This is where Every Game ends. Thank you for reading my story. I know I still have a lot to improve and I promise to be better, you deserve it. To be honest, I didn't really like writing but your support made me not just love it but embrace it, too. So... I owe you a lot. You changed me. Cheers to you, my readers. So here we are on the last page. I am finally closing this book. Remember Mads and Rocky, remember this story... remember this game. Remember that your life, your game. Hehe!

Now Playing: If We Fall In Love by Yeng Constantino

***

EPILOGUE

It has been fun playing this game and while having fun, I didn't notice how far I've become. This game changed my entire life. It saved me from drowning. It cleared my clouded mind and changed my perspective about things. But above all, this game made me braver --- something I didn't know could happen to a hopeless lonely brat boy.

I stopped typing on my phone when the girl sleeping beside me moved. Mula sa pagkakayuko sa kama ay umangat ang ulo nito. She narrowed those eyes while looking at me. Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago ito umayos ng upo, tila nahimasmasan. May mga ilang hibla pa ng buhok at tumatakip sa kanyang mukha.

"You're awake. Good morning," I gave her a sweet smile.

She pouted her lips. "Maayos na ba ang pakiramdam mo? The doctor said you just need to rest..." She started to glare at me. "Baliw ka ba? Naaksidente ka na pala pero hindi ka pa pumunta sa ospital."

I chuckled. "Ilang araw akong natutulog?" tanong ko.

"Almost two days." Tumayo ito at inayos ang unan sa ulo ko. "Bitawan mo muna ang phone mo, Rocky." Sinubukan niya akong ihiga pero nanatili akong nakaupo. Kumunot ang noo niya. "You still need to rest. Are you hungy? Do you want to eat something, huh?"

"Bakit hindi mo tinuloy?" tanong ko.

Sa una ay naguluhan ang tingin niya at nang makuha ay mapait na ngumiti ito. Bumuntong-hininga ito bago umupo uli sa tabi ko.

"I was scared with that thought of I would lose you again, but even more scared with the thought of ending my life just because of some jerk who can't even stay in one place." She pursed her lips, trying to mock me. "My fear of losing my own life is greater than my fear of losing you, honestly."

I bit my bottom lip as I moved closer to her.

Hindi naman siya kumilos.

"Y-You shouldn't even think of ending your life in the first place," I whispered to her, making sure she heard it clear. "No matter how hard life is, ending it doesn't make everything easier. Mads, do you hear me? Kahit saang anggulo mo tingnan, mali."

She nodded her head, gently. I could see how she much regret that and I am glad she knew that.

"I-I was... carried away," she swallowed hard. "I waited for you to come back, Rocky. Walang araw o gabi na hindi ako umasang babalik ka. At nung bumalik ka naman, nagpaalam ka ulit na aalis. It felt like... for once in my life, I needed to do something for you to stay. It really felt like... that was the only way. I'm sorry."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinaplos 'yon.

"I thought you already forgot me," malungkot kong sabi. "Alam kong pwedeng mangyari 'yon. Magmula nung umalis ako nung gabing 'yon ay alam kong may posibilidad na makalimutan mo ako. It hurt me but that would be fine as long as I know you are happy, Mads."

"I was happy, Rocky," she mumbled. "Masaya naman ako nung wala ka. But it felt incomplete. I tried to forget you, I tried to save me. But whenever I try to, I always end up back to the first night of February."

That was the sweetest thing I've heard so far after a few years.

"I'm glad you remember me, Mads," I whispered, sincerely. Saka ako seryosong tumingin sa kanya. I squeezed her hands again. "But that was the last time you would try to forget me. Starting now, I will always make you remember me, baby."

Without saying a word, she hugged me. Narinig ko ang mahina niyang hikbi.

Ngumiti ako bago mas hinigpitan ang yakap sa kanya.

"I am finally home, baby," I whispered.

She wept even harder.

