A/N: This story deserves this kind of ending. Hehe! Enjoy reading, everyone! ;)

"I JUST WANT to ask something..." Cress asked while playing with the cake on his plate. Nangalumbaba siya at matamang tumingin sa akin.

Narito kami ngayon sa isang Starbucks shop malapit sa Quezon Memorial circle. Cress suddenly invited me to catch up, as we barely see each other now because of some important things in our lives. He was taking care of General del Valle, his boyfriend, and me--I was renovating and supporting Knight Andrius in their upcoming comeback.

Speaking of which, finally, the day has come... ngayong gabi na magaganap ang napipintong pagbabalik ng BRAVIARY K-Pop group sa entablado. The day that everyone's waiting for.

"Well, what is it?" I asked back at Cress, and I sipped on my cup of tea.

"Naisip mo man lang ba... na maghiganti kina Knight at Diana noon? Is there a moment that crossed your mind that you wanted to take revenge on those two?"

I shook my head. "That idea actually never came into my mind," I answered.

He sighed. "Bakit? Bakit ayaw mong mag-revenge-revenge epek sa kanila? You know, they hurt you, ha... I mean, bago kayo mag-reconcile ni, Knight, noong hindi pa kayo nakakapag-usap at nagkaka-paliwanag-an..."

"Forgiveness is the best revenge, Cress," I told him, smiling. "I chose forgiveness rather than revenge, kasi... ayoko ng may bigat na dinadala rito dibdib, ayokong mapuno ng galit ang puso ko at matabunan no'n ang pagmamahal ko para kay, Knight..."

"Hmmp." He rolled his eyes then sighed. "Pero grabe ka rin, 'te, ah. Santa-santahan ka rin, 'no. 'Di 'ko keri 'yan. Naku, kapag ako, naganiyan ni, del Valle, sisiguraduhin kong putol sa akin 'yung titi niyang kasing taba ng lata ng sardinas at kasing haba ng size niya sa paa."

Napailing-iling na lang ako. Mabuti na lang at wala rito ang anak ko. Tama nga ang desisyon kong huwag na siyang pasamahin pa rito sa Tinong Cress niya at baka mapariwa lang ang buhay niya sa isang 'to kapag nagkataon.

"That's also the reason why I chose forgiveness over violence, Cress." Sumeryoso ako. "I know myself better than anyone knows me. I was born into a family with illegal businesses... once na magdesisyon akong maghiganti sa kanila, panigurado, mauubos ang lahi nilang pareho..."

He nodded his head. "Korik ka rin naman diyan, baks. Well, the Greccos and the Fulgencios are equal when it comes to money and business," he smirked. "But if we're talking about the connections, the fighting strategy, and killings, well, I gotta say that the crown will be on the Greccos."

"Mabuti na lang talaga at mas pinili kong mamuhay ng tahimik at magmove-on..." I whispered and got another sip of tea.

"Anong move-on ka diyan? Mahal mo pa nga si, Knight Andrius, e." He arched a brow, then rolled his eyes at me.

I laughed. "Kaya nga, e... nakakatawa, 'no? After how many years, my feelings for him did not fade away. Parang natulog lang sandali dito sa puso ko, then, noong pomorma-porma lang si, Knight, nang kaunti... ayon. Nagparupok na naman."

Natawa rin siya. "Pero seryoso, bading..." Iniabot niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan 'yon. "Alam mo, proud na proud, na proud ako sa 'yo... nag-mature ka na talaga. Hindi na ikaw ang baby, Lili, ko." Nagpunas-punas pa siya ng pekeng luha sa mga mata, nagda-drama.

"I know, and I am proud of myself too." We smiled at each other. "Pero wala naman ako ngayon sa kinatatayuan ko kung hindi dahil sa 'yo--sa inyo. Thank you for always being by my side."

"My gosh, ha. Ayokong maiyak." He shook his head vigorously and stood up from his seat. "Pasakal--este payakap nga, bading." Pinatayo niya ako sa upuan at mabilis na hinigit upang yakapin.

