First Love

Hinila ako nung lalaking nag nga-ngalang Axl at dinala ako sa isang masikip na daan. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta pero nagpatianod ako sa kanya hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang spa. "Nasan tayo?" Nginitian niya ako atsaka hinubad ang suot niyang tsinilas.

"We're here in my favorite place." He said before dipping his feet on the water. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya without moving an inch. I don't know him so how can I trust him? "Something happened right?" Is he talking to himself?

"I am the president and I am also an empath so I can feel that you have a reason why you ask someone- a werewolf to be exact to remove your memories" He added. I just blinked my eyes while I'm listening to him since I have no idea what he's trying to point out.

He took a deep breath before he turned his face to me. "Do you want me to bring back your memories?" I tilted my head to the side when he asked me that question. Should I? Pero may part sakin na ayoko. I wanna stay like this I guess?

"If I really have a reason why I ask for this, it might be a mattering reason," I answered him. No other words escaped from my lips. All I just want is to stay away from everyone and yet, a kind hooman chooses to keep me company. "Are you sure?" I nodded my head. If what he said was right, why would I make a stupid decision without a valid reason?

"Okay then," He fished out a stick from his pocket and a light flickers there that surprises me. Is that...magic? "Would you like some food?" I'm hungry so I nodded my head again.

Mukhang mabait naman siya. He said he is the one that I'm looking for. But I don't remember anything that I'm into someone. I don't even recognize his face- or is this just an effect of what he said that I asked someone to take away my memories? I don't know. I don't wanna know.

He murmurs and a portion of food appears in front of my eyes. "Let's dig in."

We started eating like there's no tomorrow. A part of my neck still stings every time I move it but eventually feels better after. The foods are quite normal. It has rice, normal food like chicken, burgers as well. "Where am I?" Napatigil siya sa pagkain dahil sa tanong ko.

"You're in Parallel World."

"How did I end up here?"

"You are an exchange student. Do you want to hear a fact?" If that's an interesting fact, then yes.

"When I first lay my eyes on you, I know you have the ability to make things right. I entrusted you with one of my belongings hoping that it'll pique your interest and help someone who's in need of help and I wasn't wrong to trust you." I swallowed the lump in my throat when he moved closer to me.

"I wasn't wrong getting attached to you" He added.

"Attached?" I asked curiously. Tumango naman siya bago siya lumayo sa akin at ngumiti. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya without saying anything and just focus my attention with the food in front of me. "Do you want to go with me?" Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya habang kumakain.

"Am I too talkative?" He asked, laughing. "I'm sorry. I'm just so happy that I am able to reveal myself to you" I nodded my head as I finished my food first before I drank the cup of water in front of me and smiled.

"Where are we going?"

"To the place where I live"

Kung nasan ako kanina nong natagpuan niya ako, nandon rin kami ngayon. He blows a whistle with the use of his fingers and I almost jump in surprise when a griffin appears out of nowhere and it stops where I am.

"Are you ready to fly?" He hopped in first and extended his hand. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ko hinawakan ang kamay niya at sumasakay sa griffin niya. I carefully caressed its feathers amazingly.

First time kong sumasakay sa ganito.

Axl took my arms and wrapped them around his waist. He taps the neck of his griffin as it starts to fly and amusement starts to eat me up again. I feel like I'm flying in the sky and knowing that the gray clouds are within my reach give me butterflies.

"Be Careful not to encounter Manyeo, Jin." His griffin nodded. Lumipad ang griffin sa pinakamataas na parte ng kalangitan dahilan para higpitan ko ang pagka yakap sa bewang ni Axl.

Ngayon na nasa pinakamataas na kami, nahahawakan ko na yung mga ulap and heaven knows this is a dream come true. Watching clouds from afar gives me peace and now I'm touching them.

"Hindi ba sabi mo ikaw si Axl Ancient? Ang batang hinahanapan ko ng hustisya?" I asked. Naalala ko kasi yung sinabi niya nung nakita ko siya and It's making me curious why I am looking for justice for a young boy? "Yes."

"Bakit kita hinahanapan ng hustisya?" Axl removed my arms from his waist and turned to face me. "Because you think it's not fair, you think that there's foul play and yes, you are right." Talaga? Iniisip ko yon? Ang galing ko naman at naisip kong may foul play hehehe

"This necklace. I stole this from the palace." May kinuha siya galing sa damit niya atsaka ito ipinakita sa akin. I was about to touch it when he tapped my hand. "You can't touch this. Baka ano pang mangyari sa'yo." I nodded my head at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

"Ancient Palace" Napahawak ako sa dalawang balikat ni Axl kasi biglang lumiko ang griffin at lumipad pababa. I tilted my head and blinked my eyes when I glanced at him, staring at me, smiling. "Bakit?" He shook his head and gave me a soft caress on the cheeks.

