PHOENIX-CREED [TDH - VI]

Chapter 29

JULIETTE REVERIE

"What's that supposed to mean, my love?"

I tried to remain calm, but I'm internally freaking out!

"Ayoko na nga!" I went to my closet and pick up my clothes. I dragged it all inside the suitcase without looking at the sight of Pietro.

"Did I do something wrong? Come on, let's talk about it. I'm so confused..."

Pietro voice suddenly softened as he grabbed me by the hand, stopping me from packing my clothes.

Ayoko sanang titigan siya dahil alam ko kung anong mangyayari kapag ginawa ko iyon. Alam ko sa sarili kong mababago agad ang desisyon kong umalis dito sa bahay nila kapag nagkataong nakapagusap kami.

I couldn't resist him and it scares me.

"Please, Juliette..." he begged. "I feel like my heart's breaking in pieces hearing you say those words and watching you leave me."

"My love," he hugged me from behind.

His arms were gently hugging me, and for a second, I felt calm. I feel so weak all of a sudden.

"What's wrong?" he then asked in a calmer and softer way.

Tears welled up in my eyes. A flood of indiscernible emotions engulfed my heart, causing me to sob uncontrollably for reasons that I don't even know...

Nang paharapin ako ni Pietro ay kusa nalang akong napayakap sa kanya. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko.

May kung anong kirot ang namumutawi sa dibdib ko sa bawat segundong magkaharap kaming dalawa.

"Hey," he caressed my back, trying to calm me down. "It's okay, don't cry..."

"S-sorry..." bumitaw ako sa pagkakayakap at pinahid ang mga luhang walang tigil na dumadaloy sa pisngi ko dahil sa hiya. Pero pinigilan ako ni Pietro, at ngayon naman ay siya na ang yumakap sa akin.

"Please tell me what's bothering you, Juliette... I have to know that because you're not yourself these days and it's bothering me so much."

Unti unting humupa ang pag iyak ko at nakailang malalalim na hininga na ang binitawan ko para tuluyang kumalma.

"Nitong mga nakaraan..." I started off. "Hindi ko alam kung tama bang sabihin ko 'to pero ayoko rin namang sarilihin dahil baka makasama pa sa pagbubuntis ko..." mahinang dagdag ko.

I'm scared...

"Just say it, love. Whatever that is, I'm willing to listen. You know that."

Pangkukumbinse niya.

"Hindi ko na kasi alam kung anong dapat kong maramdaman, Pietro. Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa atin."

"What do you mean?" he frowned his brows.

"Hindi ko na alam kung anong iisipin. Nandito ka lang ba para samahan ako sa pagbubuntis ko  o nandito ka kasi —"

"I'm here for you!" he interrupted. "And for the baby, of course..."

"But what do we call this? Us?" I realized that I am raising my voice already. "What are we to each other? I'm overwhelmed with these confusing emotions... I'm living with you, cradling our unborn child within me, while you dutifully fulfill your role in our lives. Yet, despite it all, I'm so lost just by thinking of what I mean to you." I blurted out. "Anong magiging puwang ko sa buhay mo kapag nanganak na ako?"

"You mean the world to me, Juliette... I have always thought that you know that already." he said. "You won't be my child's mother if I didn't want you in my life..."

"Sinasabi mo lang yan kasi ayaw mong sumama ang loob ko." pagtataray ko.

"No! I mean it, okay?" the sound of frustration was evident in his voice. "I don't care if you give birth, nothing's gonna change. I'll still keep you because I'd stand losing everything except you! Goddamn..."

"Pero..."

Nakukulangan ako sa sagot ni Pietro!

"Pero anong hahantungan natin? How do we explain our situation our child kapag lumaki na siya?"

"What situation do you mean, Juliette?"

"This!"

"What's this for you?!" may diin sa pagsagot niya pero nananatiling kalmado pa rin.

"You and me." I said. "We don't have a relationship but we're his parents. We're not each other's fiancée neither wife nor husband! We're just casually co-parenting!"

"Aren't we supposed to be like that?" mabilis niyang tugon.

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko sa narinig at ipinagpatuloy na ang pagliligpit ng mga gamit ko. I knew it.

What did I expect from him? An impossible marriage proposal? Tanga mo, Juliette!

"I'm kidding!" he announced loudly and I glared at him.

He was smiling mischievously.

"Now, I know what's bothering you." he uttered and sat on the edge of the bed. "You know that you're so cute when you're acting like that, right, babe?"

"Manahimik ka."

"Come here." utos niya sa akin at tinapik ang sariling hita. "I said come here, babe." mapaglarong pagulit niya sa sinabi.

Padabog akong lumapit sa kanya at umupo sa hita niya.

"I love you."

Pietro whispered to my ears.

I love you.

Ilang beses na nagpaulit ulit ang sinabi niyang iyon sa utak ko at hindi ko napigilang ngumiti dahil sa sayang nararamdaman. He said it to me. Pietro said it!

"Sira ka!" I tried to contain myself.

"I love you so much, my future wife."

Sobrang init ng mga pisngi ko dahil sa pinagsasabi ni Pietro!

He really knows how to make me feel better!

"I love you, Juliette."

"Tama na! Paulit ulit kana masyado!" kunwari ay galit kong sambit. But Pietro just chuckled.

"I love you and our baby." he said once again.

Binalingan niya ng tingin ang umbok kong tiyan at nilapit ang mukha. "Does your mama love me too, kiddo? I'm confused... She doesn't say the magic word back."

"Baliw ka!" tinampal ko ang ulo niya.

Inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin at maya maya pa ay kusa nalang na naglapit ang mga labi namin. Just like that, we shared a passionate and hungry kiss that we've been long overdue for.

Pagkatapos ng intense na halikan namin ay hingal na hingal akong napasandal sa balikat niya at napangiti.

"I love you, too." sagot ko.