AN: Thank you for reading! This is the last chapter. I hope you enjoy! : )

Chapter 20

"Teacher Naia, Teacher Naia..."

Napalingon ako nang maramdaman ang mahinang pagkalabit sa manggas ng suot kong uniporme. I turned and saw Rita, her wide eyes brimming with tears as she clutched on a piece of paper.

"Bakit, Rita?" binitawan ko ang hawak na class record. I crouched in front of the kid and smiled at her. Hinaplos-haplos ko ang kaniyang buhok.

"Pinagtatawanan po ako ng mga kaklase ko kasi ganito daw po ang kulay ng elepante ko..." she held her paper, showing me a sketch of a purple elephant. Ngumuso ang bata, tila nahiya dahil sa matagal kong titig sa kaniyang gawa, at unti-unting binawi ang kaniyang papel.

"Sabi nila, weirdo daw po ako..."

"Rita..." I said gently at her. Kinuha ko ulit ang ginuhit niya at pinagmasdan ito. I told them earlier that for our activity time, they can draw whatever they want – trees, flowers, animals, or even their family. I want them to have a peace of mind after a 60-item exam we had this morning before I dismiss them all. "Hindi ka weirdo. Maganda nga ang gawa mo, eh!"

"Pero teacher, wala pong kulay purple na elepante!" she insisted.

"Pwede ko bang itanong sa iyo kung bakit itong kulay ang napili mo para sa elepante?"

She looked reluctant. Rita nibbled her lower lips and averted her gaze away. Matiyaga akong naghintay sa sagot niya, even though I could see some of my students scrambling away from their desks from the corner of my eyes.

"Kasi po... kasi wala na akong ibang crayons..." mangiyak-ngiyak pa niyang wika.

"Mm-hmm."

"Binilhan po kami ni Nanay ng isang pack ng crayon, hati lang po kami ng kapatid ko... tapos kanina umiyak siya kasi gusto niya sa kaniya lang yung crayons. Kaya binigay ko po sa kaniya. Ito lang po ang tinira niya sa akin..." she held out the broken purple crayon. "Kaya ito lang po ang ginamit ko."

To say I was touched is an understatement. Tinitigan ko ang bata. She's only seven years old and she's this selfless! I couldn't help but be proud of her, as her adviser and as her subject teacher.

"Rita, walang mali sa ginawa mo. If anything, you should be praised for your selfless act. Mamaya, pag-uwi natin, gusto mo ng ice cream?"

Her eyes sparkled with so much joy at the mention of ice cream. "Ililibre niyo po ako ng ice cream, Teacher?"

I nodded happily, but before she can squeal in delight, I pressed my pointing finger to my lips. "Secret lang natin 'tong dalawa, okay?"

"Okay po!" she said in enthusiasm, before bouncing back to her desk.

Nangingiti pa rin akong nakatitig sa kaniya. When she's already settled, saka ko pa binalingan ulit ang lesson plan na inignora ko kanina.

"Class, you still have 15 minutes left!" I announced, as I fished for my phone in my pocket when I felt it vibrating.

Napangiti ulit ako nang makita kung sino ang tumatawag sa akin. I could imagine his impatient face right now, scowling at me for being so late. I cleared my throat first before I answered the call.

"Zeus..."

"Still in the classroom?"

"Yes."

"A little late than usual, aren't we? Diba alas kwatro ng hapon matatapos ang klase mo?"

I chuckled. He doesn't seem really happy with how I'm dismissing him, especially that we have plans for tonight.

"I'm sorry, habibi. Give me 20 minutes. Nasa labas na ako."

He grunted at the other line. "Can't I just walk inside?"

I almost rolled my eyes at his ridiculous suggestion. "Baka magkagulo dito sa eskwelahan, Ferrer, kapag pumasok ka."

"But—"

"Just wait for me outside, okay?"

"Fine." He groaned again.

