Warning: R-18. This chapter contains scenes of explicit violence and gore.

Pinagkiskis ni Wicker ang kanyang mga palad, nang mag-init ay inilagay niya ito sa pisngi ni Annara habang nasa loob sila ng kotse nito. Dahil lumamig na naman ang panahon noong sumunod na mga araw.

Annara closed her eyes when she felt the warmth in his hands. "It feels so good," she muttered, relieved.

Kapagkuwan ay kinintalan siya ni Wicker ng halik sa labi.

Nagulat si Annara sa ginawa nito. "That's not what I requested. Ang sabi ko giniginaw ako, bakit mo ako hinalikan?" Nagtataka itong sinimangutan siya.

Tumawa si Wicker. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "Sige, babawiin ko na lang." Muli niyang hinalikan si Annara upang bawiin iyon.

Masaya silang nagtawanan sa loob ng kotse nito.

Nasa parking lot sila ng campus. Mahamog noong umagang iyon, kaya naman ay tinanggal ni Wicker ang coat na suot niya at isinabit sa mga balikat ni Annara.

"Wear it," he said, holding her hand.

Naramdaman ni Annara ang bigat ng coat na iyon, ngunit nabigyan naman siya nito ng init panlaban sa malamig na panahon.

She smiled to him. "Salamat," she breathed.

And then they walk inside the main building and separate their ways to attend their own classes. Palagi na silang magkasama nitong mga nakaraang linggo, hindi naman p'wedeng pati magkaiba nilang klase ay pagsanibin nila para hindi na sila tuluyang maghiwalay pa.

Sa bawat araw na lilipas, hindi maipaliwanag ni Wicker ang sayang nararamdaman niya. Lalo na kapag kasama niya si Annara. She's everything to him. He's falling deeper in love with her knowing she's also the girl who helped him before.

She's his first love.

Pinagmamasdan niya si Annara na naglalakad patungo sa kanya 'pagtapos ng klase nito.

"Ayokong maglaho na lang bigla ang kaligayahang nararamdaman ko ngayon," bulong niya sa sarili habang nakatunghay kay Annara.

Annara felt the same way, or maybe more than what she's actually feeling. Masayang-masaya ang puso niya ngayon kasama si Wicker. He's so adorable and lovable. Sometimes he's harsh and rush, but still she loves him that much.

She doesn't think about Adrian when she's with him. Parang may kakaibang bagay kay Wicker na unti-unti niyang hindi naiisip si Adrian. She's starting to not compare them all the time. She's thinking them individually.

Wicker is Wicker and he's not Adrian.

They shared their little time after school and spend it whole time during weekends. Nasanay na siyang maigi sa piling ni Wicker. He filled the missing piece in her heart. He patches everything that needs to be mended.

They do something that makes them happy. Their weekends will always be the best.

They swam in the cold water of Aquilla Lighthouse, they chased the misty morning fog, stargazing in the middle of the night, kissing at the back of the car, drinking and shouting 'i love yous'.

Screaming at the summit, long drive roadtrips, exploring places they have never been, running through woods, soaking and kissing in the rain and making more memories alone . . . together.

"Thank you, Wicker . . ."

Lumingon ito sa kanya nang may hatid na ngiti. "For what?"

Umilig ito sa balikat niya at huminga. "For making me happy," she said, curving a rewarding smile. "And I hope you are having a great time too, especially with me."

Wicker secure his arms around her shoulder. "You know what Annara, if it made you smile and filled your heart with so much joy. I think that's enough for me."

Magkapiling sila habang parehas na nakasandal sa unahang bahagi ng kotse ni Wicker. Pinanonood nila ang mga pailaw sa peryahan mula sa parking nito.

"I love you, infinite," Annara whispered to his ear.

Wicker smiled and felt butterflies mystically flying around them.

"I feel more than infinite with you."

"Basta masaya ka, masaya tayo . . . Pangako, hinding-hindi ako magbabago," Annara said holding his hand, making a pact.

It's like a bucket list, they are doing the things that make them happy as if the world is ending tomorrow and living their best moments happily now. Mga alaalang tatatak sa kanila kahit pa sila ay tumanda na.

They wanna make more memories together. The beautiful ones.

"Your love is the only prison I want to stay," Wicker told her and kissed her lips thoroughly. It was soft and heartfelt.

Lumipas pa ang mga araw. Habang tumatagal silang magkasama ay hindi nagagawang itanong ni Wicker ang tungkol kay Adrian kahit pa may ilan na siyang nalalaman sa taong ito.

Adrian is still a mystery to him. Wicker wanted to dive furthermore to get to know who really Adrian is.

"Are you looking for Annara?" tanong ni Miss Georgette nang mapansin niyang kanina pa palinga-linga si Wicker mula sa inform counter ng library.

