Once again, thank you so much for arriving here. I'm always so so grateful for your comments, votes, and support. Masaya ako na naging makabuluhan at exciting ang journey niyo with Rogue Wars Online.

-epilogue-

FINN

Life and death. Happiness and pain. Itong apat na salita ang ramdam kong naglalaro sa buhay ko.

When my life is saved, it's through the cost of death. When happiness knocks on my door, pain shows up with a deadly knife.

I can never get one without another following. Dapat magkasunod, dapat laging magkasama. And so I have to spiral down a path of longing and sorrow, making my body used to the wounds and scars.

I have always believed that death followed me that I never saw life smiling in front.

Tapos na ang lahat. Masaya na ang mga players dahil sa wakas ay buhay sila at malaya. Ngunit wala akong maramdaman. Hindi nawawala itong sakit sa puso ko sa kaalamang nakalabas nga ako, pero naiwan naman ang iba sa loob. Should I just hold them in my memories? Should I just remember them forever? As a token for their help and love?

Someone cupped my face, his hand a bit bigger than mine. It's familiar. It was something I have seen before. Pero nakakatakot ang umasa at madisappoint sa huli.

Natatakot ako. Kapag ia-angat ko ang mata, totoo na ba sila o hindi?

When they hugged me, I cried. I let go of all the painful feelings, all the longings and hatred that nearly drove me to madness. I clung to the fact that they were alive and well and that for once, maybe I did really deserve happiness without an accompanying grief.

"Wengya naman kasi, Ate Deps! Ibalik mo mga niluha ko sa'yo! 'Ngina naman oh, siguradong pinagtawanan mo lang ako nang humagulgol ako at humagulgol sa'yo 'no?" akusa ni Eura.

After leaving the last city where the boss fight happened, pumasok kami sa isang syudad na 'gaya ng Starting City. The crimson was replaced by a blue and peaceful sky. At kami lang ang katao-tao sa city na 'to. It was supposedly a free city, kung saan lalabas ang mga surviving rogues at maglo-log out. Pero naghintay ang iba sa kanila dito para sa amin.

"Oo, tumawa ako. Pero ikaw din ha," piningot niya ang tainga ni Eura na agad sumigaw sa sakit. "Talagang hinayaan mo lang na awayin nila si Finn. Para saan pa 'yang maingay mong bunganga? Kung akk nando'n, aba't pinasabog ko na sila!"

"Ayaw ako payagan ni Kairo e! Tapos after no'n, bumawi naman ako at pinilosopo ko pa nga silang lahat- hala! Pero wait, paano alam mo ang nangyari e wala ka na sa game?"

"The game is broadcasted worldwide." Theo explained, yawning. "Every player is being streamed and views are converted into money. May mga bet din na nangyayari. Kaya kapag namamatay ang players, or log out actually, may pera silang nakukuha."

"Nagulat nga rin kami no'ng una. Malaking pera ang mare-receive kapag marami rin ang cities na napuntahan." Sebastian added.

"Sandali, sandali-" Maki cut off the conversation with a wave of his hand. "Anong meaning ni Theo na kapag namatay ang players ay log out in actuality?"

Hinampas ni Depore si Theo para magising ito. Paano kasi at nang matapos siya sa pagsasalita, e bigla na lang pumikit at sinubukang matulog.

"Aray... Ang ba-bayolente niyo." he complained with a small pout. "Patay gano'n. Natanong nga 'to no'ng bestfriend ni Finn noon e. He asked me for a shortcut, kaya sinagot ko siya na kailangang mamatay. Kasi kapag namatay kayo, may shock na nare-receive ang wristband and it jerks you awake. It also automatically turns off the game kaya kung ayaw mong matapos ang cities, you can get yourself killed."

"Tangina! Bakit hindi 'yan sinabi no'ng una?! Bakit nagpa-mysterious effect pa?!"

"Feel ko mas okay kung 'yong President tanungin niyo kasi talagang antok na antok na ako..."

Susugurin na sana ni Eura si Theo nang bigla itong maglog-out. She uttered a loud curse, before turning to face us.

"Labas na rin tayo guys! Kain na tayo at maligo, hehe. Ayokong isipin kung ano na state ng katawan ko sa labas. Doon na lang tayo mag-usap!"

