Chant Of The Twilight

Chant XLIII

Chapter 43: The Path I Shall Make

Rhysand pulled Achlise into his arms before closing his eyes. Feeling the warmth of the woman he's holding gave him so much relief. Tila isang malaking tunok sa lalamunan ang tuluyang nawala. Ang tingin niyang imposible nang mangyari ay nasa harapan niya na ngayon.

"I love you too, Achlise. So much..."

Napangiti si Achlise bago yumakap pabalik kay Rhysand, "Yeah, I know... Thank you for waiting for me."

Halos hindi na mabitawan ni Rhysand si Achlise habang hinihintay na makatulog ang isa't isa. Nakaunan ang kaniyang braso sa ulo ni Achlise habang nakayakap siya rito.

"I heard you registered our marriage?" ngising usal ni Achlise.

Napaiwas naman ng tingin si Rhysand, "Why? Does... It make you uncomfortable? Kaya ko namang maghintay. We didn't have a formal wedding. Kung hindi mo pa gusto sa ngayon—"

"Didn't I tell you that I wouldn't hesitate anymore? I was just asking, Ashid," putol ni Achlise sa kaniya.

"Right... Well, uh... We got the order wrong. Gusto kong gawin nang tama ang bagay na 'to. So can you please... Wait for me a bit? May kailangan lang akong ihanda," baling ni Rhysand kay Achlise.

Achlise chuckled before holding Rhysand's hand that's resting on her hip, "Of course. Take your time. I will look forward to it."

"Thank you, love," Rhysand whispered before planting a kiss on Achlise's forehead.

They had a few more conversation, until Achlise fell asleep first. Napatitig na lamang si Rhysand sa babaeng yakap-yakap na mahimbing nang natutulog sa kaniyang tabi. Marahan niyang hinaplos ang mukha nito. Tila pinoproseso pa kung totoo bang hawak niya na ang babaeng labing pitong taon mahigit niyang minahal.

You always bring miracle with you. I will never love someone like this again other than you, Achlise. You will always be my source of everything.

Napapikit si Rhysand habang dinadama ang init ng katawan ni Achlise. She's alive and well in his arms. They are now in each other's side, like nothing else is going to hinder it anymore.

That night, Rhysand had a nightmare. A nightmare that he thought has already been suppressed by his medicine over the years. Sa kaniyang bangungot ay naroon si Achlise. She was trying to leave him behind, their tight hands were slowly letting go of each other. Isang bangungot na siyang nagpagising sa kaniya noong umaga ring iyon.

Rhysand woke up in a cold matress alone. Agad siyang napaiktad nang makitang wala na si Achlise sa kaniyang tabi. Binalot siya ng kaba at agad na nataranta. His whole body was shaking.

Napabaling siya sa gilid ng kama. It felt like he was struck by lightning when Achlise's wheelchair is not there anymore.

It can't be just a dream, right?

Agad siyang tumayo at patakbong lumabas ng kwarto. The knights guarding his room and maids waiting for him to wake up flinched upon seeing him, still in his night clothes.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," agad na yuko ng lahat.

Hingal na inikot ni Rhysand ang tingin sa mga maidservants at knight escorts.

"Your Majesty, Lady Achlise informed us to tell you that she's with His Highness at the garden-"

Hindi na natapos pa ng Headmaid ang kaniyang sasabihin sana nang patakbo silang nilagpasan ni Rhysand. Agad siyang lumabas ng Silver Palace papunta sa garden, hindi alintana ang tinging sumasalubong sa kaniya mula sa kaniyang mga maidservants.