NOT A RIVALRY

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

NOAH smile as he softly caress the book in his hand, if it weren't for this book he and Callen wouldn't be what they are right now. Though it was all Callen's planned but it doesn't change the fact that this book played an important role both in positive and negative way. He didn't asked about it but a moment ago Callen handed it to him and even apologized for taken it from him.

Noah don't know what to feel, he doesn't even know what to do with this book after hearing Callen a moment ago.

It's Sunday and since he's still recovering, he just stayed in bed doing nothing other than reading articles and review his lessons that Gab sent to him. Callen didn't let him recklessly move around much to his dislike but could do nothing because his hon set a condition. If he can meet Callen's condition, he'll be allowed to go to school tomorrow. So here he is, acting behave as much as he could because he couldn't wait another days before he's completely allowed to go out as per his Mom and Mama Bella's advised.

While busying himself Callen approached him and in his hand is the book, Callen handed it to him. "I know this book is important to you, I'm sorry if I took it away from you. I'm giving it back." He said and sat beside him.

Noah on the other hand couldn't move and just stared at Callen and then to the book in his hand. When he didn't move to take the book, Callen place it beside him. Noah couldn't move not because Callen is giving the book back to him, he couldn't move, he actually froze because of the fact that he actually almost forgot the existence of his book that he considered important to him.

"This book was owned by your childhood best friend who passed away, right? I know it is important to you but I still took it away and I'm really sorry. That time, taking away something important to you and keep it in my care was the only thing I thought to completely caught your attention and also in that way you'll be forced to approach me wether you like it or not. My planned actually work well and look where we are right now, though I still feel guilty." Callen does still have a lot to say but he felt like he already lost for words. He knew for a fact that Noah love him and he trust his baby so much but when his anxiety acting up— there's this small voices saying that Noah was just force to be with him because of what he did, because of the book or maybe Noah just pitied him because of his mental condition.

When he was still in overseas almost everyday he could heard that voices, Callen was just thankful everytime he heard his baby's voice, how sincere it was, he immediately calmed down. Callen didn't tell anyone about this, he always just acted like nothing happened.

So here he is giving back what he took away from his baby and maybe, just maybe he's hoping those voices will stop pestering him.

"I love you baby. I know you love me too and I trust you more than I trusted myself." He's looking down afraid to look at his baby and see what kind of emotion he's giving to him while looking at him. He reached for Noah's hand and caress it softly. "I'm hearing voices in my head almost everyday saying that you are just force to stay with me because of this book and because I'm mentally unstable and you just pitied me. I know it wasn't true but this fucking anxiety making it worse." He honestly confessed.

Callen know by telling everything to Noah will just make his baby worry but he rather tell the truth than lie to him that might possibly leads to misunderstanding.

Amidst his frozen state Noah finally moved after hearing Callen. His eyes widen in shock, immediately his hand cupped Callen's cheeks. "Hon look at me." Even if he doesn't want to, Noah's voice just tremble.

When Callen finally look at him, Noah felt like a thousand needles just stabbed his heart when he saw how vulnerable his hon look like. Naninikip ang dibdib niya sa nakikitang emosyon sa mukha ng kasintahan. Gusto niyang saktan ang sarili, bulyawan o kung ano pa man. Paano... paanong hindi niya napansin na may ganito na palang iniisip si Callen?