I thought this world is too vast to stay in one place. I thought you can find a home anywhere you go. But after all the places I've been to and people I met along the way, I never felt the feeling of having a home. There's only one home and that's something irreplaceable.

After all these years... it is still on her arms, still with her... I can call home.

Nagpahinga pa ako nang ilang araw sa ospital bago ako hinayaang palabasin ng doktor. Bumisita rin sa akin ang Papa ni Mads, ang mga kaibigan ni Mads na sina Sky, Ricca at Elisse. Nakausap ko na rin si Sky at wala naman daw sa kanya kung hindi siya gusto ni Mads, tanggap na raw niya 'yon at masaya siya para sa kanya. Everything is finally aligned... except on one thing. My thing with Mikael Grilliard. He hasn't talked to me yet since the night I passed out.

"Oh? Kauuwi mo lang, aalis ka na naman?" tanong ni Tito Alvin sa akin nang mapansin na nakabihis ako pang-alis. "Saka hindi pa maayos ang sasakyan mo. Why don't you just stay here for a day and rest?"

Humarap ako sa salamin at inayos ang aking buhok. "I'm fine, Tito. Pahiram muna ng sasakyman mo."

"No."

Humarap ako sa kanya. "Fine. Marunong naman akong mag-commute."

He let out a heavy sigh as he pulled out the keys on his pocket and threw it at me. Sinalo ko naman 'yon nang may malaking ngiti sa labi ko.

"You are the best, Tito." I gave him a hug.

"Whatever, Mr. Brecken. Go ahead."

Patakabo akong lumabas ng bahay at pumasok sa sasakyan niya. Bumili ng bahay si Tito Alvin para sa aming dalawa. I am no longer staying in my condo unit alone. No... I am no longer alone.

Kinuha ko sa bulsa ko ang cell phone. "Once you are late even just for a minute, you lose your chance, Mr. Brecken," Kael texted me.

I pressed the gas more. Thirty minutes before the settled time, I arrived at the coffee shop. Dito kami magkikita ni Kael. Dito rin ang unang kitaan namin, kung saan ko sila dinala ni Mads para pag-usapan ang laro. I occupied the seat where we last sat.

Biglang bumalik ang mga alaala nung gabing 'yon. I never imagined things would change that night. Nakakagulat talaga ang surpresa sa buhay natin. Madalas sa nakukuha natin ay ang mga hindi natin hinahangad.

I took a glance on my watch.

Bumuga ako ng hangin. I don't know why but I am so nervous right now. Maybe because I know that I will be talking to the matured Kael, not the innocent cute boy I used to know. Kahit na noon naman ay nahihirapan akong kausapin siya. Masyadong malalim kung mag-isip. Paano pa kaya ngayon?

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at binuksan ang memo kung saan ako nagta-type nang maidudugtong sa kwentong sinulat ko. I realized that, that book is just the start. There is more in our story and one book will never be enough.

Life is a compilation of happy and tragic endings.

I was in the middle of typing when I felt someone's presence in front of me. Kahit na hindi ko iangat ang tingin ko ay nakilala ko ito agad. Tinago ko sa bulsa ang cell phone ko bago inangat ang tingin.

Magsasalita sana ako pero may dumating na waiter at pinatong ang isang tray sa table namin. Pinanuod kong ayusin niya ang mga kape at cake sa lamesa. Bumaling ako ng tingin kay Kael na nakatingin lang sa akin.

Lumunok ako. "T-Thanks for the coffee."

He nodded his head. May kinuha ito sa kanyang bulsa at inilapag 'yon sa harapan ko. Nagdalawang-isip pa ko kung kukunin ko ba ang papel pero sa huli ay kinuha ko rin. Nakatupi 'yon kaya iniayos ko pa.

"She's watching us," I read it in my mind.

