Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Hinayaan ko nang makampati ang sarili ko matapos ipaalala at iparamdam sa akin na hindi ako dapat mabahala sa presensiya ni Shannen.

He promised that he will do everything for our twins to like me. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Alam kong matatagalan pa bago nila ako matanggap. I'm willing to wait for whatever it takes me.

I woke up with Terrence sleeping soundly beside me. Napangiti ako nang matitigan ang gwapong mukha niya. His thick and long eye lashes were dramatically caressing the skin under his eyes.

Mapula rin ang mga labi niya at kahit sa tingin lang ay halata nang malambot. One thing I like about his lips is it never gets dry.

I don't know but he never uses anything on his face but he still manages to look fresh. Kahit sa tuwing makikita ko siyang pagod noon, hindi 'yon nahahalata sa mukha niya.

"You know it's rude to stare, right?"

Kumurap kurap ako nang marinig ang namamaos na boses na 'yon ni Terrence. He slowly opened his eyes and met mine. Namumungay pa ang mga ito at halatang inaantok pa.

"Good morning." alanganing bati ko.

Noon naman ay malaya ko siyang natititigan at kahit pa mahuli niya ay baliwala lang sa akin. Pero ngayon, abot-abot ang hiya ko na naaabutan niya ako sa ganoon.

Maybe because I have become too insecure since I started having this cancer. Lahat ng lakas ng loob, kompyansa at tapang ko ay tila parang bula na naglaho. Hindi rin nakatulong na sa isang Monasterio ako may koneksyon.

Terrence lifted his hand and gently caressed my cheek. He was eyeing me intently as if he was trying to find out what was running on my head.

"Morning. You didn't sleep properly."

Umiling ako. "Nakatulog ako nang maayos. Gusto ko lang talaga gumising nang maaga at ipagluto ang mga bata ng almusal."

A warm smile etched on his lips. "They will like it for sure. I can still remember how good you are at cooking."

Natawa ako. "Sa States, kapag wala akong ginagawa, pagluluto ang pinagkakalibangan ko. Kami lang rin ni Ruth ang kumakain ng mga niluto ko."

"Can you still eat your favourites though?"

"Not anymore. But it's alright. I can discipline myself. As long as those rules will prolong my life, then I'm willing to follow."

Hindi siya sumagot at nanatili lang akong pinagmamasdan. Minsan, tinatanong ko ang sarili ko kung ano kaya ang tumatakbo sa isip niya sa tuwing nakikita niya akong walang buhok.

"I badly want you to share your burden with me, Priscilla. I don't like you keeping them all to yourself."

Malungkot akong ngumiti at tumungo sa mga hita ko.

"Just no more burdens for us, Terrence. Sapat na sana ang mga naranasan ko noon. I just want us to live happily with the kids."

I lifted my gaze and met his dark eyes.

"We sure will," he said with assurance. "Just don't leave us like that again. It scares me, Priscilla. Losing you... will always be my greatest fear."

Umunat ang labi ko para sa isang matamis na ngiti. Bahagya akong yumuko at ipinulupot ang mga kamay sa leeg niya. I placed a soft kiss on his cheek and embraced him lightly.

"Thank you. It would never be enough no matter how many times I tell it to you. Hayaan mo akong bumawi sa inyo ng mga bata."

"Hmm..." He chuckled and wrapped his arms around my body. " You'll start it by cooking for us?"