He again leaned closer to me and I blinked my eyes when I felt his lips against mine. He didn't move, I didn't either. It took twenty seconds before he parted the kiss, placing his forehead on my forehead. "What-"

"I miss you. Sabi ni Uncle Rico babalikan mo ko after you left and you never did. I waited many years. Kahit nasa bilangguan ako, I waited for you in hopes that you would come back but you didn't come." Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang siya ay nakapikit at umiiyak.

"Hazel, you don't know how much I miss you." He mumbled in between his breath.

"Tapos malaman ko na ang balita tungkol sakin ay hindi man lang naka-abot sayo kasi hindi ipinadala ni Uncle Spencer sa mortal world ang balita. I feel devastated but he promised me that he will bring you back here, to the place where you were born and he didn't lie." Axl cupped my cheeks as he opened his eyes and smiled softly while I remained quiet.

He attached his lips to mine again but now it's only a blink of an eye. "Hindi na ako papayag na ilalayo ka nila sakin. Whatever happens." He smiled so I smiled back.

"What do you mean, I left?"

"You spend your 4 years in this world. We grew up together, we promised each other and you stole my first kiss. Then you left. When your parents died, I asked mom to tell Uncle Rico na ibalik ka dito, but Uncle Rico entrusted you with Jane. He promised he will bring you here until what happens, happens. I thought you would recognize me the moment you first saw me but I'm wrong" I blinked my eyes and frowned my brows softly before I closed my eyes.

I saw a lot of pictures when I closed my eyes but Axl covered my ears and tilted my head again. "Don't force yourself..... At least you are here now" He gave me a hug at kusa na lang gumalaw ang mga kamay ko at niyakap din siya pabalik.

"Welcome home..." He mumbled in his soft tone.

Axl keep on holding my hand the entire ride hanggang sa visible na sa amin ang isang malaki at malawak na palasyo, nakapalibot don ang isang malapad na kagubatan. Kinawayan ni Axl yung mga giants na nasa entrance at nag salute naman ang mga ito, tumuloy ang griffin ni Axl sa malaking space sa likod ng palasyo at lumapag.

"Dito ka nakatira?"

"Yes." My jaw dropped when I scanned the place. Tinulungan niya akong bumaba sa griffin niya and again, he holds my hand atsaka kami pumasok sa loob. "Ikaw lang ba nakatira dito?" He nodded to my question and smiled.

"I wanna show you something!" Nagpatianod na naman ako sa takbo niya na ngayon ay ikinapagod ko. Kanina pa kami takbo ng takbo at hindi ko alam kung nasaang parte na kami ng palasyo na ito. Tuwing tinatanong ko siya sagot niya parati ay, "Malapit na tayo" Kaya napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

We glide our body sa isang masikip na daan until we arrive at a room. "Where are we?" I asked, scanning my eyes with the furniture ahead of me. "In my room." I nodded my head at lumapit sa mga larawang nakapaskil sa pader.

"Take a seat." He said pointing to his bed. Wala na akong magawa kundi ang sundin siya. He fished out his wand again, mumbling a spell, napahawak ako sa unan na nasa kama niya nang magliparan ang mga libro at umikot-ikot katulad ng isang ipo-ipo.

"Album...." He hummed, brushing his hand in the air at umikot na naman yung mga libro. "Uhm- Found it!" Napatakip ako sa tenga ko pagkatapos mag bagsakan ang mga libro sa sahig. I heard a soft chuckle coming from him. "Sorry about that, wait." He fished out his wand again pointing each book placing it back in its places.

Umupo si Axl sa tabi ko pagkatapos niyang ayusin ang mga ibang libro at binuklat ang hawak niyang photo album. "These were my photos when I was a baby" He flipped the page and smiled. He pokes the nose of the girl beside him and I feel itchy in my nose that makes me sneeze.

"Sorry!" Natatawa na sabi nito at pinigil ang pagpo-poke sa ilong nung babaeng nasa tabi niya. "That's me I conclude" He nodded. "We are so cute" He take the photo from the album and caress the background of the photo baka pangigilan na naman niya yung mukha ko at bumahing na naman ako.

"My mom is a close friend of your mom. Una akong ipinanganak tapos ikaw kaya naman naging close tayong dalawa." He tell na ikinatango ko. "We always play in the forest everytime bibisita kayo, we will play with my griffins and you are always amused when I show you magic." I smiled.

Gumalaw kasi yung picture naming dalawa at parang isang recorded video. Nakita ko don na naglalaro nga kami katulad nung kinuwento niya. "Bakit ko 'to nakalimutan?"

