When Autumn Blossoms

Chapter 10

Chapter 10
The Flower of Love

That was love. Napamulat si Saive dahil sa tumatarak na sinag ni Haring Araw. At sa pagkilos niya palayo ang siyang pagkabig naman ng maskuladong bisig sa kanya palapit.

"Khalil." She shivered how her voice sounded. "It's time to get up." She's still not used waking up with him first in the morning.

Halinghing lang ang isinagot ni Khalil kaya napabuntong-hininga na lang si Saive at muling nagsumiksik sa yakap nito. That's her new realm, her new home. He wrapped his arms as if she was about to fade. 

Wala silang sinayang na segundo at araw. They both expressed what they felt for each other, and that's love.

Hinawakan ni Saive ang kamay ni Khalil. Iyon ang kamay na sumalo sa kanya bago pa man siya lumagapak sa lupa. Binuhay ulit ni Khalil ang kanyang sigla at liwanag.

How can she love someone so fast? How can that bed made her felt so secured? Only the Master Love knew. They were just its subjects, and they didn't have to know it.

Napakunot ang noo ni Saive nang makita niya ang bracelet ni Khalil. Number zero na ang nakalagay doon. Napatingin naman siya sa kanya at number 2 na ang naroroon.

Everything paused when she's with him. The time slowed, so she didn't realize how fleeting it was.

"Ngayon na pala ang huling araw mo rito?"

Napabangon ng ulo si Khalil at napatingin sa kanya. Napabuntong-hininga ito at napatango. "Yes."

Biglang kinabahan at nalungkot si Saive sa hindi malamang dahilan. "What will happen after?" she asked confused.

Pinisil ni Khalil ang pisngi niya. "Of course, we'll find each other and spend the rest of our days there." He chuckled. "Sigurado na ako sa'yo, at handa na akong mag-settle with you. Mahal na mahal na mahal kita." Dinampian niya ng halik si Saive. "I will propose to you. Gusto ko may fireworks display. You will say yes, and we will be engaged for a week. Because after a week, ikakasal din tayo."

Saive melted with the proximity, his actions, and words. Khalil knew how to give her the assurance she needed. And she loved that.

"Sabay na lang kaya tayong umalis?"

"Nabasa mo ba ang rules sa booklet? We must spend all our days here, right?"

"But ... will you not break the rules for me?"

"I can, but I will not." He smiled. "This time, I will not. Once, I broke the rules for someone and it didn't turn out well."

Napatawa si Saive at napahampas sa matigas na dibdib ni Khalil. "Ang drama mo, noh? I was just kidding. Wala pa naman talaga akong balak na umalis. This place is a paradise."

"Everything and everywhere is a paradise ... when I'm with you." Saive's cheeks heatened up. "I love you, Saive. Hindi ako mapapagod na sabihin at ipakita iyan sa'yo bawat segundo ng araw-araw."

She smiled awkwardly. "T-thank you."

"Thank you?!" he instantly asked, annoyed. "Thank you?!! 'Yon lang?"

Napatawa si Saive at napayakap kay Khalil. Naamoy niya na naman ang natural nitong bango na palaging nagpapawala sa kanya. She loved his scent.

"Thank you ... for coming into my life. For letting me find my life. For seeing the beauty in my most wrecked state. Salamat dahil sinalo mo ako nang nagsimula na akong tanggapin na sa lupa na ako babagsak." A tear escaped from her eye. "And ... I love you, Khalil. Every word, every page, everything that I will write from now on,  I want you to know that you're living in it. This is our story, and we will make it long and happy."