Flower Fairy

Untold truth

Do their hearts connect? Are they related? Relative? Caelum could not understand the point of what was in front of him now.

He admitted that he felt like they are connected, but Caelum's wondering.. why and how? "Baliw ka ba?"

"I'm too handsome to be crazy"

Caelum's eyebrows rose. He pushed Drystan away because of their closeness to each other. 

Lalapit sana si Drystan nang patigilin siya ni Caelum. "Huwag kang lalapit"

"Caelum, I'm kind." Hindi ka sure, Drystan. 

"Hindi dahil linigtas mo ako kay mabait kana. Malay 'ko bang may iba kang plano saakin" He's overthinking now. "Tsaka anong pinagsasabi mong magka-konekta? Hibang!"

Drystan sighed. "I'm not crazy, tss. Human these days" inobserbahan ni Caelum ang kaharap niya. 

"Ano..." lumunok siya. "Ano ulit pangalan mo?" kunot noong tanong ni Caelum.

Drystan chukled. "Drystan, I'm Drystan. Now call me master"

"Ulol! Sino ka nga kasi? Seryoso!"

"Drystan nga! D to the R to the Y to the T-A-N. DRYSTAN!" Kunot parin ang noo ni Caelum. "And I'm your protector, saving you is my job. Sorry medyo na-late ng twenty-two years"

Caelum didn't know if he would believe Drystan. It looks deceitful and crazy. Drystan's face was unreliable for Caelum. And it looks like he's joking about what he's saying. 

"Kung hindi ka baliw, may sakit ka sa pag iisip?"

"What makes you think like that? Alam mo ba ang pinagdaanan 'ko makita lang kita? I have to walk all day, sleep in front of that plant shop then run non stop just for you!" sabi ni Drystan.

"Hindi 'ko naman sinabing gawin mo 'yan, tsaka sino ka ba? Anong kailangan mo saakin? Kaano-ano kita at.. ikaw ba ang naghahanap saakin kanina?" Drystan nodded. "Yes it's me, but Deities are making fun of me."

He's confused. "What?"

"I'm telling you, I'm Drystan and saving you is my job. Ipinagkatiwala ka saakin ng magulang mo para alagaan at bantayan ka." Caelum stopped spontaneously. "Ano ano? Binibiro mo ba ako?"

"I'm not joking-"

"Matagal nang patay ang mga magulang 'ko, paano nila ako ipagkakatiwala sayo?" tanong ni Drystan. "W-what did you said?"

"Sabi 'ko matagal nang patay ang mga magulang 'ko, oo namatay sila sa aksidente. Kaya imposibleng ipabantay at ipa alaga nila ako sa katulad mo. Kaya tigil mo na ang kalokohan mo. Itigil mo na ang pag gawa ng kuwento tungkol sa mga magulang 'ko." sabi ni Caelum at tumalikod ngunit muling tumingin kay Drystan na gulat parin sa sinabi niya.

"Thank you nalang sa pagligtas saakin" 

Pagkatalikod niya ay halos mapugutan siya ng hininga nang nasa harap niya muli si Drystan. "P-paanong.."

Tumalikod ulit si Caelum pero lumitaw nanaman sa harap niya si Drystan. "ANO KA BA?!" 

"Caelum you need to listen to me."

Ngayon ay natatakot na si Caelum kay Drystan. Hindi pangkaraniwan ang ipinamalas ni Drystan. "Anong klaseng nilalang ka? Anong kailangan mo saakin?" 

"I'll explain anything to you but listen-" 

Hahawakan na sana ni Drystan si Caelum nang umatras si Caelum at tumakbo palayo kay Drystan. Drystan took a deep breath.

"Buong araw ako takbo ng takbo para sayo, Caelum.."

Drystan chased Caelum. Caelum accelerated his pace, now he was afraid of Drystan. "Ahh!"

Tumingin si Caelum sa likod upang tignan niya si Drystan at nakitang hinabol siya nito. Walang kamalay-maly na may alambre sa harap niya.