"Tita Rowena and Tito Ronald clan need to do something for your safety." His voice cracks while he is flipping the album. "Pagkatapos ng malaking digmaan, naging target ni Hideux si Tita Rowena, your mom. That's why kinakailangan niyong umalis dito sa Parallel World" Malungkot niyang sabi.

"Kahit labag sa loob ko na umalis ka, wala na akong nagawa. Hinatid kayo ni mom sa estation ng train while me, I stayed here in this room." He rubs his nose at may kinuha na namang picture kaya doon napunta ang atensyon ko while I'm also trying to recall the memory he spoken.

"Nang maka-alis kayo. Narkanda leche-leche na ang Parallel World. Everyone thought that Hideux is dead after Tita Rowena killed him but they are all wrong because someone wakes the dead, Uncle King." Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa unan nang biglang sumakit ang ulo ko. "A-are you okay?"

"Yes.. go on"

"Are you sure?" I nodded my head.

"Nang mabuhay si Uncle Winston, he adopted a girl and named her Emerita. I got close to Emerita with Victor, and Walter kasi mga bata pa kami before. 3 guys, 1 girl." Natatawa na sabi nito. Tumingin ulit ako kay Axl hawak-hawak ang masakit kong ulo. Hindi ako maka concentrate sa pinagsasabi niya dahil sa sakit ng utak ko.

"If you read my journal, I wrote everything there. Akala ng lahat, patay na ako but no. I'm alive at nagmamasid lang. I change my posture, my hair para walang makakilala sa akin maliban kay Uncle Spencer at Keith." Napahawak ako sa braso ni Axl at ipinikit ng madiin ang mga mata ko.

"What's wrong?"

"Journal?"

"Take it easy. Huwag mo ipilit alalahanin ang lahat. May 16 hours ka pa" He places his hand on my forehead and I heard him mumbles a spell to ease the pain. "Okay ka na ba?" I gently nodded my head, he placed my head on his shoulder and patted my back.

"Do you want to hear more?" I nodded my head.

"So ang tanging nakakaalam lang ng pagkatao ko kay si Uncle Spencer at Keith. I plan The Thief of Golden Scheme dati pa because when they put me in jail, they took my necklace but anyone who dares to touch my necklace got an electric shock that's why they place this in the castle. Here, in this place."

"In this room?"

"No, baby. Sa 2nd floor." I nodded my head. Ewan ko ba, hindi ako na awkward nung tinawag niya akong baby kinilig pa nga ako. Jusko ano bang nangyari sakin? Hindi naman ako ganito dati.

He caresses my hair again. "I stole the necklace, and I laughed because Victor didn't have any idea that I did it. I think hindi pumasok sa isip niya na once a stranger tries to touch The Golden Scheme, they will receive an electric shock." So that's why he doesn't want me to touch the necklace. I nodded my head.

"I see..."

"Oh! Before I forgot, Here's a photo of Hideux. Ito yung hinahanap mo dati pa." Tumayo na naman siya sa higaan at naglalakad papuntang likuran ko tapos may hinanap don. He came back with a photograph and gave it to me.

"He is?"

"Winston Hideux." Hinarap niya ang picture and my eyes squinted familiarizing the man. "I don't know him..."

"That's a good thing." Ngumiti si Axl at kinuha ang kamay ko. He placed the photo in my palm and closed them. "Keep it."

"Your parents? Diba sabi mo close ang mom ko at mom mo? Where are they then?" I asked. "My mom died because of poisoning. My dad died because he was sentenced to death." Napatingin ako sa kanya at napakurap ng mata.

"I'm sorry..."

"For what?"

"For your loss" Ngumiti si Axel at hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi ko.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Love. Wala kang ginawa" Nakatitig lang ako sa mga mata niya habang sinasabi niya yung mga yon sa harapan ko. "Don't be sad, okay?" I heaved a sigh before I nodded my head.

"Do you want to know who killed my mom?"

"Who?" Axl smiled. "Uncle King did." Pinabayaan ko siyang hawakan ang kamay ko kasi nakadungo lang siya ngayon. "Uncle Spencer, Uncle King, and Mr. Arson planned it" Trinace niya ang mga daliri ko atsaka ngumiti.

"They killed my mom and threw blame at me." I frowned. "Kaya ka nakulong?" Axl nodded his head.

"Masama silang tao?" He nodded his head again. "But without Uncle Spencer's help. Patay na sana ako ngayon as Mr. Arson told the judge to sentence me to death just like my father" Axl said, laughing. Ang dilim ng dinanas niya. Paano niya nakayanan ang mga yon? Grabe

"Kinopkop ako ni Uncle Spencer, he let me study in COY atsaka trumansfer sa Rogue when I'm turning SHS. He always gives me updates about you kasi doon ka daw nag-aaral sa Blanche, he gave me pictures of you kuha ng school na nakapublished sa social media." Nakangiting sabi ni Axl bago ako dinapuan ng tingin.

