KATATAPOS lang ng session ni Maxine sa clinic ni Cleira. Matapos kasi ang consultation niya rito noong nakaraan ay pinabalik siya nito para sa therapy niya. She didn’t how her tears just fell while talking about how the ambush happened. After that, she felt numb. Her hands were shaking, but Cleira was there to help her overcome it.
She was feeling a bit better when she exited the building.
Pag-uwi niya sa bahay, hindi niya inaasahang maaabutan niya roon si Lucas.
“How’s your session with Cleira?” he asked, giving her a comforting smile.
Naglakad ito papalapit sa kaniya ngunit mabilis siyang umiwas. Nabitin sa ere ang kamay ni Lucas na sanay aabutin ang kamay niya.
“What’s wrong?” kunot-noo nitong tanong.
Umiling siya. “N-Nothing. J-Just don’t touch me.”
Napalunok si Lucas at marahang tumango. “Alright. I’m sorry.”
Days passed. Dahil sa kagustuhang mapag-isa, sinunod ni Lucas ang gusto niya. Nagkasya na lamang ito sa pagtanaw sa kaniya mula sa malayo, at sinikap na hindi siya lapitan hangga’t hindi pa nawawala sa kaniya ang epekto ng nangyaring aksidente. She always feel like anyone can hurt her—even her husband, her family. At kung mayroon man siyang pinagkakatiwalaan, si Cleira lang iyon.
LUCAS was surprised when Maxine’s father visited his office that morning. Dumaan daw ito sa mansion pero bigo rin na makita ang anak.
“Ikaw na sana ang bahalang magpasensya sa anak ko. Please don’t give up on her, lalo na ngayon na dinadala niya ang second child n’yo,” anang ama ni Maxine nang makausap ito ni Lucas.
“I won’t give up, Dad. Even if... sometimes it kind of—you know.”
Tumango-tango ito. “Nauunawaan kita. Lalaki rin ako, at kung ako ang nasa katayuan mo, It would also hurt my ego if I feel like my wife is rejecting me.”
“I missed her, Dad. Even Noah.”
Matagal-tagal pang naging malamig ang pakikitungo ni Maxine. She even asked them to have separate room at night. Lucas used the guestroom. Ipinalipat na lang niya roon ang ilang gamit upang pagbigyan ang kagustuhan ni Maxine na mapag-isa muna. She needs more time for herself. At kung hindi siya nakakatulong kay Maxine, kahit gaano pa niya ito kagustong makita at mayakap, maghihintay na lamang siya kung kailan ito babalik sa dati.
With the help of Cleira, Maxine finally managed to overcome her trauma. Unti-unting natibag ang pader sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Malaking tulong din na naging abala na ito sa sariling negosyo. Bagama’t halos hindi na sila nagkikita sa mansion, sinisiguro pa rin nilang tuwing nagkakaroon ng oras ay nasusulit nila ang bawat sandali.
“How’s your day?” masuyong tanong ni Lucas nang maabutan niya si Maxine na nagsusuklay sa harap ng vanity mirror. Dumukwang siya para dampian ng halik ang namumula pa nitong pisngi, mula sa likuran. Itinukod niya ang mga kamay sa sandalan ng upuan.
He watched his wife’s reflection. “You’re so adorable.”
Kinagat nito ang ibabang labi at nangingiting sinalubong ang tingin niya sa pamamagitan ng repleksyon sa salamin.
“Thanks. You always make me feel beautiful.”
“Of course,” he said huskily and buried his face on her neck. “And smell great, too. Makes me wanna taste every corner of—”
Lucas softly laughed when he felt his wife stiffened after naughtily biting her neck.
“Luke...”
He raised both his hands. “I was just kidding. I know you’re tired.”
Then there’s a moment of silence. Nagkatitigan silang dalawa sa repleksyon sa salamin. Maxine pursed her lips. Wari’y naghahanap ng pagkakataon para muling makapagsalita.
Lucas craned his neck. “You gonna tell me something?”
Alanganing ngumiti si Maxine, wari’y nag-aalangan sa sasabihin. He knew her too well. Lalo na kapag ganoong bigla na lamang itong tumatahimik.
“What is it? Come on, I’ll listen.”
Yumuko si Maxine. “Alam kong baka hindi ka pumayag pero... may nag-offer kasi sa ‘kin na maging model ng designs nila.”
Nangunot ang noo niya. “You’re pregnant. You can’t wear high heels like what you wear before. And what company is that? How did you get the—”
Napahinto siya sa pagsasalita nang tumayo si Maxine at nakangusong humarap sa kaniya.
Umiling siya. “No, no, no. Don’t use that face on me, baby.”
Ngunit sa halip na huminto ay bahagya pang lumapit sa kaniya ang asawa. Ikinawit nito ang braso sa batok niya, at saka siya sinalubong ng mapang-akit na tingin.
“F-ck,” he cursed hard and looked away. “No, baby.”
“I’m not gonna wear high heels. Those are maternity dresses, so... It will paired with flat shoes or sandals.”
Matalim niyang tiningnan si Maxine. “Still a no.”
She pouted her lips. Dismayado nitong kinalas ang pagkakayakap sa batok niya. Akmang babalik na ito sa binakanteng upuan kanina nang maagapan niya ang kamay nito. Nahilot niya ang sentido bago ito marahang hinila pabalik sa kaniya.
“Fine. But I want to be there and watch you on stage.”
Lumiwanag ang mukha ni Maxine at nakaawang ang bibig na lumingon sa kaniya. “Really? Ohh... you’re so sweet, baby.”
Kinagat ni Lucas ang labi sa narinig, nagpipigil ng ngiti. “C-Can you say that again?”
Umangat ang isang kilay ni Maxine at mapanuksong ngumiti. “Huh? Ang alin?”
He swallowed hard. His adam’s apple moved and her ears turned red. Gustong-gusto na niyang magmura nang makita ang repleksyon niya sa salamin.
“You’re blushing,” tukso pa ni Maxine.
Agad siyang tumalikod at nakapamulsang lumapit sa bintana.
He heard Maxine’s laugh and he tried to ignore it.
“My baby’s blushing hard,” mahinang sabi ni Maxine.
He stiffened when he felt her arms enveloped his waist. Maxine’s other hand was gently tickling his rock-hard abs.
“Stop seducing me when you can’t let me do it,” hirap niyang sabi.
He felt Maxine’s smile from behind. “Who said I won’t let you?”
Tila kalabit sa gatilyo ang sinabing iyon ni Maxine na agad nagpalingon sa kaniya. “What do you mean?”
Maxine just gave her a seductive smile, her hands slowly untying her robe.
Napalunok si Lucas at namumulang sinulyapan ang manipis pang umbok sa tiyan ni Maxine. According to her OB, it’s still safe to do it.
The next thing that happened made the whole sound-proof room full of moans and the sound of their bodies in sync.
A U T H O R ' S N O T E:
This is a WORK OF FICTION.
This story or any portion thereof may not be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying or used in any manner without Jiara Dy’s expressed written permission. PLAGIARISM IS PUNISHABLE UNDER THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT.