I smiled. "Thank you for everything, Cress." I whispered in his ear and hugged him back.

"Puwede ko na ba dalawin ulit sa bahay niyo ang inaanak ko?" Mahinang tanong niya.

Humigpit ang yakap ko. "Hindi. Never..."

Having a best friend like Cress is like having an angel and a demon at the same time. He's that kind of friend who'll do everything to protect and make his loved ones safe and sound. Kahit pa ibuwis niya ang buhay... kahit pumatay pa siya para lang ma-protektahan ang mga taong mahal niya, gagawin niya.

God knows how I am beyond grateful to have him as my friend. I love him, tatanawin kong utang na loob ang mga ginawa niya noon nang nakatira pa kami sa ilalim ng tulay hanggang ngayon, sa kasalukuyan... pero hindi ibigsabihin no'n ay hahayan ko na muli siyang lumapit sa anak ko, not unless he'll promise that he will stop teaching bad and nasty words to Knick Liam.

"Oh, hello, there, Lili."

I smiled at the familiar guy whom I saw before I opened Knight's office. He slowly walked towards me; his eyes never left my face. Nakakapagtaka ang pag-titig niya sa akin.

We stared to each other.

"Evan, right?" I asked, smiling, when he's finally in front of me. "You're looking for Knight Andrius? He's inside of--"

"You're so beautiful..." Napatigil ako sa sinabi niya. "You're more beautiful than the last time I saw you... you changed a lot... big time." Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin, ang paghanga sa mga mata ay hindi mawala-wala.

"Nope, a lot changed me." Nag-ngitian kami. "Anyway, you're saying that I am more beautiful now than the last time you saw me?" He nodded. "So, pangit ako dati?" Pinanliitan ko siya ng mga mata.

He shook his head. "Wala akong sinabing ganiyan," agad niya pagtanggi. "It's just that now..." Iminuwestra niya ng kamay ang katawan ko. "You look... divine."

"That is a compliment, right?" I arched a brow. He nodded. "Fine, thank you."

He chuckled. "Kaya patay na patay sa 'yo 'yung kaibigan ko, e." He tilted his head. "Salamat, ah... Salamat sa pagtanggap kay, Knight. Alam ko, hindi siya madaling mahalin. You know, he went through a lot before. After their group was disbanded, I never saw him smile again, but now... whenever he sees you, it's like his lips automatically form a curve and his eyes sparkle like the stars in the sky..." Nakangiti siyang napailing-iling. "That friend of mine is really, deeply, madly in love with you."

"I know." Puno ako ng kumpiyansa.

"Mahal mo pa rin naman siya... 'di ba?"

Kunwari ay napaisip ako sa tanong niya. "Hmm."

"Seriously?" Kumunot ang noo niya bigla.

"Just kidding." I laughed. "Of course, I love him. Wala namang nagbago... mula noon, hanggang ngayon."

"Pero nabanggit niya sa 'kin before, you never said that you love him... and that makes him worried. na baka hindi ka pumayag na ayusin na, officially, ang relationship niyo." He sighed. "He needs it; he wanted it to come from your lips, Lili..."

So, Knight told Evan about me, huh?

Natigilan ako saglit. "You're right, he deserves to know--hear it from my lips that I love him," I whispered.

"Yeah, you gotta fix your family now."

Napatango ako. Nag-ngitian kami bago ko hinawakan ang door knob ng office Knight at binuksan 'yon. But my eyes widen in shock because of what I see when I open the door.

There was a guy sitting on Knight's long sofa, and he was continuously bumping his head on the glass table in front of him.

At naroon si Knight, sa single sofa. Nakakunot ang noo at tila hindi na alam ang gagawin sa kaharap na lalaki.

"Stop it, Kuya Kobe. Baka maabutan ka pa ni, Lili, ng ganiyan. Nakakahiya ka. You look messed up." Aniya sa lalaki, habang naiiling. Ilang saglit pa ay hindi sinasadyang mapatingin siya sa gawi namin. Kaagad siyang napatayo at hinila ang ulo ng kapatid mula sa lamesa.