Naguluhan ako kaya bumaling ako ng tingin kay Kael. May nginuso ito sa likod ko. Mabilis na lumingon ako. Napansin ko ang isang taong nasa kabilang lamesa at nakayuko. Nakasuot ang hood ng jacket nito pero gano'n pa man ay nakilala ko ito agad.

My girl is stalking me. What a concept.

Kinuha sa akin ni Kael ang papel at may sinulat pa ro'n bago binalik sa akin.

"I should be mad at you and make you fear me so you won't leave my witch sister again," the note says.

Kinuha ko sa kanya ang pen at nagsulat din ako. "Let's play it cool then."

I bit my bottom lip to avoid laughing. Pinakita pa sa akin ni Kael ang kanyang cell phone. Kasalukuyang nasa linya si Mads. Hindi lang niya kami pinapanuod, pinapakinggan din. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o mas maf-flatter sa ginawa niya.

"So, Mr. Brecken," Kael cleared his throat. "After you left without saying goodbye, can you promise us not to leave again? Leaving again even with goodbye is no longer acceptable. It is either you stay or leave right now."

Tumikhim din ako.

"I-I don't know what to promise," I said. "Pero wala nang rason para umalis pa ako."

Ngumisi si Kael.

"You have no idea how miserable Ate Mad was when you left," aniya pa. "I am his brother, Mr. Brecken. Ayokong masaktan ang ate ko. Hindi ba sabi ko sa 'yo, kapag sinaktan mo siya ay ako na ang makakalaban mo? It's not a joke."

I know we are playing here but his words are sincere.

"You don't need to fight me, Kael. Ako mismo ang kakalaban sa sarili ko," wika ko pa habang pasimpleng binabalingan ng tingin si Mads. Nakayuko pa rin ito. Pero nahagip ng mata ko na naka-earphone ito, malamang na nakikinig talaga siya.

Tumingin ako uli kay Kael, humihigop ito sa kanyang kape.

"So... how was your life after you left?" he asked.

Napakapa ako ng isasagot. "I-It was good," I answered. "Nothing is honestly mattered. I continued my study, went to different places, wrote a book and... didn't stop thinking of her."

"Girls?" Kael furrowed his eyebrows.

"There were girls," I said. "Girls. I forgot their names."

"W-Why did you have to leave?" he stuttered. "Sabi ni Ate Mad ay para raw sa 'yo 'yon. Why? Wala akong makitang rason para umalis ka. You were happy with us. I'm confused."

Sandali akong humigop sa kape ko. So Mad didn't tell him the reason why I left. Siguro ay ayaw niya lang mag-alala ito para sa akin. If I were her, I would do the same. Saka wala namang rason para sabihin niya 'yon. It was my decision to leave. She didn't need to defend me.

"I-I was sick," I gulped. Lumambot ang kanyang masungit na tingin. "Napasobra sa alak saka sigarilyo eh. I needed fresh air. I needed to undergo to a treatment to prolong my liver, my life."

Hindi nakapagsalita sa akin si Kael. Napangiti ako nang biglang bumalik ang dating Kael na kilala ko.

"But I'm healed now. I don't need to go away anymore."

"I-I thought you left just because the game ended, that the only reason why you made memories with us was just because of that," he said and I could feel how guilty he was. "I almost hated you for that. I'm sorry, Kuya Rocky."

Kuya Rocky. I missed hearing his voice calling me that.

To divert the melancholic topic, I asked, "Nasa 'yo pa ba ang sasakyan?" tanong ko.

He nodded his head before he pouted his lips. "Pero hindi ko pa 'yon namaneho kahit na isang beses lang. Sabi ni Papa ay bawal pa raw dahil baka kung saan-saan ako mapunta. He was paranoid like as if your car could even reach planet Mars."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi pa rin nagbabago si Tito, masyado pa ring maingat sa kanyang mga anak.

"How about Mads?" I asked. "Hindi ba niya minaneho ang sasakyan na 'yon?"

She knows how to drive. She could have used that while Kael wasn't eligible to drive yet.

