Death and Storm

10

As I returned to the Olympian World, nasulyapan ko sina Hades, Persephone, at Melizabeth na kumakain.

The maids turned to me and bowed kaya napatingin na rin si Hades sa'kin. Melizabeth turned to me with an anxious face. I missed her so much! Can I drag her out of there? No. It will be disrespectful for the food.

"Oh, nakabalik ka na pala, boy," mapang-asar na wika ni Hades. Matalim ko naman siyang tiningnan. I'm older than him, he should pay some respect. His mouth formed an 'o' because of my gaze. Nagsimula na naman siyang tumawa, kaya nag-igting panga ako. He must have been over the clouds whenever I call him 'Lord.' However, Thanatos is back, the real Lord.

"Missed me, Hades?" Tanong ko sa kaniya at ngumisi. His laughter again, filled the room. Narinig ko naman ang pagbagsak ng utensils ni Melizabeth, and Persephone widened her eyes as she looked at me.

Lumingon si Hades kay Melizabeth habang natawa. He winked at her, kaya napataas-kilay ako. Come on Thanatos, she's his adopted daughter. You can't be jealous to everyone.

Napalingon naman kaming lahat nang bigla na namang bumukas ang pinto ng hall, at mayroong sumigaw.

"Gago, Melizabeth! Narinig mo 'yong balitang bumalik na raw alaala ni—"

Dionysus stopped when he caught sight of me. Umawang ang bibig niya, at nerbyosong tumingin sa'kin. Tch, nawala lang ako, nilapitan n'ya na nang nilapitan si Melizabeth. This asshole.

"Storm!" Bigla niyang masiglang bati. He chuckled softly, "How's your mission?"

"Thanatos," I corrected him.

Nginisian ko siya at naramdaman kong napatigil siya lalo nang lumapit ako sa kaniya. I bent down, and whispered, "Are you ready to go to Tartarus, Dionysus?"

He scowled at me, "Sus, baka ikaw nga papuntahin ni Melizabeth sa Tartarus. Sa dami mong hinawakang babae—"

"That was Storm," nanggigigil kong sabi.

He chuckled again, "Yeah. Whatever, dude."

I pushed my inside cheek with tongue. He's still so annoying, but he's more annoying this time.

"Go back to Olympus, and cry to your daddy, half-blood," pang-aasar ko sa kaniya. He glared at me and mouthed, 'Gago.' I chuckled. I know he won't take my jokes seriously, but I'd like to see him cry.

Napalingon naman ako nang maramdaman ang paglapit sa'min ni Melizabeth. Dionysus waved goodbye and I heard him say 'good luck.' What for?

Melizabeth looked confused. Her thin lips were pressed together. She dyed her hair red again that matched her eyes very well. I realized that it's my first time meeting her again after I regained all my memories. Lahat para bang bumalik sa'kin. All our memories together, and all that I felt for her.

She's grown, and changed into a fine woman. She's a goddess now. My sacrifice isn't wasted— of course, it will never get wasted. Kahit ano pang gawin niya sa buhay niya basta ba buhay siya. Pero ngayong nakikita ko siya, parang ang sarap pakasalan. Sarap itali sa'kin, walangya.

Pakiramdam ko tutulo luha ko, damn! I just realized that I love her so much. Man, kahit n'ong wala akong alaala. Grabe epekto niya sa'kin. :((

Umawang ang bibig niya nang mapansin ang mata ko. Nag-iwas naman ako ng tingin, "Uh. Alis muna ako. Mamaya nalang, medyo pagod ako sa..." Wala akong maisip na palusot!

I smiled at her, and dashed out of the hall. Pumunta ako sa kwarto ko. I looked around and my room still looked the same after 21? Or almost 22 years.