He's looking for Annara.

He bowed his head. "Nasaan po siya?"

May buhat-buhat na kahon si Miss Georgette na tumigil sa kinatatayuan niya. Wicker offered a help to her. Binuhat niya ang dala nitong kahon.

"Thank you, Wicker. I think she's at the faculty. Kakausapin yata siya ni Mr. Policiano."

"Bakit daw po?" curious na tanong nito.

Nagkibit-balikat si Miss Georgette. "Hindi ko rin alam. Wicker, pakidiretso na lang 'yang box doon sa stock room." Itinuro nito ang daan patungong stock room.

Bumalik si Miss Georgette palabas upang kuhanin pa ang ilang mga kahon na dumating.

Wicker went straight to the library's stock room and put the box on the shelf. Nagpagpag pa siya ng mga palad at naglibot ng tingin mula roon.

Maliit lang ang stock room na iyon. Maraming mga kahon at lumang edisyon ng mga libro. Marami roon ang 'for donations' na at may ilan-ilang old issues ng dyaryo at magazines.

He looked at the pile of old newspapers. He saw an initials; ADRI and began thinking with his curious mind.

Nilapitan niya iyon. Hinawi ang ilang dyaryo na tumatabon doon.

Bumungad sa kanya ang front page ng dyaryo at tumambad ang issue na; Has anyone seen Adrian from the fire?

He saw Adrian's ID picture on the front page. He looks like him.

Mas lalo siyang binalot ng kataka-takang pag-iisip. May agam-agam na biglang namuo sa kanyang damdamin. Kunot ang noo niyang binasa ang bahaging ito mula sa gitnang pahina ng dyaryo.

After Fawnbrook High School's science laboratory was on fire, young student named Adrian was found missing. He went inside the burning laboratory as he's suspecting that his friend was trapped inside the burning room that needs help and hasn't any chance to return by the fire.

"There was fire everywhere," said the students who safely got out from it and witnessed how the laboratory engulfed by the fire at all sides . . .

Wicker attentively reading the newspaper as his hands began trembling.

During the incident, the firefighters did their very best to help them out from the hell like place. Firefighters stated, "there were none" from their initial statement they'd released from the press after killing the monstrous fire for hours while finding any students they may save.

Biglang naalala ni Wicker noong magkasama sila ni Annara. They went to the abandoned and ashed laboratory and she immediately walked away. She's like avoiding it to go near the place. Pati na iyong napansin niyang mahabang peklat sa likuran nito noong nagtatalik sila. Natamo niya ba ito mula roon?

Nag-angat nang tingin si Wicker nang makita niya mula sa bukas na pintuan ng stock room si Annara na dumating habang kausap nito si Miss Georgette.

Nakatayo lang siya roon at pinagmamasdan ito hawak-hawak ang dyaryong iyon.

Nagsisigawan ang mga estudyanteng lumabas mula sa nasusunog na silid. The laboratory immediately eaten up by the fire as it's continuously growing like living hell.

The deafening school bell ringing endlessly for the alert and notice. As the afternoon passes dark. It was past five.

"Where's Annara?"

Takot na takot na dumating si Adrian at tinanong ang mga nakalabas na estudyante roon. He saw the fire from the laboratory coming out through various openings. The fire was mad.

He couldn't able to breathe properly. Hindi niya magagawang makahinga nang maluwag hangga't hindi niya nakikita si Annara.

Maitim na usok ang patuloy na lumalabas sa nasusunog na laboratoryo.

"She's still there, Adrian," sagot ng babaeng kasama ni Annara sa loob kanina, nagsisimula nang umiyak.

"Adrian! Saan ka pupunta?"

Hindi na nagawang pigilan pa siya ng lalaking kasama niya dahil agad niyang sinugod ang nasusunog na laboratory.

He rushed and went inside without having doubts. Walang ibang tumatakbo sa isipan nito kung hindi ang iligtas si Annara mula sa sunog na iyon.

Sumalubong sa kanya ang init nang makapasok siya sa loob. It was a horrible sight, a complete scary mess.

The flames burned deep red and amber, the burning ceiling started creaking as they may fall anytime. But this doesn't matter to Adrian at all, lakas-loob niya pa ring pinasok ang loob no'n at hinahanap si Annara.

He called her name as the smoke filled his lungs as he breathes. Napaubo pa siya habang unti-unti nang nasisilaw sa apoy at sinusunog ang balat niya sa init. Like nothing inside would survive the fire.

Tinakpan niya ang kanyang ilong gamit ang kanyang braso para hindi na tuluyang makalanghap ng usok.

"Adrian, tulungan mo ako!"

He heard something.

Annara's crying. She needs help.

