Tulip's Destiny

XXXVIII - Worth The Wait

"Bang!" Raine gasped from the sight of blood oozing from his chest. Mikhail cupped her face with one hand, to the wound on the other. She began to panic, breathing heavily seeing Gelo from behind aiming the gun at them. His legs are now trembling, Raine tried to hold him up with both arms only for both of them to fall on the ground. Hail faced the danger threatening her masters. Raine shuddered for the worse, as she clutched her fingers against his face. Everything became a blur. Her hearing was heightened by a ringing sound accompanied by Hail's growls.

All of a sudden, Raine launched herself off the bed. She looked around the room, placing a hand on her chest as she pant. Her eyes soon landed on Mikhail peacefully sleeping on the couch facing the bed. Soft hues of yellow shone on his face like a sunflower in its magnificence. He was on his side, facing her bed. Mikhail was curled up in a ball, hugging himself from the cold air. Raine began to calm down as she gathered the blanket with a hug and made her way to him. She slowly laid the blanket in his body, tucking him in. "Sleep well." Raine smiled, before turning back to the bed. She plopped down on the bed, spreading her arms and legs as she stared at the ceiling for a while. Before Raine knew it, she had already fallen asleep again.

After a few hours, she was soon awakened by the harsh light of the afternoon heat. Raine sat up with eyes still closed, as she stretched her arms lazily. Her eyes fluttered open as soon she heard the door swing by slowly, it was Mikhail holding a paper bag. "You're awake." He chuckled, closing the door behind him. "Morning..." She mumbled with a tight-lipped smile. "Not quite morning anymore." Mikhail let out a laugh, pointing at the wall clock on top of the TV. "Whatever." Raine said in a sarcastic tone, throwing the blanket on the other side. She stopped in confusion, looking at the sheet on her bed.

"Oh, you were shivering earlier." Mikhail explained, watching her in confusion. "I got us some Pandesal... although they're not as fresh anymore, considering we got up late."

"I thought you don't like Pandesal?" Raine noted, getting herself a bread from the paperbag.

"What?" He asked, chomping a big piece out of the bread.

"You said it's messy. And you choke on crumbs..."

"I don't know what you're saying." Mikhail looked at her with a blank expression.

"Nevermind." She brushed off, tearing the bread in small pieces before chewing on them. They both sat in silence, waiting on one another to try and break the ice. "Butter?" Mikhail smiled awkwardly, extending the spread to her. "No, thank you." She refused, waving her hand no. "Oh... okay." He puffed out, slowly placing the plate back on the table.

"Uhhh... uhmm... are those board games?" Raine uttered, pointing on  a corner.

"Your mom packed them, to ease boredom she says"

"Really?"

"Are they yours?" He got up, started walking towards the pile.

"Uh-huh, Shaiya and I used to play board games every Saturday night. It's our little tradition growing up." Raine smiled, fixing her gaze on the boxes of games that had sent her to sweet flashbacks

"How about we play? And make our tradition?" Mikhail giggled, picking up a few games.

"It's not even Saturday." She chuckled, shaking her head.

"So?" He shrugged his shoulders, crossing his legs as he sat on the floor.

"It's Thursday."

"Okay?" Mikhail beamed, smiling downturned. He patted the floor beside him, signifying her to sit by him.

"In the afternoon." Raine gushed, gently dropping to the cold floor with his support on her back.