Medyo napasarap si Julie sa pagsho-shower kaya naman ng maalala niyang hindi pa niya napapainom ng gatas si Bullet ay dali-dali siyang tumakbo papalabas ng cr pagkatapos niyang isuot ang kanyang bathrobe.
"Ssssh." Natigilan siya sa pagtakbo papunta kay Bullet ng makita niya si Elmo na pinapadede ito habang hinihele. Nakasuot pa ng corporate attire si Elmo ng mga oras na iyon, at para sa kanya tatay na tatay ang dating nito. "Sige na maligo ka na ulit."
"Hindi na tapos na ako." Inayos ni Julie ang robe na suot niya sabay harap sa salamin na malapit sa kanya.
Julie stared at Elmo's reflection in the mirror. She had always been attracted to Elmo. She certainly would never have admitted it to her husband simply because she doesn't want to. In the past few days her feelings for Elmo had started to grow again but she always denied it out loud. Her heart would be screaming 'I'm in love with you, Elmo', while her lips spoke of 'I want to have some space between us'.
"Kumain ka na?" She said while she was drying her wet hair with the towel.
"Oo, kanina sa office. I texted you not to cook for me right?"
"Alam ko, tinatanong ko lang naman." Mataray na sambit niya.
"Galit ka na naman?"
"Hindi ah." Natigilan siya ng saglit. "Elmo salamat pala sa mga bagong gamit na binili mo kay Bullet."
"Wala yun." Ibinaba niya ng dahan-dahan si Bullet sa crib ng mapansin niyang tulog na tulog na ito. Tinapik niya lang ito ng kaunti ng gumalaw at pagkatapos ay iniwan niya na ito para makapagpalit na siya ng damit.
Pilit niyang iniiwas ang focus niya kay Julie kasi since she had opened their bathroom's door, he had been listening to her accelerated heartbeat and smelling the flowery scent of her shampoo.
Elmo had breathed deeply to take in her scent. When she started to turn towards her closet to get dressed, Elmo held tight on to her arm and pulled her towards him into his arms.
"Halika muna dito." He said huskily.
His lips descended on hers as his hands slipped through her damp hair and held her close. As he kissed her mouth, his tongue traced along her lips and tasted her. She eagerly parted her lips to allow his probing tongue, leaning into his body.
Dazed by his kiss, as they parted Julie mumbled. "Elmo not now, I'm tired."
Equally drugged by the kiss, Elmo said, "Please kahit ngayon lang." Looking into her eyes, he continued. "Matagal ko ng gustong gawin to pero lagi mo nalang akong iniiwasan. Kahit ngayon lang Julie please?"
"Pero Elmo-"
"Please?" Pakiusap niya sa kanyang asawa.
"Elmo magigising si Bullet." Palusot pa ni Julie para maiwasan niya ang pangte-tempt sa kanya ni Elmo. Pero wala, mukhang hindi na siya makakaiwas pa. Sa tingin palang nito sa kanya, at sa malalambing na salita nito mukhang wala na talagang pag-asa para mahindian niya si Elmo ng mga oras na iyon.
He took the time to study her eyes, her lips and her entire face in a way he never could before. His hands slid along her neck as he caressed her soft skin. His eyes glanced over her flesh exposed at the edges of the robe she wore.
"Favorite mo 'tong orange robe na 'to, don't you?" He asked teasingly.
When Elmo pointed out her robe. It was her old, comfortable robe that made her feel warm and cozy. It wasn't the only robe she had, but she wore it when she needed that warm comforting feeling, and definitely when she didn't need to look attractive.
