Chapter 22：His Home

Sheloah looked at Veon, who was now vulnerable in his emotions. Veon's pistol fell on the floor as he ran towards his parents, lying dead on the floor.

"Pa, ma, I'm sorry…"

He was crying uncontrollably, gasping between breaths.

'Veon, I'm sorry…'

Veon looked desperate and depressed. "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Sheloah started crying as well. She could not bear seeing Veon like this. She never saw him like this. She held her chest as she felt her heart break into pieces.

"If I was here earlier, I would've… I could've…" Veon knelt on the ground and Sheloah approached him. She put her hand on his back, comforting him. "I'm so sorry…"

He carried his father on his right arm, and his mother on his left. He hugged them tightly as he cried like a child, rocking his body back and forth.

"I love you, ma… pa..."

Sheloah just let Veon be for a long time. She allowed him to be vulnerable in his emotions.

She thought of what could happen if ever she did not follow him. He would not be forced to kill his parents if ever she was not around.

But what if she was not really around? What would Veon do?

Sheloah closed her eyes. She could not think about it—she stopped herself from thinking about it. Knowing Veon, she knew he would've chosen to die with his father and mother.

She felt half relieved to have followed him.

Veon slowly put his parents down. He stood up, got a blanket, and covered both of their bodies. He got their family picture from the end table and placed it beside his parents.

Veon looked at his parents one last time before he looked back. A paper on the floor got his attention when he saw his parents' familiar handwriting. He picked it up and started reading it.

It was a letter from his parents.

Dear Veon John Narvasa,

Dear… don't you know that we're so proud of you? You are our youngest child. Protect your sisters if ever they are also in this situation. Reach out to them. I know that even though you're far from them, you are capable of protecting them.

You are smart, Veon. We know that because you are our child. You are a fast learner. We've been watching over you for a very long time and we know your future shows promise. You will be a very successful person. You will be a good head nurse.

Don't ever think that we won't watch over you. We will… here in heaven.

If ever you read this letter, maybe we won't be the person we once were. But even then, we just want to let you know that we love you very much. We just apologize in advance that we won't be able to walk with you.

Just continue what you're doing even in this situation. Leave a little bit of hope for yourself, and for others. Strive to live and keep moving forward and don't ever look back!

Just know that no matter where you go, we will watch over you.

We love you so much, anak[1]… always remember that.

--Pa and Ma

After Veon and Sheloah read the letter, he slowly sat on the floor as he cried once more, embracing the letter tightly against his chest. Sheloah hugged him, allowing Veon to cry on her shoulder.

"They love you, Veon. I know they will watch over you," she said as Veon continued crying, Sheloah caressing his back to comfort him.

They sat like this for a moment until Veon broke Sheloah's embrace.

He looked at Sheloah, a little embarrassed. "Let's go."

They stood up and Sheloah was taken aback when Veon took the lead, holding Sheloah's hand as they left. They were now leaving the place which he used to call…

His home.

They already entered the car and Veon started driving. Sheloah looked outside the window and noticed that it was already late at night, the moon full and at its brightest.

Sheloah looked at the boy beside him. He still looked sad and Sheloah looked worriedly at him. She started singing silently.

"Hold on… to me as we go

As we roll down, this unfamiliar road

And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone…

'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home"

She rested her head on Veon's shoulder as she continued singing. She was trying to comfort him; telling him that he has her and the others.

"Settle down, it'll all be clear

Don't pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you could always be found

Just know you're not alone…

'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home"

Sheloah wanted him to know that they will always be here to back him up. She wanted him to know that even if he gives up, they will always be there to snap him out of it. He won't be alone—he will never be alone.

Don't pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you could always be found

Just know you're not alone…

'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home"

Sheloah hummed the rest of the song as Veon drove their way back to school.

She then promised herself that she won't ever leave Veon as he was a very important person in her life. Now that Veon had experienced a great struggle, she vowed to be with him in facing them head on.

She realized that Veon was not only her important friend. She only remembered her feelings now.

Sheloah held her chest as she looked at Veon dearly.

She had long fallen for him.