Halos nawalan siya ng hininga nang makita niya ang alambre. Bago pa siya matusok nito ay nakaramdam na si Caelum ng paghila sa kanya ni Drystan.

Drystan held Caelum's head to keep it from falling. Drystan twisted Caelum so he'll not get hurt by the wires in front of him. Because of that, Caelum lost consciousness. It was overwhelmed with fear and panic.

Drystan regretted that he had immediately shown Caelum his power. He didn't know that Caelum would be scared.

"Paano pa kaya pag nakilala niya ang mga kaibigan 'kong kapre? Baka mangisay ito?" He chukled and carried Caelum in bridal style.

Drystan returned to Caelum's dormitory. Nakasalubong niya doon si Vito, ang kaibigan ni Drystan.

"Hoy! Anong nangyari kay Cae?! Anong ginawa mo sa kaniya?!" tanong nito. "He's fine, leave him to me"

"Aba hindi puwede! Hindi ka namin kilala baka kung anong gawin mo sa kaibigan 'ko-"

"He knows me, I'll take care of him. After all, it's my assignment to take care of this man." He smirked and walked away.

"L-loko 'yun ah" 

Drystan kept walking until he reached Caelum's door. He looked at the ghost. "Paano niya binubuksan 'to?"

The ghost shrugged. "Tss"

Kusang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ito sa loob. Kusa rin itong nagsara. 

Pinagmasdan muna ni Drystan ang buong lugar. "Mag isa lang siya dito? How sad, poor Caelum" he said and went to Caelum's room. 

Ibinaba niya ito sa kama at inayos. "Bigat ha.."

Drystan fix Caelum things and removed his shoes. "Kung hindi ako nangako siguro matiwasay akong natutulog ngayon."

Napa-upo si Drystan sa tabi ni Caelum. "Ano kasi ganito.. namatay ang magulang mo sa lason- ah hindi panget"

Nag pa-practice ito ng sasabihin niya kay Caelum.

"Yung nanay at tatay mo namatay sa lason tapos iniwan ka sakin.." napasabunot ito sa sarili.

"Ahh—Siyempre itatanong niya kung bakit, paano. People are born confused" 

He sighed. "Masama akong fairy na iniwan ka sa pintuan ng mag asawa tapos- ah bahala na!" 

All night he was thinking about how to tell everything to Caelum but he just looked crazy so he just stared at the young man. He stared at every edge of Caelum's face. "Nakuha mo ang kagandahan ng nanay mo, lugi si Rowan" he chukled. 

Caelum looks like his mother Celena, like a boy version of Celena. He couldn't help but admire Caelum's beauty. Caelum is not handsome, HE IS BEAUTIFUL.

With his excessive stare, he closed his eyes and fell asleep sitting next to Caelum. 

When morning comes,

Unang nagising si Caelum. Hindi muna siya tumayo at nakatulala, iniisip kung anong nangyari. Hindi niya alam kung paano siya napunta sa dorm niya. 

At naalala niya ngayon ang isang kakaibang nilalang na pinangalanang Drystan. Tinignan niya ang paligid at maayos ang lagay niya.

Nakita niya rin ang isang lalaki na natutulog sa upuan niya. Sa una ay natatakot nanaman siya dahil sa mga nakita niya ngunit nawala ito nang tinitigan niya ang mukha ni Drystan.

Drystan's face looks really deceitful. It seems scary to trust, But even so, it still looks like a gentle sleeping cat. Hindi alam ni Caelum kung anong klaseng nilalang si Drystan.

Natatakot siya dito..

Pero nagtataka siya sa mga sinabi ni Drystan. "Magkakonekta kami? Pinagkatiwala ako sa kaniya ng magulang 'ko? Trabaho niya ang alagaan ako?" naguguluhan talaga siya.

