chapter twenty-seven;
hugs and candies

—

THIRD PERSON'S POV

AS the sun slowly bloomed on the horizon like a golden petal that seemed to reach outward endlessly, granting an illuminating radiance in the waves and calm of the sea. Its colours were bringing a gentle pat on the soul of each people who thought that they wouldn't see it again after the disaster they faced on the bleak night earlier.

They were really alive; they were really standing while gazing at the sunrise. They really withstood when they thought they wouldn't stand a chance. Their hearts were filled with so much emotions as they all thanked the heavens and those who fought for their safety.

Mildred, on the other hand, quietly and quickly went to her master, who didn't move even a flinch since landing on the sea. She bowed her head to him, she could see the cuts, fatigue, and weakness in him, but somehow he was at peace.

"Mildred..." he called in a soft quiet voice, almost a whisper.

"Your Highness," she mentioned ready to obey whatever he wanted.

"Please create a portal... My wife needs to rest somewhere comfortable..." His tired voice made Mildred's heart hurt a little. It made her realize how much his young master had grown up in a short amount of time.

Walang imik-imik na sinunod ni Mildred ang sinabi ni Kallisto. Kaagad siyang gumawa ng portal at ang destinasyon no'n ay walang iba kung hindi sa silid na tinutuluyan ni Evienne sa kapital ng Elysia.

Kallisto carefully embraced his sleeping wife and moved his body. He walked toward the portal that Mildred created. He was careful not to disturb the invisible little fox on Evienne's body, too. It had also been a rough night for the young Yule.

After that, he arrived at Evienne's room shortly, and Mildred automatically called for Leah.

Leah, who was already waiting for her lady, was shocked to see her state. Halos hindi niya napansin si Kallisto na may hawak dito. The young madame was pale, bruised, bleeding. "M-My lady!" mangiyak-ngiyak na imik nito at napatakip sa bibig.

Kallisto glared at her coldly, and that was when she realized that he was carrying Evienne. Napalunok at nabato siya sa kinatatayuan. Pero hindi siya pinansin ni Kallisto at inilagay si Evienne nang tahimik sa kama.

"Clean her up and call our doctor and priest. Make sure she's okay." Sumunod kaagad si Leah sa sinabi ni Kallisto, samantalang nanatili si Mildred dahil alam niyang may ibang inuutos sa kanya ang amo.

Kinuha rin ni Kallisto ang tulog na si Yule at hiniga sa tabi ni Evienne, he put some Abyss on him for him to recover a little. And giving him some abyss almost made Kallisto collapse on the floor, which alerted Mildred.

But he immediately put his hand up before she could hold him. Mildred wanted to heal Kallisto a little, but he knew she had also been using her powers all night, so he refused. Nagsalita na lang siya ng ilang iuutos dito.

"Check if Lincoln, the owls, the knights, and Willow is fine. Bring Willow here immediately, too. Make sure all our people are attended."

"Your Highness, you need to rest, too..." nag-aalalang sambit ni Mildred dito.

"I will; I just need to ensure that everything's fine with our people."

Napabuntonghininga na lang si Mildred dahil alam niyang hindi niya rin mapipigilan ang gusto nito.

"The Saint might call for you and the Celeste," she told him. They weren't in the Seventh Kingdom, so it was given that the Saint and the Shrine officials would move and talk to them about what occurred last night.

"You and Lincoln can take care of it. Just make sure not to reveal Yule, Willow and the owl's existence. Make sure the owls will be treated here, too." Tumango si Mildred sa binilin ni Kallisto, pero hindi niya magawang sumang-ayon sa ilang sinabi nito.

"Your Highness, the Saint is like a King in this land. I don't think it'd be wise for a lowly servant like me to be in his presence. You might need to go to him if he ever asked for it." Kallisto sighed heavily and massaged his forehead.

"Not right now, Mildred. Evienne's not well." Hindi na nagawa ni Mildred magsalita dahil ramdam niya ang bigat ng hangin sa sinabing 'yon ni Kallisto.

He didn't care about the Saint right now. All he cared about was the silver-haired lady who was severely injured and hurt from the event.

