The Furious Fire (Variejo Series #1)

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I slowly opened my eyes when the mixture of earthy and manly fragrance permeated my nostrils. Rays of sunlight lit up the room. The chirps of birds with flapping wings are like music in my ears. Morning breeze made me tuck my body under the comforter.

My eyes pass through the glass double-door. The rosy hue sky blends with the altocumulus clouds. Migrant birds crossed the stretch horizon...The morning scenery made me smile.

Ito na yata ang pinaka maganda sa lahat ng gising ko. Sanay akong makatulog sa gabi na umiinom ng sleeping pills. Kagabi, pakiramdam ko'y unang beses ko matulog sa natural na paraan.

Bumangon ako sa kama at naupo. Itinapis ko ang comforter sa aking kahubaran. Bahagyang kumirot ang gitna ng hita ko nang gumalaw ako. So, everything is real? It wasn't a dream? Sunod kong tiningnan ang daliri ko. Naroon ang tatlong singsing. Tumingin ako sa tabi ko. Wala si Eurus. Gumala ang mga mata ko sa silid. Tanging modernong kagamitan lamang ang aking nakita.

I did confess everything last night. He did, too. Walang kasal na naganap. Alam na niya na anak namin si Dana. At...ikakasal na ako sa kaniya?

My eyes beamed in the bathroom when I heard a swash of water. But that's short-lived. It is followed by a clunk sound by the bathroom door.

A man with an ectomorph body frame came out while drying his wet hair using a towel. A white towel is wrapped on his perfect hips. Droplets of water from his hair are rolling down to his neck, cast-iron broad hairy-chest, to his bronze rippled abs, then to his v-line...

His ardent eyes beamed at my direction. Tumagilid ng kaonti ang ulo niya. Pinasadahan ang katawan ko bago ako batiin sa malamig na tinig. "Morning."

"M-Morning..." Oh, hot!

Ilang beses niya akong inangkin kagabi. Nakita na niya ang lahat sa akin. Ngunit bakit naiilang ako?

Tinapos niya ang pagpupunas sa buhok. Hinagis niya ang tuwalya sa sofa malapit sa puwesto niya bago naglakad palapit sa kama. Naupo siya sa gilid nito. His brooding and rebellious stares at me made my diaphragm quake a bit.

"Not because we made love last night, I already forgave you." He said in a low, deep, drawl. He then aimed for my neck and planted a soft kiss there. "Not so fast, baby."

The fresh mint breath, musk and showergel relive the hotness we shared last night. I drew my teeth on my lower lip, nodded. I understand. It's not that easy to forget and forgive. Seemingly like a person who succumbed to the rain. But I did not get wet.

"I...I can suffer my whole life. Mapatawad mo lang." I said in an undertone.

Nagtama muli ang mga mata namin. Ngunit ang mata ko'y namangha sa labi niya. The corner of his wet lips turned up. It's so red. Remembering how those fiery lips lost my sanity last night makes me flush.

"Sa ibang paraan kita kayang pahirapan, Zia. Dahil hindi kita kayang saktan." seryosong aniya.

Hindi ako nakapag habi ng mga salita. Nakipagtitigan lamang ako sa kaniya. Naninikip ang dibdib ko. Umiinit ang sulok ng aking mga mata. Masyado akong tutok sa sarili kong nararamdaman noon. Hindi ko man lang naisip na mas nasasaktan siya. At ang coping mechanism niya ay manahimik na lang sa loob ng ilang taon.

"I'm done running away from you. I won't hurt you again. I won't leave you anymore..." I assured him.

He slowly nodded. His jaw tensed as he spoke. "Itatali na kita. Apelyido ko ang bagay sa pangalan mo. Kaya ngayon pa lang, umpisahan mo na kilalanin ang angkan ko."