One Lost Summer (Brave Series #2)

Chapter 46: Majarlika

Majarlika De Luna 

Kanina pa gising si Majarlika pero hindi pa rin siya bumabangon ng kama. She's on her side, her back facing Grale. Nakapulupot ang braso nito sa kanya at nakapahinga sa kanyang puson. She felt him moving only to move closer to her, mas isiniksik nito ang ulo sa buhok niya.

The corner of her lips rose up when she felt his hot breath against her nape. Maingat siyang umikot iniiwasang magising ang nobyo sa mahimbing na tulog nito. Tinitigan niya ang nakapikit na si Grale until she lifted up her fingers, lightly tracing the bridge of his nose, his under eyes, his cheeks, and his jaws.

A part of her still couldn't believe that Grale decided to stop making films for the meantime just for her sake. Kahit ilang beses niya nang sinubukang kumbinsihin ito ay talagang pinal na ang desisyon nito. Majarlika appreciates it so much but then... she kind of feel like she's taking away something from him–his dream, his job, and his passion.

Her eyes saddened as she stared at Grale. Alam ni Majarlika na ginagawa ito ng nobyo dahil mahal siya nito pero sapat ba ang pagmamahal para talikuran nito ang mga bagay na nagpapasaya rito dahil lang sa sakit niya? She once felt like she's taking her mother's freedom away from her and now... she thinks she's doing the same to Grale.

Humugot siya ng isang malalim na paghinga. Hinawakan niya ang braso ng nobyo at maingat na itinaas. Dahan-dahan na sana siyang kakawala rito nang gumalaw ito at unti-unting nagmulat ng mga mata. Ever since she was hospitalized, she realized how much he became a light sleeper.

"Hi," he greeted with a hoarse voice and half-open eyes.

"Good morning," aniya at hinawi ang buhok nito.

Grale just pulled her closer, pressing her body against his naked chest. Mukhang nainitan ulit ito kagabi kaya't natulog na naman suot lamang ang isang boxer shorts. Binigyan din siya nito ng isang dampi ng halik sa noo at muli nang nakatulog. She chuckled. Sinubukan ulit ni Majarlika na kumawal pero muling nagmulat ng mga mata ang nobyo.

He yawned and then cleared his throat. "Do you need anything?"

Umiling siya. "Maghihilamos lang ako."

"It's still dark outside, baby," he whispered, pulling her closer. Pinatong pa nito ang hita sa kanya para i-trap siya.

Natawa si Majarlika. "Sige na, matulog ka pa."

"But I need you beside me when I sleep, Maj," he stated.

"Ngayon ang dating nila daddy pati rin si Tria. Ngayon din sila Cathy diba?" She asked.

"Yeah. But it's just Cathy, Migs, and Cora today. Bukas pa si Bree and Dean."

"And your parents?"

"They'll be here today, too. Pero baka mamayang gabi na sila makarating."

Majarlika nodded. Magtatangka na sana silang umalis ulit sa kama pero mas hinila siya ni Grale. Natawa siya sa exaggerated na pangyayakap ng nobyo. Kaya mahina niya itong pinalo sa braso.

"Grale!" She laughed.

"No."

"Maghihilamos na nga ako."

"Later."

"Malapit na mag sunrise."

"It's just five in the morning. Sunrise is still at six-twenty seven."

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya. "Paano mo naman nalaman?"

"I keep track of things that my girlfriend loves, you know. It's the first rule in becoming the best boyfriend in the world," he smirked.