What more do they want from them? They already protected this land with their lives on the line. The least that Elysia could do was let them rest and recover. All their political shits could wait.

Mildred nodded and decided to do her duty. At the same time, Leah brought the doctor and priest for the lady. They were both shocked again as they saw such a familiar scene. Their hearts almost jumped out of their chests.

It was déjà vu.

Nanginginig pa silang pumunta sa dalaga at halos magdasal-dasal na hindi ito katulad no'ng dati na halos mag-agaw buhay na. Kasi baka sila ang mawalan ng buhay dahil siguradong si Kallisto ang kikitil no'n kapag wala na naman silang nagawa para sa asawa nito.

Halos sabay ring nakahinga nang maluwag ang doctor at priest dahil kahit mukhang masama ang kalagayan nito ay hindi ito katulad noon na hindi nila alam ang gagawin. So they explained her state to Kallisto in a shaking voice.

Even though it was different from before, they still couldn't shake off the feeling that they'd experience his terrifying aura. They described the situation thoroughly and proceeded to heal the lady after their master approved of it.

Para namang nakahinga nang maluwag si Kallisto habang tinitingnan na gamutin ng doktor at pari si Evienne. Hindi man niya aminin natakot siya na masamang balita na naman ang maririnig niya.

Galit ang nangingibabaw sa kanya ng mga oras na 'yon, pero nang malaman na malayo sa panganib ang asawa ay nakahinga nang maluwag. He didn't even care about what was happening outside the room, he was just focused in the slumbering blue-eyed woman.

Nang matapos gamutin si Evienne ng dalawa ay kaagad din nilang dinaluhan si Kallisto. He didn't want to be treated at first but realized he needed it, too, so he just let them. Slowly, the heaviness of his body was relieved.

That was only when he realized that he wasn't in good condition. For someone who never let his abyss be used too much because it couldn't be controlled, he did overdo it earlier.

How could he not? When he could see Evienne, who was supposed to be Celestia-less, giving it her all? He'd be ashamed to face her if he didn't do his best, too.

He sighed and let the doctor and priest finish their job. And when they did, he instructed Leah and the other maids to attend Evienne, as he also needed to clean himself.

No'ng paalis na siya at binuksan ang pinto ay nakita niya si Willow na buhat-buhat ni Dacher kasama si Marlo. The three of them were just in a trance while looking at the door, and their hearts almost dropped when they saw Kallisto.

"H-How's Eve?" mahinang bulong ni Willow rito. Kallisto's cold violet eyes scrutinized Willow, then took her from Dacher, who almost jumped from where he was standing.

Although the Abyss had accepted them, Dacher and Marlo were still afraid and intimidated by him. Unlike the lady who was sunshine to them, the Abyss was like an unknown night to them. He always had an aura that seemed to weigh the gravity down on their shoulders.

"She's fine, don't worry. She's currently resting." Nakahinga nang maluwag si Willow sa naging sagot ni Kallisto.

The two owls who heard it also breathed in relief. Dacher openly showed how happy he was, while Marlo tried to hide his relief. Still, the two owls felt like the world that was on their shoulders was lifted.

"Can I see her?" Willow looked up at Kallisto, and he nodded. "Yeah, she's with Yule."

Bago pumasok ulit si Kallisto sa kwarto ay tiningnan niya ang dalawang owl. "Visit once she's awake." Napatango naman kaagad ang dalawang owl sa kaniya. They went back to their rooms, and the doctor and priest also followed to check their conditions as Kallisto had instructed earlier.

Kallisto just put Willow down the bed. He was eased that she was in a better condition than Yule and Evienne. He also put some abyss in her to ensure that she'd recover well. She fought and was really a great help for Kallisto in subjugating one of the snakes.

If it weren't for Willow, he'd be late going to Evienne, and who knows what would happen if he didn't punch the falling ice to his wife and Yule.

He patted her little head and let her rest beside Evienne and Yule. "Thank you..." she said as she brushed her head on his hand and Kallisto nodded slightly at her.

