Ever After

XXXV. Beginner's luck

A day passed after that night but everything is still vivid. From the way the moonlight reflects the hatred in his eyes to the way he faked a laugh before he left.

And I hate how I always whisper apologies that no one can even hear everytime I do something wrong without knowing.

Sa tuwing malapit siya o kinakausap ako, there's only one phrase at the back of my mind, yet, I can't even utter. 'I'm sorry, Nickolas.'

Weak. Yes, I'm indeed weak. I cry for little things. I cried when I thought Camih, my dog, was lost. I cried whenever I am pressured with project deadlines.

I'm always told that I'm so weak. Sanay na ako doon. But why does his words hurt that much?

Selfish. No one ever in my life told me that I am selfish. My life is just so simple back then. Waking up in the morning to attend class, skipping lunch to buy books, and such. No one ever gave me a big responsibility that can make me act so selfish.

But now, I didn't expect that I can be so selfish. I decided to save myself and leave everybody else behind.

But I came back and promised to set things right. And I want to fullfil that promise.

"Tol, mauna na kami."

Tumango naman ako sa mga kasamahan ko. I'm still wearing the armor while they're in their casual suits. Palagi akong nagpapahuli umuwi para hindi sila makahalata. No one ever saw my face behind the armor.

Nang makaalis na sila ay hinubad ko na ang helmet ko. My hair is so messy for wearing the helmet whole day. Sinuklay ko ang aking buhok gamit ang daliri.

Tinahak ko na ang madilim na kapatagan ng Winzellia. Suot ko pa rin ang kalasag kaya naman medyo nahihirapan akong maglakad ngunit kahit papaano ay nasanay na rin naman ako.

Habang naglalakad ay may naaninag akong isang imahe patungo sa mapunong lugar. The moonlight reflects on his golden armor.

Sinundan ko ito. There's only one person I know with that kind of armor.

Nagtago ako sa likod ng isang puno. Huminto si Nickolas sa dulo ng isang bangin. I clenched my fist when I realised that that's the same cliff where I fell as I escape.

Nakatulala lang siya habang nakatitig sa ibaba nito. Palagi ba siyang nagpupunta rito?

Lalapitan ko sana siya ngunit may nilalang na lumabas mula sa dilim at naunang lumapit sa kanya.

He doesn't wear his usual white mask that made his evil grin visible tonight. He's walking elegantly while wearing his princely outfit. Pero sa likod ng maamo niyang kaaunyuan ay ay panganib.

"You came," Vincent said as he tried to look surpised.

Naguguluhan naman akong lumingon kay Nickolas. "Do I have the rights to decline an invitation from a prince?" Wika niya at humarap dito.

Humakbang siya papalapit kay Vincent. "Bakit mo ako pinapunta rito?" Kalmado niyang tanong but I can feel tension between them na para bang isang maling galaw ay handa nilang gilitan ng leeg ang isa't-isa.

"I have something to tell you. Bagay na maaring makapagbaliktad ng katapatan mo. Baka nga umanib ka pa sa amin kapag nalaman mo."

Nickolas just made a laugh. "Lasunin mo na ang isip ng lahat huwag lang ako, Vincent."

"Really? What if I say, it's about Eerah?"

Parehas kaming natigilan ni Nickolas sa sinabi ni Vincent. Nakita kong napahigpit ng hawak si Nickolas sa espada sa kanyang tagiliran.