Love Until It Hurts (Monteverde Series 4)

27

Chapter Twenty Seven

William

            Nakasandal ako sa hamba ng pintuan ng kuwarto habang nakatingin kay Celine. Ang himbing ng tulog niya at hindi ko maiwasang hindi pagmasdan ang kagandahan niya. Kahit malaki ang pinagbago niya ay hindi pa rin non natakpan ang kagandahan niyang taglay. She became darker and her hair became shorter, she even earned a scar but still she looked beautiful... divine, even.

            Kapag naiisip ko na darating 'yung araw na mawawala siya sa akin ay nagsisikip ang dibdib ko. Hindi ko kakayanin. Napamahal na siya sa akin. At kahit na marami ang magalit, kahit may nasasagasaan, kahit may nasasaktan, ay hindi ko siya ibabalik. She's mine now. Ako ang kinikilala niyang asawa at wala ng iba.

            She stirred and moaned. Her forehead knotted and my heart started pounding against my ribs. Agad ko siyang dinaluhan sa kama bago pa siya magsimulang magsisigaw. Her nightmares are becoming frequent. Natatakot akong baka makaalala na siya. I am selfish because I don't want it to happen. I am selfish because I had been lying to her all this time when I told her that I wanted her to have her memory back.

            I don't. I want her like this. I want her clueless and docile. I want her as my wife.

            I want her... for myself.

            Nagmulat siya ng mata at yumakap sa akin bigla. She sobbed on my shoulders and I gave her a tight hug. Nasasaktan ako kapag nakikita ko siyang ganito. Pero hindi ko naman kayang sabihin sa kanya ang totoo. I can't risk losing her. She's better off not knowing.

            The truth hurts and I don't want to burden her with it.

            For as long as she stays with me, she will always be safe.

            "Hey, babe. Shhh." I kissed her head and rocked her. She continued sobbing and I can feel her nails digging on my back, but I ignored it.

            "William, natatakot ako! Nanaginip ako. M-may bumaril daw sa akin—"

            "No one's going to hurt you, Celine. I'll shield you from anyone who's willing to try." Hinaplos ko ng paulit-ulit ang likod niya at hinintay ko siyang kumalma. We stayed in that position for a few minutes and then she pulled free.

            "I'm safe with you, right?" inosente niyang tanong.

            "You are. I will always look after you."

            "Thank you."

            Yumakap siya uli sa akin at napilitan akong mapangiti. She is sweet and kind-hearted and everyday my guilt is burning me for all the lies I have stacked.

            Almost two years ago, I took her away because I wanted a fresh life. But I never thought that I would learn how to care for her, more so, fall for her. I never imagined that I would be captivated by her beauty. Such women should be banned from walking on earth. Because she could make men swoon with a mere blink of an eye.

            "Maaga pa, Celine. You can go back to sleep," I suggested. Tinignan ko ang orasan at nakitang mag-aalasais pa lang ng umaga. She shook her head and looked at me.

            "Tutulungan ko na lang si Manang na maglinis ng bahay. Aalis ka na ba?"

            I nodded.

            Nagpatayo ako ng isang maliit na kainan sa may bayan. Doon kami kumukuha ni Celine ng panggastos naming dalawa. Madalas ay nandito lang ako sa bahay, binabantayan siya dahil may mga tauhan naman ako ro'n. Tuwing Lunes ay bumibisita ako para siguruhin na maayos ang takbo ng negosyo.