Ambers flying through the air like fireflies in the dark. Habang tumatagal siya sa loob ng silid na iyon, mas nararamdaman na niyang naluluto ang balat niya. Nakakapaso, para siyang iniihaw ng buhay.

She found Annara stuck in the restroom. Naririnig niya ang boses nitong sumisigaw habang umuubo.

Adrian held the doorknob and immediately reacted to the heat of it. Napaso siya. Mainit na mainit iyon nang pihitin niya. He removed his polo and covered his hands to open the door.

Unfortunately, it's locked.

"Adrian, tulungan mo ako. Ayoko na rito!" she sobbed, forcing her energy to catch his attention.

"I will get you out from there. Step back!"

Adrian charges and bumped the door with his shoulder. Noong una ay hindi pa ito bumukas ngunit nang subukan niya pa ito ng ilang beses, nagawa niya itong mabuksan.

Sumalubong nang yakap si Annara nang makita siya. Umaagos ang mga luha sa pisngi.

Pumasok silang muli sa loob ng restroom at pinaliguan ang mga sarili ng tubig.

"Halika, aalis na tayo rito," aniya, basang-basa ang mga katawan.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito, mahigpit. Pinangako ni Adrian sa kanya sa sabay silang makakalabas sa nasusunog na silid na iyon. At kung hindi man, kailangan niyang iligtas si Annara ano man ang mangyari.

Hinanap nila ang daan palabas. All things disappearing from fire. They can't identify which door is which since they were all seeing fire. Burning fire.

It all began half an hour ago and the fire almost turning things into ashes.

The overpowering smoke they breathing in made them unable to breathe. They are catching breaths as they walk. It made them lose their sight and energy. So draining. Naninikip ang mga dibdib nila. May pakiramdam na nakakahilo at nakakasuka.

Unti-unti nang nagbabagsakan ang mga debris sa kisame. Mabilis silang tumakbo at iniwasan ito. Mas lumalaki ang apoy, mas nahihirapan sila. Sumisikip ang buong silid, the fire occupying the wholeness of it. Wala silang ibang paraan kung hindi suungin ang nag-aalab na apoy.

Adrian let Annara run first. Siya ang aalalay sa likod nito.

Hanggang sa pinaghiwalay sila ng nasusunog na malaking cabinet nang bumagsak ito sa pagitan nila.

"Adrian!" sigaw ni Annara.

Nakikita niya si Adrian na nakatingin sa kanya habang nag-iisip ng paraan para makapunta sa kanya.

He can't just jump or crawl. The cabinet seems too big for him to have spaces to crawl in and too tall for him to jump on.

From his perspective, he saw Annara sobbing, waiting for him. Lumalawak na ang sakop ng apoy mula roon. Kung magtatagal pa sila, tiyak walang makakalabas sa kanila ng buhay.

"Annara, you should run now. Lumabas ka na!"

"Ayoko. Hihintayin kita rito!"

"No, you won't! Iligtas mo ang sarili mo! This is the time where you need to be selfish and save yourself!" he growed, selflessly.

"Pero, Adrian . . ."

Pinagmamasdan ni Annara kung paano nilalamon ng apoy si Adrian. Nasusunog na ito ng buhay. Naiihaw na ito mula sa init ng mga nagbabagang apoy na pumapaligid dito. Nalulusaw na ito sa paningin niya. Naaagnas na ang balat sa init.

She felt like he's incinerating in her sight. He's too young to be punished like this. He doesn't deserve how he'd lived a life normally and ended a life turning into ashes.

Ilang sandali pa ay may malaking nasusunog na kahoy ang bumagsak dito mula sa kisame.

There's no way he can survive that.

No one will.

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If it is too good to be true, it's not true.

Annara dreamed and think about Adrian in some random occasions, again. She felt the longingness stung in her heart. This time, it hits her differently.

She vividly see him in her dreams. Ngayon na lang ulit ito nangyari simula nang mawala si Adrian. She never dreamed of him that clearly—more likely in real, she never think of him that badly.

Simula nang managinip siya tungkol dito, nanumbalik na naman ang mga nakababahalang ingay sa mga tainga niya.

She starts to hear ghostly voices . . . again. And somehow her eyes creating a form of spooky images. Strange shadows, hallucinations of random people and such scary things and feeling towards it.

Ginagambala na naman siya. It was really disturbing and this got worsened than ever. Na halos hindi na siya patulugin sa gabi at guluhin ang utak niya sa umaga.

"Is there something bothering you? Kanina ka pa tahimik d'yan," Wicker checked her out as she continues to act strangely.

Madalas na ang pagiging tahimik ni Annara 'pag magkasama sila. She can't focus on anything. She's always tired and feeling sick. Masyado na siyang natatakot sa paligid at nagsimula na namang mabaliw sa mga boses na naririnig ng mga tainga niya.