I assured him again before I ended the call. Hindi na nabura ang ngiti sa mga labi ko nang balingan ko ang mga estyudanteng naghihintay.

"Oi, si Ma'am nangingiti! Ma'am, asawa niyo yun 'no?" Baste teased me.

Napailing na lamang ako. "Finish your work, Baste, and stop teasing your teacher."

Biglang umingay ang buong klase. Pati ako ay natawa na rin. I started cleaning my desk as one by one, my students submitted their finished outputs. Sinulyapan ko ang relo. Plano kong iwanan sa faculty room ang output nila upang bukas nalang ng umaga mai-check ang mga ito. And I know I'm way past the time, but I just wanted my students to relax for a bit. Alam kong nahirapan sila sa exam kanina. They deserve to be treated once in a while.

"Teacher Naia..." inabot sa akin ni Rita ang kaniyang gawa, ngayo'y may ngiti na sa mga labi niya. "Yung ice cream ko po, ah?"

"Of course, sweetie. Hintayin mo lang na matapos silang lahat, okay?"

"Okay po!"

I patted her head and inserted my hand into the pockets of my uniform. I was planning to call Zeus to tell him that I'm on my way when the door slammed open.

Napatili ang iba sa mga estyudante ko at mas lalo pang lumakas ang sigawan nang ukopahin ng isang matangkad na lalaking naka-mask ang pintuan. In his hand is an M16, and his bloodshot eyes almost made me scream, especially when he pointed his gun at us.

"Lahat, dapa!" he barked in an angry voice.

I was so shocked at what happened that I couldn't move for a few seconds. All I could hear is the cries of my students and their screams when the man opened fire. I dragged Rita with me to drop on the floor, and my phone sank back inside my uniform.

"Walang lalabas! Wala ring gagalaw!"

The hatred in his voice almost made me tremble. Si Rita ay umiiyak na at karamihan din sa mga estyudante ko. We were all trembling in fear as few more masked guys entered the classroom and locked the door from the outside.

"Dun kayong lahat sa dulo!" he ordered once again.

Even with my trembling legs, I ushered my students to the corner of the room, making sure that no one is left behind. Lahat sila ay nakahawak sa akin, umiiyak at takot na takot.

"Teacher..."

"Teacher, sino po sila?"

"Teacher Naia... natatakot po ako..."

My heart breaks at every plead I heard from them. I bit my lower lip and blinked back the tears from my eyes. It felt like a nightmare to me... minutes ago I was talking to my husband lovingly and now I am in the middle of a hostage crisis. The thought of it made me dizzy, and my lungs, for a moment, refused to accept air that I find it hard to breathe. I clutched on my chest and shut my eyes close.

"Teacher—"

"Tahimik! Tumahimik kayong lahat!"

Imbes na sundin sila ay mas lalo lang lumakas ang iyakan ng mga estyudante ko dahil sa takot. I turned to the masked guy, who finally took off his robber mask, and gasped when I saw a huge scar on his face. His bloodshot eyes and dirty hair made him more intimidating... and dangerous. Ang galit na namumuo sa kaniyang mga mata ay nagbabanta. He stared at me, pointed a gun, and ordered again.

"Patahimikin mo yang mga estyudante mo! Lintik!"

I turned to my students, my eyes wide with fear. Swallowing violently, I touched one of my student's damp cheeks.

"Ssh... it's okay. It's okay. Ayos lang tayo... just don't make any noise, okay?"

One of my students, Sam, who suffered from asthma, clutched into my arm with her trembling hands.

"T-Teacher... hindi po ako m-makahinga..."

My eyes widened in fear once more. Mabilis ko siyang nilapitan at pinaypayan. "May inhaler ka ba sa bag mo, Sam?"

She pointed weakly at her bag at the far corner of the room. I watched in fear as the masked men started shutting the windows and locking the door. Outside, I could hear the panicked shouts of my teachers and maybe some of the parents who just realized what happened.

We're trapped. We're hostages now.

