A Fleeting Moment (Affliction Series #7)

Chapter 14

"Elizabeth, I know we got married out of responsibility, not love. You were mad at me for taking away your freedom. You were confused why I said yes and married you. I got you caged beside me for the rest of our lives without telling you the reasons why. I know I was being selfish. I still am. But right now, in front of God, I want to tell you that I am sorry. I am sorry for causing you too much trouble, for being an asshole, for hurting and confusing you. But just so you know, I am not letting you go. You will be my Mrs. De Guzman until our hair turns gray. You will be my wife until we can barely say our name. Let me love you for eternity because babe, I am in love with you... through sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better and for worst... until death do us part, I love you."

Napangiti ako sa naalala. It was Ekaris' vow. His promise of love for me. And that day, I said it too. I told him the three magical words.

"I love you too."

And we sealed our promise to each other with a kiss.

It's been a month since the cute wedding ceremony in the village's chapel happened. It was one of the best moments I had shared with Ekaris and it never left my mind again. Minsan napapangiti na lang ako bigla kapag naaalala 'yon. Pakiramdam ko tuloy totoong naikasal ako sa kan'ya sa simbahan.

"Babe," masuyong tawag sa akin ni Ekaris habang nagluluto ako.

Lumapit siya saka ako niyakap mula sa likod.

"Babe, I'm cooking," suway ko sa kan'ya.

"Hmm. I'm having a hubby-wifey time here," aniya saka hinalik-halikan ako sa balikat.

"Ekaris, nakikiliti ako!" angal ko at napaigik nang kagatin niya ang isang bahagi roon.

Bigla naman niyang pinatay ang stove saka ako pinaharap sa kan'ya.

Binigyan ko lang siya ng isang walang ganang tingin. "What is it ba?"

Napanguso siya na parang bata saka mas hinigit ako papalapit sa kan'ya. Ramdam na ramdam ko tuloy ang mainit niyang katawan lalo na't wala siyang suot na pang-itaas.

"Naging successful ang launching namin ng bagong branch ng business ko, wife," aniya.

"I know. I was there with you last night when it happened," I pointed out.

"At ngayon lang ulit tayo nagkaroon ng oras para sa isa't isa. I just want some time with my gorgeous wife."

Pakiramdam ko namula bigla ang aking tenga sa sinabi niya.

"You are such a smooth talker," saad ko.

Napangiti siya saka bumaba ang tingin sa labi ko. Saglit niya iyong tinitigan saka ginawaran ng isang mabilis na halik.

"I missed you," sambit niya bigla.

Hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti rin sa sinabi niya. Naging busy siya nitong nakaraan para sa pagbubukas ng bago niyang business at naging successful iyon kagabi. Bagama't nagkakasama kami sa umaga, halos hindi na kami nagpapang-abot sa gabi. Sobrang late na kasi siya umuuwi.

"I missed you, too."

"Really?" nakangisi niyang tanong.

"Really."

Muli niya akong ninakawan ng isang mabilis na halik.

"Since you missed me, you should be giving me some loving."

Tiningnan ko siya na para bang lumaki bigla ang kan'yang ulo. "Some loving?"

Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong buhatin. Wala akong nagawa kundi ipulupot ang aking braso sa kan'yang leeg at ang aking dalawang paa naman sa baywang niya. Lumabas siya sa kusina kaya muli ko siyang nilingon.