"H-hello..." Kimi akong ngumiti. "Nakakaabala ba ako sa inyo?"

"Oh, no. No. Come in." Hinila niya ang ulo ng kapatid at ipinaupo ito ng tuwid sa upuan.

Nagkatinginan kami ni, Evan, bago naglakad papasok.

"What should I do! What should I do!" Napangiwi ako nang masapo ni Kuya Kobe ang mukha na animo'y problemadong-problemado sa buhay.

"Sabi ko naman kasi sa 'yo, Kuya, makakahanap ka rin ng taong makakatapat mo balang-araw." Napangisi si, Knight, bago lumapit sa akin at hinapit ang baywang ko.

"What's the matter, Knight?" Mahinang tanong ko sa kaniya.

He shook his head. "He's freaking in love... but he doesn't want to admit it," nakangiting tugon niya. "And guess what?"

"What?"

"He's in love with a cross-dresser..."

"Oh, please..." Napanganga ako. "Don't tell, in love siya sa cross-dresser na... gay, ha? Maloloka ako."

Unti-unting namilog ang mga mata ko nang marahan siyang tumango habang may ngiti sa mga labi. "Oh, my god... I think I am going to pass out."

Knight laughed and hugged me. "Please, don't. Manonood ka pa ng performance ko mamaya."

After a minute of contemplation, finally, I decided to leave the three guys in the office so they could have a heart-to-heart talk with each other. Hindi rin naman ako tunay na lalaki. Lumabas muna ako ng building ng mga Fulgencio at nag-tungo sa pinakamalapit na café sa gilid no'n. Babalik na lang siguro ako sa loob kapag kumalma-kalma na si, Kuya Kobe.

"BAKLA!" Suddenly cried the voice.

"Ay, kabayong bundat!" Napatili ako ng malakas nang biglang may umakbay sa akin bago pa man ako makapasok sa loob ng caféteria. My eyes widen in shock when I find out who's behind it.

"Kabayong bundat? No! Hello, Philippines and hello, World. My name is, Fey Espiritu, isang baklang virgin at never pang nadiligan dahil ang strict ng mga magulang. I am from the country when the 'Marites' is better than CIA and NBIA when it comes to investigation... Philippines!"

"Fey!" I cried his name. "It's been a while... how are you doing now? What are you doing here?"

"Bakit, bawal na ba ako rito?" Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Aba, nag-evolve ka, ah. Ta's may pa-english-english ka na ngayong nalalaman! Oh, pakak! Sino ka diyan."

I shook my head. "You never change at all. Naku, kapag na-meet mo 'yung kaibigan kong si Cress, I'm pretty sure that you'll both get along."

"Oha, gusto ko 'yang ma-meet si, Cress, mo na 'yan. May pera ba 'yan? Anak ng businessman? May negosyo? May jowis?"

Muli akong napailing-iling. Kung alam lang nitong binabae na 'to ang buhay at pinagdaanan ni, Cress, makipag-kaibigan pa kaya siya? Cress is rich if he wanted to claim the money of his deceased father; thus, he was a child of the illegal gamblers and big drug manufacturers in the world and the boy whom the general of the Philippines is currently living with and partners in crimes.

Makipag-kaibigan pa kaya siya? I doubt it.

"Anyway, nevermind. T'saka na lang tayo mag-chika about your friend." He heaved a sigh. "Alam mo ba, girl. Naloloka ako diyan sa amo ko, ah! My gosh! Nakakasira ng ganda! Akalain mo 'yon, mai-inlove, tapos sa bading pa? Sa homophobic ng taong 'yon? At saka, ito pa. Sa pinsan ko pang napaka-hinhin nahulog ang gago! Naku po! Na-stress ang poque ko sa kanilang dalawa. Ayaw pa kasing palayain ang isa't-isa para matapos na."

Kimi akong ngumiti. "Mukhang marami kang kuwento, ah."

