The Aftermath

        I WOKE up so tired and sore. Nagising ako sa sinag ng araw na nagmumula sa bintana na tumatama sa mukha ko. I groaned softly and looked around before my eyes settled on the man lying beside me. My mouth fell open, and I did a small gasp when I saw Reeve sleeping beside me, naked.

His arms possessively wrapped around my body while my cheeks is resting on his hard chest, feeling his heartbeat. The mixture of his natural scent and the smell of after sex makes me feel fuzzy.

I also felt something hard poking my thighs. He was having his morning wood, and it's glued in my thighs! Oh my!

Sumilip ako sa ilalim ng kumot at tumingin sa katawan ko. I am now wearing a huge shirt, probably his but I am not wearing any panties underneath. Mukhang binihisan at nilinisan niya ako bago siya matulog.

I stiffened when he pulled me closer to him. Nakabaon na ang mukha niya sa may bandang leeg ko habang ang mga paa niya ay lagpas na sa kama at sa nakatakip na kumot sa aming mga katawan.

Muli akong tumingin sa kanya at pinagmasdan siya. I took advantage to admire his every feature. Walang duda, gwapo talaga siya. I suddenly remembered what happened last night, we drank red wine last night, but we were still both tipsy.

Namula ang buong mukha ko nang maalala kung paano niya niyanig ang buong pagkatao ko kagabi. I puff a breath and slowly remove his hand from my waist and boob. I need to get off the bed and prepare for work.

He stirred a bit, but he didn't wake up, making me breathe in relief. I made a mental note to talk to him after he woke up. We need to talk about what happened between us. We need to settle and clarify things.

I slowly and silently went straight to the closet to get my towel and clothes then I went to the bathroom to take a shower. The moment I took off my clothes, I muttered a curse when I saw myself in front of the bathroom mirror. I have plenty of marks on my chest, collarbone, and even on my groin! Oh, God!

But then, I also noticed my skin was glowing, and my cheeks are tainted in rosy pink. Is it because of what happened last night? Is this the after Sex glow? I thought it was just a myth, but apparently, it was true, and the proof is me.

"Maybe it was true all along," I muttered and went inside the shower.

I was enjoying the warm water flowing through my body when I felt strong arms snake around my waist, making me almost jump. I turned my body, and my lips parted when I saw Reeve.

"Lovely morning, wife," his husky bedroom voice made me blush.

"W-What are you doing here? I-I'm taking a bath," I asked frantically.

Hindi sinasadyang bumaba ang mga mata ko sa kanyang binti at napasinghap ako nang sumaludo ang kanyang iniingatang pagkalalaki sa'kin. Heat scalded my cheeks.

My heart beat thump when he leaned closer and kissed my cheek. "I want to join you for a shower. May I?" he asked casually.

Napalunok ako at umiling. "Ayaw,"

His lips rose in an amused way. "Why's that? Hmm?"

I gulped and looked away. "Because it's awkward,"

He chuckled softly making me stare at him with knitted brows. Bakit siya tumatawa? May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko? Wala naman, ah?

"How are you feeling? Does it hurt?" he asked softly.

"I'm fine."

"Je suis désolé." My body jolted a bit when I felt his lips on my shoulders. "I tried so hard to be gentle last night," he muttered. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded. "Y-Yes, I am." I paused and gently pushed him away. "Leave. I'll take a shower now,"

My body stiffens when I felt his touch on my waist down to my thighs. Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong tinignan siya. He looked so calm and relaxed.

"R-Reeve. . ." I stuttered when heat rushed through my veins.

His eyes flared with desire. "Hmm? Let's take a quick shower together, alright? We still have work,"

Napakapit ako sa kanya nang dumapo ang mga kamay niya sa aking pang-upo. "Shower lang, ha?" Nahihirapang sabi ko nang marahan na hinahaplos ng mga daliri niya ang aking gitna.

He nodded innocently. "Yes, shower lang. . ."

AYOKONG makasabay kumain si Reeve but Celine already prepared our breakfast at nakakahiya naman kung hindi ako kakain ng niluto niya. It was just a simple fried egg, bacon and hotdog then she also cooked fried rice.

