Countdown to the End. Part 3

KYLE

Kakapasok ko lang sa loob ng kotse ko nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Pagtingin ko sa caller's ID, it's Elle. Without any hesitation, I answered the call.

"Hello?" Bungad ko. "Kyle where are you?! You need to know something! You listen first okay? Jomari ---" Biglang sabi niya ngunit agad itong naputol. Bigla akong kinabahan.

I tried to redial her number, but it's out of coverage already. I retried and redialed, but it's the same.

Napatingin ako taong kakadaan lang sa harap ng kotse ko na kasalukuyang nasa Parking Lot. It's Jomari. May kausap siya sa phone at kinilabutan ako nang bigla siyang ngumising demonyo.

I know something's going on. Masama ang kutob ko. Elle wouldn't call me and the call had disconnected abruptly.

The moment I saw Jomari hopped in his car and drove away, I simply followed him.

It's never easy to follow someone, dahil ang daming kotse sa kalsada. The good thing is nasunod ko naman siya..

I looked around the place since his car stopped here. Isang abandonadong building. From its place, mukhang malayo sa kabihasnan ito.

A tons of question is in my head now, but I knew, by following Jomari, it'll be answered.

I saw him entered the building. I sneaked out from my car and went inside of the building.

It's quite creepy because aside from its very old age, it's also very dark inside of it..

Luckily, may parang apoy na nagsisilbing liwanag ang loob ng building. Yung apoy na nakadikit sa wall na nakasemento.

A few steps, I heard Jomari's exclaimed.

"ANONG NANGYAYARI DITO?! Ally?! Anong ibig sabihin nito?! Malinaw ang plano natin, Ally!" Galit na sigaw ni Jomari. Ally? She's here? Plan?

"Jomari, ayoko na. Itigil na natin ito. Hindi din naman tayo magiging masaya eh, lalo na hindi sila sasaya saatin." Malungkot na sabi ni Ally. Tumawa nang malakas si Jomari. I didn't expect this! Ally is here! At ang lalong ikinagulat ko, she made a word with Jomari. To what? To get what they want?!

"Wow, I can't believe that I'm hearing those words from you, Ally! Nakakaproud!" Sarcastic na sabi ni Jomari..

"You disappoint me, Ally! Traidor ka! Ang ganda ng usapan natin, sayo si Kyle at akin si Elle! Pero anong nangyari? Tumiklop ka Ally! Palpak ka!" Galit na galit na sabi ni Jomari.

"Hindi ako palpak, Jomari. Sadyang ayoko na kasi sobra na yung sakit na nararamdaman ko! Huwag mo na akong idamay dyan sa kagaguhan mo dahil hindi yan ikasasaya natin!" Lalong nag-iba ang awra ni Jomari. Lalong tumaas ang kaba ko. Ang bigat ng tension sa lugar nila, I must say.

"Anong sabi mo? Eh kung ikaw na lang kaya ang uunahin ko ah?!" Napatingin ako kay Jomari dahil sa sinabi niya. "W-what do you mean?!" Kinakabahang tanong ni Ally. Ngumisi nang nakakaloko si Jomari sabay labas nang baril.

I froze for a moment. What will I do?! I don't have any gun with me!

Napatingin ako sa tabi ni Ally. I cursed when I saw Elle's situation! D*rn it! I must save her! I can't afford to lose her again.

But how will I save her? What can I do to save her?! Sh.t Kyle! You better think of something!

Maya-maya pa'y biglang tumakbo si Ally and Elle. I saw Jomari's face got frowned then sheepishly smiled. He chased the two poor creatures running out for their lives from this devilish bastard!

I decided to follow them.. But my body got indurated when I heard a gunshot sound. I immediately roam my eyes around to see what's going on. I hid from the old and wrecked cabinet from the kitchen..

My jaw dropped and I feel like I was being splashed with so much cold water when I saw Ally lying on the floor and mouthed something to Elle that made her burst out into tears.

Few more seconds, Ally became unconscious and I heard Elle's calling her name. She's gone. Ally's gone.

I clenched my fists because of irateness. Elle ran when she heard Jomari's chanting for her.

Nasa likod ni Elle si Jomari and itinutok niya ang baril sa likod nito. I grabbed the baseball bat I saw from behind and immediately blew it on Jomari's hand making the gun shot at the wrong direction! Thankfully!

Sinuntok ko nang malakas si Jomari dahilan para matumba siya. "KYLE!" Sigaw ni Elle saakin. Agad ko siyang nilapitan at niyakap.

"Kyle I need to tell you something before it's too late! I know it's now or never so you better listen to me first!" Tarantang sabi ni Elle.

"Whatever it is, I know that already. Now let's go out first from this chaotic place para magamot ka." Kalmadong sabi ko sa kanya habang hinahaplos ang kanyang mukha.