Fear clouded my mind for a second, a cold knife clawing at the back of my throat that makes me want to puke and makes it difficult for me to breathe. Pinilit kong kalmahin ang sarili ko. I have 43 students inside my classroom, and they are all depending on me in this critical situation. If I break down, who would take care of them?

"Siguraduhin mong maayos ang pagkakatrabaho mo d'yan..."

Napaigtad ako nang marinig ang boses ng lalaking may peklat sa mukha. I refused to meet his eyes when he glanced sharply at us before turning to his members and then murmuring some instructions.

The way he held his gun screams that he's no amateur. And the red haze of anger in his eyes and his spiked voice tells me that he means business. They want something. From the government. Or from the parents of one of my students. I don't know... I don't even know how it all happened. How they walked in nonchalantly into this classroom with rifles and weapons.

I watched in silence as one of the kidnappers talked to someone in his walkie-talkie. Outside, the screams and cries of people got louder. Mabibigat ang paghinga ko. I turned to Sam. She's white as snow. Nahihirapan na din siyang huminga. Gathering my courage, I slowly pulled myself up.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" mabilis akong sinita ng isa sa mga kidnappers. "Upo!"

"S-Sorry..." I trembled, as I held both my palms up. Hindi ako umupo. "P-Pero may estyudante ako rito... may asthma siya at inaatake ngayon. K-kung pwede sana... kung pwede ko sanang kunin ang inhaler sa bag niya?"

"Anong katarantaduhan ang pinagsasabi mo—"

"Jan. Relax." One of them, a thin guy with his robber mask still on and with a calm voice, interfered. Siya ang nag-lock ng pinto at mga bintana kanina. "Ibigay mo nalang sa kaniya ang inhaler."

"Nasaan ba ang lintek na inhaler na yan?"

I turned to Sam. She swallowed again and pointed to her yellow backpack under the desk. One of them grabbed the bag and poured all the contents on the floor. Isa sa mga bumagsak sa sahig ay ang kaniyang inhaler. The thin guy picked it up, smiled, and held it to me.

No words can describe how disturbing that smile was for me.

Even though my heart is pounding in so much fear, I took a step forward. Inabot ko ang inhaler mula sa kaniya. He noticed that my hands are trembling. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, making me jump a little. He smiled some more.

"Relax, teacher... walang mangyayaring masama sa inyo ng mga estyudante mo kung susunod kayo nang maayos."

I don't believe in his words, but I nodded anyway. Hurriedly, I went back to my students. Inabot ko kay Sam ang kaniyang inhaler at tinulungan siyang kumalma upang makahinga na siya nang maayos. Ipinikit ko nang mariin ang mga mata ko. The way that man smiled and spoke calmly at me, with an M16 rifle in his hands, makes him the most dangerous of them all.

"Teacher Naia, ano pong m-mangyayari sa atin?" si Rita na ngayo'y pinipigilan ang muling pagbagsak ng mga luha.

"We're going to be okay." I assured her in a gentle voice.

"Mga bad guys po ba sila, Teacher Naia?"

I bit on my lower lip. My students are now looking at me, waiting for an answer. Uminit muli ang mga sulok ng mata ko. I swallowed the sob and slowly shook my head.

"I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. Huwag kayong matakot. Palalabasin din nila tayo..." I lied.

They looked unconvinced, scared, and unprotected. Yakap-yakap na nila ngayon ang isa't isa. My heart ached some more. I don't want to see them this stressed, this scared... I'm sure this will traumatize them. Guns and children should never be in the same room. Hindi ko alam kung paano kami umabot sa ganitong sitwasyon.

I turned to the group of armed men. They are now talking to each other. Calmly. They're not arguing. It's as if they had planned this for a long time. My heart bleeds for them and their actions. In those days or even months of planning, hindi ba sumagi sa isipan nila na may mga batang madadamay at maaaring lubos na maapektuhan sa gagawin nila?

