Chasing Sanity (Chase Series #1)

Chapter 15

Mornings like this became his favorite when he married Kelly.

He woke up with a sweet smile on his face because the first thing that he saw was his wife, who’s still sleeping soundly, clinging to his right arm.

He unconsciously giggled as he stared at her. Ni hindi na nga niya inalintana ang pangangalay ng braso niya. Basta masayang-masaya siyang nakikita lang si Kelly; lalo pa ngayong nasabi nito na mahal na siya nito.

He took a deep breath then he gently planted a soft peck on top of her head and whispered, “I love you, Kelly.”

But after he whispered those words, Kelly suddenly moved her head. Unti-unti rin nitong iminulat ang mga mata niya. She also loosened her grip to his arm and finally looked up to see his face.

“Oh, shit. Sorry, love, nagising kita,” he instantly apologized as soon as their gazes met.

She blinked and smiled sweetly. “Good morning,” she greeted with her gentle bedroom voice.

“Good morning, too, love.” His smile grew wider by just seeing her smile like that. Hindi na rin niya napigilan ang sarili niya na yakapin si Kelly at muling halikan ito sa ulo. “I’m not working today, love. I’ll make it up to you kasi masyado akong naging busy kahapon,” saad niya.

“Hindi ba malulugi ang law firm niyan?”

He laughed. “Hindi, ’no! Grabe ka naman, love,” he said to her. Hindi naman ito kumibo. “So, may gusto ka bang gawin ngayon, love? Or baka may gusto kang puntahan? We can do anything you want today.”

Kitang-kita niya ang pag-iisip nito. “Parang wala naman—aray!” she unexpectedly exclaimed in an instant. Bigla nitong hinawakan ang lower abdomen niya at saka ito humugot ng malalim na hininga.

Mabilis siyang naalerto. “Okay ka lang, love?”

Pinilit naman nitong ngumiti nang lingunin siya nito. “Oo, okay lang ako,” mahinahong sagot nito. Ngunit ang ngiti nito’y mabilis na napalitan ng ngiwi.

“Are you sure? It looks like you’re in a sudden pain. What's wrong, love? You can tell me anything, 'di ba? Let me make it better for you.”

“Charlie...” She was definitely hesitant but he gave her a reassuring smile. “Charlie, masakit ang puson ko...”

“Cramps?”

Kagat-labi itong tumango.

“May period ka na pala...”

Mabilis na namula si Kelly dahil sa kahihiyan. It became evident in her flushing face how she got really embarrassed when she heard those words from his mouth. Hindi kasi ito sanay kinakausap siya ng isang lalake tungkol sa periods. Akala kasi niya big deal at nakakadiri iyon para sa mga lalake.

“Hey... don’t go all red on me, love. It’s just blood.”

Lalong tinablan ng hiya si Kelly nang marinig iyon. Mas namula pa siya. Kaya naman, hinila niya ang makpal na kumot at itinaklob iyon sa buong katawan niya upang magtago kay Charlie.

“Oh, god. Ano ba ’tong nasabi ko,” he chuckled awkwardly upon seeing her hide under the blanket. Na-realize niya na mas lalong nahiya si Kelly dahil medyo naging careless siya sa mga nasabi niyang salita. “Hey, love... huwag mo naman akong taguan. Huwag kang mahiya sa ’kin. Wala ka namang dapat ikahiya kasi asawa mo ’ko. I don’t find periods disgusting. Science taught me that periods are normal for women.”