Umalis din si Kallisto matapos no'n at inayos ang sarili niya sa kwartong tinutuluyan niya.

Everything happened in just one night, but it felt like they had been fighting for months. He closed his eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt.

Who are those people with cloaks?

What do they want? Why did they want Elysia's fall?

What is their purpose for it?

He didn't know, and there was a part of him that didn't even want to know about them. However, after seeing a flash of how Evienne was put in danger, his hand that removed the clothes halted as he left the shirt to fall on the floor.

There was no way he'd let it pass. Because they touched Evienne.

Whether he liked it or not, he was now involved.

And the enemies would need to quell the fury they lit inside of him.

***

THE capital of Elysia, the Sanctuary, was in a mess after the sun shone on the land. The aftermath of the dreadful night was now in their eyes. A lot of boats and ships, whether Elysia's or the other Kingdom's, were wrecked.

The port was filled with blood and injured. There were some who died while fighting the enemy, but a lot survived. The Shrine's mages and officials were now treating everyone as per the Saint's instructions.

But instead of a devastating atmosphere, the people were thankful. They were happy, and they felt like they were saved. Alam nila sa utak at puso nila na hindi sila masasalba kung hindi dahil sa nakipaglaban sa dagat para sa kanila.

Kaya ngayon, nagtutulungan silang lahat at alam nilang babangon at babangon sila kahit napakaraming sira at gulo sa lugar nila. Ang mahalaga, buhay sila. Dahil pwede ulit silang magsimula.

The Saint organized everything. He sent his people to check each Kingdom's representatives' conditions and the Celestes.

It was reported that all of the Kingdom's representatives and people were in their designated palaces. Some of the priests couldn't help but grit their teeth.

Those cowards. They hid. They really hid while Elysia almost drowned as a whole.

Aside from the Seventh Kingdom's people and the Third Kingdom's knights, no other Kingdom had stepped up for the fight.

All the Celestes were safe in the Shrine. They were all evacuated from the Shrine when the attack happened. None of them were injured—no, there were two who were wounded and fought in the front line.

The Saint sighed. Some Celestes wanted to fight as they knew their capabilities and could have helped, but some didn't want to for their safety. But the Saint all prevented them from being involved.

He couldn't let the Celestes be collaterals in that attack. They were going to be needed if worse comes to worst. And most of them were betrothed to the Kingdom's Crown Princes; he couldn't really risk political conflicts now that an unknown group was threatening the balance in Cielo.

The Saint could have stepped up and been on the front line defending his nation. However, he was too late. The heavens ignored him. They didn't give him powers to stop the disaster. So he could only mobilize his people to protect the people of Elysia.

He was ashamed, but he'd make his choices the same even if the time repeated.

What would be of Elysia now if it weren't for the Third and Seventh Kingdom's Abyss and people? If it weren't for the two Celestes that risked their lives?

Napabuntonghininga na lang siya at tila sumakit ang ulo sa dami nang iniisip.

Kailangan niyang ibalik ang balanse ng lahat. At kailangan niya ring pasalamatan ang dalawang kaharian na tumulong sa kanya at sa Elysia.

"Make sure to call the Third and Seventh Kingdom's Princes. As well as Celeste Juno and Celeste Portia," the Saint instructed his Cardinal. Pero kaagad niya ring binawi 'yon nang mapagtanto na hindi pa 'yon ang oras.

"I revoke. Don't do it yet. They are injured. Let them recoup." Tumango ang Cardinal sa sinabi nito. "Instead, make sure to give them the best treatment. Bring the best healers to them. And make sure that they are comfortable."

Inasikaso niya lahat nang kailangan asikasuhin. Nag-utos din siya sa isang grupo na pinagkakatiwalaan niya na imbestigahan ang lahat nang nangyari, at siguraduhing makakakuha ng ideya kung sino ang kalaban nila kagabi at paanong nagawa nila lahat 'yon.

At nang matapos ibigay ang mga utos niya. Napabuntonghininga na lang siya at tumayo mula sa trono niya at tiningnan ang malaking puno na nasa likod niya.

His mind went back to a glorious day when everyone in Elysia rejoiced as he got a prophecy from the holy tree.