Wicker noticed her odd actions these past days. Naninibago siya sa mga ikinikilos nito. She's so different. She changed drastically. Not the Annara he knew and loved before.

She misses Adrian so much after dreaming of him several days straight. They are re-enacting the memories they made before through her dreams. Like he's actually there, he's so real–too real for her to believe in.

Hindi na rin siya gaanong nakakapasok sa eskwelahan, hindi na nakakakain ng maayos at nagsisimula nang mag-alala si Wicker para sa kanya.

Palagi na itong mag-isa at palaging wala sa kung saan ito madalas magpunta.

She's always nowhere to be found. Magkikita na lang sila ni Wicker kung may pagkakataon, pero madalas ay hindi na.

Adrian is popping and circulating in her head for the next couple of weeks. She changed so much. She's losing so much weight because of her bad eating and sleeping habits. Madalas na siyang nalilipasan ng gutom. From her visible tired eyes to her sagged skin from not taking care of it.

Pinabayaan na niya ang kanyang sarili. Nawalan na siya ng pake sa mundo.

Hanggang sa dumating na ang punto na nakikita na niya si Adrian. She's talking to him, she's following him wherever he goes. It's true, he's alive, but not tangible enough to hold.

Lalo pa niyang naaalala si Adrian kapag kasama si Wicker. Kaya mas lalo niyang nilayuan ito. Adrian can't compare to others, even if there's someone who looks like him.

For her, Adrian is incomparable. He had set a standard and memories for her to love him so much. No one will ever change her mind and be ready for that conversation.

Mas lalo siyang naniniwala na buhay si Adrian. Na nakakasama niya ito simula nang mapanaginipan niya ito isang gabi. Especially when she saw Adrian's wistful smile, she believed in everything he possesses.

Totoo siya sa utak niya, walang makakapigil sa kanya mula roon.

"Annara, ano ba'ng nangyayari sa 'yo? Talk to me!" Kinakatok ni Wicker ang pinto ng k'warto ni Annara.

Buong araw na siyang nagkulong doon. Ayaw niyang magpakita kay Wicker. Ayaw niyang makita siya nito na nag-iba na nang tuluyan ang hitsura niya.

"Kuya Wicker, nag-aalala na po ako para kay ate. Hindi ko na rin siya nakakausap nang maayos. Madalas na siyang nakakulong lang sa k'warto niya. She took all pictures of kuya Adrian. Lahat ng gamit ni kuya ay ipinasok na niya sa loob. Ayaw na niyang kumain, hindi na niya inaalagaan ang sarili niya. Natatakot na ako, na kapag nakita siya ni papa na nagkakakagano'n, baka mag-isip 'yon nang kung ano-ano at maapektuhan ang kalagayan niya. Kuya Wicker, tulungan mo si ate Annara."

Umiiyak si Thea habang kinakausap siya. Annara is not Annara anymore. She's not the person they knew.

She never been like that before. Nilamon na siya ng pag-iisip niya tungkol kay Adrian.

Nawawala na siya sa katinuan niya.

"Annara, bakit ka ba nagkakaganyan?" Pang-ilang beses na niyang tanong ito, subalit hindi pa rin siya nakakakuha ng sagot mula rito.

Umiiyak lang si Thea sa gilid ni Wicker.

"Annara! Kausapin mo ako." Malakas na kumakatok si Wicker sa pinto ng k'warto niya. "Why are you doing this to me?"

Ilang saglit lang at bumukas na ang pinto. Bumungad sa kanila si Annara na gulu-gulo ang buhok at nangingitim na ang ilalim ng mga mata sa puyat.

They saw what's inside her room. Pinanonood niya ang mga clip mula sa isang camcorder. Noong kinukuhanan siya ng video ni Adrian at nakasabit ang lahat ng litrato nito sa dingding.

She's still obsessed with Adrian.

"Umalis ka na! Thea, paalisin mo na ang lalaking 'to!"

Minatahan niya si Thea na parang naloloka.

"Ate, ano ba'ng nangyayari sa 'yo?"

"Annara, please . . . talk to me!" Wicker pleaded while trying to hold her arm.

"Huwag mo akong hahawakan. Hindi ako makikipag-usap sa 'yo. You're not Adrian. Si Adrian lang ang kakausapin ko kahit pa kamukha ka niya. Leave! I don't talk to people, especially to some imposter like you!"

"Annara, don't try to be someone else." Nag-aalala na si Wicker. "When did you turn into something that you promised you'd never be?"

Galit itong tumingin sa kanya. Itinulak niya si Wicker at isinarado ang pinto nang pasalampak.

Umigting ang panga ni Wicker. Ano ba ang nangyayari kay Annara?