✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book Two]

CHAPTER 8

Note: Pasensya na po sa late update, ngayon lang ako nagising hahaha. Enjoy reading!

[ C H A P T E R 8 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

I tucked my lips inside my mouth as I peeked on his sleeping face. He appeared calm and harmless as he submerged into the space of slumber. Masarap pagmasdan ang mahabang hubog na pilikmata nito na siyang dumadagdag sa kagwapohan niya. Ang marahan niyang paghinga ay parang ang mapayapang alon ng karagatan. Sana tulog na lang lagi si Roshan dahil nakalulugod siyang tingnan.

I lifted my left hand to reach his cheek, then gently caressed it with my fingers. He eventually moved as a reaction to my touch, then used his arms to tuck me in for a tight hug. Isang matamis na ngiti ang sumilay sa aking mga labi ng marahan niyang halikan ang aking noo ng hindi nagmulat ng mga mata.

"Sleep," he whispered with a distorted voice. "If you're not going to, give me 2 minutes to get ready for the 9th round."

I slapped his arm enough that made his lips curved into a smile. Sumiksik lang din ang kanyang mukha sa leeg ko at ramdam na ramdam ko ang paghinga niya. He repeated the word 'sleep' again but it was like a soft sound of a person going back to sleep. I combed his hair with my fingers. Kalaunan ay ramdam ko na ang pagbigat ng kanyang hininga.

He went back to sleep. He seems tired since they just arrived from Benura and our out of the world expenditure in bed. I could feel the pain in every part of my body, as if I lifted tons of stone. Sanay naman ako sa sakit kaya hindi na bago sa katawan ko ang nararamdaman ko. Although, I know that it fucking hurts down there, I can't afford to sleep this off, knowing that any moment from now I have to go.

Sa katunayan, kanina ko pa naririnig ang pamilyar na huni ng ibon sa labas. It is a familiar tune that I have always heard since I was young, and I should have followed it. Subalit, gusto kong manatili muna ng ilang minuto sa tabi niya. Because this will be the first and the last time.

Nang nararamdaman kong tulog na siya at hindi agad magigising, dahan-dahan akong kumalas sa pagkakayakap niya. Napamura pa ako ng mahina ng ginamit ko ang aking mga paa para tumayo dahil pagka-apak ko pa lang sa sahig ay nanginig na agad ang mga binti ko. I endured the pain and walked towards the closet to get dressed.

Sira na naman ang damit na suot ko kanina kaya hindi na ako nag-abala na pulutin ang mga piraso nito. I got dressed slowly and quietly, then fixed my hair in a bun before I walked back towards the bed. I sat at the edge of the bed looking at his handsome face.

Then, a flash of pain hit me inside as I diverted my gaze on the paper I am holding. Nilapag ko ang mga papeles sa tabi niya bago ko pinunasan ang umagos na mga luha sa aking mga mata. I took a deep breath before I stood up and glanced at him one more time.

"I love you," I whispered to the wind, who was the only one who could hear. "I love you from the past, to the present, and to the future. But if we could meet in the next life— if there is—, I don't want to be born as a rebel, my love. I am sorry."

I left the chamber silently. The night was cold and the empty walls were the only ones who welcomed my presence. The Knights are asleep, the maids are in their quarters, and the entire Duchy will never know when did the Duchess leave.

Isang bulto ang naaninag ko nang makarating ako sa gubat na nasa likod lamang ng mansyon. He was holding a horse as his gaze locked on my approaching steps. Nang makarating ako sa posisyon niya ay binigay niya sa akin ang lubid.

"Ang tagal mo," saad nito.

"He woke up," I reasoned. Nakipagtitigan ako sa kanya at kahit pinipigilan kami ng kadiliman na makita ang isa't isa, alam ko ang pinapahiwatig ng mga titig nito. "Thank you, Laphel."