I gathered my students and tried to hug them as much as I can. I looked at Sam and saw that she's not getting any better. The inhaler is not helping her. She needs some air.

"Teacher Naia, gusto ko na pong lumabas dito..." iyak ng isa sa mga estyudante ko.

I gave him a reassuring smile. He was one of those who bullied Rita for drawing a purple elephant, but seeing him cower and frightened like this... it breaks my heart more.

"Makakalabas tayo dito... maghintay lang tayo nang konti, ah?"

Instead of calming down, he cried some more that it caught the attention of one of the kidnappers. Their leader. Galit niya kaming binalingan.

"Ano ba! Diba sabi ko sa iyo, patahimikin mo yang mga lintik mong estyudante?!"

Instead of answering him, I pulled myself up again. Itinuro ko si Sam.

"Inaatake siya ngayon ng asthma. Kailangan niya ng hangin. Kailangan niyang makalabas. Please... k-kahit siya nalang."

In those few frightening moments, I saw murder in his eyes. He was too quick to move that none of his members were able to stop him when he slapped the gun across my face. The impact of the gun made me dizzy, as waves and waves of pain assaulted my entire head. I collapsed on the floor but he quickly pulled me up by my hijab and slammed me against the wall before planting the tip of the gun at the base of my neck. Nagsigawan ang mga bata sa kanilang nakita.

"Hindi ka talaga titigil?"

Eyes blurred with tears, I blinked to see a clearer vision of him. This man in front of me feels no empathy. His eyes are dull and empty but I still pushed my luck.

"P-Pag-isipan mo... kung may mamamatay na isa sa mga hostages, mas magiging mabigat ang parusa na ipapataw sa inyo ng pulis."

He laughed wildly at my words before shoving the gun at my temple.

"Kung pasabugin ko ang ulo mo sa harap ng mga estyudante mo, teacher?" he said mockingly. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko. I am readying myself for another blow again.

"P-Please..." I croaked.

"Walang lalabas! Lalo na yang Sam na yan. Anak siya ng gobernadora. Alam kong makikipag-negosasyon ang tarantadong iyon sa amin, anumang oras, mabawi lang ang anak niya."

I stared at him helplessly. One of her classmates is hugging and comforting Sam, but she doesn't look very well. Gusto ko na siyang ilabas dito sa lalong madaling panahon. I looked around frantically. The windows and the doors are blocked. The only chance of escaping from this classroom, is fighting the kidnappers without hurting any of my students. Which is impossible. I don't have a gun, and I don't even know how to use it even if I can get access of one.

And I know, deep in my heart, that no matter how evil they are, I would never have the guts to pull the trigger and kill them.

I can't kill anyone. I can't do it.

He shoved me back to my students, where I sat weakly with them, knowing how powerless I am compared to them. Nangingilid lang ang mga luha sa mata kong nakatingin sa mga estyudante. I swallowed the sobs and pressed my eyes close, before muttering a prayer to Allah, to save us from this situation. O kahit ang mga bata nalang...

Nakatitig ako sa relo ko buong oras. Approximately 45 minutes have passed before we received our first call. The calm guy was the one who answered it. He seemed really smart and educated, from the way he spoke. It left me wondering why he became one of the kidnappers when he's this smart.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, officer. Wala kaming ginalaw sa mga bata dito. 43 students and a teacher. Lahat sila ligtas... mm-hmm..." he glanced at their leader and then smirked. "Makinig ka nang mabuti... kailangan namin ng helicopter. Huwag ka nang mag-abalang humanap ng piloto. Kami na ang bahala. Siguruhin mo lang na maayos ang kondisyon ng helicopter na ipapadala ninyo. Kailangan din namin ng pagkain. Dapat ay nasa loob ito ng helicopter kapag ipinadala niyo na. Ang ransom na hinihingi namin... dapat nasa loob na rin."