It's too bad she wasn't here because she went to the park with Beau and Scout after serving our breakfast. So Reeve and I were left in the kitchen. Walang gumagawa ng ingay mula sa pagitan namin dahil sa nangyari kani-kanina lang.

I glared at Zuriel Reeve when I caught him smiling as if he won a lottery while eating. How I wanted to wipe off the pompous smile on his lips!

He told me that we would just take a shower, but he was an expert and smooth that I got carried away again when he kissed me under the shower. He's a big scam!

"What?!" I asked when I caught him looking at me while sipping his coffee.

The corner of his lips rose. "Well, I would like to compliment your skin, you're glowing, wife," hindi ko alam kung seryoso ba siya o inaasar niya ako, but I still rolled my eyes, and scoffed.

"I just realized that despite having a gentle and soft voice like an angel, you can scream while in pleasure." He bit his bottom lips, and winked at me.

Napaawang ang labi ko at namula ang buong mukha ko. Halos sumabog ang mukha ko dahil sa sobrang pag-iinit nito.

He chuckled upon seeing my reaction. "I love hearing you scream especially if it was my name you were screaming."

I scowled. "Reeve! Shut up!"

His eyes lingered on mine. "Why? I thought you wanted to talk about what happened last night. What we did was normal because we are married, wife." he muttered in a matter-of-fact tone.

I sigh, feeling agitated. "I know but—"

"But?"

Hindi na ako nagsalita at sinamaan ko na lang siya ng tingin. Binilisan ko na lang kumain para makaalis na. Reeve quickly halted me when I was about to stand up. I gasped loudly when he closed our distance and embraced me, burying his face in my neck. He even planted a quick kiss in there!

I slightly pushed him. "Reeve! Bitaw na. I still have work,"

"Ahh. . . Kelsea," nanlaki ang butas ng ilong ko at mabilis akong umalis sa pagkakayakap niya nang bigla siyang umungol sa mismong tenga ko. 

Sinuntok ko siya sa dibdib at humalakhak naman siya. I was feeling agitated. Naiinis ako sa kanya.

"Reeve!" I grunt. "If you're going tease me about it, then don't assume that we will do it again! Bahala ka, you'll be celibated again!" Pananakot ko at nakita ko naman kaagad ang pagbabago sa mukha niya.

He swallowed hard and became paled and formal.

My brows raised after seeing his reaction. "Tease me again, and you'll see," I warned, giving him my sweetest yet cunning smile.

I DON'T have my homemade lunch today because of what happened earlier at home kaya naman nang ayain akong kumain sa malapit na coffee shop ni Dale ay pumayag kaagad ako. Wala sina Dra. Eunice, Nurse Eva at Dra. Nikkie dahil may kanya-kanya pa silang ginagawa.

I ordered an iced mocha latte and two pieces of Korean egg drop sandwich since I was starving. While Dale ordered his favorite iced coffee and blueberry cheesecake. We were having a chitchat about our experience when we were interns. Magkaiba man kami ng hospital noon ay nakaya namin ikonekta ang mga naging karanasan namin.

"I remembered when I got shouted at by a nursing staff because I used a 'limited' supply of OP prescription slips instead of using the blank sheets." He said, shaking his head.

"Seriously? That's ridiculous!"

"Yes! Wala naman akong magawa noon kung hindi ang humingi ng sorry kahit alam kong tama naman ang ginawa ko,"

I grimaced before I sipped on my latte before I spoke. "You know what? Some people really think they are better than others. They think they're smarter than everyone. They think that they're superior to others just because of their rank. But they only prove that they feel inferior to others by acting unprofessionally."

He looked at me with amusement. "You're really amazing, Maui." He took a sip of his drink, still looking at me. "I love how your brain works," he muttered.

Humagikgik ako. "It runs in our blood, I guess?" I jested, and we both laughed.

"How about your experience in Pediatrics? You're also a Surgeon, not like us, were not operating inside the OR. We're just assisting, but all the work is done by the surgeons,"

"Well, pediatric is where everything starts with baby crying and end with an intern crying." I quipped. "I was always stressed because they don't stay still for CT and MRI. And once a baby starts crying, they wakes up all babies, and all of them start wailing in chorus." 

Humalakhak naman siya kaya napalingon ang ibang mga costumer sa amin. I chastised him, but we ended up chuckling together.