That was the first time in decades that the tree granted Elysia their pride. That was why the Kingdom couldn't harm them, because they were blessed and the messenger of the heavens.

Elio could still remember how the prophecy was delivered in his slumber as he reached for the leafless tree. And the words that sparkled and the image of tomorrow was seen in his mind.

By winter's breath,
One shall be born in light
to brave against the shadow,
Bathed in moonlight and azure
she who would later wield an arrow.

"YOUR Holiness. Your Holiness? Your Holiness?" Nawala si Elio sa iniisip niya nang marinig ang tawag ng isang pari. Napabuntonghininga na lang siya at pinakinggan ito na nagsasabi nang sitwasyon ng Elysia at ng Sanctuary.

He stood up and went with the priest after his report. He needed to make sure to put a rest to the people's worries, and he knew that he could do that to them. That was the least he could do anyway.

But... seeing the sea once again made him think of the first few words in the prophecy.

Last night... when the moon was hidden, a light showed them hope. Just like her silver-hair. Just like the prophecy's words... she really wielded an arrow.

"Your Holiness." Someone called him, and when he shifted his gaze, he saw a very familiar redhead. His smile brightened as he held her hand in relief.

"Celeste Juno." Ngumiti si Juno sa kanya at nagbigay galang.

Juno told him the situation of the people, and he was baffled because she was still a mess. How come she didn't rest?

"Celeste Juno. Rest. Let me handle the aftermath. You already did your best last night." Juno didn't want to rest as she was still worried for everyone, but for the Saint's words were law to a Celeste, she nodded and gave her respects.

After that, she went back to where the children from her village were and saw that Azazel was kneeling down with one knee and caressing one child's face. She smiled looking at him.

"Azazel," she called lightly.

"Ariadne." He smiled at her, and the children all went running toward her, and Azazel followed them.

"Did you see them, Azazel?" Juno asked about the Seventh Kingdom's Second Prince and the Silver-Haired Celeste. But Azazel shook his head.

"The last time I saw them was when they were still in the sea. Maybe a mage made a portal to keep them to safety."

Ariadne sighed. "I couldn't even thank the two of them..." she murmured, and Azazel cackled softly.

"We'll meet them again soon. As for now, let's bring the children back to your village. The elders must have been worried." Juno agreed with him, and Azazel gave her a small smile as he carried one of the children in his arm.

Azazel and Ariadne looked at the sea ahead of them. The water was sparkling like it wasn't a brutal and cold wave last night. The sun was granting its warmness and shine on them, unlike the moon that hid in the clouds. And the breeze of the air was comforting... such a contrary to its harshness yesterday.

Just like how the night was shrouded yesterday... the sun shone on them today.

As the whole of Elysia mourned the deaths, they still all hoped for a new tomorrow.

***

AFTER Kallisto took a bath and changed his clothes, he directly went to Evienne's room. The room immediately felt empty. Because he expected something weird when he entered—well, he would always find Evienne in weird situations and antics. But now, there was nothing.

It was cold... and dark. The curtains were down and covering the brightness of the day. It looked like night even though it wasn't. Kallisto didn't bother lighting anything or opening the windows.

It was better this way as she could rest adequately.

The two foxes, Yule and Willow, were sleeping beside her peacefully.

It was strange. Looking at the sleeping Evienne. It was déjà vu. He'd been in this situation. She'd been in this situation.

He sighed and messed with his wet hair.

Pinagmasdan niya lang din si Evienne matapos no'n. Her pale complexion, her pink lips, and her placid breathing. Her hair was scattered on the bed, but it was flawless. She looked like a goddess sleeping.

He slowly reached out for her hand, wanting to hold it, but stopped himself.

Tumalikod na lang siya sa kanya at saka kumuha ng upuan para ilagay sa tabi ng kama. Pagkatapos umupo siya ro'n at sumandal. He crossed his arms while glancing at her. She looked tired.

Even though they had already healed her, she didn't look healthy—she looked like she'd been exhausted, deprived of sleep, and sick.