We followed suit. I woke up in a small white room. Nakahiga ako sa isang puting single bed at nakalagay pa sa ulo ko ang naka-shutdown na nerve gear. Slowly, I peeled all the electronics away and stood up. I staggered a bit, unused to the heaviness of my body and walked to the bathroom while keeping my hands on the wall. Salamat at hindi naman ako nahulog o nadapa sa banyo. Kumain ako pagkatapos no'n dahil namataan ko ang mga pagkain sa side-table. I also found my bag on the side so I took out my phone, expecting a lot of worried messages. Mayroon nga mula kay Tita Layla at sa Mama ng tatlo ngunit mas nakuha ng atensiyon ko ang date ngayon.

We were in that game for almost five days, only kept alive and well by the IV nutrition. Inside, it actually felt like a month and more, ngunit mas mabilis lang siguro ang count ng time doon kaysa dito sa labas. Wala namang orasan sa loob para malaman namin ang mismong oras kaya siguradong na-shorten ito.

Isinabit ko ang bag at hinarap ang nakalock na pintuan. Kapag bubuksan ko 'to ay magiging totoo na talaga ang lahat. I'll be facing them, not in game, but here in real-life. Wala namang appearance customization na nangyari sa loob so kung anong itsura namin sa real world ay gano'n din sa game, pero nakakakaba pa rin.

We survived.

No, scratch that. We finished the game.

I took a deep breath before pushing the door open. Pagkabukas na pagkabukas ko ng pinto ay bumungad sa'kin ang nakangiting mukha ni Renée.

She quickly hugged me, and I could feel the sobs of relief leaving my body again. When she let go, she cupped my face and pouted, her eyes searching mine.

"Finley, waaaa!" iyak niya. "Akala ko talaga mamamatay na ako. Grabe kaba ko do'n! Like I felt pa the pain of hitting the ground then suddenly nagising na lang ako dito! Buti na lang nakita ko si Ate Depore na siyang nagpaliwanag sa'kin kung anong nangyari but... waaa! I missed you! I was so scared for you! We even tried to mess with the game by sending you butterflies!"

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko nang maalala ang mga paru-parung hinabol noon sa fifteenth city. "Kayo 'yon?"

Renée chuckled. "Hehe, oo. Kasi nakita namin 'yong president, tapos dahil nga nakabroadcast 'yong nangyayari sa game, e kilala niya kami. Kaya ayon, tinanong niya kung gusto ba naming muling lumapit sa'yo so we sent you butterflies. Pero ha, kayo talaga ni Marcella ang tinutukan ng laro. I guess because the two of you has the highest view count."

Halata siguro ang pagkalito sa mukha ko dahil napapailing na hinatak ni Baste si Renée palayo. Ngumiti siya't ginulo ang buhok ko. "There's a meeting upstairs. Mas mabuti pang marinig natin mismo sa presidente ang details, Lily."

Tumango ako. It's a good idea. Sa dami ng nangyayari ay talagang nagugulo na ang isip ko.

"Finn!" umakbay sa'kin si Gavin. "Buhay sila! Okay lang sana kung si Ree, pero bakit andito pa si Baste? Pagkatapos niya tayong iwan at magpakamatay, babalik siya na parang wala lang?"

Sebastian smacked him at the back of his head and they started arguing. Renée peeled me off Gavin, clinging both our elbows and we walked together. Sumusunod naman sa'min ang dalawang lalaki na rinig ko pa ang paghahampasan nila sa isa't isa.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngumiti. Hindi ko nga rin akalain na pwede palang maging masaya ang puso ko ng ganito.

I thought I've already lost this. Pero pinaglayo lang pala muna kami at nandito pa rin ang mga taong mahalaga sa buhay ko.

We entered a full conference room, and almost every eyes landed on us. I grew timid from their stares, refusing to look at anyone but at the front, where two men and Sapphire stood. Sa likod niya ay napansin ko si Theo na nakasalampak sa sofa at mahinang humihilik.

There was a vacant space beside Marcella and they made me sit next to her. Sinulyapan ko siya gamit ang nagtatanong na mga mata, but she was fixing her stare at the younger man. He was also watching her, but his lips were lifted in a small attempt of a smile.

There was a grunt when Sapphire kicked Theo awake, and when the president said that we're complete and that we could start the meeting, the complaints started to rain.

"Why the hell did you even make this game? This is too cruel! Hindi mo ba alam na grabe na ang pinaghirap namin sa loob?!"