I pouted after a while. "All of them look at us like we are some sort of evil person who is there to take their blood."

"But they are cutie pies, aminin mo," he retorts.

I nodded. "I agreed. Mabuti na lang they're cute," I giggled. 

We both looked at each other in horror when the code red echoed over the whole floor. Mabilis kaming napatayo nang marinig ang sunod-sunod na tunog ng ambulansya at lumabas sa coffee shop.

"What happened?" I murmured.

"Looks like wala na naman tayong tulog nito," asar na sabi ni Dale. I scoffed at sabay na kaming halos lumakad takbo papunta sa emergency room.

Napakurap-kurap ako nang bumulaga sa akin ang higit kumulang sampung pasyente na nakahiga sa stretcher. "What happened? Ang dami namang mga pasyente?" Tanong ko sa dumaang paramedics.

"Sumabog po iyong gasoline station sa Malate na naging dahilan ng pagkasunog. Lagpas bente po ang napuruhan," Shit!

Napatakbo kaagad ako para tignan agad ang kapapasok lamang na pasyente. Halos kahalati ng katawan niya ay balot ng sunog. Mabilis akong kumilos kasama ang iba pang nurses at doctors para matulungan ang lahat.

The unending flat line of the monitor digs into my scalp.

We did everything to save the patient, but when the monitor turned flat line even with reviving, I knew I lost it.

Unti-unti akong lumingon sa nakatayong asawa ng pasyente. He broke down when he saw the monitor and the lifeless body of his wife. Napahagulgol siya at napaluhod.

"Time of death 1:35 pm. . ." I bit my tongue and continued as my breathing got heavy. "I-I'm sorry, Mr Perez."

Naglakad ako palabas ng ED at inalis ang suot na gloves. I went to my office and sat there wearily. The unending flat line of the monitor sucks up my blood and energy. A patient dying in your hands is the most painful part of being a doctor.

I AM so exhausted when I went home. Pagod man ay napangiti pa rin ako nang bumungad sa akin si Celine na nakikipaglaro sa mga aso. Beau quickly barked when he saw me. He wagged his tail and ran to me. Scout followed his brother. 

"Hi, babies!" I waved at them.

"Nandito na po pala kayo, Ma'am. Good evening po," bati sa'kin ni Celine.

Ngumiti ako. "Hi, have you eaten? It's quarter to eight na," I sat on the floor after removing my shoes. Malinis naman iyon kaya ayos lang. I caressed their tummy and giggled when Scout licked my hands. "Nandyan na ba si Reeve?"

"Wala pa po. Ma'am. Pero tumawag po siya kanina sa landline para ipaalam na huwag na raw po ako magluto ng hapunan dahil may dadalhin po siyang pagkain," Napatango naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Baka gusto niyo po ng snacks, Ma'am?" 

I nodded. "Juice na lang,"

"Sige po," tumango siya at pumasok sa kusina.

After having my snacks, I went upstairs to take a shower. Bumaba ako nang matapos at nakipagkwentuhan kay Celine. Our topic was about my job, then it went to her life, then on Reeve. That was our last topic because Reeve already arrived with two plastic bags in her hands.

"Hey, wife," Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtili ni Celine nang lumapit sa akin si Reeve at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

Heat rushed through my cheeks because of that. I cleared out my throat to remove the awkwardness I was feeling.

"Is this from your restaurant?" I asked while helping Celine transfer all the food from the bag to the bowl.

He washed his hands and dumped all the trash in the bin. "Yeah. But I am not the one who cooks it. The British chef cooked all of it," He leaned on the countertop and eyed me.

"Oh," ang tanging naging sagot ko dahil nakatitig siya sa akin.

Celine took the silverware, plates, and glasses and placed them on the table one by one. I smiled and thanked her. Lumingon ako kay Reeve na pinapanood pa rin ako.

"Take a shower Reeve so we can eat na," He looked at me then nodded. Tumaaas ang sulok ng labi ko nang sumunod siya kaagad sa akin.

Mga ilang minuto lang at bumaba na rin siya na bagong ligo. He was now wearing blue-black gradient shorts and a blue fitted shirt that hugged his muscles. Napakagat labi ako at napaiwas ng tingin nang magflex ang mga muscles niya.

