant thing from my parent's work, to their death, and to the next things that happened.

Nagtatago ako sa isang cement stone ring na nasa isang abandonadong construction site malapit sa beach. It's peaceful in here since no one comes in this place for fear of being injured. Hindi na din bumabalik dito ang nga workers dahil matagal na atang nacancel ang plano nila.

I'm hidden from the blazing sun in this summer noon. Flock of birds flew in the horizon, creating black spots among the white clouds that decorated the blue sky. From above the sea wall, the sounds of vehicles and dogs barking are present.

I hugged my knees watching the wide sea stretched in front of me. Tita Layla will probably look for me when she comes home, but I don't want to stay in the house today. The rooms feel suffocating and my heart's constricting whenever I stay there.

Dito sa labas, I get distracted by the sounds and the different sceneries.

Tita Layla and Geneva always tell me that I'm free to play with Gavin. Pero... kahit na ilang buwan na akong nandito, it still feels weird when I enter their house. Lalo na't may dalawa ding bata doon na laging tumatambay.

"Finley!"

Mahina akong napatalon sa kinauupuan nang marinig ang pagsigaw sa pangalan. When I looked up, I saw Gavin. Mukhang umakyat siya sa taas nitong stone ring at sinurpresa ako mula doon. A bright grin appeared in his face, his brown hair flying at the gust of wind that passed.

Napaawang ang labi ko. Anong ginagawa niya dito?

Gavin disappeared and I thought he'll leave, but he jumped down, arms stretched to balance himself while muttering a small, "Hup."

"Gavin? Nakita mo na ba si Finley?"

I made myself smaller when I heard another child voice. It's similar to that pretty girl who always hang out at Gavin's house.

Nilingon ni Gavin ang nagtanong at ngumiti. "Oo, Ree! Andito siya! Mauna na kayo sa dagat. Susunod kami."

"Okay~ Siguraduhin mong nando'n siya o ilulunod kita, Vin." a sweet, threatening voice.

Gavin's smile was replaced by a frowning pout. Dumako ang mata niya sa'kin at lumapit, kaya naman napaatras ako at mas pumasok sa stone ring. Napahinto si Gavin.

"Hindi naman kita aawayin! Gusto ko lang makipag-kaibigan!"

I stared at him suspiciously.

Gavin held his palm out, promising. "Talaga! We just want to make friends with you. Lagi ka naming nakikita pero nahihiya kaming makipag-usap, at dahil nag-iisa ka dito at maliligo kami, sumama ka na at maging friends tayo! Okay?"

I understood nothing but that we could be friends. Hesitating, I gave a small nod.

"Talaga, ha? Wala nang bawian 'yan. We'll be best friends!"

Akala ko ba friends lang. But then, I haven't had bestfriends kaya tumango na din ako.

Gavin smiled widely, holding out his hand to me. It was one of the moments that will forever be engraved in my mind. Gavin promising to be friends with me, who was hiding from the world, while the sea and the sun glowed behind him.

Nang kunin ko ang kamay niya ay bigla niya akong hinatak palabas. He ran towards Renée and Sebastian, dragging me, the waves and sands covering our bare feets. Nang makita kami ng dalawa na paparating ay tumayo sila't kinawayan kami.