I tried to remain calm as I looked around, trying to find a way to escape. I know he said earlier that he wouldn't hurt us if we cooperate, but I just can't trust his words. Their leader has a temper, and who knows what he would do once they got what they want? The last thing I want to happen is for him to start shooting the children. It would be a massacre.

"Uh-huh. May dalawang oras kayo para ibigay ang mga gusto namin. Ang anak ng governor, si Sam... hmm sabihin nalang nating hindi maganda ang kondisyon niya ngayon. Kapag lumabas siyang patay dahil sa atake, wala kaming kasalanan dito. The incompetence of the police is to be blamed. So, you better hurry, officer..."

They kept talking some more, before he turned to me.

"Proof of life?"

He sighed and then gestured for one of my students to stand up. Imbes na tumayo ay natakot lang ang bata. He frowned, for the first time, and gave him a disapproving look. Kaagad akong kinabahan.

"A-Ako nalang..."

Bago pa siya makapagsalita ulit ay mabilis na akong tumayo at lumapit sa kanila. I acted as if I'm fine, and that my cheeks are not swelling from the slap I got from their leader earlier.

"I'll talk to them, tell the officers that we're fine."

He just stared at me before he handed the phone. My heart thumped in so much fear when he started brushing the tip of the gun across my cheeks and whispered sweetly to my ears.

"Be careful of what you're going to say, teacher..."

"H-Hello?"

"Mrs. Parvana Naia Bukhari-Ferrer..."

I closed my eyes, relieved to hear a voice from the outside. "Yes, yes. It's me..."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay."

"And the 43 students?"

"Ayos lang din sila... pero si Sam..."

"Can you confirm that she's having an asthma attack right now?"

"Yes."

"Good. Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs. Ferrer. We'll get all of you out there as soon as possible."

Before I could talk again, he grabbed the phone from me and shoved me away. Nanginginig akong bumalik sa mga estyudante ko. Some of them had already stopped crying and asked if I'm okay.

"I'm fine, I'm fine..." I assured at them and smiled.

My phone started vibrating. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat. I quickly angled my body away from them so they wouldn't see my phone lighting up. It must be Zeus. He must've known by now that I am trapped in this classroom, with my 43 students, and with the armed kidnappers who are asking the impossible. A ridiculous amount of money from the governor and a helicopter within an hour. If they fail to give what they wanted, they will start shooting.

An hour stretched like an eternity when you are trapped inside a classroom full of kidnappers, wondering if you'll make it out alive or not. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa aking tiyan. My heart ached in so much pain. We have plans tonight. If this has been a normal day for all of us, tonight, I would tell Zeus that he's going to be a father soon.

Tumulo na lamang ang mga luha ko sa naisip. What if I couldn't make it out alive? What would happen to him? He can't remember where he places his favorite guitar pick and can't get his tie right. Good thing Monica remained loyal to him as an assistant, but what would happen if his wife is suddenly gone?

Para na akong nababaliw sa naiisip. Breathing heavily, I turned to my students again. Ang iba sa kanila'y nakatulog na sa kakaiyak. Nagkakulay na din ang maputlang mukha ni Sam, thank Allah. Pero may iba pa ring nanginginig sa takot. I hugged each one of them and murmured comforting words, telling them that everything's going to be alright.

"Anong ibig niyong sabihin na hindi pwede?!"

My eyes jolted awake when an angry voice roared inside the room. Some of the students woke up too, because of the thunder of the heated voice. Nakita kong may kausap ulit ang kanilang leader sa cellphone.

"Isang oras na ang nakalipas! Dapat nandito na ang helicopter at ang pera!"

His other member, tapped at the barrel of his rifle impatiently. From the closed windows, I could see the shadows moving discreetly. Nabuhayan ako ng loob nang makitang marahil ang mga SWAT na ito. But their negotiation seems to be taking a wrong turn.

"50 million! Tig-iisang milyon sa bawat ulo ng mga batang ito!"

