Craving the Thorns (Monforte Series #1) (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 50

Fearless

I caught him staring at me that day. It didn't occur to me how he's going to change everything for me in this lifetime. My perspective, my principles, and my life. If I were to be given a chance to relive my life again, if I was given the chance to suffer, to let go... and grip it tighter... once again. Wala akong babaguhin.

Suut-suot ko ang isang simpleng itim na dress na hapit sa katawan ko. I let my hair down effortlessly. Tumangkad din ng kaunti dahil sa suot na heels pero... ibang-iba ang nararamdaman ko. I may seem confident because of my dress and aura, but... my heart were jumping up and down. Lalo na't... naroon ang pamilya ni Flame mamaya.

It's Flame's birthday today. Pagkagising na pagkagising ko pa lang kanina, hinalikan ko kaagad ang pisngi niya. He woke up because of that. At iyon, doon kami pinaka-nagtagal dahil ayaw pa niyang bumangon. Ipinahinga niya ang kaniyang ulo sa dibdib ko kaya kahit ako, hindi makaalis.

The gush of fluid in my body actively interrupted my thoughts when I remember it. Napangiti ako sa salamin at hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapansin ang ngiting 'yon. I look so happy. I look so contented. I look... perfect.

Akala ko noon, kapag isa kang bulaklak, iibigin ka ng lahat. Kapag isa kang bulaklak na tahimik, sumusunod sa bawat hampas ng hangin. Sumusuko sa parating na bagyo, hindi ka iiwan ng lahat. Yes, a few may leave you because that's just life itself. But the only person you want to stay, will never leave. Kasi nga... isa kang perpektong bulaklak.

Matagal na panahon kong pinangatawanan na maging isang masunurin na bulaklak. Na kahit hampasin ng unos ay hahayaan lamang. Na kung bunutin at saktan ay ayos lang. Kasi nga... isa kang perpektong bulaklak.

But a perfect flower will never grow in an environment that she fears. A perfect flower will never bloom in an environment where she feels that she's alone. A perfect flower would never be satisfied by water and sunlight... if she was forced to hide her thorns.

Sa buong buhay na 'to, napagtanto kong... hindi kailanman naging perpekto ang isang bulaklak.

A flower needs its thorns to protect itself from danger. A flower needs its thorns to protect itself from pain. A flower... can bloom even in the darkest night... if you let them embrace themselves. Even if they have thorns.

With Flame, he introduced me to a deeper kind of love. A love that stays, a love that waits. A love that listens and laughs at the mistakes. A love that accepts and never fears. A love that is overflowing.... but still craves.

At ngayon, labasan man ako ng tinik sa katawan. Kahit literal. Alam kong hinding-hindi niya ako huhusgahan.

Muntik na akong maluha sa mga naisip. I noticed that I'm so emotional lately, I don't know if it's because of the happy things that are happening or it's something else.

Nagitla ako sa brasong pumulupot sa aking bewang. Naamoy ko kaagad ang pabango ng lalaking kanina ko pa iniisip. I tilted my head instinctively because I know that he will rest his chin on my shoulder.

"You look pretty," he stated.

Umirap ako at hinawakan ang kaniyang braso. Uminit ang pisngi ko nang mapagtantong wala pa siyang suot na damit pang-itaas. Mabuti na rin at nakayakap siya sa'kin ngayon. Kasi kung hindi, mahihirapan akong mag-decide kung saan ba dapat tumingin.

"Ang gwapo mo kaso lang wala kang damit."

He smirked and sniffed my neck. Natawa ako dahil bigla niya 'yong ginawa.

"Mas gusto mo namang ganito ako. Inalis mo nga ang damit ko kagabi."

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa gulat sa sinabi niya. Tinampal ko ang braso niya dahil sa pagkakahiya. "Don't even go into details. I can't believe you!"