I could feel the heaviness and the muscle pain of my body when I tried to move them. A sounds of frying something in the kitchen made me think that she's there, cooking something delicious.
Sweet smile crept on my lips out of overwhelming feeling superseding in my chest. I forced myself to get up from our bed even when I don't feel fully okay because of my severe fever last night. What happened last night flashed back in my head, how we cuddled in this bed after our big fight and revelations.
In a careful manner, I walk gently through the kitchen and in my surprise, it wasn't her. It was another woman with brunette hair like mine and a tall figure. I couldn't see her face as she was busy stirring what she was cooking while singing something I don't recognize what it is. Is she a chef or what? I held my head when I felt pain at the side of my brain, biting my lips not to groan.
Where is she? I looked around but I couldn't see her. I carefully went to the window to look for her outside but she's nowhere to be found.
In my disappointment, I went back to the kitchen and cleared my throat to caught the woman's attention.
"Oh, you're finally awake!" bubbly says the woman as soon as she saw me. Her cheekbones appeared when she smiled at me. I also noticed her almond eyes with her long lashes and her not so thick eyebrows. And oh, goodness, her complete set of teeth just like Irene!
"Hi," I shyly greeted, couldn't match her jubilant personality. She removed her apron and walk in my direction, making me step back a little.
"Naku, hija, bakit naka- paa kalang? Baka malamigan ka," she worriedly said despite the burning weather outside and immediately look for my slipper around the tiny sala of our cottage, I fold the fingers in my feet as I felt my own cheeks heated.
"Who are you?" I finally asked, she looked at me with her lips swung a little but smile cheekily afterward, "Ay siya, I forgot to introduce myself first," she dusted her own hands and went closer to me.
"I'm Imee," she unfolded her palm in front of me, "Imee Marcos, your girlfriend's older sister," I blushed how she's unaware that Irene and I aren't together. How did she know by the way? The fact that her sister, Irene, is my future mother-in-law and her nephew is my fiance.
"Ariella," I simply introduced and took her soft hand, she shook my hand back firmly, "and I am not your sister's girlfriend, I am your nephew's fiance," I corrected.
Her natural glistening eyes lit up, "I know. It's just that, my ading talks about you a lot when we're together. Para bang walang katapusan kong ikwento ka saakin," she chuckled and went back to her cooking, "partida, hindi na kayo niyan ha!" she giggled. Does she know something about us? Probably yes.
I took a seat in the kitchen island chair and watch her, "really?" I asked and smiled, feeling good about what I've heard. She wasn't that completely cold person after all.
"Ay oo, hija! Sayang nga at hindi kayo nagkatuluyan e," I laughed a little hearing her straightforward remarks. This woman is much more different compare to her younger sister who has an icy personality than Elsa of Frozen.
"Excuse me, I'm your future niece-in-law," I humorously said causing her to chuckle.
"Ewan ko ba, pero mas bet ko talaga kayo ng ading ko kesa sa hard-headed na Luis na 'yan," the smile in my lips slightly blench. Luis is a good man though, I don't think he's that hard-headed. But this woman sounds serious to what she have said.
"Are you living here in Maldives?" I asked, diverting the conversation.
"Uh no. My ading, Irene, called me yesterday when I was in the airport going to Dubai for business matter after my heavy work in the senate, asking me if I could look after you here since there's an emergency and she didn't tell me what is it. I asked for private jet to arrive on time. But don't worry, she told me she'll be back here later at night. Hindi ko lang talaga siya matiis at gusto rin kitang makita," she said smiling, removing the skillet in the stove.
"Are you a Senator there in the Philippines?" I asked in amazement, smile sprouting in my lips and feeling so much adoration for her.
"Yes. Senate President to be exact," she said without sounding thrasonical, and took a marble white bowl in the cupboard.
My inner self telling me how lucky I am to be take cared of with one of the senators in the country of Philippines. I also couldn't imagine that the Senate President of the Congress is here now in front of me, preparing for my food. The fact that she canceled her flight to Dubai and flew here just to do the favor her younger sister told her to do so. What a life, Ariella.