"At kung hindi naman pala totoo na mamamatay bakit hindi niyo sinabi? If that happened, we wouldn't be so desperate and angry!"

"Tangina! Alam niyo ba kung gaano kasama ang epekto nito sa mental health ko?! Akala ko made-depress na ako pagkatapos, puta!"

"Nasisiyahan ba kayo na umiiyak kami ha?!"

"Shut down BBG!"

"Shut down BBG!"

"RWO PANGIT!"

Nanatili lang kalmado ang mga tao sa harap. Parang mas inantok pa nga si Theo dahil sa naririnig niya. But then a loud screech of a microphone burst through the room when Sapphire dropped it. Napahawak ako sa tainga at napangiwi dahil sa sobrang sakit nito.

"Now that you're all quiet," she smiled. "Let's start the discussion, alright?"

"Everything we said in the first meeting was true. This is only a game you are supposed to beta-test. May mga functions sa game na hindi pa maayos kaya kailangan namin ng feedback niyo. Mayroon ding mga functions na kailangan naming makita na gumagana sa inyo, like the berserk function for example." paliwanag ng President. "We did not say anything about the death function because we needed to create tension. If the players knew that their lives depended on it, they would be focused solely on surviving. We wanted to know how you will react, how far you would go to saving your own life, and if you're willing to make sacrifices for it."

"Pero bakit niyo naman kailangang gawin 'to?" tanong ng isang player. "Marami namang paraan para gawin 'yan!"

"Of course, there isn't. Nothing beats the actions a human would take if they faces death." si Sapphire ang sumagot. "May mga ginagawa ang lahat para lang maprotektahan ang mga mahal nila sa buhay. May mga hindi binibigyang pakialam ang iba para lang mabuhay sila. Mayroon ding ginagamit ang pagkakataong ito para maging god. When you're stronger and smarter, doesn't that make you advantageous of others? And we've seen it in the past, right?"

"So kaya ginawa niyo 'to? Para lang makita kung gaano kasama ang mga tao kapag nasa do-or-die situation na?" Kairo's voice was dripping in anger. "You have caused some people inside trauma. You have ruined their mental and emotional well-being. At hindi ba nag-interfere pa kayo sa laro?" tukoy niya kay Sapphire.

"I will take any of your charges, but this was really a harmless game. We wanted to see how far desperation and survival will go to, but the game never asked you to kill. It was your own decision to pick the ruthless options, than the safe but longer ones. Didn't you prefer to convict the liar than kill all twelve zodiacs?" may mga kumontra sa sinabi niya but he held up his hand. "This was a harmless game, which should see every player's progress naturally, but my friend ruined it."

The President gestured at the man sitting beside him. He was younger, just about four or five years older than me. He stepped closer towards us, the corner of his lips lifted as he held Marcella's gaze. Napasulyap din ako sa katabi at nakitang kuyom ang kamao niya habang masama ang tingin sa lalaki.

Then, I remembered Sapphire's words. She did all those because she was ordered by the man who treasures Marcella. Lahat ng iyon para sa babaeng katabi ko.

"Bakit mo ginawa 'to?" Marcella tried to control her anger, but her voice showed it well. Bigla niya akong itinuro, "Bakit mo siya sinaktan?"

The man's eyes slowly flickered towards me and I stiffened. They were the coldest black that I've ever seen.

"Forgive me, Sparrow, for ruining your life." dahan-dahan niyang tugon. "But I needed to make sure she would win. You are the only barrier between her life and death. You are the key piece in my game. And I am sorry for saying this but... it would be easier if you were not kind-hearted and innocent. The whole plan would progress without guilt."

That voice... I heard it before.

Noong nasa casino kami at dumating ang NPC na nagbigay ng skipping deal, he was that guy!

"Bakit mo 'to kailangang gawin?" galit na tanong ulit ni Marcella.

The man hummed, stepping closer to her. "Did you forget? I told you I'd do anything to free you, right? I thought convincing Ryder to make you a streamer was enough, but to think someone would challenge you and bring back the threat to your life... I needed to make sure that it was the last. If I show them Marcella Maia and Sparrow fighting head-on, and her losing against you, you would be free. The means doesn't matter, as long as you win in the end."

Hindi ko na napigilan ang magsalita rin, "Could have told me. I... I would help."