He's not judgemental, but Drystan face looks like he's not trustworthy. Caelum has no plan to trust this man, after all, He can't trust someone he just met.

But even if he didn’t trust Drystan it was mind-boggling, why did it save him? He was even taken to its dorm and take off his shoes. And lastly, Drystan didn't leave him alone here in the dorm.

Inisip niyang huwag nang guluhin si Drystan kaya nagluto nalang ng almusal. Naligo siya at nag ayos ng sarili. 

Binuksan niya ang pinto nang may kumatok. It's Vito.

"Good—"

"Cae! Akala 'ko kung ano na ang nangyari sayo!" Kumunot si Caelum sa bungad ni Vito.

"Uh.. bakit?"

"Buhat buhat ka kasi kagabi ng lalaki na si Drystan ba 'yun? Tapos sabi siya na bahala sayo. Akala 'ko kung napano ka, ano ba nangyari? Tsaka sino 'yun?"

Caelum chukled. "Ayos lang ako, Vi. Salamat sa concern, tsaka nahilo lang ako kagabi. Nasobrahan siguro sa pagod, ano 'yun si Drystan.. uhm.. kaibigan 'ko lang" Vito nodded.

"Sure ka ba?"

"Yes, salamat sa pag aalala."

Kung si Caelum sure, si Vito hindi. Para sa kaniya hindi din katiwa-tiwala si Drystan. Sa mukha palang eh.

Poor Drystan, everyone thinks he's a deceiver.

"Papasok ka ba?"

"Hindi muna" kailangan niya kausapin si Drystan. "You must be tired, sige mauuna na ako"

"Alright, take care"

"Sige, ingat ka din diyan ha?" Caelum nodded and closed the door.

Pagka talikod niya ay nasa harap niya na si Drystan kaya napasandal siya sa pinto. "Pucha! Bakit ba nang gugulat ka?"

"Ay nagulat ka? Sorry ha!" sabi ni Drystan at umalis.

Siyempre sinundan ito ni Caelum. "Uy pagkain! Kanino 'to? Para saakin ba 'to?" sasabihin sana ni Caelum na hindi kaso ngumuya na si Drystan.

"Salamat ha? Sweet mo naman. Manang mana ka sa mga magulang mo" Drystan sat in the dining chair and ate what Caelum had prepared. Caelum could have done nothing but let him eat.

"Stop mentioning my parents"

"Wala naman akong sinasabing masama. Anong masama sa pag mention ng magulang mo?"

"Pagkatapos mo kumain umalis kana sa dorm 'ko, ayoko na marinig ang mag sasabihin mo"

Tumaas ang kilay ni Drystan. Para sa kaniya ang sungit ni Caelum.

"Ang sungit mo naman!" Sabi nito habang kumakain. "Ganiyan ka ba trumato ng bisita"

Ibinaba na ni Caelum ang kutsara't tinidor nito sa kainisan.

"Una sa lahat hindi kita bisita, bigla ka nalang pumasok sa dorm 'ko."

"Hindi mo sinabi edi sana pinabayaan kita sa kalsada para hindi ako pumasok sa dorm mo" umiling si Caelum. "Edi sana diba iniwan mo nalang ako sa kaibigan 'ko? Kay Vito—"

"EH HINDI NGA KASI TRABAHO 'KO 'YUN! I'M YOUR PROTECTOR AND PROTECTING YOU IS MY JOB!"

Napa-atras si Caelum. "Bakit ka nagagalit?!"

"Kasi hindi mo ako naiintindihan! Sinabi 'ko na sayo trabaho 'ko ang protektahan ka. Anong parte doon ang hindi mo maintindihan?"

Caelum sighed. "Lahat! Lahat hindi 'ko maintindihan!"

Tumahimik silang lahat. "Kung anong kinabait ng magulang siyang kina sungit ng anak"

"Bilisan mo ang pagkain at umalis kana"

"Sungit! Hindi ako aalis!" Tumaas ang kilay ni Caelum. "Ano ba kasing kailangan mo sakin?!"