Kallisto wasn't really the one to speak and criticize her looks now because he looked like a mess. Also, he didn't think he'd fall asleep in his room, knowing that she hadn't woken up yet since falling asleep in his arms.

"What do I do...?" mahinang bulong nito at saka marahang lumapit kay Evienne.

He took some strands of her silver hair.

"Why do you like making me feel restless and worried...?" he said in annoyance, but his voice came out soft and gentle.

He wanted to say so much, but his mind just went blank. Didn't know what to think, didn't know what to say, didn't know what to feel.

Nanatili lang siyang nakahawak sa ilang hibla ng buhok ni Evienne. Ramdam ang pagod at panghihina nang buong katawan. Whether he admitted it or not, using his abyss that he wasn't really familiar with until a few months ago took a toll on him.

He actually didn't even know where he got the strength to hold her, put her in her room, and take a bath. Ngayon niya lang naramdaman lahat-lahat nang matinding pagod at bigat ng katawan.

He leaned his arms on the bed and then his head while still playing with her silver hair.

"Evienne Soleil..." he called, hoping she'd hear him, but of course, she didn't.

So, instead... he slowly closed his eyes and then put her hair on his lips.

And just like that... Kallisto drifted off to sleep with a light heart, knowing that he was with his wife.

After a few minutes, Evienne felt so tired, but tried to open her eyes. As it was dark, she didn't get blinded when her vision started to adjust to the surroundings. She thought that she'd still be inside Kallisto's arms.

Because, to be honest, his warmth was heaven to her. And his scent was a blessing.

But of course, it was a bummer because his sarcastic, cold, and stoic husband did put her in the bed already. She was a tad bit disappointed. She wanted to see him when she woke up, but it looked like he was busy handling everything again as business was always his priority—or not.

When Evienne moved her head to the side, she blinked several times, deciphering if what she was seeing was real or just a dream.

But when he didn't disappear after she stared at him long enough for him to melt, she smiled to herself, her nose scrunching a little.

She had laid on her side carefully to make sure that he wouldn't wake up as the view of his face was ethereal to look at; she didn't want to miss it.

His hair was still a little wet and messy. His eyelashes were really long. Maiinggit sana siya kaso naalala niya mahaba nga rin pala ang pilik ni Portia. Kaya pahabaan na lang silang dalawa.

His nose... she wanted to touch it. She wanted to slide down the back of one of her fingers to the bridge of his nose up to the tip. It was glorious. Next time, she'd do that when he was awake.

Then his lips... those lips that would continuously spat candid remarks. She couldn't help but almost chuckle. How could those sweet lips utter such eye-rolling words? It made her wonder.

But those lips were always magnetic like his eyes... for too, they were like a window of the soul, where a soulful conversation could be addressed and stopped.

There was an urge for Evienne to touch his lips; she reached for it—but then stopped.

"Kalli..." she whispered, but he was in a deep sleep—he didn't respond. All she could hear was his soft breathing.

Her eyes then gazed at his hand, which was holding some strands of her hair.

With a heart that was pounding, she slowly reached out for it. She wanted to feel his warmth even a little. Only then did she feel she could go back to sleep because she wanted to think that this was still her reality. That once she wakes up again, she'd still be here.

From wanting to escape this world and go back to her modern one... she was now hesitant just because of one person.

Because... really... how could she leave him?

With a thought of wanting to be in his embrace... she instead just wrapped her tiny hands around his pinky finger.

Contented with that bit of warmness, she closed her eyes once again.

***

EVIENNE'S POV

There was a smile on my face. I knew that. Because I closed my eyes, being sneaky and holding Kallisto's pinky? What would his reaction be once he wakes up? Nah, kailangan ko siyang unahan!

Kasi hindi ko na kaya i-beat ang Evienne may pagnanasa kay Kallisto allegation kapag nangyari 'yon!

That was why I tried to open my eyes again and adjusted to the dark surrounding with a bit of light.

Hmm, it was colder than earlier. Gabi na ba kaya gano'n? Jusko sana naman hindi pa gising si Kallisto! Paano ako magpapalusot no'n? Nako, sabihin ko na lang na siya may gawa no'n! Tama!