"Teacher Naia..." kinalabit ako ni Rita, ngayo'y nangingilid na naman ang mga luha sa mata. "Lalabas na po ba tayo? Makakapag-ice cream na po ba tayo?"

I nodded and kissed her temples. "Lalabas na tayo, Rita... kaunting tiis nalang..."

We were all startled when the leader threw the phone against the wall and cursed angrily into the air. He quickly leveled his gun to all of us.

"Ayaw nilang tumupad sa usapan..."

"Papatayin ba natin ang mga 'to, boss?"

One stiff nod from him got my heart freezing.

"Unahin niyo yang potanginang anak ng governor na yan..."

I quickly shielded Sam with my body and faced them.

"P-Please.... Huwag si Sam! Hindi pa mabuti ang lagay niya at... at... sobrang bata pa niya."

"Boss, humihingi sila ng karagdagang labin-limang minuto..."

"Ubos na ang pasensiya ko! Patayin niyo na yan!"

Before they could take another step, I took a step forward and shielded all of my students with my arms wide open. I watched them through misty eyes.

"Talagang papatay kayo ng mga bata?"

"Huwag kang mag-alala, mamamatay ka rin."

"Call Zeus Vincenticus Ferrer." I said bravely. "He's my husband. Mabibigay niya sa inyo ang perang hinihingi niyo."

Nagkatinginan sila bago ako nilapitan ng kalmadong lalaki kanina.

"Asawa mo?"

"O-Oo..."

He then turned to their leader, his eyes asking for permission.

"He will give you the money..." I said again, in a firmer voice this time. "Pero palabasin niyo muna lahat ng mga bata. Kahit ako nalang ang itira niyo. Hinding-hindi titigil si Zeus hangga't hindi ako nailalabas. Kahit doblehin niyo pa ang hinihingi niyo... he will give it to you. Just please... please let all the children go. Especially Sam."

Nag-iiyakan na silang lahat sa likod ko at nagyayakapan. I remained standing, in my trembling legs, and steeled my heart as I waited for their decision. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik nang nakita kong tumango ang kanilang leader.

"Tawagan mo."

Dahan-dahan akong tumango at nanghihinang dinukot ang cellphone mula sa aking bulsa. My heart ached when I saw the missed calls from him. Slowly, I dialed his number and called him. Isang ring pa lang ay sinagot niya na kaagad ito.

"Zeus—"

"Naia! Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Just one word from you and I'll fucking enter the classroom!"

Parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa naririnig na takot at galit sa kaniyang boses. Napatingin ako sa kanila. One of them had pointed their gun at me, already reminding me of what I called them for.

"Look, Zeus... I'm in a critical situation right now. And they're asking for money... lots of money..."

"I'll give them however much they want."

"I need you to listen..." my voice started shaking. "100 million in 15 minutes. That's how long they're going to wait. They're impatient, and they want the money now, Zeus."

"Fuck! I swear I'm going to kill them all—"

"Bilisan mo!!!" I yelped when the leader hit me again. Zeus is curing from the other line.

"That's it, Naia. I am entering—"

"No, no, no... please..." I sobbed. "There are students here. Young students... I can't afford to risk any of their lives, Zeus. Sundin nalang natin ang gusto nila."

"Okay... okay... I just needed to hear your voice. Para na akong mababaliw sa takot dito, Naia. I need to know that you're okay."

"I'm okay... I'm okay..." I assured both him and myself. "I'm going to be okay, Zeus. Makakalabas ako rito."

"This is a promise, right?" his voice is shaky with fear and pain.

"Yes..."

"Okay. I believe in you..."

"Listen, Zeus... we're supposed to have dinner tonight and I—"

"Ssh... don't fret over it, baby."

"No... just listen." I took a deep breath. "I'm not one to break my promise but if... if something happens, Zeus... I want you to know that you're the only man that I've loved and I am glad that I have you in my life."

"Goddammit, Naia! Stop saying these words!"

