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

Chapter 33

Tahimik kami ngayong nakaharap sa manggagamot na hindi mapaghahalataan dahil mas bata pa siya sa inaasahan naming nag-aalaga sa bundok ng Vernon. Nakaupo siya sa isang simpleng upuan na gawa sa kahoy habang kami naman ay nakatayo sa kanyang harapan na tinitimbang kong paano kami magsisimulang magsalita. Magsasalita na sana si Eulises ng biglang tumingin sa amin ang manggagamot.

"Ano ang maipaglilingkod ko, mga manlalakbay?"

Nakangiti siyang nakatingin sa amin na parang nasisiyahan sa kanyang pinaggagawang ilusyon sa bundok. I slighly glance at Larco and saw him doing the same. He look at me with a mischievous plastered grin. I just raise my brows in return.

"Gusto sana naming malaman ang daan patungo sa Camelot."

Si Eulises na ang sumagot sa katanungan ng manggagamot. Tahimik niya kaming tinitigan na parang sinusuri kong iyon lang ba ang pakay namin. Hanggang sa mapadako siya sa nakaumbok na tiyan ni Verleen.

"Mabilis lumaki ang bata sa tiyan mo dahil isang divus ang kanyang ama." malumanay na saad ng manggagamot kay Verleen na nakatungo lamang at may malalim na iniisip.

"Ang daan patungong Camelot lang ba ang totoong kailangan ninyo?" matalinghagang saad ng mangagamot na ikinatahimik naming lahat.

"Ang inyong nasaksihan ay bunga ng inyong sariling pag-iisip at pagnanais. Binibigay lamang ng bundok kong ano ang nilalaman ng iyong puso at isip. Mapa-masama man o para sa kabutihan."

So I guess it is not just Larco and me but every single one of us in under an illusion against our hearts and minds. And the only  way to get out of the mountain's illusion is to say what you can't say in reality and to feel what you restrain yourself from feeling.

"Ngayon mga manlalakbay, pipiliin niyo ba ang daan patungong Camelot o ang inyong ninanais?"

I am swayed with the thought of it. Being in his arms in a simple yet beautiful paradise is my elysium, my contentment, my happiness. He looks at me directly in the eyes like we are thinking the same thing and having the same feeling.

Isang mahinang hikbi ang ginawa ni Verleen. Alam kong nahihirapan na rin siya lalo na at lumalaki na ang bata sa kanyang tiyan. She hold Cerberus hands tightly as her eyes began to water.

"I..."

Garalgal ang boses ni Verleen na halatang nahihirapan sa kanyang sariling mga sasabihin. She is not that emotional way back when we were in Vilmore. But I guess some things change when you find love in the wrong side of the world or maybe it is just because of her rapid pregnancy. I don't know but seeing how fragile she is when it comes to things like this makes me the happiest. Id rather see her in her weakest point than she her drown in her own thoughts.

Cerberus held her hand tightly as she looks at him with tears in her eyes.

"I just wanna give my child a life with far from this one." Saad ni Verleen na nakatingin sa manggagamot.

Tumingin sa aking banda si Verleen sabay hawak sa aking mga kamay. She held them tightly like it'll be the last time we will see each other again. I just smile and give her my sincerest nod. Her child deserves a life far from this one, a life she'll grow up far from war and the greed of man. Where she'll grow up far from the responsibility and the mindset to live for the survival of others.

"I know and I hope you the best."

Isang madamdaming yakap ang iginawad niya sa akin sabay hakbang. Dalawang hakbang paatras para sa kanyang huling pagyuko. She has always been with me for years, so is Demor and Jay. They are the closest thing to family and they are my everything.

Isa-isa siyang yumuko sa aming apat para magbigay galang sa aming posisyon sa konseho. I wipe my tears before they could fall. Nasasaktan ako sa pagpapaalam ni Verleen pero mas masasaktan ako kong hindi niya uunahin ang sariling kaligayahan.