I was excited to see Kallisto again—wait, mali, I was excited to see Yule and Willow again, but when I opened my eyes completely... I saw a dark ceiling. It was a familiar dark ceiling.

My hands shook automatically as my breathing started to become heavy.

No...

I felt afraid. I was terrified.

Kaagad akong napaupo dahil do'n.

"No..." Napahawak din ako sa lalamunan ko no'ng marinig ang boses ko.

My eyes swelled with tears. Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko at halos man lamig ang buong katawan ko. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.

"Kalli? Yule? Willow?" My voice came out weak.

My hands. I stared at my hands. Then the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings.

I... I was back?

No!

How could I be back?

Because I finished the first tragedy? Because Portia came out to be someone who helped instead of someone who would succumb to the Avalon? Because I ruined the plot?

Napayakap ako sa sarili. Hindi makapaniwala. I shook my head.

This was a nightmare. This is a nightmare.

I closed my eyes once again. Called for the names of Kallisto, Yule, Willow, Marlo, Dacher, Leah, Stepmother, Lincoln. And the others. I called for them... yet no one seemed to hear me.

I was still in darkness.

I was still in that room.

I was back in my modern world.

Habang yakap-yakap ang sarili mahina akong kumanta para mawala ang takot sa dibdib. I tried cheering myself. Na maririnig ni Kallisto 'yong kanta pagkatapos sasabihin no'n ang sintunado ko at h'wag na h'wag na akong kakanta ulit.

Kaya no'ng medyo kumalma binuksan kong muli ang mga mata ko.

When I did... I almost fainted in horror.

"No... Please... no...."

I moved to the corner of the room. Afraid for my life. Shaking. Panting. Parched. Horrified.

Why was I here?

Why am I here...?

I didn't want to be here. I already escaped here. So... why?

I looked at my hands again... it was little.

It was bruised. It was dirty. My nails were bleeding.

I looked at my body. It was little. I was dressed in something you could almost call a rug. I was thin... so... thin...

I tried opening my mouth; it was hard because of how dry it was.

That was when I knew that I was in a nightmare... I kept on thinking that I was in a nightmare. Because if this wasn't a nightmare... then why was I in hell?

I just closed my eyes. I prayed and prayed and prayed.

I already escaped this hell. I didn't want to be back. Putting me back in here would... be really the death of me.

Hindi ko alam ilang minuto o oras ang lumipas, pero nang muli kong buksan ang mga mata ko, nagulat ako nang nasa isang lugar ako.

I could see a little girl. She was sitting in a piano stool. She was looking at the piano keys cluelessly. She was thin, and her hair was so long. Her height and weight were below average. She was so small for someone who was supposed to be six. She looked like a four-year-old.

Her black her was messy and dirty. Nevertheless, she was still wide-eyed full of curiosity and passion, and... she was still naïve.

Thought that... her brother got praise, good food, good clothes, and something that looked so... so... cool. When people looked at you with a subtle curve on their lips, their eyes squinting slightly. She wanted that too... that expression on others' faces when looking at her.

"No... don't do that..." I whispered to the little girl as I went to her. But I was too late to stop her.

She pressed the keys naturally. She saw her older brother doing that. And she heard him play it a few times. So, she knew what to do. She was greedy. She was greedy for affection. Thought she could obtain it with that.

I wanted to stop the little girl's hand... but couldn't... especially when she played the piano with such a happy essence even though she wasn't smiling.

Napatingin kaagad ako sa isang banda.

At tama ang nakita ko.

A well-dressed woman filled with jewellery and designer clothes marched towards the little playing girl. Then she snatched a long stick from one of the tables before going toward her.

Hinarahangan ko siya, pero nagawa niya akong lampasan.

"No!" I shouted at her, but she was deaf to me.

So I closed my eyes.

Afraid.

Terrified.

Hurt.

Because I could still remember all of those... vividly.

My hand shook. Pain etched on it deeply. And the wails of the little girl echoed in my ears. There was a shout of anger, but it was muffled.

