It takes the both of us (PUBLISHED - WEBNOVEL)

EIGHT: BACK TO THE PRESENT

[Shaira's POINT OF VIEW]

It was quite a long reminiscing, but it's worth remembering. I am glad I fell for him too. After a four long year's relationship without quarrels and misunderstandings, we end up saying our vows in the manila cathedral.

"I bet you were reminded of the past, huh?" Hera giggled while squinting her eyes. She was fascinated by my cliche love story with my husband. I don't get what's amusing with ours, when in fact her love story with Taehyung is more fascinating. Imagine being secretly in love with your best and struggles made their life into a roller coaster of emotion before they finally lead the path to marriage. Compared to mine, which appears more like a business presentation than a romantic one, I think my love life is cliche as I mentioned.

Just when I opened my mouth to reply, an intervention appeared. Hera and I turned our heads to where Hyunra is, yelling, "Daddy!"

"Hello, Uncle," said Tamra as he greeted the father of his childhood friend.

"Hi there, young man," Taehyung replied as he poked Tamra's nose. Then, he smiled at me before embracing his wife, my best friend.

"Why did you come back? Weren't you in the middle of surgery?" Hera kissed her husband's lips.

Taehyung simply chuckled and replied, "I just missed my wife and my angels."

"Idiot! You shouldn't have come back if you have not finished your work, you know, I might not let you go out again," says Hera.

I simply feast my eyes with their affectionate interaction. They look so madly in love, I can see it in their eyes. I recall how timid those two were, way back a long time ago, and I'm glad as time passes by, they are more open to showing affection

"Dad, your phone is vibrating," said Hyunhe as he meddled between his mom and dad.

Taehyung answered the phone call and bid goodbye shortly after. "I must see you later, bye babies!" He kissed his son and daughter. Then he winked before kissing Hera's forehead and added, "Later."

"See. I told you. Now I miss you even more," said Hera, pouting her lips as if a teenage tweetums lady possessed her.

"I'll be there for dinner," Taehyung replied.

They shared a smack of sweetness again before Hera escorted her husband to the gate.

Hera giggled as she sat beside me and uttered, "Sorry about that mushy moment."

I smiled and replied, "No worries, Jhotam and I are exactly like the two of you. Besides, showing a little affection is nothing to be embarrassed for."

Then, we both giggled as the heat of being thrilled tickled us.

I'm glad we married the man we loved and blessed with this life. I guess we fulfilled our best friend's goals.

"By the way, what time are you going home?" Hera asked.

I shrugged and replied, "It depends on Jhotam."

As time passed by, we did not notice it was almost night. It's no surprise 'cause we are having all-out good bonding time since we've barely seen each other. Due to our busy lives with our own families, at least we found time to stay connected.

"I'm home!" Taehyung says. His children run towards him, leaving the coffee table with their unfinished java chips and almond drink.

"Shall we?" I smiled as I recognized the man beside my best friend's husband.

Jhotam smiled and tapped Taehyung's back, and uttered, "We're going first. Thanks for keeping my family accompanied."

"Weren't you going to have dinner with us?" Hera asked while cleaning the coffee table.

Jhotam replied, "If your best friend says so, then who am I to decline? But to be honest, I love to eat my wife's specialty."

"Then, I'll borrow Hera's kitchen as well?" I replied, extending my hands to help Hera with the dishware.

"I guess we have two chefs today," Taehyung replied.

"You better watch the kids," Hera uttered as we entered the kitchen.

We prepared a delish dinner, and we shared a quick chit-chat while waiting to wrap things in the kitchen.

"Have you ever thought one day those boys will find us burdensome?"

I wore a perplexed look on my face and replied, "You two don't look like you were having a marital problem. So, why ask out of the shade concern?"

"Come on. It's not about my husband and me. I often have random thoughts, you know," she replied.

Suddenly, we both fall into silence and draw scenarios inside our heads. Then we shook our heads in synchronization, followed by a deep sigh.

"I think we've scrolled too much in Facebrook," says Hera.

Then I seconded, "Thinking unnecessary trouble is not healthy. Anyway, let's serve the food. I bet they're hungry."

Despite dissolving Hera's random thought, my mind has been infested with 'what ifs' ever since she mentioned it, and until now, I can't seem to bury it to ashes. I can't help but glance at my best friend and her husband, wondering if it is truly just a random thought or if there's more to it.

Suddenly, I glanced at Jhotam, who was peacefully feeding Tamra. Then a voice inside my head asks, 'Would you get tired of me in the future?'

Shortly after, I shook my head and gathered my sanity.

What am I thinking just now?

Once dinner is done, we bid goodbye. Then, the Kim family sent us off with a warm embrace. We were yet to board the car when Hyunra walked in my son's direction.

"Bye, Tamra!" Hyunra says she gave my son a sweet goodbye hug.

Then, my little guy embraced the little girl tightly.

"Take care," says Tamra to Hyunra as he pats the little girl's hair.

My phone buzzed due to Hera's message saying, ~ I think I can see we're going to be a real family shortly~

Then I replied, ~I think so.~

In my peripheral view, I saw a flashing smile on my best friend's face as she waved goodbye to our moving car.