Ablaze |Season 1|

Chapter 48

OCTAVIA

IT FEELS burning hot.

I woke up because of the uneasy feeling beside me. I carefully opened my eyes to avoid the blinding light, but I was surprised when the first thing that I saw is Ferish's innocent face, sleeping peacefully beside me as if she was never bothered by all the weight that lies within her shoulder.

Nakasiksik siya sa bandang dibdib ko habang mabigat ang bawat paghingang pinapakawalan. She's sleeping adorably, but...

Mabilis na kinapa ko ang noo at leeg niya para tignan kung may sakit siya, at siya nga 'yung mainit. What the hell happened that she got sick? Maayos naman kami kagabi nung natulog. She was even ecstatic about being able to spend the whole day with me because she's been looking forward to it.

Anong nangyari? Tinignan ko ang kabuuan niya at napansin din na iba na ang suot niyang damit. May ginawa ba siya? Why did she change her clothes?

Nag-check ako ng phone at nakita na may text sa akin si Tori na wala raw classes dahil sa bagyo. I raised an eyebrow. Himala na may suspension dahil sa bagyo, dahil lagi pa namang may pasok. I'm close to assuming that they are seeing us as immortal.

Well, thank the Heavens. Good timing. I heard that Ferish will have their presentation about something today. Hindi niya pa kaya dahil may sakit siya. Makakapagpahinga pa siya. Bakit naman kasi ang sakitin niya? Parang kahapon lang ay ang lakas niya pa kahit na naligo kami sa ulan.

Napahawak ako sa ulo at tinaas ang kumot hanggang sa balikat niya dahil giniginaw siya. I carefully tried to get up to avoid waking her up, but I was taken aback when a warm soft hand held my arm as if it's asking me to stay without a word. Napatingin ako sa kan'ya at hindi agad nakapagsalita nang mamalayan ko ang sariling nakatitig sa kan'ya.

I found myself admiring her more, even at her vulnerable state. Ferish has a long messy hair, but it looks soft like a subtle touch of red flowers in my skin, gracefully cascading down her shoulders. Nakapikit pa siya sa sobrang antok na halos hindi maimulat ang mga mata.

Nakakunot din ang noo niya pero hindi no'n nabawasan ang pagiging maamo ng mukha niya. Goodness, she still look perfect in my eyes, and she gives me the feeling that I am able to live my life the second time around.

Natauhan lang ako nang nang magmulat siya ng isang mata na parang sinisilip ako. She looks tired and sleepy. Sabay naman kaming natulog kaya bakit puyat siya?

"Hey, baby, you're sick." Pagkausap ko sa kan'ya. It felt like my body has a mind on its own to automatically give her a warm hug. I leaned myself down and put a light kiss on her head.

I inhaled her scent and gently caressed her face to let her sleep again. Saan naman ba kasi siya napagod? Na-drain ba siya sa paggala namin kahapon? Baka naman dahil naligo kami sa ulan? I knew it. It's actually a bad idea. Ugh. Dapat talaga ay hindi ako pumayag sa umpisa palang.

"Okay lang ako, Eight." Sagot niya sa magaspang ang tono ng boses. Mabagal ang pagkakasabi niya dahil sa antok. "Morning."

"Good morning, cara mia..." I whispered tenderly without removing my gaze at her, and I wasn't able to stop myself from pulling myself away because she is a temptation herself---I gave a light kiss on her soft lips.

I heaved a deep sigh as I finally felt what I've been craving for I didn't know how long. I've been wanting to feel her lips against mine and to own... her. I just keep on longing for her presence, and the urge is getting stronger each day that it's getting hard to suppress.

I don't also know until when can I hold everything still, because I might actually tell her what I feel for her, without giving it so much thought.

I've been looking for the right time to confess, but I can't seem to find any. I'm honestly scared to how she's going to react, given that she hasn't seem to move on from a great love she once had.