"Paulit ulit, protector—"

"Paano kita naging protector?! Ano sasabihin mo ipinagkatiwala nanaman ako sayo ng magulang 'ko?"

"Oo, maniwala ka o hindi ipinagkatiwala nila ako sayo. Okay? Huwag kana magalit, sobrang hirap paniwalaaan. Pero totoo, I know your parents."

"Patay na ang mga magulang 'ko sa aksidente, bata palang ako. Paano kita paniniwalaan?"

"I don't know, but if you listen. You will understand, maniwala ka. Your parents wish me to protect you."

"Sinasabi mo talagang kilala mo ang magulang 'ko?" umupo rin ito kaharap ni Drystan. Tumango lang si Drystan habang kumakain.

"Si Kendra Dissiri at Kalum Dissiri?" tanong ni Caelum

"'Yun ang pangalan ng mga peke mong magulang? Ang pangit naman. Mas maganda pangalan ng totoo mong magulang. Celena at Rowan" kumunot ang noo ni Caelum.

"Ano? Anong sinabi mo?"

"Sabi 'ko ang panget ng pangalan ng pekeng magulang mo, tss. Mas maganda 'yung pangalan ng totoo mong magulang"

"Anong pinagsasabi mo?"

"O baka sabihin mo nanaman nagbibiro ako o baliw ako ha? Totoo ang sinasabi 'ko." 

"Are you saying I'm adopted?"

"Do you want me to tell you the whole story of how did I became your protector?"

"No thanks, it's all lies after all—"

"Twenty two years a ago, A typhoon hit the place where your parents live and of course my place of residence. I'm just like this" pag sukat ni Drystan sa dati niyang laki. "Tinangay ako ng hangin at muntik nang mamatay. At ang mga magulang mo, linigtas nila ako. Pinakain, binihisan at inalagaan nila ako sa tahanan niyo. She's pregnant that time." 

"Of me?" Natatawang sabi ni Caelum pero tumango si Drystan. Napatigil siya sa pag tawa.

"Caelum, believe me or not... I'm not a human"

"I know, I saw you running in unordinary speed. The way you fight with those four guys" tumango si Drystan. "Ano ka? Anong klaseng nilalang ka?"

"I'm a fairy"

"Wait, what? You must be kidding me."

"No, Caelum I'm a flower fairy. I and my companion are nature fairies. And I'm flower fairy, I protect flowers." napasandal sa upuan si Caelum

Hindi parin ito makapaniwala sa naririnig. "I admit, I'm a bad fairy.. but I'm also kind"

"Anong ibig mo sabihin?"

"Mabait naman ako, pero minsan masama.. Hehe.." napailling si Caelum dahil pakiramdam niya ay linoloko siya ni Drystan. "Kung ganoon bakit ako pinagkatiwala sayo ng mga original 'kong magulang kung totoo nga ang sinasabi mo?"

"Dahil sa utang na loob"

"What?" 

"Ayoko ng may utang na loob ako sa kahit kanino, kaya sinabi 'ko sa magulang mo na humingi sila ng kahit ano mabayaran lang ang utang na loob 'ko sa kanila. At hiniling nila ang kaligtasan mo, hiniling nila na bantayan at protektahan kita"

Nanginginig si Caelum sa mga sinabi ni Drystan. "Are you telling the truth? I'm.. I'm just adopted?"

Drystan nodded.

Hindi napigilan ni Caelum ang luhang tumulo sa pisngi niya. "P-paano, b-bakit... Drystan pa..paano nangyari, h-hindi 'ko maintindihan. All this time I'm not their real son? Nag-guguluhan ako.."

"I'm sorry"

"Tell me your lying." umiling si Drystan. "I'm not"

"Tell me you are!" bumuhos na ang luha ni Caelum at nagsimulang ma-guilty si Drystan. "Sorry"

Napa yuko si Caelum sa lamesa. "Namatay ang mga magulang 'ko, naaksidente sila dahil saakin pero hindi pala nila ako anak! Tangina.. Nag sakripisyo sila sa taong hindi nila kadugo."