"Ayaw nga niyang makita ang sasakyan mo eh," natatawang sagot nito. "Nasa garahe na nga, nakabalot pa at nakakandado pa. Tripple kill, Kuya Rocky. She was such an emotional witch to even remember you just by seeing that car."

Nag-deep ang phone ni Kael kaya sumilip din ako.

"I can hear you, Kael," Mads texted him.

"May I?" I mouthed to Kael, referring to his phone.

Tumango naman siya kaya kinuha ko na ang phone niya.

"Talaga? Patay na patay pa rin sa akin ang ate mo?" tanong ko kay Kael habang nakatutok sa bibig ko ang cell phone niya. "Alam mo bang sabi sa akin ng Ate Mads mo ay sinubukan niya akong kalimutan pero hindi niya kaya. Shit. What if Mads is planning to propose a marriage to me anytime?"

"Ay!" Tumawa si Kael na parang may naalala. "May ikukwento pala ako sa 'yo tungkol sa kanya."

"Ano?" excited kong tanong.

"Gabi no'n, hinahanap ko si Ate Mad kasi wala siya sa kwarto niya. Lumabas ako ng bahay, nahuli ko siyang nakatingin sa stars-"

"Kael!"

Napangiwi ako nang halos mabingi sa sobrang lakas ng sigaw ni Mads mula sa kanyang inuupuan hanggang sa cell phone. Nakatayo pa ito at masama ang tingin kay Kael. Nang mapansin niyang nakatingin sa kanya ang mga tao ay muli niyang sinuot ang hood at naglakad palapit sa amin. Padabog na umupo ito sa tabi ko.

"Oh? You are here, too?" Kunwari ay gulat ako.

"Ikaw lalaki ka," dinuro niya si Kael. "Gumagawa ka na naman ng kwento!"

Tumawa rin si Kael. "Alam mong hindi ito gawa-gawa lang," pang-aasar pa nito. "I actually heard you when said, wishing stars, please make my baby remember me. Kahit na 'yon lang, kahit na hindi na siya bumalik."

Lumobo ang pisngi ko sa pagpipigil na tumawa.

Tumayo si Mads at piningot ang tainga ni Kael. "Madaldal ka talagang lalaki ka. Daig mo pa ang babae..."

"A-Aray, Ate. Stop, baka maalis mo ang tainga ko."

Pinigilan ko na rin si Mads dahil baka mamaya nga ay matanggal niya ang tainga ni Kael. Pulang-pula ang tainga ni Kael matapos siyang pingunit ni Mads. Masama pa ang tingin nito sa kapatid.

Halos mapaatras ako nang sa akin naman tumingin si Mads, galit ang mga mata nito.

"Ano'ng sabi mo? Ang kapal ng mukha mong isipin na magpo-propose ako sa 'yo ng kasal!" singhal niya. Kinuha niya ang kape ko at uminom do'n. "Saka pwede ba? Huwag mong ikwento sa iba ang mga pinag-usapan natin?"

"P-Paano mo nalaman na sinabi ko kay Kael na baka nag-paplano kang mag-propose sa akin?" painosente kong tanong.

Natigilan si Mads. "W-Wala lang. Hinula ko lang!"

Humalakhak si Kael kaya hindi ko na rin napigilan ang matawa. Pipingutin pa sana ni Mads ang tainga ni Kael pero tumayo na ito agad.

"Mauna na ako, Kuya Rocky," ani Kael habang nakangiti pa rin. "Ikaw na bahala kay Ate, ah? Huwag mo nang iiwan 'yan dahil baka sa mental hospital na ang bagsak niya!"

"Talagang-" Inambahan na tatayo si Mads pero mabilis na tumakbo na palabas si Kael.

Kinuha ko ang kape ko at uminom din doon.

Namutla ako nang makitang hawak ni Mads ang papel na pinagsulatan namin ni Kael.

