Chapter 17

"Sorry, Auntie. I don't mean to... to hurt her again" I repeatedly whispered to Auntie who was sitting next to me and I was just like an idiot and worried.

"Don't worry, I don't blame you, son" my tears immediately fell when I heard that from him.

Despite everything, I am still considered Auntie's child.

"You can go" I glanced at her trying to read her expression but she got none.

Aunt expelled an exasperated sigh before looking at me, "Even if I want you to stay here I can not take it to see you with a cut on your lips and having bruises. I do not want you and Clarenz to fought again" I nodded before I said goodbye.

As I walked out I winced as I slowly felt the pain of the wounds from Clarenz's punches, I could not blame him. Anyone else will do that.

"Hey, bro" I was grinning like a Cheshire cat because I felt his body and heat again.

"F*ck you, T" my smile faded when I heard Clarenz's voice laced with anger, fear, and above all worry.

"Hey, calm down. Why are you angry? I didn't do anything to you" just to your sister.

I prefer not to add that because it might make his anger worse.

I heard Ezriel's confused voice and Lorraine's crying which surprised me even more.

"Where were you?" He seriously asked that made me take the situation seriously too.

"I am still in the parking lot, Ishi is in the garden" I informed him and I heard how he laughed sarcastically.

"Come here, Ishi fainted" I immediately stormed out of my car and ran faster so I could get to their location immediately.

I quickly pushed the crowd out of my way when I reached the garden and Clarenz's fist immediately greeted me.

Lorraine shrieked out of horror so Ezriel and the rest immediately turned our attention to us. They got to hold Clarenz and whispered some things maybe to pacify him.

Renzo supported me upright and patted me lightly on the shoulder and nodded. Instead of paying attention to Clarenz whose cursing me over and over, I immediately ran closer to Ishi.

Tears swelled off at the corner of my eyes when I saw her again with her eyes closed and shallow breathing.

Our pasts will forever haunt us.

Instead of traveling home immediately, I went to a flower shop to buy flowers that I would give to him.

I smiled when I saw a bouquet with the combination of iris and bachelor's button, I also bought a candle.

Both of them have a distinct effect and meaning on me, I am just thankful that even with the problems that are continuously coming, he is there so I can have someone to lean on and run at the time I want to let go and give up.

I take a deep breath before halting my car and stepped out of it. I carried the bouquet and candle in my hand.

This place may look eerie and heavy-sickening to others but for me, here is one of my favorites.

When I got close to him I frowned when I saw the bouquet of purple hyacinths that I think had just been placed a while ago.

Maybe I'm not the only one who misses him? I shrugged.

I put the bouquet I brought to the side and light the candles. After that, I touched his name engraved on the tombstone.

"Hey there, buddy" I tried to smile as I watched his engraved name.

It's been a few years since he was taken away but the pain never left me especially I know that I can do something.

"Do you miss her? Because I miss her so much but I can do nothing but to introduce myself to her whenever I have a chance, I'm barely holding onto ---"

"Your promises?" I turned to the person whose voice was coming from and I was no longer surprised to see him.

I bowed when he showed sharp glares. I am not scared of him but I am scared of the fact that I'm nearly breaking my oath to him.

He tapped my shoulders first before he sat down next to me. Baffling silence aired at the atmosphere, I could not speak because I was afraid that what I had promised him would be completely broken.

"Hey 'lil buddy" I just watched him while smiling peacefully and as he followed the trace of the engraved name.

"We will be the one to visit you first while she is away, things are still vague right now, Aire" I smiled briefly upon hearing that.

He loves him rather everyone loves him and I know Ishi loves him more.

I heaved a deeper sigh that made him look at me for a while.

"Aire, if you are listening to me now, could you tell this guy not to give up and let go? Just for your sake and for your memory" he said and the words he uttered seemed to hit my chest.

I started to ask questions and assess myself.

Can I still afford it? Is it right for me to hold on if I am slowly losing myself? Can I risk losing myself just to love and continue our supposedly happy ever after? Can I still endure the pain when in fact she's happy with him? How can I tell her that, that man's pretending to be me without her hurting?

Our reunion flashed through my mind after more than three years of separation. How I made her mad and pissed at me at the same time.

I snapped back to my senses when I felt the cold wind brushing off my skin like it was comforting and hugging me.

Simultaneously closing my eyes was the shedding of the tears I had been holding back.

"Buddy, if you're here, please give me the strength to fight for our love" I whispered enough for Clarenz to not hear it and once again the cold wind blew.

I only opened my eyes when I felt Clarenz flicked my forehead.

"If you're tired, just rest. Don't give up, no one else deserves her but you. You've proven yourself to me the moment you chose to be strayed than to be home just to save her from pain "after that, he left me dumbfounded.

A few more seconds passed before what he said sank into my mind.

"I heard it, right?" I asked myself then gazed at the tombstone.

"You heard it also, right? God, he gave his approval to us, right?" I was distracted when I heard a weak laugh.

"You know you look stupid right? Come on, she's waiting for you" I kissed the tombstone first and uttered goodbye before following his track.

Damn. I have to fight for her.