"Mabuti sana kung nakausap kita bago ang laro, but inside that game, where every second of your play is recorded, I can't possibly do anything. Kagaya rin ng sabi ko kanina, who would have thought the Sparrow is good? And that she would lose so willingly?"

"Pinahirapan mo siya para lang manalo ako?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Marcella.

"I take the blame for it. It was indeed a harmless game, which I ruined for my own selfish desires but if you ask me if I regret any of it..." he shrugged. "I'm sorry again but I don't."

"Let's talk." agad na tugon ni Marcella sa kaniya. "Privately."

Hindi siya tumingin sa banda namin. Tumango naman ang lalaki at nakangiting itinuro ang isang silid. Tumayo si Marcella at akmang aalis na nang hawakan ni Oliver ang braso niya.

"Hoy, Marci, saan ka pupunta? Sasama ka ba talaga sa baliw na 'yan?"

The once cold and mighty Marcella couldn't even meet his gaze now. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for everything. Please excuse me, I need to talk to him."

Marahas niyang binawi ang kamay at nagmamadaling pumasok sa silid. For the first time, Marcella had her head bowed down, eyes not meeting any of us. I could clearly see the guilt and shame in her face... and I knew why. She was starting to change. She was starting to be better for people. So finding out that you're the reason again- She probably thinks that we're blaming her too.

"Finn." naramdaman ko ang paglapit ni Sapphire at pag-alerto ng mga kasama ko. Even Theo, behind her, looked wary. "I'm sorry for what I did to you. I had to keep up appearances, and I knew nothing bad will happen in the end."

Her role was to break me, after all, but then... "I'm sorry too... if I can't forgive you easily."

"Your decision is understandable," Sapphire nodded at the President who was entering another door. "If you want to ask more questions, follow him into the control room. Magpapaliwanag pa ako sa iba na nandito."

Tumango ako. Mukhang napagdesisyonan din ng mga kasama ko na sumunod. I was about to leave too when I remembered something, "A masked player once fought with me, before the war with the Lone Wolves and Blood Vanguard. Was it you?"

"It was the two other game masters who I ordered to hurt you. The territory wars was the perfect place to have the queens battle, and I made sure that no one would interfere. Having you wounded before the fight would also be to our advantage, so I ordered them to." kibit-balikat niyang sagot.

"That man..." tukoy ko sa lalaki kanina. "He was the NPC at the casino, right?"

"Correct. Marcella couldn't beat you, so we tried to kill you. If you're eliminated early on, si Marcella na talaga ang mananalo. But then, he hesitated when he saw Marcella's guilt in hurting you so he didn't kill you that time and well..." Sapphire pursed her lips. "We resorted to breaking you even more."

Hindi na ako nakasagot. Sa halip ay iniwan ko na lang siya doon at pumasok sa control room. Everything is too much for me to bear. It felt like I was a toy being mindlessly played with again.

Mas lalo akong nagulat nang tuluyang makapasok sa silid. I watched as two-hundred monitors played the earlier scenes. Mula sa unang player na namatay, ang laban sa hydra, ang Magus Arena at kahit ang laban namin ni Marcella sa Territory Wars. The screens become static once the player dies and a summary of their gameplay is shown. Kung anong rank sila sa two hundred players, ano ang statistics nila, kung anong benefit ang nakuha, at kung ilan ang leaderboard points.

The President started answering each of our questions. I found out that the viewcounts and bets are used along the LB (leaderboard) points to be converted into money. Five hundred thousand were the total accumulated prize for the survivors of the game — ang nakatapos ng twenty-six cities. 'Yong mga announcement pala nila sa pagkamatay ng players ay para lang magdagdag ng thrill. Siguro itong pera na nakuha namin e pang therapy.

Renée told me na maraming nangyari nang magising siya. The Death Crows, June's alliance of player-killers, were under a lot of criticisms and charges. It seemed that Eris, Renée's friend, ordered someone to sexually abuse and kill Dylan's girlfriend, so the boy retaliated by doing the same to her. Ang pinakabiktima sa kanila ay ang girlfriend ni Dylan na sobrang natrauma at isinugod agad sa hospital dahil nag-hysteria ito at ayaw magpahawak sa kung sino. The parents wanted to press charges but the situation was too complicated. But the company and the families of the involved took accountability and shouldered the girl's treatment.

