Emancipating The Love (On-going)

Chapter 34

Treachery

The soft buzz of the air-conditioner filled the comforting silence. There was a slight subtle glimmering from the setting moon—nearly unnoticeable, barely there. The orangey glow of the rising sun started to dominate the early morning, casting streaks of faint light, passing through the small opening of the thick curtains.

It was like any other normal day. Wrapped in each other's arms, tucked under the quilt comforter, all together braced by the silent power of their love.

"PIM." It was a sweet whisper, escaping so smooth from his throat as if the endearment had memorized its way out of his vocal folds. Though it sounded somewhat different. Somewhat —longing. Like a howl of a lost cub in the middle of the forest.

"Hmm?" Lea hummed, not noticing the mellow change in how her husband whispered their endearment, still in the domain between drowsiness and consciousness.

"I love you, so much. Mahal na mahal kita. So much more than what you think." He muttered, his arms wrapping tighter around her waist, scooping her closer to him.

"I love you, too. It's 5:00 in the morning, what's with the extra clingyness?" Lea wiggled her way out of his securing embrace to face him.

"Can't I tell my wife that I love her?" His question was rhetorical. He played it safe by reciprocating a question, like he intended for her to initiate a thought.

But in his mind, he was blurting out the reasons. The moment their eyes met was a triggering encounter for him yet he couldn't bare looking away.

"No, of course you can. Just not expecting such a sweet husband this early." She answered, caressing his face with such delicacy, he immediately melted.

"Good morning, morning." A small smile formed on her face like it was a voluntary movement her muscles made, twitched by the serotonin that was boosted by just merely waking up next to him.

"Good morning, sungit." His hand slid from her waist, made it to her back, traced her jaw then pinched her nose.

"Too early for that, mister." Her nose scrunched into a near frown, a prohibiting act to the commencement of his early morning teasing.

"Ito naman, I'm just greeting you, misis." He exonerated himself as he drew closer, their noses touched, eyes closed then—lips collided.

A burst of invisible fireworks sparked their hearts even warmer, flames even hotter—like they were burning from the intensity of each other's love.

"Can't we stay like this the whole day?" Lea curled under his body like she was a precious thing being protected. Her ears were against his chest, enabling her to hear the beating of his heart. It was in a rhythm only her could make it flutter—fast yet steady.

"How I wish, PIM. But we're both busy individuals. Besides, you have a party to attend later." He reminded her, fiddling with her hair.

"Hmm... why can't you go with me again later?" She snuggled closer, questioning his absence for the event.

"Because I have a very important errand to attend, PIM. My presence is really needed." He answered, making up an excuse that felt like a thick barrier in his throat that was hard to spit.

Technically, he wasn't directly lying. His presence is crucial because if it weren't for him, the party wouldn't even take place. But as his defense slipped out of his throat, a stinging pain came with it, slicing him with the sharpness of repentance.

"Can't you move it? Who's the client? Maybe I could talk to them to adjust it?" Lea looked up to him, insinuating her desire for him to be with her later by invoking insisting questions.