✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book Two]

CHAPTER 17

Note: Maraming salamat sa paghihintay. Enjoy reading, but take the warning seriously hahaha

Warning: This chapter contains a rated-18+ scene. Pikit mga paslit!

[ C H A P T E R 17 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

My conscience began to come back to reality when my ears heard a faint sound of a zither instrument nearby. It was playing a soft tone that is calming to the ears and the brain. Para akong tinatangay sa tugtog na naririnig ko kaya't bumabalik ang aking diwa. Ginalaw ko ang aking mga daliri at naramdaman na may nakahawak sa aking kanan na kamay. When that person knew I was awake, he gently caressed it immediately.

Suddenly, the zither stops.

"Your grace..." mahinang sabi ko. I know his hands even when my eyes are closed. I crumpled my fingers into his when I felt his lips kiss the back of my palm.

"Good morning," his hoarse voice envelops my ears. Dahan-dahan akong napadilat para tingnan siya mismo ng aking mga mata. "How are you feeling? Do you want anything?"

I released his grasp and my palm touched his cheek. His beard grew even more than the last time I saw him. His eyes showed relief, and my thumb touched his lower lip when it formed into a thin smile.

"How long have I been sleeping?" I asked, flashing a worried voice wishing for an immediate answer.

"Three weeks," he replied instantly. Tinanggal niya muli ang aking kamay at ginapos ito sa kanya. "Wala bang masakit sa 'yo? Hmm? Tell me, wife. How are you feeling?"

"I feel okay," I whispered enough for him to hear. Dahil sa sinabi ko mas naginhawaaan siya. Napako ang aking tingin sa kanyang likod ng makita ko ang aming wedding painting na nakadikit sa pader.

"Are we in the Duchy?" tanong ko.

"We arrived last week," he replied again.

Tinulungan niya akong makabangon at pinasandal sa headboard ng kama. He reached for the bedside table and handed me a glass of water which I gladly took. Nang matapos ay bumalik siya sa pag-upo sa kama at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Agad lumandas ang aking isang kamay sa aking tiyan.

"Roshan..." I speak his name.

"They are fine," he instantly replied as if he knew what I was talking about. "I gather all the best physicians not just in Edinburgh but also in the entire West. They all said the same, so don't worry."

I'm only wearing a chemise, so my bump will be visible to anyone who can see me. I let out a sigh of relief as I held my tummy. Medyo malaki talaga ang tiyan ko kaysa sa ordinaryong nagbubuntis. Maybe because I'm carrying twins.

"I'm sorry," saad ko nang mapako ang aking tingin sa kanya. His lips rose again but this time, he looked amused. It makes me feel guilty when I know he is mad but he's trying not to show it.

"Which part are you sorry about?" he asked. "For lying about your fertile period on our consummation night or for lying about your pregnancy?"

"For everything," I replied.

He only raised the side of his lips and I flinched when he moved his body and rested his head on my legs, close enough he could bump on my tummy. Hinawakan niya ang aking tiyan at tumingin sa akin.

"Apology accepted, wife. In fact, don't ever apologize for everything you do because I know you do them for a reason," he said. Magkahawak ang aming mga kamay habang nakahawak ang mga ito sa tiyan ko. "When you were in pain, I felt like my world would collapse again. Your screams become a nightmare every time I sleep, and I've been hoping that if anyone could hear me, I would be in your position instead." His voice broke but his eyes were glimmering with happiness. "I don't want to lose you in this life again, Latisha."