Trail of a Single Tear (Gazellian Series #3)

Epilogue

AN/ This is the end of Gazellian Series 3! Yey! I hope you all enjoyed the history, adventure, love and sacrifices. And, I hope you'll all support the next installment of this series, King Dastan's story. Thank you and happy reading!

Epilogue

"It's been years..." I whispered, gazing outside the largest window of the castle, our favorite spot. One of the places inside the palace that shows the best view of our symbolisms together.

"Yes." My eldest brother nodded.

"From Zen, Lily, Finn and yours... at last we're reunited again. Ang tagal din natin nagkahiwa-hiwalay." Sambit ni Caleb.

I crept a small smile. Sinong mag-aakala na hahayaan namin ang sarili namin na mapahiwalay sa isa't-isa? Yes, maybe we could consider those years as separation, but it was just the distance... not by our hearts.

We spent years of sacrifices for us to stood here again, together, happy and contented.

"Ang sarap sa pakiramdam, Parsua Sartorias is where I belong." The wind blew, and the leaves coming from our symbolisms danced like it was having a performance right in front of us.

"It's not the Parsua Sartorias, you idiot." Mabilis na sagot sa akin ni Lily. When I looked at her, she gave me her signature grin.

"To us, brother." She smiled at me.

My heart melted. A sweet word coming from my elder sister. I slightly bent my body and with my right hand, I brought the few tips of her hair on my lips.

"Always my sweet, Lily." Her brows arched with amusement.

"We're happy that you're back, Prince Evan." Harper leaned herself on my arms.

Ramdam ko ang pag-iinit ng sulok ng aking mga mata. Mabilis kong iniyakap ang aking mga braso kay Lily at Harper, kapwa sila mas humilig sa akin.

"I'm home... I missed you all... hindi na ako aalis, hindi na." Lumipad ang aking mga mata kay kamahalan.

"Not again." He replied fast.

Nasa tabi ni Lily si Dastan at tuwid itong nakatayo habang nananatiling nasa likuran ang kanyang mga kamay. Nasa tabi nito si Zen na kapwa nakahawak ang kamay sa bintana habang nakataas ang kilay sa akin, sa tabi naman ni Harper ay si Casper na nakangiti rin pero nasa mga puno ang titig at si Caleb na nasa tabi nito na nakangisi sa akin, nakaakbay ito kay Finn na may malapad ding ngisi.

I felt so overwhelmed. This was not a dream anymore, they were here, near me with their best smiles.

"I'm finally home, h-hindi ako makapaniwala..." I couldn't hold it any longer, my voice broke. Tears fell... and my shoulders started to shake.

"Oh, our Evan!" Lily cried.

I buried myself on Lily's neck, hid myself while Harper's trying to soothe me with her hands caressing my back.

It's been years... nang mga panahong malayo ako sa kanila, ramdam ko ang bigat ng tungkulin nakaatang sa akin. But now, that we're here together... sobrang saya ko.

I'm with my siblings again. Sobrang init... ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

"I was afraid... ilang taon akong natakot...s-sinabi ko sa sarili ko na paninindigan ko ang lahat ng ipinako ko kay Kamahalan, I will come back with the power to help him and the empire. I will help him protecting Finn... b-but I failed in so many ways..."

"I'm sorry..." ramdam kong gumalaw si Finn sa tabi ni Caleb at mas lumapit ito sa akin. He patted my shoulder.

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone, ako ang may kasalanan. Everyone was protecting me, nang hindi ko nalalaman. It was not your fault, ako ang nagkamali sa lahat. I was not aware of everyone's sacrifices for me. From Dastan's plans to hide me away from the attention, Zen's embracing the bad image to cover me... and even yours. I've made the largest damage..." mahabang paliwanag sa akin ni Finn.