"S-Sandali lang, Mads, ah? Magc-cr lang ako," pagpapaalam ko habang hindi pa niya nabubuksan ang papel.

Hindi sumagot si Mads kaya tumayo na ako. Imbes na sa CR ay patakbo akong lumabas ng coffee shop. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang nakatayo na rin si Mads, pulang-pula ang mukha nito at halos may lumabas na apoy sa kanyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin.

Tumakbo ako nang makitang maglakad na siya. Hindi ako gaanong makatakbo dahil masakit pa rin ang katawan ko. Kalalabas ko lang ng ospital. Sa sobrang bagal ko ay nahabol ako ni Mads. Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at napangiwi ako nang sakmalin niya 'yon.

"A-Aray, Mads..."

"So you knew," she smirked.

"Sorry na baby ko--- Aray, Mads. Masakit nga eh."

Padabog na ibinaba niya ang kamay ko. Nakita ko ang pangingilid ng luha sa kanyang mga mata. Nawala ang sakit ng braso ko nang bigla itong tumalikod sa akin. Maglalakad na sana ito palayo kaya humarang ako sa daan niya.

"Sorry," sabi ko.

Yumuko ito para hindi ko makita ang kanyang mukha. "Pinagtatawanan mo ako," mababang boses na sabi niya. Umangat ang tingin nito sa akin at tama nga ako, umiiyak na naman siya. "H-Hindi mo sineseryoso ang mga sinabi mo. Sinabi mo lang 'yon dahil alam mong naririnig kita."

"N-No, Mads. T-Totoo-"

"That's why you sounded so insincere. You are playing again!"

"Okay, fine!" Huminga ako nang malalim. "You're right, I knew you were listening. Pero totoo ang mga sinabi ko... maliban na lang sa isang bagay."

Tumitig siya sa akin. "Ano'ng kasinungalingan sa mga sinabi mo, Rocky?"

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya. "I will be the one to propose a lifetime commitment for both of us. I can't lose you anymore. I can't destroy my home. So, Maddy Grilliard... Miss Sadako... Mads... Baby, will you spend the rest of your life with this lonely brat boy?"

Humagulgol ito sa harapan ko.

"P-Please?" I pleaded.

Inagat niya ang kamay niya sa aking harapan. "Put the ring on," she said.

Inangat ko rin ang kamay ko, kunwari ay may binuksan ako. I held her hand and put the invisible ring on her ring finger as I stood up.

Hinawakan ko ang mukha niya at pinunasan ang luha roon.

"I swear, Mads, you won't lose me anymore. I will always be here to wipe your tears. I will always be here to play your game. I will always be here for you, baby."

"Seal it," she dared me.

I pulled her for a swift kiss. "Sealed."

"Seal it, again," she said.

I gave her a mock kiss again.

"We are married," I chuckled. "Malinis ang condo ko."

"Invisible ring means invisible wedding and invisible honeymoon, dude..." she teased me.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. "May pasok ka bukas, hindi ba?" tanong ko.

"Who cares?" she winked.

Oh. She's no longer the super grade-conscious girl.

Hinila ko siya papasok sa sasakyan. "Mahaba-haba pa ang gabi. I want you to know the continuation of the book I wrote. Gusto mo bang malaman ang susunod na kabanata sa buhay nila Mads at Rocky?"

"What? Hindi pa tapos ang binigay mo sa aking libro?"

Binuhay ko ang makina ng sasakyan at inumpisahan nang magmaneho. Mahina lang... walang destinasyon... bahala na... kahit saan na lang kami mapadpad.

"That's just the start of their game," I whispered.

Sumandal sa balikat ko si Mads. Pinakawalan ko ang isang kamay ko sa manibela para hawakan ang kamay niya. She squeezed it.

The game of life never ends. It never stops. There is no pause. There is no game over.

There's only... you.

So... whatever you are playing now, just have fun.

Enjoy the ride.

At the end of the day... we only have... memories.

THE END.