Romancing the Devil

CHAPTER 46

Nagsimula na kaming kumain nang tahimik habang sina Hestia lang ang panay ang daldal. Hestia told us what she did the whole day. And we’re just sitting there, listening to her tell us her whereabouts.

“She’s talkative,” bulong ni Callum sa tabi ko. “And still full of energy.” Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.

“Ganiyan talaga siya, lalo na kapag may ibang tao.” saad ko habang nakatingin sa anak na masayang nagkukwento sa amin.

I smiled as I look at her talk cutely. And we’re all listening to her attentively. At mas lalo pa siyang ginanahan dahil doon. Then she started talking about where we will go tomorrow. Extreme excitement is very visible in her eyes.

After eating and having a little bit talk with Ate Kiana and Kuya Zild, umalis na rin sila dahil nakatulog na si Kaezy. Habang si Hestia naman ay mukhang marami pang enerhiya habang nakatingin sa aming dalawa ni Callum. Bumaling ako kay Callum at naabutan siyang nakatitig sa akin, mukhang malalim ang iniisip.

I arched my brow, “what’s the matter?” I asked when I felt his eagerness to talk but stayed silent.

“Nothing,” he smiled at me warily.

Kahit na nagdududa sa tingin niya ay binalingan ko na lang ang anak na nakamasid pa rin sa amin.

“Daddy, are you going to youl house now?” she asked in a little voice.

Callum cleared his throat and bent down to level his daughter. I bit my lower lip as I look at them in awe.

“No . . .” he answered hoarsely to Hestia.

“No?” she said, confused now.

He chuckled, “I’m not leaving. I’m going to live with you here now, my princess.”

Napatingin sa akin ang anak ko, tila naghahanap pa ng kasagutan sa sinabi ng kaniyang ama.

“You . . . will be with Hestia hewe always?” Tumango ang ama niya.

Mas dumiin ang pagkakagat ko sa aking labi nang bigla siyang yumakap sa akin nang mahigpit. Na tila ba sa wakas ay ibinigay ko na sa kaniya ang regalong . . . matagal na niyang hinihiling sa akin. That her wish was already granted by me now.

“Thank you, Mommy!” she said and I felt her shoulder tremble. She’s crying!

Napayuko ako habang hinahaplos ang buhok ng aking anak na umiiyak sa aking beywang. I closed my eyes tightly. Until I felt Callum hugged from the side and kissed my temple softly.

“Thank you,” he whispered that made my heart beats faster as I stifle the tear at the side of my eyes.

Hindi ko alam kung ano pang pwede kong maramdaman habang yakap nila akong dalawa. Na para bang para sa akin ayos na itong lahat. Ayos nang yakap nila ako at magbibigay sila ng init sa puso ko. Na lahat ng sakit at pagdududang naramdaman ko noon, ay napawi na ngayon dahil dito. Dahil sa kanila.

I felt my heart ache . . . but because of happiness.

After that silent moment between us three, Hestia fell asleep. Siguro dahil sa pagod maghapon, sa kakakwento kanina sa hapag, at sa pag-iyak ay hindi na niya napigilang antukin. Buhat siya ni Callum nang umakyat kami. Hiniga niya ito sa kama at kinumutan ko ito nang matapos ko siyang palitan ng pantulog.

I stood up and face Callum whose looking at us in a tender way. Even in his feature, his eyes held that emotion I always want to see. Because it somehow . . . make me fell harder for him.

I am falling harder to the soft side of him.

“Why?” I asked to stop my heart from beating faster.