Calming the Vicious Wind ✓

Epilogue

Kai/Leo

I take a perverse pleasure in watching the world burn.

I like witnessing the destruction it wreaks on others, and I am unconcerned about its impact on them, as long as I remain unaffected and uninvolved.

That flames that roar and dance with frenetic energy, their fiery tongues licking the air with ferocity. Everything in their path is reduced to ash. Smoke billows upwards, forming a dark, churning mass that blots out the sky and fills the air with a suffocating scent. I find it all entertaining.

I watched the fire in stillness until I realized it was creeping toward me, threatening to make me its next victim. My body creaked and shuddered as I tried to step back, but the flames advanced too quickly.

I gave up stepping back, even though the last thing I wanted was to be consumed by the fire. I resigned myself to my fate, watching as the flames approached me.

Then, in a sudden twist, the nature interceded. A powerful gust of wind swept through, smothering the blaze with calm efficiency. The roaring flames were extinguished by this vicious wind, reminding me of a force far greater than my destructive pleasure.

Madilim—ngunit unti-unting nagliwanag ang buong lugar. Ang hiwagang liwanag na iyon ay nagmumula sa likuran na aking tiningnan.

There was a girl in a white dress standing beneath a dancing tree, holding her hat tightly to keep it from being snatched by the vicious wind. Nakatingala siyang pinapanood ang mga ibong lumilipad, mag-isang kinakaya ang lahat at nananatiling matatag sa gitna ng malakas na hangin.

I repeatedly tried to call her, but she didn't respond or turn towards me. Hindi niya ako naririnig dahil mas nangingibabaw ang lakas ng musika ng hangin kaysa sa aking boses. Her feet seemed rooted to the spot, ill-prepared to face and witness the harsh realities that life had planned for her.

Iyon ang kaniyang tadhana.

Ang mag-isang panoorin ang buhay sa mahangin na kapalaran.

But I will change that fate.

She changed mine, so I will change hers.

"Kaizen?" The snap of fingers in front of my face jolted my eyes open.

Sinundan ko ang pinanggalingan ng mga daliri at hinatid ako nito sa aking katabi.

"What?" I replied coldly.

"Bro, I thought you were reading your book. Turns out you fell asleep," he laughed as he stood up. "Let's go. I need to get home; my girlfriend is already waiting for me."

I winced at that. Nakakatawang aminin, pero matatawag akong bitter pagdating sa mga ganoong bagay. I'm an aromantic person.

Or should I say, I am the antithesis of love.

"Have you finished your part of our project?"

It was the reason I was still at the university. I was waiting for him to finish his part so we could send the project to our professor.

"Oo, natapos ko na. But. . . it's quite embarrassing to say I've done my part. Ikaw lang naman ang gumawa ng content sa project. PowerPoint lang ang ginawa ko," he said while we walked to exit the student lounge, scratching his head.

"You still helped me. That's already enough."

"Thank you, bro."

"Welcome."

We delivered the project to Sir Archie, signed the attendance sheet, sent him the documentation via email, and then left the university separately.

Tahimik at maingat kong binuksan ang pintuan ng aking unit. Mas maingay pa ang hatid na ingay ng hangin kung ikukumpara sa akin. I went into my walk-in closet and picked out clothes to wear to the boxing club.