"Naku, marami talaga. Halika, pumasok tayo at magkape, ichi-chika ko sa 'yo lahat ng chismisz na nalalaman ko about sa magkakapatid." Hinila niya ako't magkasabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng café. "Pero libre mo 'ko, ha. Wala pa akong suweldo, shuntanginerz 'yan."

"Yeah, sure."

Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang minuto o oras ang naging pag-uusap namin ni, Fey, at masiyado yatang napahaba dahil sa dami ng kuwento niya sa mga bagay-bagay. Kung saan-saan na umabot ang usapan namin, at nakarating na kami sa ingrown niya sa paa.

"Sa wakas..." I sighed to myself when Fey finally bid goodbye to me and left me alone at our table. Wala sa sarili akong napatingin sa wrist watch ko at napanganga sa nakitang oras.

It's already 4 p.m.?!

Kaagad akong nag-iwan ng pera sa table namin at mabilis tumayo mula sa kinauupuan. I immediately left the cafeteria and walked towards the Fulgencio building. Pero bago pa man ako tuluyang makapasok sa loob no'n at mapuntahan ang opisina ni, Knight, biglang may taong humarang sa daraanan ko.

"Xalv..."

He awtomatically smiled when he saw me. "Blooming, ah." He commented while staring at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I still work here as a company lawyer, Lili. Nawala lang ako ng ilang taon, pero ito, nagbabalik."

"I'm sorry, Xalv, pero puwede bukas na tayo mag-catch up? I need to get--"

"In Knight's office? Kaaalis lang nila."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Huh? No. They are waiting for me--"

"Ibinilin ka sa akin ni, Knight. Ako na ang maghahatid sa 'yo sa arena."

"What? Why?" Halata ang gulat sa mukha ko. "He told me that he'll wait--"

"There's no time to waste, Liliénné. We need to move. Anong oras na." He cut me off and immediately held my hands, and we walked towards his parked car.

Ipinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan at inalalayan ako papasok sa loob no'n. "We need to drop by at the Gucci clothing store."

"What? Why--"

"Huwag ka nang marami pang tanong, Lili. Just... go with the flow." He winked at me and immediately ran towards the driver seat. Kaagad niyang pinaandar ang makina ng sasakyan nang tuluyang makapasok at pinaharurot 'yon.

I am confused. I really don't know what's going on right now. Ano bang nangyayari? Why, Knight, didn't wait for me? I thought, we were going to leave at exactly 5 p.m. and not 4, instead? I'm out of words. Why would he do that to me?

Napanganga ako maya-maya nang agad akong inasikaso ng staff ng Gucci clothing store nang huminto kami ro'n. Nangunot ang noo ko at tila talagang hinihintay nila ang pagdating namin--ang pagdating ko.

Seriously? What's happening?

"Ano bang nangyayari, Xalv?" Kunot ang noong tanong ko sa kaniya nang makita ko ang nakangisi niyang mukha nang matapos akong suotan ng another tuxedo ng mga empleyado ng naturang clothing brand.

"You look... gorgeous." He's smirking from ear to ear when he scans me from head to toe.

"Seriously, Xalv?" Iminuwestra ko ang suot ko. "Why am I wearing a white tuxedo? I will be attending a concert, not a wedding!" I exclaimed.

"Hayaan mo na. Bagay naman sa 'yo." Muli niya akong hinila at kaagad pinasakay sa loob ng sasakyan.

Gano'n na lang ang panlulumo ko nang makita ang oras nang mapatingin ako sa wrist watch ko. It's already 5:28 p.m.! The concert were about to start!

"Don't be so gloomy, 'Li. We're getting close. Ang ganda mo pa naman diyan sa white tuxedo mo, oh. You look like a bride. You look like you're going to get married."

Napasimangot ako. "Bride? When did I become a woman?"

"Basag trip ka talaga, e. I told you... just go with the flow." He smirked, then winked at me. "Oh, malapit na tayo."

Depression immediately swallowed me up when we finally got to our destination. BRAVIARY members, together with Knight, are introducing themselves one by one on the stage already. I missed their opening performance. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng panahon, kahit nanghihina ay agad akong pumasok sa loob at nakipag-siksikan sa mga tao.

