When The Flower Withers (Fleur Series #1)

Chapter 20

Ash probably carried me while I was still asleep. I woke up the next morning lying comfortably on his bed and hugging him tightly.

I rested my chin on his chest and stared at his face.

The early morning sunlight, bright and soft, made a strong rays that brought a true warmth onto Ash's face. His face glowed and it was as if the light gave Ash's face a pure joy, it also wandered around his face making him looked like an art— magical, fascinating, and surreal.

This was the sight I could always marvel at and would never neglect. The sight of him sleeping silently and peacefully was enough to complete my day already.

I traced the bridge of his nose with my index finger, it went down on his pinkish and parted lips before I began caressing his cheek with my other hand.

"How could you be this beautiful in the morning, huh?" I said inaudibly as if he would hear me.

Ilang minuto ko pa siyang tinitigan bago hinalikan sa noo. Inayos ko ang pagkakabalot sa kaniya ng comforter at lumabas na ng kwarto niya. I went inside the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Pagkatapos no'n ay nagpunta na ako ng kusina.

I tied my hair into a messy bun while looking for something to cook in his ref. Kaunti na lang ang stock niya ro'n, puro gatas na lang at iilang pastries. Nandoon pa rin 'yong natira sa ginawa niyang potato salad kagabi.

Sa huli, nagsaing na lang ako at nagluto ng nuggets pati itlog dahil 'yon na lang ang natitira sa ref niya na pang-breakfast. Nag-prepare na rin ako ng prutas habang hinihintay maluto ang kanin.

I was looking for a knife when an arms suddenly wrapped around my torso. My lips formed a smile as I tapped his right hand. Gising na ang gwapo.

"Good morning..." I leaned against his warm body and closed my eyes for a while.

Isinubsob niya ang mukha sa leeg ko at sinimulan 'yong amoy-amuyin. Mas hinigpitan niya pa ang yakap sa akin na akala mo nanggigigil, but his hug remained gentle and comforting.

He placed his left hand on my right cheek and he made me face him. And there I met Ash's tantalizing deep-set brown eyes. Those stared at me as if I was the most precious diamond it had ever seen.

He leaned in as his lips reached for my forehead. "Good morning, beautiful," he said after, using his bedroom and hoarse voice.

Pinagdikit niya ang noo namin pagkatapos—nakatitig pa rin sa isa't isa. He started swaying our bodies like how he used to do before. Hinalikan niya pa ako sa kaliwang sintido bago niya inalis ang pagkakayakap sa akin.

"Upo ka na. Hiwain ko lang 'to." Itinaas ko ang hawak na apple bago siya kinindatan.

Narinig ko pa ang pagngisi niya pero hindi siya umupo, kumuha siya ng bowl at nagsimulang magsandok ng kanin. Nagnakaw pa siya ng halik sa pisngi ko bago kami magkatabing umupo.

Ash's held my left hand so I looked at him. He didn't look back at me, he just closed his eyes instead. "Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the blessings You've given to us this morning. We give thanks for providing our needs on this day forward. We give thanks for the strength You've given to us today to fight those who would deter us from knowing and trusting You more. May You always protect us, especially this woman beside me, and our loved ones. This we ask, in the name of Christ, Our Heavenly Father."

Our eyes met when we both said the word 'amen' in chorused.

Nahiya pa ako kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin at sinimulang magsandok ng kanin para sa 'ming dalawa. Nang nilagyan ko ng scrambled egg ang plato niya, kinurot niya ang kaliwang pisngi ko.