Beautiful Heartbreak (Beautiful Series 1) • COMPLETED ✔️

(o3) • lost in an embrace

(Jelai)
•••

I firmly closed my eyes and felt my heartbeat. Pakiramdam ko sasabog na ang puso ko sa kaba na nararamdaman ko. He came. Iyon ang mahalaga.

"I'm sorry that it took me a few days to get here. I was busy with the office since your position was temporarily vacant, I had to double time. Jelai, I'm sorry for your loss," his voice lingers like music to my ears.

His eyes doesn't spark the way it should be. Halata ring hindi napagkakatulog si Sir Kiefer because it was obvious from the dark circles under his eyes.

"Sir, sorry. I never thought that you'd do my job. Akala ko po kasi, Barbie or Kiko would complement my absence. Hayaan niyo po, babawi ako right after this storm," I uttered. I want to touch his face, make him feel that I care for him.

Halos isang linggo lang ang nakalipas pero parang hindi na siya ang Kiefer na nagbigay sa akin ng matinding heartbreak. He looks paler now. His facial hair is in need of shaving. His tousled hair is a mess but the way he affects me still doesn't change.

Naramdaman kong lumakad si Sir papalapit sa akin. Nasa ilalim pa rin kami ng puno. My attention draws back to him. I inhaled a much needed air.

"Jelai, your job is not easy if that's what you think. I had to fill-in your position because there was no one capable enough of doing your job as much as I do. Barbie couldn't do it, you know that. So did Kiko. Anyway, kumusta ka na? You lose a little weight, it suits your face," halata sa boses niya ang pagod kahit pilit niya itong pinagagaan.

"I'm not feeling better, to be honest. Unexpected ang pagkamatay ng tatay ko, he didn't even say a word to us before he passed away. That was the hardest part. Ang gigising kami tuwing umaga na wala na siya at matutulog kami sa gabi na hindi naririnig ang boses niya," hindi ko naitago ang pait sa boses ko.

Hindi ko na napansin ang ekspresiyon sa mukha ni Sir Kiefer habang nagkukuwento ako. Iginiya ko na lamang siya papunta sa veranda ng isa pa naming bahay kung saan walang tao at malaya kami na makapag-usap.

Naupo ako sa isang swing sa veranda subalit dahan-dahan lamang akong umupo dahil nakabestida ako. He did the same and sat beside me.

I ready myself to swing with force. Just like the old times when I was young and carefree. I let my hair flew, not minding what Sir Kiefer would think. I closed my eyes.

Naramdaman ko na lang na tumayo si Sir Kiefer pero hindi ko na siya nilingon. I stopped for a while. I tiptoed and let my bare feet feel the wooden floor. Nang akmang itataas ko na ang mga paa ko, I felt a strong force holding me back.

Naramdaman ko na may dalawang kamay na pumulupot mula sa likod ko patungo sa bewang ko habang nakaupo pa din ako sa duyan at nakatingkayad ang mga paa.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. What is happening? Who will do this to me? Malibang na lang if Kiefer Park is embracing me right now. Narinig ko ang marahan niyang paghinga sa ulo ko.

"I know how hurtful this is to you Jelai. I can't possibly do anything to make your father live again, but at least, well I guess, this may help. Don't hurt too much. I don't want to see you in pain. Well, because you are one of the bests that I have, in Woodbearings, as my secretary of course," with that so much to consider, I guess I have fallen in love with him even more.

Ilang segundo kami na nasa ganitong posisyon. He is hugging me from behind in my tiptoed position. His perfume makes it even harder for me to breathe.

He smells so good. It has been the same perfume he is wearing for three years now kaya kabisado ko na ito at laging hinahanap ng ilong ko.

"S-sir the reports... I-I'm sorry," narinig ko ang mabigat na paghinga ko.

Here I am with him, saying stupid things. Stuttering. Shaking. He is holding my body. His arms are around me, right below my chest, sending shivers just enough for me to go crazy.