"AT SA TINGIN NIYO BA HAHAYAAN KO KAYO?! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE HERE TOGETHER!!" Sabay tawa nang malakas ni Jomari. Tumaas ang galit ko at nilapitan ko siya at binigyan nang isang malakas na suntok. Hindi siya nagpatinag at gumanti rin siya saakin. Marahil ay dadanak ng dugo dito ngayon.

Natumba ako sa sahig at narinig ko ang sigaw ni Elle. Sinipa ko sa tiyan si Jomari nang makita kong naglalakad siya papalapit saakin. Tumayo ako at nagtuos kami sa pamamagitan nang suntok.

"Elle! Umalis ka na dito, habang may pagkakataon ka! Magtawag ka nang masaklolo upang madala ka sa ospital!" Utos ko sa kanya. "ANG INGAY MO TARANTADO!" Sabay pakawala niya nang sobrang lakas na suntok.

"But I can't leave you here! Jomari, ano ba! Itigil mo na to! Please!" Pagmamakaawa ni Elle kay Jomari.

"It's very nice to hear you plead, Elle. But it makes me upset you are pleading because of this sh.t!" Sabay sipa niya saakin nang malakas. Napaubo na ako nang dugo at sobrang sakit na nang tiyan ko.

"E-Elle, u-umalis ka na! I-iwan mo na ako d-dito!" Mahinang sigaw ko sa kanya. I saw her crying. God, I really hate to see her crying.

"I can't.." She mouthed. Napapikit ako nang tadyakan niya ako sa may likod ko. Tila lalo akong nanghina dahil doon.

I saw Elle grabbed something at ipinalo iyon kay Jomari. "D*rn you b*tch!" Jomari cursed.

"Let's go! Bilis!" Sabay alalay niya saakin. Hirap na hirap akong tumayo marahil halos paralisado na ang buong katawan ko dahil sa sobrang sakit.

"E-elle.." Lambing na tawag ko sa kanya. "Ssh. Stop talking. Kailangan nating umalis dito ngayon! We need to get rid from Jomari's chase!

"E-elle." Muli kong tawag sa kanya.. "I ---" I paused when we heard a siren from a gun.

"STOP THERE LOSERS!" Jomari hissed.. Huminto kami at natumba ako. Elle assisted me.

"Jomari tama na ano ba! Ano bang gusto mo?! Bakit mo ba to ginagawa ha?!" Elle yelled.

Jomari bursted into laughter.

"You really don't know, Elle uh?! Are you sure you really don't know?!" He sarcastically asked.

"You know the reason kung bakit ako nagkakaganito! I tried everything that I can for you to love me, Elle! Ginawa ko ang lahat! Inintindi kita, tinulungan kita sa paghihiganti mo dyan sa pangangaliwa nang hayop mong asawa! At ginawa ko ang lahat para kahit papaano'y mabawasan yang lungkot mo sa iyong mga mata at maibsan kahit kaunti yang sakit na nararamdaman mo, I did everything that I can, mapangiti man lang kita kahit kaunti!" I saw Jomari's pain in his eyes. He's doing all these nasty stuff because of his love for Elle...

"But what?! Si Kyle pa rin ang pinili mo! Siya pa rin ang mahal mo! Ganyan ka na ba ka-tanga para balikan mo siya ulit ah, Elle?! Ganyan ka na ba karupok para mahalin mo siya ulit?! Tapos eto ako, iiwan mo na lang sa tabi matapos mong pakinabangan ah?! F*ck you!" He cursed.

Itinutok niya ang baril kay Elle. Nervousness aroused in me..

"Sinasabi ko sayo, Elle! Kung hindi lang naman ako ang makikinabang sayo, might as well, hindi rin si Kyle ang makikinabang sayo! Goodbye, Elle!" Alam ko na ang pwedeng mangyari kaya I grab all the remaining strength in me and hugged Elle.

For the 3rd time around, we heard a siren from a gun. I faced Elle, uncertainty is very obvious in her face.

I stared at her and let off a genuine and sincere smile on my face.

"E-elle..." Palambing kong tawag sa kanya. "D-do you still remember the f-first time we met?" Malambing kong tanong sa kanya.

She didn't answer.. "God knows how thankful I was for meeting you that time. I prayed for you, and he gave me you amidst all the backlash we'd been receiving back then, y-you never gave up on us.." I started to cough.

"W-what are you saying, Kyle?!" She finally spoke.

"I-I'm very sorry for ruining your marriage, E-elle. I-I'm very sorry for breaking the v-vow I made for y-you. I-I'm very sorry that because of me, w-we lost our child.. I-i'm sorry for breaking you, E-elle.. I-I'm sorry." Tears began to fall from her eyes. I wipe it using my hand.

"S-stop crying, My Queen.." I humbly smiled at her.

"What a bravery decision you've made Kyle. You really amazed me. Don't worry, Kyle and Elle. I won't make you suffer any longer. I'll end it earlier." Elle hugged me and faced Jomari.

