The Forest Dweller (Under PaperInk Imprints)

Epilogue

Tahimik na nakatingin sa puting kisame sa loob ng silid niya si Cairo. He still remembered the fear that had coursed through his body as the Semeléng approached him and took him to the highest peak of the balete tree. His heart still raced every time he thought about it.

Napailing na pilit niyang iwaksi iyon sa kanyang isipan. Maya maya ay nakarinig siya nang mahinang pagkatok sa pinto. He got up and opened it to see his Mom standing outside. She had been worried about him ever since they had returned from Lake Sebu to Makati City. "Are you okay, Cairo?" she asked, puno ng pag-alala ang boses nito.

Ngumiti siya nang pilit. Mabuti na lang at hindi iyon napansin ng Mommy niya. "I'm fine, Mom. I just need some rest."

His mother looked at him skeptically but didn't press the issue. "Okay, well, just know that I'm here if you need anything," she said before turning to leave.

As his mother left, Cairo lay back down on his bed, his thoughts still consumed by the beautiful Sekwel. Parang gusto niyang bumalik doon pero hindi na maari. Ayaw na niyang maranasan pa ang karanasang iyon. However, still, it costs him thousands of doubts, Cairo doesn't still fully believe in the existence of the Semeléng. He thought his experiences were merely figments of his mind-nothing was real.

Kaya noong ikatatlong araw na silang nakabalik sa Makati, he secretly went to the psychiatrist for a test, at hinihintay niya ang resulta ng test niya. He gave a long profound sigh and went inside the bathroom. Tumingin siya sa salamin. Napansin niyang nag-mature ang hitsura niya dahil sa bigote niyang hindi pa niya naahitan.

Paglabas niya ng banyo ay narinig niya ang tunog ng kanyang cell phone. He checked who was calling him. It was Ardel Ybañez. Alam na ng huli na nakabalik na siya sa Makati noong nakaraang linggo. Cairo smirked and ignore Ardel's call.

His phone rang again, and it was Ardel again, wala talaga siyang balak sagutin ang tawag nito. Sapat na ang balita na okay na si Tristan. He turned off his phone and went out of his room.

It's eight in the evening. He stepped out of their gate onto the bustling streets of Makati. He felt odd as if he was seeing the world with fresh eyes. The city felt different, it was as if the people around him moved with a newfound purpose.

Cairo walked towards the nearby park, his mind racing with thoughts about the future. He sat down on one of the benches and took a deep breath. The fresh air filled his lungs and he felt calmer, more at peace.

Lahat ng tawag ni Ardel at ni Tristan ay kinasela niya sa gabing iyon. He deactivated his social media account. Hindi man siya sanay sa gano'ng pagbabago pero pinilit niya ang sarili niya na itulak iyon. Nang mainip at medyo wala ng tao sa park na iyon ay tumayo na siya at tahimik na naglalakad pauwi sa kanila.

Pagdating niya sa kanilang bahay ay dumiretso siya sa paboritong bakuran nina Carlos at Cecilia. Ngumiti siya nang makita ang parents niya na naroon sa isang upuan na pinalibutan ng iba't-ibang uri ng bulaklak. Nang makita siya ng Mommy niya ay kinawayan siya nito at sinenyasang lumapit siya.

He ran to them and embraced his Dad and Mom. Mahigpit na ikinulong niya ang dalawa sa kanyang yakap. He cried. And after a while, Cairo finally composed himself and pulled back from the hug, wiping away his tears. His parents looked at him with concern, waiting for him to speak.

"I'm sorry," Cairo said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble for you both."

His parents smiled softly at him, putting a hand on each of his shoulders. "We know, Cairo," his mother said. "You're just going through a difficult time. But we're here for you, no matter what."

Cairo nodded, feeling grateful for his parents' support. He looked around at the garden, taking in the beauty of the flowers and the peacefulness of the surroundings. It was such a stark contrast to the chaos he had been feeling inside.