Lalong humagulgol si Caelum, sinisisi ang sarili.

"Paano kung nag sisinungaling ka lang? Paano kung linoloko mo lang ako?! Anong pruweba mo?!"

"I-I don't know how to make you believe in me.."

Humagulgol si Caelum. "I'm just adopted.."

"Sorry.."

"Paano nangyari 'yun? Nasaan.. nasaan na ang tunay 'kong magulang? Kung ipinaubaya nila ako sayo bakit ngayon ka lang nag pakita? Bakit ako napunta sa peke 'kong magulang? Baka naman linoloko mo lang ako? anong pruweba mo?" muling umiyak si Caelum.

"I'll explain everything to you.." natataranta si Drystan, hindi niya alam kung paano pakalmahin si Caelum.

"Caelum, your mom and dad.. Celena and Rowan. Uhm.. they're dead, Caelum.." lalong humagulgol si Caelum sa narinig.

"They died while you're on your mom's arm"

Lumapit si Drystan kay Caelum. "How.."

Hinawakan ni Drystan ang braso ni Caelum. "I'm not believing you, you're just lying"

Drystan shook his head. "Drystan.. anong.. anong kinamatay nila?"

"They said, they were poisoned. Both of them died one day after Celena give birth."

Kumalma si Caelum. "May maayos ba silang puntod? Bring me to them. Bring me to my real parents"

"Caelum.."

"I want to see them, that's the only you could to make me believe"

AFTERNOON,

When Drystan decided to bring Caelum to his parents grave. Malapit lang ito sa bahay kung saan nanirahan ang mag asawa.

Parang nahihirapan na si Caelum umiyak, puro hinga nalang siya ng malalim at punas ng maliliit na luha sa pisngi nito. Ubos na ubos na ang luha niya sa lahat ng nangyari sa kaniya. Hindi niya na kaya pa umiyak ng malakas.

Drystan can see the pain in Caelum's eyes. He didn't know that Caelum suffer a lot.

If only he knew.

"I'm so sorry."

"Paano.. paano sila nalason Drystan?"

"They said they went to a party and many people died because of the poison. They're one of them, died because of the poison. I don't know the whole story but they said the poison lasted in one week and it affects the day you were born."

Kalmado na si Caelum pero lumuluha parin siya. "Why do I have to experience this kind of tragedy?"

Drystan approached Caelum and held its shoulder. "I haven't told you the whole story yet.."

He said while looking at Celena and Rowan's grave. "I miss them"

Kumunot si Drystan "How could you miss your parents that you never met?"

"Hindi...'ko alam"

Drystan's head is full of sorry.

"Be strong, Caelum. Get up, we're going somewhere. I can explain everything to you there, I'll show you something"

Inalalayan ni Drystan tumayo si Caelum. He held Caelum's shoulder.

They walked together. "What kind of place is this?"

"This is my home, and your parents home.. before"

Hindi parin maka-get over si Caelum.

"You don't have to hold me, kaya 'ko"

Tumango lang si Drystan.

"Thank you for believing me" hindi nagsalita si Caelum. Hindi parin niya alam kung maniniwala ba siya kay Drystan.

He just met him.

Huminto sila sa isang gate na luma na. "W-whats this?"

"Caelum, you see this little hole?" Turo niya sa butas ng gate. "Hmmm?"

"Diyan ako tumama noong maliit pa ako, at muntik na ako mamatay. Diyan din ako natagpuan ng papa mo, Si Rowan. Dinala niya ako sa bahay na 'to at inalagaan"

Pumasok si Drystan at si Caelum naman ay hindi makapaniwala. "Ito ang bahay nila noon?"

"Yeah, kaso wala nang nakatira. Siyempre patay na ang may ari"

Pumasok rin doon si Caelum. It's not that small but it's not that big either.

