Chapter 2

/Flashback/

Gulf is in a place that seemed like a private one. It was a beach. He looks around trying to find familiar faces when suddenly he heard a cry. He followed the voice and found a boy hugging his knees. He walks towards the kid slowly. He was shocked to see the kid's face when he looks at him.

He was a younger version of him. He's about to touch the kid when he heard someone.

"Kana, where are you, son?" The voice is somehow familiar and it brings warmth to his heart. The kid stands up and runs towards the voice.

"Mommy~"

"Oh, my baby. Why did you run? What if mommy didn't find you?" The mother pouts. Then the kid cupped his mother's face who is blurry and peppered her with kisses.

The sight was touching. Then, the woman looks up to him, and at that moment, the surroundings changed and turned from his point of view. They are hiding behind a big tree. He was crying.

"Shh, don't cry, son. I and your Dada will not let them hurt you," The woman said. Her face is clearer now and she's beautiful.

She positioned herself in defense when they heard someone is approaching.

"Dada!" the kid cried out.

"Honey" her mother exclaimed. The man hugged them both.

"Don't cry, baby boy. Kana is a big boy, right?" The man said cooing his son.

"Eung! Kana is a big boy but Kana is scared, Dada," The boy said trying not to cry.

"Sir, they are getting closer."  A man said. His voice is really familiar to Gulf.

"Alvic, I need you to take my wife and son somewhere safe." his dad said.

"No, honey. I won't leave you alone." The wife argued.

"Listen to me, hun-

"I said no! Till death do us part, remember? Alvic, please take Kana away. Make sure he's safe and hidden, please." She begged. Her husband can't do anything. They kissed and hugged their son for the last time. The young Kana is crying looking at his parents. He's stretching his hands to reach them. All he can see were the crying faces of his parents.

/Flashback ends/

"Mommy!"  Gulf screamed waking up from his dream. He is panting hard. Miko rushed to his side rubbing his back.

"Hey bud, it's okay. It's just a dream," He said calming him. Brent and Will came, hearing the scream.

"What happened?" Brent asked.

"Nightmare," Miko answered. Will handed Gulf a glass of water.

"You okay now?" Will asked. Gulf nodded and mumbled a thank you. He took deep breaths and then he noticed that he is in his room in their house.

"Mama" he remembered. "Where is she? She's okay, right?" Gulf is starting to have another breakdown.

His friends can't do anything but be there for him. "Gul-

"No, Miko. She's alive. She's not d-dead. It's just a dream," he choked on his sobs. Miko hugs him.

"Miko, mama is gone. Why? Why they always left me? First, it was Nat. Then Papa. Now my mama. Why? What did I do? Am I a bad-

"No, Gulf! Don't say that. You are nothing but a good son. So, stop it!" Brent yelled at him.

"Babe-

"No, Will. He needs to understand that it's not his fault," Brent said.

"Guppie, look at me. Brent is right. It's not your fault. You are the most loving son we have ever met. All the sacrifices you've done for her are the proofs," Miko said cupping his face.

"But why now? When she called me by my name, since Nat's passing? Why now? When she finally acknowledged me as me? W-why?" he asked crying.

"We don't know too. But I guess this can help you," Miko said handing a key to him.

"What's this?" he asked reaching for it with his trembling hand.

"The nurse gave it to us when you fainted. She said auntie wants you to have it," Miko answered.

"Do you have any idea what key is that for?" asked Will.

Gulf is staring at it. "It's for the treasure box in her drawer," he answered.

"Great. But you need to eat first before you check it," Brent told him.

++++++

The boys agreed to stay with Gulf. They went to the spare rooms while Gulf went to his Mama's room.

He felt his chest tightens entering the room. He slowly approached the bed and sits on it. He took out the key from his pocket. He stands up and opened the drawer.

He took the treasure box and went back to the bed putting it down. He inhaled deeply before opening the box. There he found a letter and with courage, he opened it.

My dear Gulf,

By the time this letter fell into your hands, it only means that I already left this world.

I am very sorry for all the heartaches that I caused you. It's not your fault that Nattalie died but I, I put the blame on you. I'm sorry that you didn't get to enjoy your life because of me. I'm sorry that because of my mental health, you were forced to be someone you're not.

Son, there are many things that you need to learn. But first of all, I want you to know that I love you very much and whatever you will learn after reading this letter, know that nothing of it was your fault. You are just a victim of this cruel world.

Gulf is confused about what his Mama is trying to tell him but he continues reading.

Gulf, you are not who you think you are. I know this might confuse you but you deserve to know everything about who you are. The real you.

You are not born as Gulf Lewis. Nattalie is not your twin. You are Kanatha Trion. You are the son of Derek and Alice Trion. You are their only child. The child, that needs to be hidden and protected. Your papa, Alvic, that's his real name, was your parents' trusted man. They asked him to hide you and to keep you safe.

Some people were and maybe still after your real family. The thing is, your family is involved in with mafia. Your grandfather is the leader of the biggest and most feared among the mafias. But your father doesn't want to involve you in that kind of world. He and your mother wanted you to have a normal family life that's why they left. But the enemies still targeted your small family.

Gulf's head starts aching and images flash in his mind even the scene in his dream. Despite his aching head, he continues reading.

Your parents might be dead or not. I don't know about it. But Gulf, you must not tell this to anyone. You can look for it if you want but be discreet about it. We don't know if there are still bad people looking for you. Inside the box, there is a necklace. It's yours. You and your parents are the only people who have this kind of necklace. For it was personally designed by your mother.

Gulf took the necklace out. It was beautiful. It's like a compass. The necklace is white gold. There's something engraved at the back. It's his real name's initials 'KT', he continues reading.

Don't let anyone see it. You can use it to prove your identity if you decided to look for your grandfather. But like I said, be discreet. This is all I know about your family. You might forget about them because of trauma. But I know, your heart will help you remember them and I wish that you find your family and be happy.

Guppie, once again, I am deeply sorry. I also wanted to thank you for loving me unconditionally that you chose to be someone else for my sake. But now that I am gone, you are free my son. You are free to be who you are. And don't blame yourself for anything that happened. I am to blame. I am weak to fight my illness and made you suffer.

I love you like my own but I failed to show it to you. You don't have to worry about mama. I will be with Nattalie and your papa Vic. We will be watching over you. Whatever storm you encounter, know that we are here for you. Maybe not in physical but in your heart. If it rains, you can think that it was us telling you that we miss you. With every touch of the wind to your skin, think that it's us hugging you. We are just here for you, son.

Be strong, my son. You are not alone. Be free and live your life the way you want it. You deserve happiness, so find it. Find someone who will be there for you every time. It doesn't matter who. If he or she makes you happy and feel complete, hold on to him or her.

I love you, son,

Mama

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Gulf finished reading the letter and just blankly staring at the wall. His tears are free falling. Right at that moment, his mind doesn't know what to think. His heart doesn't know what to feel. He has a lot to absorb. Standing from the bed, he went back to his room and keep the box safe in his cabinet. He then lie down on his bed and fell asleep. His body just gave up because of exhaustion.

His sleep is filled with lots of his childhood memories. Even in his sleep, he is crying. Morning came and he's already feeling drained after waking up. His friends already called their school to apply leave of absence for him even for just a couple of days. They approved it knowing his situation.

After staring at nothing for quite some time, Gulf got up and went to the bathroom not closing it, and just took something and did something that he never thought he will do...

taking his own life.