In Another Universe

Lips of An Angel - (Grace x Mar)

"Your voice is quiet," Grace eventually said. She already knew the reason. His wife was there.

"She's in the next room. Sometimes I wish she was you," he sighs. His heart is thudding so hard in his chest that it's all he can feel, "I guess we never really moved on."

"Mar," Grace breathes and prevents herself from saying she wishes it was her too. To be wrapped in his arms and feel safe, so the nightmares won't reach her anymore. To hear him whisper comforting words in her ear. And to be in bed together, waiting to fall asleep again. She wished it was her in the other room. God, hearing her voice say his name, it sounded so sweet. It used to warm his heart. Now, it still does, but there's a hint of pain that makes him weak.

"It's really good to hear your voice," is all Mar can say. He tips her head back, letting it rest against the couch. Closing his eyes, he allows his mind to drift back to their time together. Better times, happier times. When a simple smile from Mary Grace Poe could light up his whole world.

A few minutes passed in silence, each in their own heads. Without realizing it, they began talking, sharing random tidbits from their lives over the past few years.

Mar uncousiously laughed, "Bakit ka tumatawa?" She asked, and that angelic voice never fails to make him weak. 

"Nakakapanibago lang na hindi ka nakikipagtalo sakin ngayon." He said, and he heard her chuckle as well. They would always debate because they were both fighting for what they believed was best for the people.

Mar remembered his life before Grace—cold, dull, long days, lonely nights, living off scotch. Then Grace came along, bringing happiness and life into his world. Evenings were filled with wine, food, and joy, and they would curl up together in bed, whispering words of affirmation to one another.

His smile began to fade, and he hadn't even realized he was no longer living again. He had Korina, but she was just a workaholic. Their relationship consisted of missed dates, rushed phone calls, and petty arguments. 

He wasn't happy.

Of course, it took talking to Grace intimately for him to realize this. He was only ever happy with Grace because Grace is love.

"This is weird pero nasa panaginip pa rin kita." Grace's voice brought him back to the present.

Instead, she murmured, "Kadalasang laman ng panaginip ko kung hindi ito bangungot"

"Does he know you're talking to me, will it start a fight if he finds out?" Mar couldn't help but worry for her, not wanting to cause any issues between them, even though Grace was the one to call.

"No," Grace sighed, "Nasa business trip siya, he won't be home for three months."

Mar felt irritation build inside him, Grace had a horrible day, and he's not even present? He guessed that it had always been like this. He was always away. He never did like him, but now it's even less.

"I've been dreaming of you too." He randomly said.

"Does she know-" She didn't finish her sentence.

"I don't think she has any clue. Malalim matulog' yon." Mar replied, unsure why he had to mention Korina's sleeping pattern. 

"Hindi ko matitiis na mag-isa ka na walang kasama d'yan. Baka makagawa ako ng ikakapanatag ko pero ikasisisi natin pareho. Baka puntahan kita ngayon dyan." Mar was serious. The moment she says it, he will go to her as soon as he can.

"Don't," She said, and he looked down.

"I'm at your mercy, Grace. Iba pa rin ang epekto sa akin ng boses mong mala-anghel." He said, and she bit her lower lip. Guilt was building up inside her.

"I love you." He whispered, and it only caused Grace's heart to go wild.

"Mar-"

"Hearing my name from your lips makes me weak. I know that I shouldn't say those three words to you because I'm a married man, but that's what my heart says. " He closes his eyes and inhales.

"Sana you're the one I married and not her. Sana ikaw yung nandito katabi ko. Sana ikaw at ako nalang. " He added, and she smiled sadly.

"This is wrong. I don't want to ruin your marriage. Maybe calling you tonight was a bad idea."

"Kahit naman hindi mo ako tawagan ay walang magbabago. I'm still in love with you. I guess I never really moved on. Ikaw ba? " 

She called him "Mar."

"You know that we can't be together." Grace's voice cracked. She struggled to speak those words because she never wanted to admit that in this lifetime, they were never meant to be with each other. A part of her still secretly hopes that there's a plot twist that will lead them both back into each other's arms.

"I'm contented with loving you from afar." He said, sadness in his voice. He was not. He was never content because he would always want to love her in any and every way.

"I can't leave Neil. Marami syang tiniis, itinaya at isinakripisyo para sa akin." She said.

"And I'm not saying you should, I won't leave Korina dahil habang busy akong mahalin ka, minahal nya ako." He replied.

"Hanggang ngayon minamahal parin kita at ganon din sya. Alam n'ya na ikaw pa rin pero ayaw nya akong bitawan." Mar sighs, "You make it hard to be faithful."

"I'm sorry." 

Every word from Grace's lips is sweet, soft, warm. Lips of an angel, he thinks.

"Mar" Now, that was not a call from Grace.

"Nasaan ka ka?" Korina called to him, and Grace could hereher through the phone.

"I'm here. I'll be right there." He answered with a deep sigh, "I never ever want to say goodbye to you, Grace." A sharp pain tugged at his chest.

"I don't either, Mar," she whispers, and something in their chests settles.

Coming from the lips of an angel, it sounded so sweet, and it was enough for him to keep going.

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Guys mention niyo ako sa mga GraMar content. Sabihan niyo na rin ang mga authors na may mar para kay grace lels. Comment your thoughts about this chapter... Thank you