[A year later...]
I put down the flowers on his grave, wiped out some bits of soil covering his name engraved on it.
Innov Ymerson Kastle Consuelo
"It's been a year. I missed you, my annoying brother." I said, smiling.
"And you missed some ice cream here..." I felt a hand wrapped around my waist.
I chuckled at what Yukenzo said. He's standing beside me, hands inside his pockets. He looked breathtakingly handsome in his dark blue v-neck shirt and faded jeans by the way, and he become taller than me, like way too tall than before. While I'm here, seemed stuck with my previous height those past years.
"We missed you, Innov. I hope you're happy there..." I looked down and sighed.
Because I know your life here isn't that happy at all. Days after he died, we discovered that he failed the examination, the semester. He didn't make it to the top 10 and he hid it from us. Maybe because he thought it would be a burden to us so he kept it by himself. That explains why he looked different that time, his smiles seemed force and his eyes screams too much sadness.
It pained my heart even more. I should've been there for him. I should have stayed. I should have comfort him. Like what he did for me, always, everytime I'm not in the mood. But he didn't let us know.
He's too selfless and I hate him for that.
I wiped the tears escaped from my eyes."I hate that you needed to cover me. I hate that you're always saving me everytime I'm in trouble. I hate it! God, Innov, I still can't accept it..."
"Shh... it's not your fault. Everyone's ready to cover you up, to save you, Vanez." Yukenzo made me face him. He wiped my tears with his thumb.
"What's so important about me anyway?" I asked while staring at his calm face.
He stared back."You're more than special.  Like more than enough..."
I bit my lip and nodded. He cupped my face and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. I love him and I want to love him right this time, more expressive and pure. I love him too much that I'm ready to depend myself on him.
Weeks after Innov's grave transferred here, Aunt Sharon and Dad flew to States. Because Aunt didn't take it easy, she needed a diversion. She's depressed and all of us were on a hard time accepting the truth that one of us was gone.
And Akira? She become muted in the mental institution, she can't move properly anymore, too, according to the nurses, she turned into open eyes but lifeless body. She literally ruined her life. She let her insecurities consumed her.
Azelyn's grave transferred from their hometown after her parents knew about what happened to their only daughter. It was heartbreaking to see how they kept and loved her and in the end, they will just see her cold body. That's the most heart shattering moment a parents could experienced.
It was so hard for all of us but that's life, right? That's reality. Even how difficult it is, we still forced ourselves to move on. Slowly, we learned to accept the painful truth. Because that's part of life.
We accept and we forgive.
When we accept, we'll be free. When we forgive, we'll be content.
Rocelia and Vencie finally got married last month and they are now expecting a baby! Of course, we're all happy for them. They're such an amazing couple. They truly deserved each other. We attended their wedding and it was a wholesome. She's so blooming and too inlove with her husband. I can tell that just by looking at her eyes, on how she stares at him and it was a likewise. Vencie looked genuine and pure to her. I'm so happy they finally found their way home.
I wonder if when will I find our way home, too?
I chuckled by my silly thoughts. The sun rays were already hurting my skin so, I told Yukenzo we are going back now.
"Goodbye, brother. We'll visit you again soon." I bid before I turn my back.
Yukenzo held my elbow while joining my walks. We're few distance near his Sedan when he stopped, so I stopped, too.
"What's the matter?" I asked curiously.
"Wait here." He just told and removed his hands off me.
My forehead creased."Why?"
"It will just take minutes. Wait for me here. 'Kay?" He gave me his mysterious smile.
I let him then. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, watching him go to his car. God, he's being weird since earlier and I do not know why. What's happening to this guy?
"Yuki, what's that, really?" I asked impatiently.
But he just laughed. Ugh! This is crazy. Why can't he just tell me?
My lips pursed after seeing him walked out there. He came back in front of me and handed me something.
"A purse?!" I stared at the purse he gave me, confused at all."What's with this?" I looked up to him again.
His boyish smile flashed."My gift for you."
His gift for me? What the?
"Wait. I don't remember any occasion happening today." My eyes squinted at him.
He touched his lower lip, trying to hide his wide smile. Goodness! This isn't funny!
"Just open it, love." He commanded.
"Okay..."
I followed then. I unzipped the purse and I saw a single red velvet small box. I don't know what should I react. I remained staring at it then, I looked at him again. He tilted his head.
"W-what's the meaning of this?" I feel like my heart wants to explode by now.
He took only the box from me and handed me the purse back. I remained silent with my trembling hands. He slowly, knelt as he opened the box on bended knees. I blinked as tears pooled in my eyes.
"I know this isn't the appropriate place to do this and I'm sorry if I'm not totally prepared with this but I don't think I can wait for this any longer. I can't endure watching you cry because of too much pain, it hurts me more..."
"Yukenzo..." I can only uttered, smiling because I find him too cute.
"I want to make you happy every single day, stay with every dark times and see you every morning comes. Please, let me... let me do it. Share the pain with me, all of it..." tears were visible in the corner of his eyes.
I nodded repeatedly, sobbing.
"Talk, please..." he demanded and I laughed a bit.
"Of course! I'll marry you, you silly idiot!" He slid the ring to my finger. It perfectly fits. I grabbed his hair and kissed his lips.
He slowly stood up without breaking the kiss. I'm the one who broke it first to catch some air. He looked so happy as he hugged me. I can feel the race of his heart.
"Thank you, my own bad girl..." he chuckled softly.
I smiled."Well, not anymore..."
He faced me and stared."Yeah... I love you so much, my future wife."
I felt my wild heartbeat.
"I love you even more, my future husband..." I tiptoed to kiss him again. I felt him smiled but accepted my kiss eventually.
His personality wasn't not on my list of type, as in never. But then again, my heart chose him. I found him in the middle of my rebellion. He taught me a lot of things and lessons for keeps.
Now, I'll love him the way he deserved. Because that's one of the things he taught me, to love without asking for exchange. I will love him right. I finally found my way home and it's him. I'm gonna be a good wife and a mother to our future child.
The bad girl is now sweetly signing off.
END