June was also accused of numerous crimes. From motivating others to murder to allowing non-consensual acts, but again, the situation was complicated because it was in game. And June was also found to be suffering from depression, mania, and trauma disorders. Naging ebidensya din ang mga sinabi niya sa laro at nagkaroon ng backlash sa mga Velasquez' dahil sa salang child abuse and neglect. The Villamors and Salvallon were quick to show their own evidences, picture of wounds and CT scans of multiple bone fractures. The difference in color and size of the bruises showed that the abuse continued on for years. Nalaman rin na nagkaroon ng substance abuse si June mula noong fifteen years old dala ng depression.

Then her mother was found to be linked to a drug-dealing business and was a substance user herself. June will be accompanied to a psychiatric hospital once she finishes her drug test. Her family, however, had to face the consequences in prison.

I saw Wes' mother here, waiting for June. Nang makita niya ang anak ay agad niya itong niyakap. She kept on whispering aggressively at his ear, while Wes looked so done, until her eyes landed on me. Bigla niya na lang binitawan si Wes at lumapit sa'kin, circling me like a predator to its prey.

"Mom." Wes warned, but his mother did not stop studying me. Wala siyang nagawa kun'di bumaling sa Papa niya ata. "Dad, stop her. Bakit ba siya nandito?"

"She's worried about you and she's fetching June."

"Mom. Go to June already."

"Sandali lang! Hm," she stared at me straight again before nodding her head. "Nice, nice. Magaling nga talaga ang Salvallon sa pagpili." bago pa ako makapagtanong kung anong ibig niyang sabihin ay ngumiti siya, "June, she's your friend, right? Ayaw niyang umalis nang 'di ka nakakausap. Nandoon siya sa ikatlong pinto." sabay turo niya sa hallway.

I nodded. "Thank you po."

Sa laking gulat ko ay bigla siyang tumili at tumakbo papunta sa mag-ama. "Oh my gosh! Wales, mahal kita, pero parang mas mahal ko na rin ang babaeng 'yon! Magaling kang pumili, anak ko. Dapat talaga nalaman ko nang kasingganda ng taste mo ang kay Dad mo kaya nahuhulog kayo sa aming magaganda na mabait na inosente..."

"Wife, you are not innocent."

She laughed loudly. Hinampas niya ng napakalakas ang Papa ni Wes kaya napangiwi ito sa sakit. "Ang funny mo talaga, Wales!"

They are a family of weirdos.

Nilingon ko ang hallway na sinasabi niya. I walked towards the third door and took a deep breath before finally opening it. Dumapo sa'kin ang mga mata ni June at nagkatitigan kaming dalawa. She shifted, turning to face me, her face impassive.

"I'm leaving to get treated." panimula niya.

Dahan-dahan akong tumango at umupo sa silya na kaharap ng sa kaniya. "Mm."

"They're all gone now. Hindi na nila ako masasaktan."

As I watched her say that, I couldn't help the tears welling up in the side of my eyes. "Mm." pagsang-ayon ko.

"I've never felt like this before. Parang... parang finally pwede na akong makahinga. I felt more lighter than all those time I was high. It's like I'm not afraid anymore because... they can't hurt me anymore."

"Mm. Never."

"It felt like I've won. It feels like I'm free."

"You are."

We stared at each other, unable to get the next word out. We were far apart from each other too long. We treated each other as enemies for so long. We ruined each other's lives, and hated one another for ruining things.

Bigla siyang tumayo. "I wanted to talk to you because I need to say I'll leave. For a few months... I guess. It's a little far from our town and the Centro, nasa may farmlands 'yong hospital. Sabi nila dahil nakakatulong daw ang kalikasan para sa paggaling ng isang tao."

I kept quiet, waiting for her to continue.

"You can visit me if you want. After four or five months... or you can wait for me. I'll-" she licked her lips before swallowing, stopping herself from becoming emotional. "We'll see each other once we've healed."

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "Mm!"

Palabas na siya ng kwarto nang huminto. Her hand closed around the knob, as she said the next words without looking at me. "Thank you."

It was a simple thing to say, but when she closed the door, I started to cry. The tears just kept on flowing at the thought of my broken, old friend finally trying to recover. For her to see the world not as a competition for pain and madness, but that it can offer her love and happiness too.

