Cascade of Healing Hearts [Fangirl & Idol Series #5]

twenty-five

Zhaira

Balak ko pa sanang matulog pero tumawag naman si mars. Nagsuot lang ako ng t-shirt at panty. Inaantok pa ako nang pagbuksan ko ng gate si mars, hinayaan ko na siyang magsara n'on. Humiga agad ako sa sofa at pumikit.

"May kasama ka ba, mars? Amoy lalaki, e. Familiar 'yung pabango, ha. Kayo pa rin ba ni Blaze?" Huh? Baka namali lang siya. Nakakulong na si Blaze at alam niya 'yon! Baka si Elijah ang tinutukoy niya.

"Yeah, he's upstairs. Tulog pa. Why are you here, mars? Super aga pa, ah? Hindi mo kasama asawa mo?" Umiling siya at umupo sa pang-isahang sofa.

"Gusto lang kitang makita, bruhilda. Mukhang healthy ka naman. Nice, dilig na dilig," nginisihan niya ako kaya umirap ako. Kumuha ako ng snacks for Yazi.

Pagbalik ko, uminom agad ng tubig si bruhilda. Kumuha rin siya ng cake at mukhang sarap na sarap pa ro'n. Buntis talaga.

"How's your pregnancy?" Nag-thumbs up siya sa akin.

Umalis din si mars pagkatapos n'on. Maghahatid daw siya ng extra clothes ni Dhavien. Itong si Elijah, tulog pa rin! Ginising ko na siya dahil baka hinahanap na siya ng manager niya.

Sinabihan niya na raw si Ms. Shane na may inaasikaso siyang papers! Loko-loko talaga. Hinila ko ang kumot para magising siya pero mukhang ako ang nagising nang makitang naka-boxers lang siya!

"ELIJAH, MAGBIHIS KA NGA!"

Inaya ko si Elijah na mag-shopping dahil wala naman kaming gagawin. Kung ano-ano ang nilagay ko sa cart pero wala siyang reklamo. Naka-face mask kami pareho para walang makakilala sa amin.

Kumuha ako ng mga pang-skincare ko at nilagay 'yon sa cart. Naglagay rin ako ng mga makeup. Wala talagang reklamo 'yung isa!

Nang matapos siyang magbayad, napadaan naman ako sa kids section. Sumunod lang siya sa akin. Kinuha ko ang isang doll. Sofia the First 'yon. Pinakita ko 'yon kay Elijah at tumawa. Ang cute kaya!

"Who's your favorite princess? Mine is Merida of Brave!" He pulled his mask down and kissed my forehead.

"You," he said after that. Nakakainis naman siya! Hindi naman ako Disney princess!

"Bilhin mo 'to, ha!" Pinakita ko sa kaniya ang isang stuffed toy na penguin. Tumaas ang kilay niya, iniisip kung bakit gusto ko n'on.. That was for our child..

"You're a fan of stuffed toys?" Umiling agad ako.

"Bilhin mo nalang! Tutal mukha ka na rin lang sugar daddy." Napatigil siya at lumingon sa akin. "Bakit?"

"Well, you can call me daddy." He winked at me and got the stuffed toy from my hand. Gosh! Parang nawala 'yung heartbeat ko ro'n!

We bought some groceries also. For the meantime, he'll be staying in my house. Even if we don't have a label yet, I still think we're both happy with each other... And the love is always present.

I was pouting while he was cooking in the kitchen. Ayaw niya akong pahawakin sa kusina! Bakit? Hindi na ba siya nagtitiwala sa 'kin? Ouch!

"Elijah, what are you cooking?" I asked, getting bored. He did not respond! Lumapit na tuloy ako sa kaniya at sinilip ang niluluto niya. "Kikiam and fishball?"

"Yeah, naalala ko lang 'yung kumain tayo ng street food..." Oh, that was his first time to eat street foods, if I remember it right. "I want to do it again with you but this time, we don't need to hide."

Elijah and his little efforts.. I know, he's a love deprived man but I can feel that he cares for everyone. I'm so proud of myself for choosing the right man. He did not raise my standards... Because he is my standard.

I stood behind him and hugged his wait. I felt him stiffened. I looked small! Well, I am 5'8 in height but he was taller than me! He's a 6 footer yata.

"What's your height?" I asked him.

"I'm not sure if I'm still 6 flat." See? Ang tangkad niya! Sana ako rin!

While we were eating and watching a movie, someone called me. I answered the call without looking at the caller. I waited for the caller to speak. Baka kasi scammer!

[I can't see your face, babe.] Nangunot agad ang noo ko. Nilingon ko ang phone ko at nagulat. Naka-facetime pala!

"Ethan?! Hala, sorry! Hindi ko kasi tiningnan. Akala ko call!" Tumawa siya at may binati saglit. Nasa ibang bansa siya ngayon, nagbabakasyon. Gusto niya nga akong isama kaso tinanggihan ko siya.

[What are you doing right now?] He asked. I glanced at Elijah and saw him looking at the screen of my phone. [Are you with someone?]

"A-Ah, yeah! I'm with-"

"You can't tell him na kasama mo kabit mo?" Sabay kaming nagulat ni Ethan sa sinabi ni Elijah. Napaubo-ubo si Ethan mula sa kabilang linya, natatawa pa.

"Anong kabit?! Hindi ko nga boyfriend si Ethan!" I rolled my eyes and left him in the couch. Hindi ko nga namalayan na sinundan niya ako!

He was about to choke me but he stopped... I was glad that he did not continue. Baka hindi ko kayanin.. Baka maalala ko nanaman lahat. Instead, he held my waist and pulled me closer to kiss my lips. Nakalimutan ko nang kausap ko si Ethan!

I put my phone down and held his nape to deepen the kiss. He gently pushed me against the wall. He slid his tongue inside my mouth while his hand was caressing my waist.. It was sending butterflies in my stomach! I was actually nervous and excited at the same time.

"Elijah, my offer is still open... Do you want to be my sex buddy again?" That made him stop. He licked his lip and smirked. He looked at my lips before meeting my eyes.

"Is one night no longer enough for you now?" His hand continued caressing my waist slowly. "Baby, sorry but I don't want to be your sex buddy."

"W-What do you want then?" He held my chin and caressed my lower lip with his thumb. "Tell me..."

"I want to be your man." He leaned over and planted a soft kiss on my neck.. I moaned a bit.. "Do you want that too, Zhaira?"

I was out of air for a moment. He called me by my second name.. Fuck! Ayaw na ayaw kong tinatawag akong 'Zhaira,' pero kung siya naman ang tatawag sa 'kin n'on, okay lang kahit ulit-ulitin niya pa!

"Welcome to Zelena's own house." Sabay na kumunot ang noo namin ni Elijah. "Ohh..." Napalingon kami sa nagsalita. Si mom..

Nanigas ang buong katawan ko nang makita ko ang reporters at ang manager ko.. Umayos agad ng tayo si Elijah at tinalikuran sila. Nakatingin lang si mom sa kaniya, gulat pa rin.

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