The Chef | Alyanna

Kabanata 19

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang init sa balat ko habang pababa sa sasakyan. My skin slowly turned red, napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

Napatingin akon sa taong nasa tabi ko ng maramdaman ko ang pagdantay ng kamay niya sa bewang ko. His hands are big and rough. I can feel its warmth within the fabric blocking our skin.

"Archer..."

Nginitian niya ako bag inilapat ang labi sa bunbunan ko. "Let's go?"

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Iginiya niya ako papasok sa bahay kung saan ang mga bata. After we made up and resolved what happened in the past, here we are again, together. Mahal ko naman siya kahit anong pigil ko and he already explained his side. It was all planned by one person.

Nasa pintuan na kami noong marinig ko ang mga matitinis na tawa ng mga anak namin. I missed them badly. Even if it's only for days but still, namiss ko sila.

Binuksan ng asawa ko ang pintuan at unti-unti ay pumasok kami. Una kong nakita ay ang mga laruang nakakalat sa sahig at mga pagkain na nasa table sa salas.

"Nasaan ang mga-"

"Surprise, mama, papa!"

Nabigla ako ng may biglang yumakap saking mga hita mula sa likuran. Nilingon ko ito, it was Phoenix. Napatingin naman ako kay Archer na bitbit na ngayon si Phoebe gamit ang isang braso. His veins in his muscles protruded kaya napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin.

Hinarap ko si Phoenix at akmang bubuhatin ko ito ng bigla itong umiwas at umiling.

"No, mama. Sabi ni papa 'di na daw ako pwedeng magpabuhat dahil baka maipit ang baby sa tummy mo." nakanguso nitong sabi.

Napasinghap naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Tiningnan ko naman si Archer na nakangisi lang sa'kin habang tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"We'll talk later." I said to him.

Mas lalo lamang lumawak ang pagkakangisi niya at naglakad na papunta sa kusina.

"Who's been taking care of the kids while we're not here?" I asked.

"I ask Artemis to baby sit our children for a while. Umalis na siya kanina noong tumawag ako."

Ibinaba niya si Phoebe noong makarating kami sa kusina. I asked the kids if they're hungry and they said they were so I cooked our food since hindi pa rin kami nakakakain ni Archer mula ng umalis kami sa Bacolod.

After a while, it was evening again. Hapon na kami nakarating ni Archer sa bahay kanina. Nasa balkonahe kami ngayon pagkatapos naming patulugin ang mga bata. Naka night dress na ako habang siya'y naka boxer shorts at naka puting tshirt na hindi tumutulong sa mga muscles niya na parang bato. I'm such a wanton woman this days with my husband. I just can't get enough of him since noong magka-ayos kami.

Niyakap niya ako mula sa likod. Ramdam ko ang init na nagmumula sa katawan niya habang ako ay nakatingin sa kalangitan at tinitingan ang mga bituin na kumikislap. Also the moon is luminous and majestic tonight. I know it has always been this beautiful but tonight, it's different.

"What are you thinking?" he whispered near my ear habang binibigyan ng maliliit na halik

"I... I was just wondering what if hindi tayo nagkaayos. Surely I could give the twins a father but not a complete family if ever na totoo talaga ang annulment paper na pinermahan mo."

"About that," He breathe deeply before he stepped back.

Kaagad kong naramdaman ang lamig ng gabi noong mawala siya sa likod ko. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili ko at nilingon siya.

A loud gasp escaped my mouth as the tears started to flow from my eyes.

"I know this is very late. But all I know is that I love you and I want you to feel how sincere and serious I am with you." Seryoso ang buong mukha niya habang nakaluhod sa harapan ko at may hawak na maliit na box. "I want us to start over again. I want us to trust each other, ayaw ko ng maulit ang nangyari noon. I can't afford to lose you again, Alyanna Marie so please..." he smiled as he slowly opened the box containing a ring. "Will you marry me, again?"

Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapahikbi dahil sa samut-saring emosyon na nararamdaman. After years of suffering, here we are in front each other again, wanting to renew everything.

"Yes!" I answered.

Maingat niyang isinuot sa daliri ko ang singsing bago tumayo at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. I inhaled his scent habang yakap parin namin ang isa't-isa. I rested my face on his neck habang ako'y unti-unti niyang binuhat at pinaupo sa balkonahe.

"I love you." aniya habang pinagdidikit ang noo namin.

I smiled sweetly and kissed him on his forehead before answering.

"I love you, too."

KITANG-KITA  sa mga mukha ng mga bisita ang kasiyahan habang nagsasayaw at nagkukwentuhan.

Naramdaman ko ang isang kamay na dumapo sa kamay ko. Tiningnan ko ang nag mamay-ari nito. My husband smiled at me before liftinf my hand with his and kissing my knuckles.

We just got married again, in front of our friends and family. They were vert happy of our news, lalo na noong malaman nilang nagkaayos na kami at magpapakasal na ulit. Also, the news about me from the past na hindi totoo ay sinagot na ni Archer sa harapan ng madlang people. We found a footage of how my accident happened, mabuti na lang at kahit madilim ang parte ng pinangyarihan, may cctv pa rin doon.

The kids were joyous too of the news, although Phoebe is still a bit distant to her father, I know that she understand everything.

"Can't wait for them to go home." he whispered near my ear.

Mahina ko naman siyang hinampas at piningot sa taenga habang unti-unting nararamdaman ang pag init ng pisngi ko.

"Archer Falcon!" pinandilatan ko ito.

"What?" He looks so cute while acting innocent. "As if you're not excited too." I just rolled my eyes and sighed because of his eagerness for later.

Napangiti na lang ako noong tumawa siya. I rested my head on his shoulder as I scanned the whole room with my eyes. I saw the twins playing with my bestfriends' kids.

"Wala pa bang laman 'to?" He suddenly asked as he gently caressed my stomach.

Palihim naman akong napangiti doon sa tanong niya. I also have a surprise for him later. Gusto kong siya ang unang maka-alam.

"You're so quiet, Alyanna..."

I chuckled bago ko siya tingalain.

"I love you..." I uttered.

He smiled gently before pulling me into a gentle hug and kissing my forehead. "I love you more, my sexy chef."

STONE MIKAELSON