Ephemeral|✓

Prologue

Prologue
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"I want to sleep you with you tonight. Can I?" He hugged me from the back but not too tight. He's talking with his little voice, trying to get my attention.

"Hindi mo na kailangang magpaalam. Magugulat na lang ako na nandoon ka sa kama ko," kunwaring nagtataray na wika ko na siyang ikinasimangot niya. Hindi kasi muna ako natutulog kasama niya dahil ang likot niya. Oras na kumalas ako sa yakap niya bago matulog, ibabalik niya ang mga braso niya sa akin na animo'y aalis ako sa tabi niya.

He suddenly planted a soft kiss on my cheek and rested his chin on my shoulder, his gentle breath tickling my neck. Neither of us exchanged words for a while. We just listened to this comfortable silence.

"Why are you always grumpy these days, Azaleah?" he asked seriously. Umasim ang mukha ko dahil sa tanong niya. He really likes saying random things out of nowhere.

"Hindi, ah. Sadyang ang likot mo lang matulog kaya ayaw kong tumabi sa 'yo," pang-aasar ko sa kaniya. Umirap lang siya at muling ipinulupot ang mga braso sa aking baywang. "Suplada," he exclaimed and chuckled.

Hinigpitan niya lalo ang yakap sa akin hanggang sa naririnig ko na ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso niya. I smiled unconsciously because of his simple gesture. "Parang bata," puna ko at ihinilig ang ulo sa dibdib niya.

"Do you want to change our position? You can be my baby tonight, Azaleah." He playfully winked at me, leaving me flustered. Pinanlakihan ko ito ng mata at hinampas ang kaniyang dibdib. Medyo lumayo ito habang tumatawa-tawa pa.

"Fine, matulog ka na lang ulit sa kabilang kwarto. Hindi na kita guguluhin. Iyon naman ang gusto mo, tama?" he scoffed and looked away. Tumaas ang kilay ko at natawa ng bahagya. "Arte mo talaga. Oo na, hindi na kita aawayin. Matutulog na ako kasama mo," pagsuko ko na ikinaliwanag ng mukha niya.

He suddenly lifted me up and kissed me slowly. Palagi niya itong ginagawa tuwing masaya siya. This habit of him never died after a lot of years. "I love you," he said between our kiss. Instead of responding, I just deepened the kiss.

Being around him like this, I feel like I made a new world with only peace in it. He always ensured that I can count on him at all times. He always got my back, supporting me at anything.

"I love you too," wika ko matapos ng halik.

I still cannot believe.. that I became the rose that brought light to this prince's world.

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heartalicien