Until Forever (Published!)

Chapter 46

Nabitawan ni Mia ang hawak na kubyertos nang biglang umikot ang kanyang paningin. Sinubukan niyang saluhin ang tinidor, but it was too late. Nahulog iyon sa mesa at lumikha ng ingay.

"Are you okay, hon?" Kaagad na lumapat sa balikat ni Mia ang palad ni Micheal, concern was printed on his handsome face.

Pinilit niyang ngumiti. Lihim na nagpasalamat na tumigil ang pag-ikot ng kanyang paningin. "I'm okay. Nahilo lang ako sandali."

"Here, drink this." Inabot nito ang isang baso ng tubig na kaagad naman niyang ininom. "Napagod ka ba kanina? I'll get an additional nurse. You don't need to stress yourself, Mia."

"Wala ito, Micheal. At hindi mo kailangang kumuha nang dagdag na nurse. Kaya kong alagaan ang Mama. Nandiyan naman sina Karina at Rosalie. At ikaw mismo." Binigyan siya ng katulong ng bagong kubyertos. "This is not a big deal." Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagkain.

Pagkatapos siyang titigan nang matagal ay ipinagpatuloy na rin ni Micheal ang pagkain. "Saan mo gustong mamasyal bukas?" tanong nito maya-maya.

"Mamasyal?" she absentmindedly echoed.

"Yes. You look pale. Siguro dahil ilang araw ka nang hindi nakakalabas ng bahay. Going out will be a good idea."

She shook her head. "Ayokong lumabas, Micheal. I don't want to be away from my mother."

"It will only be for a few hours, Mia. It won't do any harm," he insisted.

"Okay, ikaw ang bahala," she sighed her agreement. Alam niyang hindi titigil ang asawa hanggat hindi siya pumapayag sa gusto nito.

She hurriedly went inside their bedroom when the dinner was over. Si Micheal ay pinuntahan si Karina at kinausap. And she was thankful for that. She needed some time while her husband was away. She was not feeling well, and she needed to drink her medicine. Buti na lamang at may natitira pa siyang gamot sa kanyang bag.

She changed into a night dress after she took the medicine. Then, she lay on the bed and fell asleep while she was waiting for Micheal.

"Diyan tayo pupunta?" tanong nito. Itinuro ni Mia ang mataas na bahagi ng lupain kung saan gusto niyang mamasyal sila ng asawa.

"Yes," Micheal answered crisply. "The view is scenic there. Mas maganda pa kesa rito sa palibot ng mansion." He was already excited to show her his favorite spot.

"But, Micheal..." tila nag-aalangan nitong wika. She took a deep breath. "Hindi ako umaakyat ng bundok. Hindi ko kaya. Madali akong mahapo."

He beamed her a smile. Inabot niya ang asawa at ipinulupot ang mga kamay sa baywang nito. He pulled her to him. "Don't worry," he whispered softly as he gazed at her beautiful face. Gusto niyang pawiin ang pag-aalala sa mukha nito. "I'm here for you. You have one hell of a strong husband. You can ride on my back-"

"Mabigat ako, Micheal-"

"Hon," malambing na putol niya. "Nakikita mo ba 'to?" He flaunted his biceps to her. "Mas malakas pa yata ako kaysa sa kalabaw. I can carry you without a sweat."

An amused smile broke on her face. Her hesitation disappeared. "Sinabi mo 'yan ha," she quipped.

Mas lalong lumapad ang ngisi niya. "Of course, I know what I'm doing, hon," maagap na sagot niya. "Hindi ko ipapasubo ang sarili ko sa isang bagay na hindi ko kayang gawin."

"Ay!!!" Tumili si Mia nang bigla na lamang ay pangkuin niya ito.

"See?" his eyes were twinkling in amusement when he spoke. "Kayang-kaya kitang buhatin."

"Oo na," natatawa nitong sang-ayon. "Mas malakas ka na kaysa sa kalabaw."

Pilyo lamang siyang napangiti. "We will actually have a piggy-ride, hon," wika niya habang maingat na pinakawalan ito. "Aangkas ka sa likod ko. Mas madali yun kaysa buhat-buhat kita sa mga braso ko habang umaakyat tayo sa bundok."

"Oo na po," natatawa pa ring sambit ng asawa niya. "Pumapayag na ako."

And he loved looking at her. He loved the glow of happiness that was painted on her face. Muli niya itong inabot. He claimed her lips in a possessive kiss. But it was just quick. "Huwag mo na ulit akong i-po po, okay? I'm not yet old. Malakas na malakas pa ang tuhod ko," pilyo niyang wika rito.

Iningosan lamang siya ni Mia.

"Okay," he snapped after a moment. "Let's go now." He squat on the ground so that she could get to his back.

"Okay..." Pumunta sa likuran niya si Mia at umangkas sa kanyang likod. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and ankled her legs around his waist. "Sure ka rito, ha?" wika nito.

He held her legs firmly, strapping them at his waist. "Of course!" kampanteng sagot niya. "Brace yourself." He rose on his feet.

And with Mia on his back, he started walking. Walang kahirap-hirap na tinugpa niya ang daan patungo sa kanilang pupuntahan.