"But before we proceed with our next performance, our main vocalist here has prepared a special production for his loved one, as he officially announced that he's in a relationship last time on his Twitter account. So, what are we waiting for? Let's give it up for Knight Andrius Fulgencio! Let's go!"

I stopped when I finally reached the center of the stadium. Suddenly, 'Forever and Ever and Always' by Ryan Mack played in the background.

"Ain't it funny how love hits you when you least expect it to

Any time, any place, it can come right out of the blue

I thought it was only made for movie screens

Then you came along and you changed everything..."

Nagpalinga-linga si, Knight, sa paligid na animo'y may hinahanap.

"Just one look into your eyes and I knew

I was gonna spend my life with you..."

At last, he finally saw me. He smiled handsomely while continuing to sing while looking into my eyes.

"I promise I'm yours

Always and forever

Through the good and the bad

For worse or for better

I wanna be with you for the rest of my days

I promise I'll love you

Forever and ever and always..."

All heads turned to me when Knight locked his eyes into mine. Nagulat ako nang unti-unting humawi ang mga tao na animo'y nagbibigay daan sa pagitan naming dalawa ni, Knight Andrius... patungo sa isa't-isa.

"From this day on I will be everything that you need

Now I won't let anyone or anything come between you and me

This love we got is deeper than oceans

My heart is yours and you know this

I'll follow you where you're going

'Cause that's where my home is..."

His eyes speaking to me. He's looking at me lovingly. As if I were the most beautiful human being he ever saw in his whole life.

"Just one look into your eyes and I knew

I was gonna spend my life with you..."

Nang sumapit na ang chorus ay napalunok ako. He's started to walk towards me with a smile on his handsome face, never unlocking his eyes into mine.

"I promise I'm yours

Always and forever

Through the good and the bad

For worse or for better

I wanna be with you for the rest of my days

I promise I'll love you

Forever and ever and always..."

Hindi mapatid ang tinginan namin. Mabagal ang naging paglapit niya. Tila nawala bigla ang mga tao sa paligid namin at tanging kaming dalawa lang ang nasa arena sa mga oras na ito. I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the water that was starting to surround my eyes.

"Hold me close, don't let me go

Hold me close, don't let me go

Hold me close, don't let--"

But just like that, the once-golden scenery in front of me turned black. Nakarinig ako bigla ng sunod-sunod na putok ng baril sa paligid. Nagsimulang mag-tilian at mag-panic ang mga tao.

"LILI!" Umalingawngaw ang sigaw ni, Knight, sa mikropono.

"Knight..." mahinang bulong ko sa sarili. Napahawak ako sa aking tiyan kung saan nagsisimulang umagos ang dugo mula ro'n. Halos umikot ang paningin ko, pinatatag ko ang sarili upang hindi matumba.

What just happened?

"LILI!"

"LILI!"

"LILI!"

Napailing ako. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili at nanghihinang natumba sa sahig.

I was shot--I don't know how many times.

But who did it?

"Knight..." Sinubukan kong bumuo ng salita sa mga labi ko. Ilang saglit pa naramdaman ko na lang ang pag-lutang ko. "Knight... o-our son..." I whispered to him as he carried me.

"Y-yeah, hold on. O-our son's safe, ok. D-don't w-worry about h-him." Sinubukang niyang huwag ipakita ang pagpapanic, pero nabigo siya.

I smiled. "Time's up..." He looked at me.

"N-no, no. W-we'll get you to the h-hospital. H-hold on, o-okay? D-don't c-close your eyes... don't l-leave me..."

Napalunok ako at sinubukang lakasan ang tinig na lalabas mula sa bibig ko dahil sa putukan ng baril na nagaganap sa paligid. Nais kong marinig niya mula sa akin... mula puso ko... kahit huli na... kahit sa huling pagkakataon...

I coughed, and it was blood. "I-I l-love you... K-Knight..." And with that, my surroundings went blank. Darkness immediately consumed me.

This time, it's real. I am certain that, at this moment, I am going to... die.

·/·