I invited Celine to eat with us, but she declined. I didn't force her anymore and just informed her that she can eat in the living room while watching on the television or in her bedroom if she was comfortable there. 

Inumpisahan na namin kumain na walang imikan ngunit napapansin kong panay ang tingin sa'kin ni Reeve. I can feel his intense gaze on me. Parang may gusto siyang sabihin ngunit nagpipigil.

I put down my spoon and found his eyes. "May sasabihin ka ba?" I asked calmly.

There's a paint of smile on his face. "Do you like the food?"

I nodded. "Yeah, thank you," I said and continue eating.

Nagpatuloy kami sa pagkain hanggang sa matapos. We cleaned the table, and Celine washed the dishes afterwards. Reeve headed on our bedroom first because I went to the common bathroom to pee.

I was in the middle of the stairs when my phone vibrated in my hand. I looked and saw it was a text from my mom. My lips parted when I saw the message.

Mommy:
Hi, Sweetie! It's your dad and I 26th anniversary on Saturday. We will be having dinner at home. Can you bring Reeve with you? Please?

Laglag ang panga ko habang nakatulala sa text ni Mommy. She wants me to bring Reeve at our mansion in Forbes?! But I am not yet ready to introduce him to my entire clan. Napalunok ako bago nagtipa ng reply. I still replied, 'okay'.

I took an amount of air before I went inside our bedroom. Naabutan ko si Reeve na may katawagan sa cellphone nang pumasok ako. I averted my gaze and went straight to the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my night skincare routine.

Nang lumabas ako sa banyo ay dumiretso kaagad ako sa kama. He immediately sat beside me on the bed. I felt his thumb lifted my chin to his direction. I met his gaze. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tila nanlambot ako nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Why am I suddenly reacting like this?

"Mom texted me. . ." I trailed off.

"Okay? What did she said?"

"S-She's inviting you to our mansion." His gaze went down on my lips when I unconsciously licked it. "It's my parent's 26th anniversary and we will be having dinner at our home on Saturday," I informed him. "Is that okay?"

I noticed how his gaze softened. He licked his lips before he pulled my waist, closing our gap. Nagulat ako. Hinalikan niya ako sa noo bago binaon ang mukha sa'king balikat.

"It's fine," I got shivered when I felt his warm minty breath on my neck. "As if I would say no to you, wife? Hmm? And they're your parents. I wouldn't miss the opportunity to get to know them," he muttered.

Kumalabog ang dibdib ko sa hindi alam na dahilan. I slightly pushed him. "A-Alright. By the way, are you going downstairs?" Tanong ko.

His eyes lingered on mine. "Yeah. I'll make your milk. Why? Do you need anything else?" he said causally.

My stomach swooped for no reason while looking at him.

"Can you also get me a glass of water? I'm going to take my pill," I muttered. His brows knitted in confusion like he was still processing what I said.

Well, I need to take a pill so I won't get pregnant. I wanted to get pregnant, but not now. Reeve and I still have to consider a lot of things before we can start a family. In addition, I want our child to be made with love.

Which doesn't exist between us. For now, I guess?

I blinked getting back to my senses when his lips parted for a cocky smile. "Oh. . ." His facial expression lightened. "Yeah, we didn't use protection last night and earlier." I can feel the heat searing my cheeks. "And I remembered that I exploded inside you—" 

My eyes almost bulge out of my skull.

"Zuriel Reeve!" I exclaimed, and hit him on his arm. "Just get my milk!" Biglang uminit ng sobra ang pisngi ko na parang sasabog 'yon ano mang oras.

Tumingin siya sa akin, nagpipigil ng tawa. I caught his tongue on the side of his cheeks while looking at me cockily. Mas namula ang pisngi ko at gugustuhin ko na lang magpalamon sa lupa nang tuluyan na siya natawa sa reaksyon ko.

I snorted and scowled at him. Tinulak ko siya paalis ng kama at tumatawa naman siyang nagpaagos sa tulak ko.

He shook his head. "Alright. I'll get your milk now, the mother of my children," I grunt and throw a pillow at him when he winked at me.

Humahalakhak siyang lumabas ng kwarto. Naiwan naman akong talunan at kinakain ng hiya ang buong katawan.

© Fushia