Nang lumabas ako ay wala na siya at wala na ring ebidensiya na umiyak ako sa loob ng kwarto. But the look from a certain boy told me he knew I cried. Iniwas ko lang ang tingin sa kaniya at inikot ang tingin sa buong hall kung saan nag-uusap pa rin ang mga players. Some of them were contacting their families, while the others were crying in relief at seeing  the friends they lost alive.

Rogue Wars Online wasn't as harmless as the creator thought. It challenged us both physically, mentally and emotionally. It targeted our friendships and feelings. Sinaktan kami nito sa paraang hindi namin inexpect nang simulan ang laro.

If I wasn't already broken, it would have broke me to pieces. But as much as I wanted to see the despair it brought, I couldn't help but feel happy when I saw these friends I've made. We made mistakes and we didn't hold on to each other occasionally, but we strived to learn from our past mistakes.

Binuksan ng laro lahat ng sugat at problema ko, pero ngayong nasa dulo na ako at inaalala ang nangyari, I can't help but think they're worth it.

We suffered almost every imaginable pain and now we're slowly healing ourselves. We opened the wounds so we can close it. We entertained the problems so we could solve it.

May sinabi si Louise kay Eura kaya malakas na nagmura ang babae. Fern gave her a displeased look. Hinampas naman siya ni Ate Depore sa ulo dahil sa pagkabastos ng bibig nito. Kairo just shook his head at them, crossing his arms and arguing with Eura.

Oliver was busy pestering Caspian, who was answering all his questions in patience. Theo passed them by, yawning and looking for a place to sleep. Itinuro ni Gavin ang isang couch na walang nakaupo, bago bumalik sa pakikipagbangayan kay Sebastian. Renée was chuckling beside them, occasionally giving side-comments. Dierran was busy talking to a girl, Glory perhaps, who was ignoring him.

As I studied their faces, I felt glad to play the game.

Pero napansin kong may kulang.

"Sparrow. What are you doing here?"

Agad akong lumingon nang marinig ang boses niya. Nakapamulsa siya habang pinapanood ang mukha ko at siguro'y kakatapos niya lang ihatid ang magulang niya sa labas.

Umiling ako bilang sagot sa tanong niya nang may maalala. "Call me that again?"

He frowned. "What? Sparrow?"

"No. Other name."

Wes opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. Hindi siya tanga. Alam kong alam niya kung ano ang tinutukoy ko.

He took a deep breath and said, "Lilliane."

I smiled, taking a step closer. Halata ang pagkagulat niya dahil sa paglapit ko lalo na nang kunin ko ang kamay niya. His throat bobbed and his breathing deepened. Parang kabadong-kabado siya sa'kin.

"Thank you." nakangiti kong tugon sa kaniya. "For everything. For believing in me. For staying with me. For always waiting for me and letting me escape. Thank you, Wes."

"Anything for you, Lilliane."

Huminga ako ng malalim at binitawan siya. Hindi pa rin ako umaalis sa harap niya o lumalayo. I bit the inside of my cheek, a small pout forming in my lips as I hesitated on saying the next words. Nahihiya ako at natatakot pero gusto kong malaman kung ano 'yong natatandaan kong nangyari sa City of Nightmares.

"Back then, did you..." I couldn't say the word so I only pointed at my lips.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Wes at siya na mismo ang lumayo. "It was... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it without your permi—"

"Can you... do it again?"

His jaw dropped. He tried opening his mouth to say something but no words came out. Bumuka at sumara lang ang bibig niya habang nakatitig sa'kin na parang hindi makapaniwala. He even laughed nervously and awkwardly, waiting for me to say that I was only joking. But I remained staring at him curiously.

"Lilliane..." he struggled to form the next words. "I- I want to. And I'm willing to. But I can only accept that offer of yours after five or six years. When I deserve you."

I tilted my head. "Mean?"

"I promised your parents. I-" he clasped my hands, watching my face. "Why do you want me to do that?"

"Wanna feel it again."

He groaned, tipping his head upwards as if he's on some very difficult problem. Then he asked, "Can I hug you?"

Tumango ako. I love his hugs. They're warm and safe.

When his arms were around mine and I had my head tucked on his chest, he whispered on my hair, "Five years. Five more years. You're still young. Once you're settled and you know what to do in your life, I'll be there. If your feelings won't change, I'll kiss you. You don't need to worry about me, I will be here until the last of our lives."

For now, let's grow together.

We've survived the game.

Now, let us survive life.

-epilogue one end-