"Wow," the only word I can mustered at the moment.
"You must eat, hija, para tuluyan ka nang gumaling and para makabalik narin ako sa trabaho ko," she smiled, and scoop a soup from the other saucepan.
"I'm sorry for the disturbance, I actually can manage naman," I said, feeling apologetic but she just only waved her hand submissively, " it's okay! Like what I've said, gusto rin kita makita at saka nag e-enjoy naman akong alagaan ka," she said as I feel the genuineness in her voice.
"Ano pa po bang masasabi ko? Thank you so much," I genuinely uttered and pout my lips a little.
"Don't use po with me, hija, nakakatanda e," we both laugh because of her remark. Well, she doesn't look old at all. Undoubtedly another fine like wine woman in Marcos clan indeed.
"Here, enjoy my special chicken soup for your fast recovery," she took a seat beside me and gently put the bowl in front of me.
I was about to take the spoon but she took it before my hand could touch it, making me feel surprised. I watched how she blow the soup in the spoon to cool it down, she look at me when she's done and smiled. How adorable.
"Open your mouth," she says, my eyes grew a little.
"Are you gonna feed me?" I asked, she nodded.
"No. I mean, I can manage. Look, I can move my hands," I said as I raised my both hands, panicking inside.
"Sigurado ka ha. Baka mapagalitan ako ng ading ko kapag hindi kita inalagaan ng maayos e," she chuckled and handed me the spoon.
"I couldn't ask for more, Ms. Senator, thank you very much for everything you did for me," I smiled, she softly tap my arm, "naku, no worries. Serving people is my duty, especially to my ading's love of life," says the woman, smiling with her eyes.
She's like a sun that can melt thousand blocks of ice, a sunshine who can make someone's day better, and her softness that can heal someone's fragility.
I just only smiled and consume my soup as I feel she's watching me eating.
"Ang ganda ganda mo pala even in person, no wonder kaya nahulog saiyo si Irene," she says, resting her head in her palm. She doesn't fall in love with me first, I was the one who was very deeply in love with her and that's the reason I am here.
"Thank you?" I hesitantly uttered, we both chuckled.
"What time did you arrive last night?" I asked, she crossed her legs and took her phone in the pocket of her classic chanel pair of clothes, "around 7 p.m. Tulog kana nga e at hindi kona rin naabutan ang ading ko," she shared in a joyful manner.
I missed her already. Can't wait to welcome her later at night with a hug.
"You must take a rest, I know how tiring it is to travel for hours. I am doing fine already, don't worry," I assured but she didn't buy it.
"Naku, ayos lang ako. At saka anong 'I am doing fine already'? Ih sobrang init mo kaya kagabi kaya pinunasan ko ang buong katawan mo," I almost choked with this soup when she said those words, what does she mean buong katawan?
I ended up slowly nodding, making it not a big deal.
"I was about to leave but you held my hand tightly, siguro kasi inakala mo'ng ako ang ading ko," she chuckled and continue, "pagkalipas ng ilang minuto hindi mo parin binibitawan ang kamay ko, kaya I decided to sleep by your side pero niyakap mo naman ako ng pagka higpit-higpit," I blushed watching her telling me what happened while I was unconscious.
Imagine, hugging a Senator.
"And?" I asked smiling, taking spoonful of soup.
"Siguro nilalamig kalang masyado kaya ganun ka nalang kung yumakap saakin, kaya niyakap kita pabalik at kinumutan. Ganun naman kasi ang nilalagnat, grabe kong makaramdam ng lamig," she laugh heartily, and sharing those things without a malice.
"Yeah. I felt fine last night, thanks to you, Ms. Senator," I said and put down the spoon.
"Don't move, there's a grain of toasted bread beside in your lips," I did what she say and I can't avoid to see some similarities of that woman to her eldest sister.
Speaking of her, I hoped she'll arrive here as early as possible and thank her for sending me her very nice sister.
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To be continued...
A/N: I dedicate this chapter to @imeessimp my very own manang! Love u>♡