Dusk Crown

Chapter 27

"JE T'AIME plus, Dusky..."

Nawala ang malawak na ngiti ni Dusk nang marinig ang sinabi ni Hya. Hindi man siya magaling sa lengwaheng Pranses ay alam niya ang kahulugan niyon.

That's I love you more. His dad who grow up in France used it sometimes to answer mom. Dad also uses je t'aime to say I love you. Harley occasionally use it too back then because she came from a family and place in Morocco that speaks Arabic and French.

Having said that, he understands clearly what Hya just told.

She loves him...

And he doesn't know how to respond other than blinking his eyes, staring at her dumbfounded with his lips parted. His heart racing like he just had a marathon. He was really taken aback with her reply.

Ngumiti ito sa kanya saka siya muling binigla ng tumingkayad ito at marahan siyang hinalikan sa labi. It was a simple peck, not enough to awaken his still stunned being. Not enough to make him believe that he heard her clearly.

Sinundan niya ito ng tingin ng iwan siya nito para habulin sina Alleanna at Dark. Wala naman siya sa sariling sumunod habang napapalunok at hindi alam ang gagawin.

Not only his heart is hammering against his chest, but his mind also can't stand the reality. A reality that seems so impossible.

Yes, he had prayed today at church for her to love him despite his history of womanizing, but he never keep his hope high because he knew how hard it is for a woman to trust him knowing that he's a rake.

Nahaplos ni Dusk ang batok niya saka ilang beses na huminga ng malalim at pilit na ginising ang diwa sa realidad bago nagmamadaling sinundan sina Hyacinth na mabilis na nakarating sa napiling sunbed ng mga ito.

Nang maabutan niya ito ay mabilis siyang umupo sa tabi nito at pinakatitigan ito.

"Pakiulit ng sinabi mo," he demanded, staring at her.

Natigil ito sa pagkuha ng sunscreen at tumingin sa kanya.

"Bakit?" Nangingiti nitong tanong.

"I need to hear it. Loud and clear. Tagalogin mo narin para mas malinaw," he requested, getting anxious as he slowly doubt if he heard her right.

Binigay nito ang buong atensyon sa kanya at hinaplos ang panga niya. Hinawakan niya naman ang kamay nito at hinalikan sa palad habang hinihintay ang sagot nito.

"Mahal kita." Tinaasan siya nito ng kilay habang may marahang ngiti sa labi. "Ayos na ba?"

Dusk closed his eyes and pressed her lips on her palm, resting it there as he tries to ease the excitement, joy, and overwhelming emotions in his chest.

He tried...but when Dark and Alleanna hugged him on both sides he just feels his eyes moisten though he was able to contain his emotions so as not to tear up. Especially when both kids said the words he'll forever cherish in his heart.

"I love you too, daddy."

Binitawan niya ang kamay ni Hya saka niyakap ang dalawang anak nito at mariing hinalikan sa ulo.

"I love you too both like how a dad loves his child," he told, cradling the two gently.

Sigurado siya na mahal niya ang dalawa na parang kanya narin. He knew cuz he had seen and felt the same love from his dad. He even rejects imagining the what if— if he and Hya part ways. If they don't work out.

Tumingin siya kay Hya na nakatingin lang sa kanila at may masayang ngiti sa labi. Mukhang walang problema dito kung tatawagin siyang daddy nila Dark, and he can't be happier. Pero nakikita niya ang pamamasa ng mata nito kaya't nagbawi rin ito ng tingin para itago iyon.