"I love, love, love you so much, Zeus... you and our soon-to-be baby..."

"Fuck..."

"I love you—"

Biglang naputol ang linya nang agawin sa akin ang phone ko. The leader angrily smashed it into pieces while I cry in the corner.

"Palabasin niyo na sila... please..."

He stared at me with dead eyes and nodded once. Sa unang pagkakataon ay naiyak ako sa sobrang tuwa.

"Hindi kasali ang batang yan. Lahat, labas!" he barked his order.

Sam cried and hugged my thighs. I stared at them with misty eyes.

"Please... si Sam..."

"Labas na!!"

One of them opened the door and from the outside, I could see the SWAT and the hordes of police officers. Naging alerto kaagad sila nang makitang bumukas ang pinto. Isa-isang pinalabas ang mga umiiyak kong estyudante.

"Teacher Naia, uwi na po tayo..." si Rita na umiiyak.

I nodded and patted her head. "Susunod lang ako, Rita."

"Pero po..."

"Lumabas ka na..." I weakly pushed her away. All of their guns are pointed at us now. Umiiyak na lumabas si Rita sa classroom, at sa huli ay kami nalang dalawa ni Sam ang naiwan.

From the corner of my eyes, I spotted a small shadow moving fast towards us. I wanted to scream, tell him to stop, and warn him that everything's under control right now but it was too late. As soon as the leader saw the movement, he opened fire. Ang papalabas pa lamang na mga estyudante ay nagsidapa at nag-iyakan.

Then I heard gunshots. All at once. Like a rain of fire pouring over the earth. I could hear the blood pumping in my ears as they exchanged bullets, while we are in the middle of it all. And when I saw the furious leader who obviously lost the last thread of his humanity, bleeding and pointing his gun towards the crying Sam, I immediately run towards her to save her life.

And then I could feel it... all at once. The pain, the fear, and the smell of death once again... this feeling is so familiar to me that I'm not even afraid anymore as I collapsed on the floor and gasp for breath.

The gunshots continued and then everything went silent. I could hear people screaming, crying, running towards us. The heavy boots of the SWAT team and the desperate cries of the parents.

The familiar baritone voice of someone calling for my name soothed my chest. I could feel the warm pool of blood bathing my body as I listened to him, call for my name like a child in the darkness.

Strangely, I felt at peace. Hearing Sam cry next to me is a good sign. It means she's still alive. She's not hurt.

"Naia...."

From my misty vision, I saw Zeus running towards me. Pulang-pula ang mukha niya at tulo nang tulo ang mga luha. I tried to reach for him as he gathered my limp body in his arms.

"Baby, please wake up..." I could feel him kissing my temples and pressing my fingertips.

I smiled weakly at him. At least, he's here now.

"Naia..." I started closing my eyes but he keeps on patting my cheeks. "No, no, no. Stay with me. Don't you dare close your eyes, okay? Nangako ka! Nangako ka sa akin..."

I nodded and tried to fight but my eyelids are just getting heavy and I could feel the air leaving my body.

"Goddammit, Naia..." he buried his face into my neck, smeared with blood, as he broke into painful sobs. "Don't do this to me. Parang-awa mo na... huwag mo akong iiwan. Sobrang mahal na mahal kita..."

I couldn't even answer him, even if I want to. I couldn't.

"I'm going to be a father, right?" he pulled away for a bit and kissed my lips. "I'm going to be a father, baby. So don't fall asleep on me..."

I badly want to touch his face, his cheeks, and tell him that it's going to be alright but I'd be lying to both of ourselves. Tumulo lang ang mga luha ko.

"I'm sorry..." I mouthed, knowing that I won't be able to keep my promise anymore.

"No, no, no. Fuck!!! Naia... please..."

"Sorry..."

I must've heard him scream before I closed my eyes and succumbed into darkness. Or it must have been me. I'm not sure.

All I know was that I am at peace in his arms till my last breath.

Sa'astarih fi Allah.