"If you'll kill him, might kill me as well." Elle said.

"W-what?! A-anong p-pinagsasabi mo, Elle?! Umalis ka dyan nang matapos na to!" Galit niyang utos.

"DON'T EVEN TRY TO MANIPULATE ME, JOMARI! I'M TELLING YOU THIS, KAHIT MABUHAY AKO, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU NEITHER GIVE A D*MN ABOUT YOU ANYMORE!" Galit na sigaw ni Elle.

"YOU SAVED ME, YOU HELPED ME RECOVER, YES. I KNOW THAT. AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT TO FORCE ME TO LOVE YOU BACK, IS A DIFFERENT STORY, JOMARI. I'M A MARRIED WOMAN BEFORE OUR PATHS MET. I HAVE A HUSBAND NAMED KYLE VILLAFUENTE AND I LOVE HIM D*MN MUCH! WE MADE VOWS IN FRONT OF GOD THAT EVEN IN DEATH, WE'LL STILL BE TOGETHER." Matapang niyang sabi kay Jomari.

"H-HUWAG MO KONG SUSUBUKAN, ELLE. IF YOU THINK THAT I CAN'T KILL YOU, THEN THINK AGAIN."

"NO ONES BOTHER TO STOP YOU, JOMARI. IF YOU WANT TO KILL KYLE, KILL ME ALSO. I DON'T WANT TO BREATHE THE SAME WITH YOU. AYOKONG MABUHAY PA NA PUNO NANG PAGSISISI SA AKING SARILI NANG NAKILALA PA KITA. TANDAAN MO TO, JOMARI. NOT EVEN IN MY TOMBSTONE, I WILL NEVER LOVE YOU."

"Y-YOU!!!" Sunud-sunod na alingasaw nang putok ng baril ang narinig ko.

Elle hugged me tightly. I heard her sobs.

"Don't cry. I'm just here. I will never leave you." Mahinang sabi ko and kissed her.

Nakarinig kami ng sirena ng pulis at maya-maya pa'y biglang nagsulputan ang mga pulis at agad na pinosasan si Jomari.

"Ihiga niyo na siya sa strecher nang madala na sa ospital." Rinig kong utos ng Police officer.

Few more minutes, I found myself inside of the ambulance..

--

ELLE

"Please lumaban ka, Kyle. Don't leave me. Please.." Pagmamakaawa ko. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa ambulance patungo sa malapit na ospital.

"Please, make it faster please. Drive more faster." Utos ko sa driver.

I felt Kyle's holding my hand more tightier. Napatingin ako sa kanya. He's smiling while looking at me.

"Y-you are so beautiful." He said sounding amazed.

"Please don't joke around. This is not the right time to kid around, Kyle.." Umiiyak kong sabi sa kanya. Umiling siya. Hirap siyang magsalita dahil may oxygen na siya.

"I'm not j-joking. Y-you are the most beautiful that has happened in my life. B-because of you, I-I enjoyed my life without a-any r-regrets and y-you showed me true love.." Muli niyang sabi. Lalo akong naiyak sa sinabi niya.

"We can make it, Kyle. You can make it. Sabay nating bubuuin muli ang kastilyong pinapangarap natin. Bubuuin nating muli ang pangarap na minsan nating pinangarap. Hold on to this, Kyle. Magpapakasal tayo ulit, hindi ba?! Kaya please.. Don't give up. Please..." Hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang kamay niya at walang tigil sa pagtulo ang mga luha ko.

"I-I'm sorry and I love you, Elle.." Mahinang sabi niya at bigla siyang pumikit..

"K-kyle.." Tawag ko sa kanya.. Ngunit walang sagot..

"K-kyle.." Lalong rumagasa ang pagagos ang luha mula sa mata ko. "Kyle please, hang on.. Please.." Tawag ko sa kanya.

I pat his cheeks but I saw his pale lips and pale face.. He's in deep sleep but with no response at all.

"W-WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY HUSBAND?! MEDIC W-WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Natatarantang tanong ko sa kanila. Without any word, bigla kong narinig ang flat line sound sa monitor na nakakabit sa kanya. "N-no.. This can't be.." Bulong ko.

"The patient is in asystole.. Charge into 200 joules!" Rinig kong sigaw ng doctor..

Itinabi ako ng medic at pinalipat ako ng upuan. A woman who is also a medic hug me..

"N-no.. My husband. No.." Bigla kong hagulgol. The doctor is trying his best to save my husband using any methods he knew.. But the monitor shows flatline.

"KYLE!!" Sigaw ko at kumalas ako sa yakap ng medic upang yakapin ang asawa ko..

--

Epilogue/Final chapter up next.

Let me know what you're thinking, feeling or opinions by commenting below. Please do rate and recommend this novel. Thank you :)