He again caressed my cheeks. "Your smiles motivate me every single day. Tama nga yung sinabi nila, you can forget your 2nd, 3rd, 4th love, but not your first love"

***

Hinatid ako ni Axl sa lugar kung saan kami nanggaling kanina. "I'll go ahead. See you tomorrow, Hazel." He said, he left a kiss again on my lips before he flew away. Nakatingin lang ako sa griffin na sinasakyan niya hanggang sa nawala na sila, I unconsciously place my finger on my lips and my lips curved a smile on its own.

I don't know where to go.

Hindi ko kasi matandaan ang daan kanina kaya naman nagtungo nalang ako don sa spa na pinuntahan namin ni Axel. Nakatingin lang ako sa pool habang dinidip ang paa ko don at dinaramdam ang malamig na tubig sa paa ko.

I stayed there for a long time until my attention got snatched by someone who sat in front of me. Yumuko ako at nilaro ang paa ko sa tubig. "Hazel?" I tilted my head when he called my name and blinked my eyes curiously.

"Do you remember me?" Who is he even?

"No."

Napayoko siya dahil sa sinagot ko but I remain still. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya until he recovers and gave me a soft smile. "Should I introduce myself?" I shrugged my shoulders, keeping my eyes intact with his.

"I'm Victor Rough, you meet me at the train station when you arrive here." He swallowed his saliva before he heaved a sigh. "I'm so sorry for what I did to you yesterday, I didn't mean it." My brows frowned deeply.

"Anong ginawa mo sa'kin?"

"As much as I want to, ayoko na siyang pag-usapan pa as it's so embarrassing and I'm such an asshole for talking kind of shits towards you." Ano kaya ang ginawa niya? Nakayoko lang kasi siya eh tapos hindi ko pa makita kung sincere ba siya sa paghingi ng tawad or para lang matandaan ko siya? Hindi ko alam.

"Sinaktan mo ko?"

"So much."

"Gago ka pala eh"

"I know..." Ipinako ko na ulit ang tingin ko sa tubig na nasa harapan ko at napakamot sa batok ko. Sabi ni Axl may oras pa raw bago bumalik ang ala-ala ko. Sana all diba?

"Gusto mo na bang bumalik sa dorm mo or gusto mo munang kumain?" Napakamot ako sa kilay ko dahil sa tanong niya at ngumiti. "May dorm dito?" He nodded his head which made me make a face. "Ahh... dorm nalang, inaantok na din kasi ako" Tumayo siya galing sa gilid ng pool kaya tumayo na din ako sa sinuot ang sapatos ko.

"Let's go? Oishi is worried about you"

"Sino si Oishi?"

"Your Uncle." May uncle ako? Dito sa school or lugar na'to? "Yes, you have an uncle here and he calls you insan" Ohh... Does he mean that guy who came to me earlier and then gave me a hug? I see...

Nauna siyang maglakad kaya sumunod na din ako at tumingin sa paligid. Iginala ko ang tingin ko sa kalangitan at sa mga puno at hallway na nadadaanan namin. May bumabati sa akin pero hindi ko sila kilala kaya tinatalikuran ko nalang sila at sumunod sa lalaki.

"Ano ulit pangalan mo?" Napayoko na naman yung lalaki dahil sa tanong ko at huminga ng malalim. "Victor" I nodded my head and beams a smile.

"Salamat, Victor." Ngumiti si Victor sa akin at tumango. "Do you want me to come with you inside?" Binuksan ko ang pinto ng sabi niyang kwarto ko at tumingin sa kabuuan nito.

"'Wag na. I can handle myself." Pumasok na ako sa loob ng kwarto ko and was about to close the door but he stopped the door from closing with his hand.

"I'm sorry again." Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya at ngumiti. "Sige, matutulog na ako ah?" Tumango si Victor bago niya inalis ang pagkaharang ng kamay niya sa pinto at bumuntong hininga. Sinara ko ang pinto at nagtungo sa kama ko para magpahinga.

I unconsciously touch my lip again and close my eyes, hoping to have a dream about my past. Makakaalala na kaya ako bukas? Sana...

Binuksan ko ang mata ko para kumuha ng ballpen at papel. Sinulat ko dun yung mga nalaman ko tungkol kay Axl kasi diba nga sabi niya, siya daw yung batang hinahanapan ko ng hustisya at may dahilan kung bakit nawala ang ala-ala ko? Kung bumalik man ang ala-ala ko bukas, hahanapin ko 'to.

I am Axl Ancient's, first love. First love never dies nga.

This story is not perfect and might have grammatical and spelling errors ahead.