THE PERFECT HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #1)

Chapter 52. Stolen Night

✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧

THE night was still, the moon casting a pale glow through the window of my room, habang deretso akong nakahiga sa kama, nakatanaw sa kisame at hindi mapakali. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Poppy, and my heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Alas nuebe ng gabi kaming nakauwi kanina sa bahay. Pagdating namin, sinalubong kami nila mommy at ng mga kapatid ko para kumustahin ang pagbisita namin sa mansyon. Syempre, para hindi sila mag-alala, hindi ko na kinuwento lahat.

Mag-a-alas dies no'ng natapos kaming makipagkuwentuhan at nagkani-kaniyang akyat sa kuwarto. Pero ngayon, 11:30 p.m. na, wala pa rin akong natatanggap na chat mula kay Poppy.

I reached for my phone, checking it for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping to see a message from her. The screen remained stubbornly blank, and I let out a frustrated sigh. She had mentioned earlier that she might invite me to sleep in her room, just like we had done when we were at Mommyla's vacation house. The thought of being close to her again, of providing her with comfort and security, was enough to make me restless.

Napabangon ako at naupo sa kama, running a hand through my hair. The minutes seemed to drag on, each one feeling like an eternity. I could barely concentrate on anything else, my thoughts continually drifting back to her. Pa'no kung nagbago ang isip niya? What if she felt too shy or embarrassed to ask?

The uncertainty was maddening. Hindi ko namalayang nakababa na 'ko sa kama at naglalakad nang pabalik-balik sa kuwarto para i-distract ang sarli ko. But nothing seemed to work. The silence of the house only amplified my thoughts. I finally sank back onto the bed, staring at my phone, willing it to light up with her message.

'What if ako na lang mag-text sa kaniya? Baka kasi nakalimutan niya lang o nawala na sa isip niya?'

'Damn. Magmumukha naman akong desperado no'n.'

I sighed. Inis ko sanang ibabalibag ang cell phone ko sa kama. But just as I was about to give up hope, the screen flashed, and a notification appeared. My heart skipped a beat as I quickly unlocked the phone and saw her name.

Poppy: "Faith, gising ka pa?"

Agad akong nag-reply.

Me: "Yes, Poppy. Ikaw, bakit gising ka pa?"

Poppy: "Hindi ako makatulog. Hinihintay kitang lumipat. Kaso baka gising pa sila Mommy Keycee. Baka mahuli ka nila at mapagalitan tayo."

A wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile. Hindi niya pala nakalimutan. At talagang hinihintay niya 'ko. The tension that had gripped me all evening began to melt away. I quickly typed a response, my fingers trembling slightly with excitement.

Me: "Tulog na sila, Poppy. Lilipat na 'ko. Hintayin mo 'ko."

I stood up, walking in front of the large mirror. Pinagmasdan ko muna ang sarili ko. Nakasuot ako ng cream-colored sweatpants, white T-shirt at medyo gulo ang buhok ko dahil sa pagkakahiga kanina at sa ilang beses kong pagsabunot do'n. But I looked good anyway.

Bumalik ako sa kama at dinampot muna ang cell phone ko bago ako lumabas sa kuwarto. The hallway was quiet, and I made my way to Poppy's room, my heart pounding with every step. When I reached her door, I knocked softly.

"Hindi 'yan naka-lock," she said from the other side.

I opened the door and stepped inside. Poppy was lying on the side of her bed, looking up at me with a mixture of relief and gratitude. Her presence was like a balm to my restless soul. Nakasuot siya ng ternong pantulog, 'yong binili namin no'ng nasa vacation house kami. Red ang suot niya this time at mahaba ang manggas no'n.

"Akala ko hindi ka makakapunta rito," she said softly, her eyes meeting mine.

I smiled and walked over to her, naupo ako sa gilid ng kama kung saan niya 'ko pinaglaanan ng space. "Pupunta 'ko. Naghihintay lang ako ng chat mo dahil ayaw kitang pangunahan. Baka kasi nagbago isip mo at hindi ka maging komportable kung basta na lang akong lilipat dito."