Pumasok sila sa loob ng bahay.

Pagpasok ni Caelum ay parang bumigat ang pakiramdam nito.

"It feels like.."

"Nostalgic right?"

Drystan smiled. "Celena decided to keep this house. She said she want you to know their presence even if they've gone"

Tears fall on Caelum's cheeks. "Ohh! Tara dito!" Hinila ni Drystan si Caelum sa sala.

"Here! Look, pag pasensyahan mo na madumi dito. Don't worry magulang mo lang multo dito, joke. Ayan, luma na 'yung picture pero makikita mo pa ang magulang mo diyan"

Dahan-dahang tulak ni Drystan si Caelum palapit sa mga pictures sa sala.

"Is this my mom?" Drystan nodded. He cried, he can't control his emotion.

He's a cry baby.

"You look like her right? Lugi 'yung tatay mo" Caelum looked at his dad.

"He's... My dad" He broke down. "Drystan, he's my father?"

"Hmm.."

"Eto ang huling hiling ni Celena before she died. Take a photo of her, Rowan and you" tinignan nila pareho ang isang litrato ng mag asawa na may hawak na sanggol.

"T-that's me! I saw my baby pictures on my adopted parents. You're not lying.."

He saw in the picture that his parents looks so sad but trying to smile for the picture.

He cried, Caelum cried.

Drystan is right, he looks like his mother. He can't stop adoring his mother's face. So beautiful, he can't stop his tears.

"You're telling the truth.."

Drystan nodded and let him rest on an old sofa.

Parang isang upo mo dito ay masisira na. "I remember sleeping here, because I'm waiting for your parents"

"Waiting for what?"

"Matapos ang panganganak niya, hanggang sa makatulog ako and then.. pag gising 'ko umiiyak na sila sa kuwarto na iyon at hiniling na protektahan ka"

Tahimik lang si Caelum na pinagmamasdan si Drystan. "You didn't obey them, aren't you?"

Drystan stopped. "It's okay, I know. You're too young to take care of someone.. like me"

"Are you sure I'm young?" Tinitigan ni Caelum si Drystan. "Wait, don't tell me."

"I'm thirty two years old when your mom give birth to you, how old I am now?" Napaisip si Caelum at napatigil.

"What the heck?! You're fifty four?! You're too old!"

"Napaka sama mo! I'm young, saaming mga fairy bata pa ako. The oldest of us are two hundred ten years old. That's the definition of old to us"

Gulat parin si Caelum. "Hindi ka mukhang fifty four! You look like the same age as me"

"We never age"

"Woah.." Drystan smile. But Caelum became sad again.

And Drystan can feel how sad he is. They've connected after all.

"I can feel your feelings.. you're in pain" Caelum looked at Drystan.

"What happened after my parents died?"

"I don't know, but I think of giving you someone else. I don't want to raise a kid. I'm not ready to be you know? A father. Kinda father, all I want is to play and everything. I might be old for you but for me I'm too young. I won't get tired of playing and enjoying life. That's why I gave you to a childless married couple. That's your fake parents. I didn't know they died too, All I thought was you're happy with normal life now"

Caelum shook his head while laughing. "If you're enjoying your life, while me.. no"

They went silent. "I understand you for giving me someone else"

"You're not mad?"

"Nandito kana man na, siguro hindi mo na ako iiwan gaya ng pag iwan mo saakin noon sa hindi totoo 'kong magulang.. diba?"

"I don't know.." Caelum sighed. He knows, everyone will leave someday.

"Paano tayo naging magkonekta? Bakit ngayon mo lang ako hinanap?"

Drystan spoke. "Because of a promise, noong nangako ako sa magulang mo ay nabuo ang strings of a promise. Our hearts are connected, I feel what you feel."

"I can feel what you feel too? Ganoon?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure I can feel all of your emotion as our hearts are connected. The healer of my group said I own your heart, you own my heart. I belong to you, you belong to me. And our fate will always cross"

"Ohh.."

