UNDERDOGS AND DEMONS

IRENE'S POV

Alam kong seryoso ang pag-uusapan ng Black Bears kaya agad na din kaming umalis ni Kuya Astro mula sa kanila.

I know na hindi din naman lalayo si Jhayd sa lugar na 'to kaya mahahanap namin siya.

And there, on the bench, I saw her having a conversation with Sophia.

"Jhayd.. ," tawag ko sa pangalan niya.

Sabay silang napalingon ni Sophia kaya naman hindi na natapos ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"Can we have a moment, sis? ," I asked.

Tiningnan naman siya ni Phia and she nodded as if she's saying its fine.

"Kuya, samahan mo muna si Sophia pabalik. I have a matter to discuss muna with my sister ," paalam ko.

"Sure."

Hinintay ko pa bago sila tuluyang makalayo sa amin bago ako umupo sa tabi niya at tuluyang nagsalita.

"Are you alright? ," tanong ko.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Why don't you talk to Florian, Jhayd? I think he's waiting ," saad ko.

"You know him, Irene. Alam nating pareho na hinihintay niya ang pagbalik mo. Kahit noong nawala ka, he never opened his heart to anyone but me because I resemble you."

Yeah.. that's him.

"I thought I could hug him tight, Jhayd. Akala ko sa pagbalik ko, mahal ko pa rin siya."

She looked at me.

"What do you mean, Rin? He loves you ," she said.

"But... ," I sighed. "But.. I don't feel like running back to him, sis."

I feel it. Sobra kong minahal si Florian and I thought I would be running back to him kapag natapos na ang gulo sa Underground Society.

But, I feel like letting go now.

"Hindi mo na ba mahal si Florian? ," she asked.

She asked, not because she wants Florian for herself... but because she wants me to be there for him.

But I do not deserve that anymore.

"Mahal na mahal ko siya, Jhayd. We both know that. That's why let's make a deal."

"Tell me."

I looked at her.. and after seeing her face, I looked up the skies.

God, let my sister feel life.

God, sana ito na yung sign.

I faced her once again. "Jhayd, sino man sa ating dalawa ang piliin niya, suportahan natin ang isa't-isa."

"H-Huh? ," naguguluhan niyang tanong.

"I love you, sis, and I want you to accept the world. Wala ka na sa red line. Hindi ka na nakakulong kaya wag mo na din ikulong yung sarili mo mula sa damdamin mo."

Both of us started to feel sadness.

I feel it.

Tears are running down her cheeks while I keep on forcing myself na wag lumuha sa harap niya.

Sobrang bigat.

"Kung pipiliin niya ako, Jhayd, maging masaya ka sa amin at piliin mong maging 'Lady Tower' ng Underground. And if he choose to be with you.. sissy, it would be my greatest pleasure to have your position sa organization ni dad and I would like you to accept his love."