The Dissolving Flower

Kabanata 21

TEARS

LIS watched the mainland turned into a sea of fire. Thanks to his ultimate spell, the buildings, including the magicians were safe. The fire burned the Shadows and . . . his friend.

"No! Croissant!"

Hinigpitan niya ang pagkakayakap sa humahagulhol na Pahima. Tinanggap niya lahat ng mga suntok at sampal nito. Nanatili siyang tahimik dahil hindi niya alam kung anong mga salita ang magpapagaan dito o kung mayroon ba dahil siya rin mismo ay nagluluksa.

'I'll die sooner anyway. Please, keep her safe. Promise me.'

Napakagat siya sa pang-ibabang labi habang nagpabalik-balik sa isipan ang mga huling salita ni Cross. Hanggang sa humupa ang apoy, doon niya lang napagpasyahang bumaba.

Pahima pushed him and ran towards the lone Cell, checking if Cross might be inside, waiting for them. But no. He knew better they couldn't see him anymore.

He fell down the ground when the numbness started overtaking his body. Napalibutan ang buong Faegika ng berdeng liwanag nang unti-unti nang naging mga alikabok ang mga higanteng ugat na ginawa niya. His ultimate spell was slowly dispersing, but he didn't even have the energy to appreciate the disappearing roots. Instead, he gazed at the dark sky, never wanting to look down. Not until he could keep his emotions in.

It wasn't the right time to burst out. Not yet.

"Lis!"

Lis heard heavy footsteps coming to his directions. Mabilis nitong hinawakan ang kaniyang kuwelyo at sinigawan siya. "Where is he? W-where is Croissant! Sumagot ka!"

He looked at Pahima and let out a smile. A smile that he used to show everyone. "Stop crying. Cross won't like it if he sees you looking like a mess."

Hindi nito pinansin ang sinabi at niyugyog ang kaniyang balikat. "Nasaan siya sabi, e! I want to see him!" Habol-habol nito ang paghinga habang tuloy-tuloy pa rin sa pag-agos ang mga luha sa mga mata.

He wanted to dry her tears, but did he have the right to do it?

Umiling siya.

Inalis niya ang pagkakahawak nito sa kaniya. "Pahima, listen." Hindi niya kayang tingnan ang mga mata nitong puno ng hinagpis. "The thing we saw. The thing burst earlier, that's a self-destruction spell. And Cross . . ." Napalunok siya, pinipigilan ang sariling pumiyok. "And Cross did that to save you."

Napabagsak si Pahima matapos niyang bitiwan ang mga kataga. Paulit-ulit itong umiling at ayaw tanggapin ang mga sinabi niya. Pero kahit gustuhin man niyang magsinungaling, hinding-hindi niya na maibabalik pa ang nangyari.

Wala na ang kaibigan niya. Wala na si Cross.

"I'm sorry." His apology would never get anyone better. Not Pahima and not even himself.

Suddenly, a drop of water touched his nose. Nasundan pa ng isa kaya muling napaangat ang tingin niya sa kalangitan. It's raining—not too heavy and not too light. It was enough for them to be soaked and feel the coldness clothed their skin.

He smiled once again.

"Pahima, look." He called her attention. "These are the tears of a Phoenix. When the rain pours after an S-gene self-destructs, it means they died with happiness." He catched some droplets on his palm.

Pinanood naman siya ni Pahima. He tried to make his smile bigger. Brighter. And lighter.

He wanted to cheer her up.

"Although we lost him, he left with happiness. He's happy that he met you. And he's happy that he could save you. So, don't be too sad, okay?"

Hindi sumagot si Pahima ngunit ginaya nito ang ginawa niya. She opened her hand and let the droplets fill her palms. Tuloy pa rin ang pag-iyak ng babae. Kahit na hindi niya napatahan ito, sana kahit papaano ay napagaan niya ang dala-dala nitong sakit.