"You're so sad right now, do you want me to tell you something funny?" Kumunot ang noo ni Caelum. "Oh..kay"

"Naalala mo kahapon? Umalis ka ata noon tapos pag balik mo sabi ng kasamahan mo.. si Mike ata yun? Sabi niya may nag hahanap sayo"

"Yes, I remember"

"The time na pumasok ka sa cafe, lumabas ako. Nag kasalisi tayo, at hindi 'ko napansin 'yun. So I wait for a long time without knowing you're already in cafe" Caelum chukled.

"So nag lakad lakad ako, pagbalik 'ko tinanong 'ko kung nakabalik kana. Sabi bumalik kana kanina pa, at umalis ka ulit. So hinanap na kita no'n, nabangga 'ko pa ang kaibigan mo without knowing magkasama pala kayo at hindi lang kita nakita"

Caelum laughed. "Oo! Sila Rochelle! May binalikan lang ako nun tapos sinabi nila saakin na may nakabangga sila. Ikaw pala 'yun!"

"Yes, that's me. And I asked the insects to help me find you. You went to palengke right?"

"Oo, bumili ako ng prutas at gulay doon"

"I went there too! Pero naka alis kana! Ang mga nasa itaas, pinaglalaruan nila ako. Kaya inis na inis ako, and— I forgot nakasalubong 'ko si Vito noong isang gabi. Pauwi na siya sa dormitory niyo no'n, if I only knew sumama na ako sa kaniya"

"Weh?"

Tumawa ng malakas si Caelum. "Kaya pala sabi mo kagabi takbo ka ng takbo para sa akin— at pinaglalaruan ka ng mga nasa itaas."

"Yeah, the motherfvcking deities" Caelum chuckled. "Our fate will always cross but can't be met"

"Yeah, I'm still mad at them. I'm sure they enjoy making fun of me"

"At least we met.."

"Buti nga, kung hindi... mag papakamatay ako para maka-akyat sa langit at pagbubugbugin ang mga dyos doon"

Drystan watched Caelum laugh. Finally, the sadness of him faded.

Ang babaw ng kaligayahan niya. Drystan thought.

After Caelum laughed, they looked at each other. "I feel like, you really don't want to protect me. You're just doing this for something.."

"I admit, ayoko talaga. Kung hindi lang ako nangako noon edi sana nakikipag laro na ako sa mga insekto sa gubat. Pero I don't want to die"

Caelum frowned. "Die?"

"Muntik ka mapahamak hindi ba? Mga dalawang beses?"

"Anong dalawang beses sinasabi mo? Lagi akong nasa kapahamakan. Sinuswerte lang at nabubuhay parin."

Hindi alam 'yun ni Drystan, kung dati pa nakita ni Drystan si Caelum malamang ay ilang beses na siya namilipit sa sakit.

"Well, dalawang beses kang napahamak at dalawang beses din sumakit ang puso 'ko. Para akong pinapatay sa sobrang sakit habang nasa kapahamakan ka"

Caelum couldn't believe it. "Why?"

"Because of the strings of a promise. Noong pumunta ka sa plant shop ng kaibigan mo, nakita kita doon. And there, the curse— I mean the promise awoke. Our hearts became connected and everytime you're in danger, I feel like someone's torturing me."

Caelum automatically touches his chest. "Wah.."

"That's why every time I see you, I feel like we're connected."

Caelum felt it too, but he didn't admit it. "If you're in danger too, My heart will get hurt too?"

"I don't know but I feel like, no. I promise to protect you, so every time you're in danger I'm the one who will suffer. If I'm in danger, you won't suffer. Hindi mo naman ako pinangakuan ng pagprotekta"

"You don't want it, right?"

"The?"

"Protecting and wasting your time for me"

"Don't be hurt, but yeah. Sorry.."

