After Light: Journey To The Empyrean (Agnes, Book One)

Chapter 32

"Agnes."

I inhale deeply upon hearing his voice. Alam kong wala akong karapatan maging ganito dahil simula pa lang ay pinaalam ko na sa kanya ang katotohanang may sinumpaan kami sa syudad. I created my walls to keep me away from my own desire but everytime I reach higher, I tumble down even quicker. Umupo siya sa aking tabi habang nakatingin sa maliwanag na buwan. Parehong walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa hanggang sa iabot niya sa akin ang aking music box na maayos na.

"No need."

Tinabig ko nang bahagya ang kanyang kamay dahil wala na akong balak tanggapin ang bagay na nagpapaalala sa akin kong gaano ako kawalang pag-asa. Na nagpapaalala sa aking may mga bagay na hindi ko kayang gawin katulad nalang ng ngumiti ng may pagmamahal, sumayaw sa taong nagpapatibok ng aking puso, magmahal ng higit pa sa sarili.

Lucas gave the music box for me to remember him but everytime the chime plays I remember Larco and not his eyes with a thousand stars. I remember a cold priest, who same as me, do not know where to stand for in a world full of do's and dont's. Nilagay niya sa kanyang gilid ang music box at bumuntong-hininga. "What's wrong?"

I just look straight in his eyes. "Nothing."

I saw his grip tighten. He look straight at me with the same intensity of gaze but looks more unconvinced in any way. Cold wind blew. I like the feeling of air in my skin before but being a human, for now I think I have to pass.

"You know why we can't get out of this place? It is because of you! You need to tell me everything. I am not a wizard or a vampire to read what is on your mind." he said with a tone full of accusation.

Bahagyang napantig ang aking tenga sa paraan ng kanyang pagsasalita. Hindi ko inisip na dadating ang panahon na magkikipag-usap siya sa akin sa ganoong paraan. Na parang ako ang pinaka-malaking rason kong bakit hindi kami makaalis-alis sa lugar na ito.

"If I told you I like you, would you like me back?" malumanay kong saad at pilit na tinatago ang pakiramdam na gusto kong sumigaw. Pero hindi ako ganyan katanga para mag-inarte ng hindi naaayon sa aking pananaw sa buhay. I may have a troubled mind which is maybe the worst, but what comes out from my mouth is filtered for about ten percent of the things I wanted to say.

I felt him stiffen and look at me with disbelief. "I thought you're mated?"

I smirk.

"Just because of that I can't like you?" I said in a tone that makes it look like I am mocking him but inside my words are slowly trembling my walls to the very bottom.

"You are a priestess."

At talagang sinabi pa niya ang isang bagay na palaging nagpapaalala sa akin na wala akong karapatang magmahal. I look away and focus my gaze on the moon and how it shines brightly even if there is no star to help it light the night skies.

"Yeah. You have Ophelia and oh wait! Alia so why would you bother right?" saad ko sa kanya habang may mga pilit na ngiti.

"Pag sinabi ko bang gusto kita, pipigilan mo ba akong mahalin ka?" saad niya na nagpagulo ng tibok ng aking puso.

I turn my gaze to his side and saw him look at me hoping for me to answer to what he just said. I look at him with so much passion I thought I already forgotten but I simply just can't. He looks at me with so much emotions in his eyes, the same gaze we shared the night at Elviticus.

"No."

With a swift move he cupped my face and the next thing I knew we are exchanging kisses. Our kisses turn into much more and then on, I let him invade my walls. The moment I let him make love to me is the time I am no longer the prietess of Vilmore but someone who have fallen in love. And fate has given me Lucas, yes it did! But my heart says it is Larco. My head cannot forget Lucas, for he is already engrave by the gods as a part of my whole being but my heart says Larco whom took my breath away. As we fulfill what our hearts shouts I began to feel carefree and happy. The kind of happiness I have restrain myself for years. We shared a passionate night under the moon. Something beautiful, something unforgettable.

I am awaken by the soft hum of a man who has become my world. I felt his fingertips in my hair slowly taking some hairs that covers my face.

"Wake up sleepyhead. We are back."

Agad nagpabangon sa akin ang sinabi niya. He just chuckle seeing my reaction. I open my palms and do a circling motion, a little whirlwind appear. He is right. Hinayaan kong gumawa ang aking kapangyarihan ng isang bestida para itago ang aking katawan mula sa kanyang mapinsalang tingin. I saw him grin while looking at me wearing my clothes.

"You shouldn't be ashame. You are very beautiful love."

Bahagyang uminit ang aking pisngi sa kanyang sinabi. I just roll my eyes and continue to what I am doing. Trying to hide the unusual feeling in my stomach.

Nang matapos kaming magpalit ay mabilis niyang kinabig ang aking bewang na nagpagulat sa akin. I tap his shoulders trying to stop him from kissing me. He look at me with a smile in his face.

"I love you."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya pero agad akong napayakap sa kanya. He hug me back and we remain that way for a couple of minutes. Maybe realizing that this is the real world where everything can happen. Life is not like yesterday where everything is as simple and our only worry is the household chores.

"Will you fight with me?" saad niya habang seryosong nakatingin sa akin.

"Until this ends." I answer as he kiss my head. I just close my eyes trying to feel the love that made me the happiest person alive.

Sabay kaming naglakad paakyat ng bundok. Nasa pinakatuktok na kami ng may makita kaming kubo na katulad ng kubo na ilang araw naming tinirhan. Napakunot ang aking noo ng may biglang yumakap sa akin ng pagkahigpit-higpit.

"Thank god andito na kayo." saad ni Verleen na halatang malapit ng umiyak.

Lumapit sa akin si Angus at agad rin akong niyakap habang tinapik naman nina Cerberus at Eulises si Larco na tahimik lang nakatingin sa aming dalawa ni Angus. My eyes widen when out of nowhere Ophelia run towards Larco at the same time he turn his gaze towards her and her lips landed on his. Halatang nagulat ang aming mga kasama sa nangyari dahil bigla nalang tumahimik ang paligid.

I felt my blood boiling looking at them so before I strangle Ophelia to death. Mabilis ko silang iniwan habang natatawang sumunod sa akin si Angus na may nakakalokong ngiti sa labi.

"They must have missed each other so much."

I turn my gaze to his ugly face and halted.

"Shut up brother."

Tanging umalingawngaw na tawa ni Angus ang maririnig sa paligid habang tukso naman ang maririnig kina Cerberus at Eulises matapos masaksihan ang naging aksidenteng paghahalikan ng dalawa. But the more I think of it, its just Ophelia, who kissed Larco. Nothing more.