"How dare you lay your dirty hands off my son's precious piano! You stupid child!"

I bit my lower lip and fell to the floor.

Still, refusing to see my nightmare... still refusing to witness my old memory.

"Evienne!"

"Evienne Soleil!"

"Evienne Soleil St. Auclain!"

Halos habulin ko ang hininga ko nang imulat ang mga mata. I didn't know what to look at as I was in a daze. However, I felt a warmth that enveloped me in comfort. Napayakap ako nang hindi nag-iisip sa braso na bumalot sa akin kahit tulala.

Nang mahimasmasan nang kaunti napagtanto kong nasa kwarto ako ng isang palasyo sa Elysia. And the familiar warmth around me... I was sure it was Kallisto. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik dahil do'n.

"Are you okay now?" I heard him whisper near my ear.

"No..." I said as I clung to him.

I heard him sigh, and he was about to let me go, but I refused. Nagsumiksik ako lalo sa katawan niya.

"Ayoko..." bulong ko sa kanya. "Ayokong bumalik..." dagdag ko pa.

Ayokong bumalik sa bangungot na 'yon. Ayokong alalahanin muli 'yong nakaraan na matagal ko nang iniwan. Hinarap ko na sila dati, eh, nagawa ko naman dati, eh... pero hindi pala talaga nawawala 'yong sakit.

"It's okay... I'm here..." he told me as his hug around me tightened.

"What happened to me...?" I asked him after a long silence.

"You seemed like you were in pain, waking me up with your groans. Then I saw you panting and sweating, so I tried to wake you up... looks like you were having a nightmare..." His soft voice lingered in my ears.

I nodded at him. Parang nagsusumbong. "Yeah... I had a bad nightmare... a really bad one..."

"Hmm? Really?"

"Oo. Kinuha raw ako nang malaking teddy bear. 'Tapos sabi niya kinain ka raw niya! Kaya inaway ko siya sabi ko hindi pwede! 'Di pa nga kita natitikman—este basta hindi pwede 'no! Sino na magsu-supply sa akin ng candies, chocolates, at cakes, ha?!" alma ko sa kanya saka ngumuso.

I heard his soft laughter. "And then... what happened next?"

I laughed gently. Geez, he already knew I was spouting nonsense, and he wanted me to continue. Such a Kallisto trait.

"E 'di inaway ko siya hanggang mabingi siya kasi hindi ako matatalo sa sagutan at trash-talk-an ano! Pagkatapos naghabulan pa kami! Talo siya kasi speed ako! Kaya ayon, binalik ka niya sa akin!"

"He's such a generous one for returning me."

"Aba dapat lang! Kapag hindi, siya hihingan ko ng mga sweet! O kaya ooperahan ko 'yong tyan niya para kunin ka 'no!"

"Good to know my wife would do everything to take me back."

"Syempre! Eh, ikaw ano gagawin mo para kunin ako pabalik ha?"

"Hmm..." he started. "Ask first if I'm willing to take you back or not."

Kaagad akong napaamang sa kanya. "Aba! Bastos nito!"

I slapped his chest a little, but I just felt him vibrating because of soft laughter.

Natahimik kaming dawala matapos no'n pero hindi niya inalis pagkakayakap niya sa akin.

"Do you want something?" he suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Hmm... sweets?"

"Knew you'd say that." He chuckled. I looked up at him, and he removed just his one arm around me to get something from the drawer beside the bed.

Inayos niya rin pwesto at pagkakaupo niya sa kama. Nasa likod ko na siya dahil do'n. Then he wrapped his arm around me once again so I smiled.

He opened the candy wrapper with his two hands while I was inside his embrace. Na-excite naman ako kasi nakakita ako ng matamis.

And without saying anything, he put it in my mouth as I leaned on him.

"Thank you..." Medyo nautal pa ako ro'n dahil sa maliit na candy sa bibig ko.

"For what?" he asked.

"For waking me up from that nightmare."

I smiled with my heart at ease.

Hugs and candies for nightmares ain't that bad of a consolation, especially when inside the embrace of my cute but sometimes annoying and cold person.

—

ツ