"It's okay, paano ba mapuputol ang strings?" Tanong ni Caelum. "I asked that too, our healer said there's a way"

"Meron naman pala"

"It's not that easy, mapuputol lang ito kapag isa na saatin ang namatay" napatigil si Caelum.

"We're opposite, I want to die and you want to live. I can die for your freedom—"

"I also promise to you mom to give you a better future and a better life. So you can't die, I won't let you die" Caelum sighed.

"If there's another way to cut the strings, will you do it?" Tanong ni Caelum.

Drystan found Caelum cute. He's like a kid that asks if you love him or not.

"It's up to you, you're the law"

"Pero paano kung ikaw ang mag dedesisyon? Gagawin mo ba ang lahat lumaya lang sa strings na ginawa mo?" Drystan nodded.

"Ofcourse, sinong hindi? As long as none of us will die.." Drystan sighed "Pero wala nang ibang paraan kaya huwag kang mag alala. May makakasama kana sa buhay" Caelum's still sad.

Ayaw niyang may taong gusto mag stay sa tabi niya dahil lang sa napipilitan.

"Don't think of killing your self for my freedom, kahit ayaw 'ko ang ideyang bumuntot sayo ay gagawin 'ko ng bukal sa puso. Pagod na ako maging kontrabida sa buhay ng lahat"

Caelum laughed. "Kaninong buhay ang naging kontrabida ka?"

"Buhay ng lahat ng ginambala 'ko sa gubat, kapre, duwende, insekto at iba pa" parang nanigas si Caelum.

"They're real?"

"Kapre at duwende? Ofcourse! Nagbubulag-bulagan lang ang mga tao sa ibang elemento dito sa mundo. Ang feeling niyo kasi, kala niyo kayo lang namumuhay sa mundo. Duh? Sa sobrang laki ng daigdig? Feeling niyo kayo lang? Baka nga pati alien totoo narin eh"

Parang hindi makapaniwala si Caelum. "Ano pang elemento ang totoo na hindi alam ng mga tao?"

Nag isip si Drystan. "'Yung multo sa likod mo—"

Agad na tumayo si Caelum at hindi nagdalawang isip tumabi kay Drystan.

Tumawa naman ang fairy. "I'm just kidding! But yeah, ghost is real. May nakita nga ako sa dorm mo!"

"Drystan! 'Wag kang ano!"

"It's real, human. I can see everything, pero don't worry they won't hurt you."

Nakasiksik parin si Caelum sa tabi ni Drystan. Iniisip niya na ngayon paano siya titira mag isa sa dorm kung alam niyang may multo doon.

"Kalalaking tao, takot sa multo. Tss.."

"Not because I'm a man, I'm scared of nothing. Ikaw, wala ka bang kinatatakutan?"

Drystan stopped. "Meron.. losing my life"

Nag iba nanaman ang ihip ng hangin. Caelum's guilty, he doesn't know what to do to cut the strings of promise.

But he wants to do everything to set Drystan free.

He doesn't care if Drystan left Caelum alone for he can enjoy his life. He'll do everything to set him free.

He's tired of seeing everyone sacrificing their lives for him. He's tired of surviving alone, left alone.

Drystan looked at Caelum's eyes. "Caelum, remember I'm Drystan. I'm your protector, saving you is my job. And I promise to your parents, to give you a better future and better life. I'll do everything to make it happen."

Caelum felt something in his heart again. "Will you stay by my side, forever?"

"Honey, there's no forever in life."

"Then you'll not forever be in my side, protecting me." Drystan smiled. "The only matters, you're not alone now. There's a Drystan, existing for you now. Protecting you now."

They both smiled, at least now... Caelum's not alone anymore. He has someone now, he owns this flower fairy in his front. He belongs to someone now, someone belongs to him now.

As long as the strings are still there, he's not alone.

There will be a Drystan, that will protect him at all costs. That will give him a better life and a better future.

There will be a Drystan that will tell him an untold truth...