The Sixth Girl Book 2

Chapter 22

Alam kong malayo pero ilang saglit lang at nakarating kami agad sa gustong puntahan ni Yishein.

We stopped in front of a scene that I wished I never saw.

Sabay kaming bumaba ng kotse ni Yishein at hawak kamay kaming tumakbo papunta sa gilid kalye kung saan may isang kotse na sumabog.

Or by the looks of the mangled remains of the car, more like someone bombed it from above.

Napakadaming mga sundalo, pulis at paramedics from Hyillia and Akimrea combined ang nakapaligid sa wreckage.

Mabilis kaming pinadaan ng mga bantay hanggang sa makarating kami sa gilid mismo ng nasusunog sa sasakyan.

Napatigil ako sa pagtakbo at nabitawan ko ang kamay ni Yishein sa gulat ko.

Yishein keep on running towards a man who is now resting in the lap of Hoshiro.

His body is so bloody.

I cannot see if he even has any body left at all. Just a mass of blood.

His face is still recognizable at least.

He shared the same facial features as most Akimreans do. Defined jaw line and same eye shapes.

He is a looker.

Nakita ko lang na umiiyak ang magkapatid habang pilit na kinakausap ang lalaking alam kong ilang saglit na lang at lilisan na sa mundong ito.

It feels like I’m just watching a scene from a movie or something. Soldiers sceaming orders, paramedics shaking their head in resignation. Helicopters flying around and loud sirens blaring through my ears.

Napaka surreal ng nakikita ko ngayon.

I didn’t dare to get close to them. Like all the people here. We all know that it is a family’s last goodbye and they are all bowing their heads in respect.

Ilang saglit pa ang lumipas at nakita ko si Yishein who is still crying na sumenyas sa akin na lumapit ako sa kanilang tatlo.

I looked at Hoshiro na parang nagmamakaawa ang mga mata sa akin and then I decided to drag my feet and muster all the strength that I can to walk towards them.

Tears fell from my eyes when I caught the sight of the body of the victim.

I can’t just comprehend how can this happen.

Pinilit kong wag tumingin sa ibabang parte ng katawan niya at instead my eyes met his…

“So… You are Verna?” mahinang tanong sa akin ng lalake.

“A…ako nga,” sagot ko as I felt his hand or what was left of his hand tried to hold mine.

Hinawakan ko ito ng buong higpit.

Napatawa ito ng mahina, “Hello Verna. I’m Rensho of Yakusoku Clan of the Kingdom of Akimrea. Finally, nakilala din kita sa personal. Alam mo ba… Alam mo ba… All I heard, from this idiot cousin of mine… is your name for more than a dozen each day na magkasama kami back in college?”

“I… I am sorry…” sagot ko ng wala sa isip. I don’t know how can I even come up with words anymore.

I can clearly see life passing each moment on this guy.

Tumawa ulit ito ng mahina, “You really are bland looking, no offense,” sabi niya sa akin na para bang nasa isang resto lang kami at nagkwekwentuhan.

“Alam ko yan. I am the number one proponent of that fact,” mabilis kong sagot, not wasting any second because I know, any moment now, he will finally leave us.

Permanently.

“If you know that. Do you also know that you are one of a kind? Now I know bakit obsessed sa iyo ang pinsan kong ito. You exude an aura that no one else have. I hope…. I hope… you will also propagate that fact as well,” natatawang bilin nito sa akin.

I don’t know kung bakit pero lalong bumaha ang mga luha ko para sa isang taong ngayon ko lang nakilala.

Maybe because I know he is very young but is now at death’s doorsteps.

“I’ll… I’ll try,” sagot ko sa kanya.

Napaubo ito at sumuka sya ng dugo.

Akmang tatawag ng medic si Hoshiro pero pinigilan ito ni Rensho. He knew it’s no use anyways.

“Good enough… for me… Verna. One last favor from a dying man you just met, take care of Yishein. Wala akong tiwala sa lalaking ito so I am entrusting to you my only girl cousin. Will that be okay?” tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango naman ako at pinisil ko ang kanyang kamay na ramdam kong unti-unti nang nanlalamig ngayon.

“Oo naman. Promise. I will keep her safe.”

Napangiti naman ito at tumingin sa magkapatid, “Don’t bother looking for Raizon. He is safe. He is safe where he is. Safe and loved. Possibly more than I can ever love him. Kung hahanapin ninyo sya. You will not only put his life in danger but also the life of my…. of my friend… So please promise me, na hindi ninyo siya hahanapin,” seryosong pakiusap nito sa dalawang magkapatid na mukhang tatanggi pa pero siguro they decided to honor the last wish of this dying man.

“You have my word. As the Crown Prince of Akimrea. I swear upon my honor that I will fulfil your wish,” naiiyak na sabi ni Hoshiro.

Tumango naman si Yishein, “Oo Kuya Rensho. Promise. Promise.”

“Thank you,” kampanteng sabi nito sabay tingin sa aming tatlo, “I knew I will die but I think you can never prefer yourself to die. At least, makakatingin ako sa mga mata nila mama at papa. At masasabi ko sa kanilang ligtas si Raizon. Pag nagkita na kami sa mga bituin.”

“If there is one regret I have right now. It’s that, hindi ako makaka attend sa kasal ninyo, Verna, Hoshiro,” mahinang sabi nito as he slowly closed his eyes one last time, “But hey, who knows?” amused na bulong niya and then he finally let go of my hand.

“Thank you… Minay….”

With those last words, he finally rested his tired body.

I can only wish for his peaceful rest and reunion with his parents to tell the good news.

That his brother is safe.

I can only cry silently habang pumapalahaw ng iyak ang magkapatid sa tabi ko.

I got the white clothe na inabot sa akin ng isang sundalo at maingat kong tinakluban ang payapang katawan ni Renzo as Hoshiro and Yishein are crying at each other’s shoulders.

I looked at the dark gray skies and wished just for once na sana umulan…

So that I will know that the heavens are also crying for the lost life of a loving brother.

And hey…

It looks like my wish came true…