I'm sorry for the very late update. I've been doing some work stuffs lately and I had no chance of working with my novels' update. I will try to make it up to you this week. Hopefully ay makisama si internet😊.

Warning: Raw and uneditted chapter. Nontheless, enjoy!

🔹🔹🔹🔸

Kalish carefully heaved a deep breath as he felt Holly's even breathing. His wife's beautiful face was buried on his chest and her very naked body was so close to him that his body began reacting again. He never felt such libido until Holly happened in his life. She was every inch a goddess of innocence but her innocence was simply bringing him into a raging pool of fire. And having to claim all of her tonight, from the tiniest cell of her skin to the deepest pit of her soul, the angel and devil were starting to battle inside him.

The angel in him was rousing his instinct of over protectiveness. Never would he let anyone ever try laying even the tip of their fingers to his wife. Never would he let anyone cause her pain and unnecessary tears. Never would he let anyone or anything burden her. Holly is his wife, his angel, and his existence had flown deeper in him, as if he was the tree itself but she was her roots. Can you imagine what happens to that tree without its roots?

And there's the devil at the other side of his subconscious, screaming a great claim over his wife. She is his and no one is allowed to ogle at his property. His possessiveness was striking and he wanted to just encage her in his arms and never allow anyone to learn of her existence. He wanted her to keep from the rest of the world. He wanted to impose to her that it should only be his existence that matters and nothing more from outside their world.

Even so, he's still the same Kalish Russet who was hit by love like a treacherous lightning in a stormy night. He knew that there was a chance to be struck by the lightning but he never did anything to avoid it. He had accepted himself falling in love with Holly. It's what his body wanted to do. It's what his soul has long been longing for.

"Hmm... Kalish..." Holly droned against her sleep and her paranoid protectiveness began striking him. Was she having a nightmare? Was she hurt from that dream?

"I'm here, my love." Kalish whispered ever gently as she pulled her body closer, tucking her properly on the hollow of his body just below his chin.

Holly inhaled long and deep, like she was relieved over something though her eyelids still closed. "I love you, Kalish." She murmured as she buried her face to his chest even more. A warm smile tugged Kalish's lips. He slightly lowered down his lips to kiss the top of her head. The smell of shampoo was mixed her sweet natural scent and it was driving him madly alive.

"Please keep on loving me as I love you more every day." He whispered lovingly. Holly moaned and slightly stretched, sign that she's slowly waking up. A series of breaths passed by and she looked at him with those orbs of the Pacific and Antarctic Ocean in one.

"But you should love God more than me." She innocently murmured and Kalish let out an amused and fond smile.

"So, are you telling me to love you less, coure mio?" He asked, trying to tease his wife. Holly froze for a moment and he wanted to let out his suppressed chuckle when she slowly pouted.

"Would God hate me if I want you to still love me more?" She asked like a child and he never held back his chuckle. It came out naturally, and for the very first time it felt so refreshing. His chuckles subsided and he pressed his lips to hers like it was the most appropriate response to her question.

Kalish felt Holly's inhibitions waning. Little by little he was able to rouse the womanhood in her and he was proud that he was the one who did it. And he was the only one to have the rights in every claim of her body.

But he pulled away after noticing that their kiss was ending up in another union. He was sure that his wife was still sore and he considered her body a hallowed temple he should treat with utmost care. She's so young and they have a lifetime to spend with. He'lll let her get used to it little by little then maybe, he could claim her over and over again.

"Go to sleep, coure mio." His voice was hoarse, the manifestation of the desire he's trying hard to strangle.

"Go to sleep, too." She urged gently.

"After you, my love." He replied smiling, "I want to watch you sleep in my arms."

He was amused when Holly's face began to flush a genereous shade of crimson. She bashfully buried her seductive face on her palms.

"What's the matter, my wife?" He asked as he tried to pull away her palms from her face. He was able to pull it away but still averted her gaze from him.

"T- The thing you said about your desire to watch me sleep..." She trailed off, her voice soft and shy. "I- It should have creeped me out b- but I- I like it coming from you," she supplied then coyly stared up at him, "i- it's like something rouse inside me that makes me want you owning me again."

Kalish was utterly taken aback, obviously not expecting it hearing from her extremely shy wife. All the retraint he was holding a while ago slipped away as she bolstered the fire in him. And before Holly can hide her beautiful flushed face again, he was able to claim her slightly opened lips and indulge himself with the sweet intoxication her mouth was giving him.

Holly was kissing back, not as wild as his kisses but with equal urgency and hunger. He felt her skin getting hotter after letting out an unrestricted moan. His wife must be embarrassed with the earthly sound she created. Ah, her sweet innocent Holly.

He moved to position himself over his wife without cutting off the mind blowing kiss. Tonight had not just finished yet. They were just starting and this would surely be a long night for them. And maybe, tonight was the perfect time to make his innocent wife get used to 'it'.

.......

Katatapos lamang maligo ni Holly ng magtungo siya sa kusina kung saan naghahanda ng almusal ang asawa niya. Hindi na niya pinigilan pa ang sarili. Lumapit siya sa asawa at niyakap ito mula sa likuran. She always loves his scent. It always reminds her of mild blowing of the winds and the fierce clashing of the waves against some rocks on the shoreline. It was mild yet fierce and captivating.

Naramdaman niya ang paghawak ng asawa sa kamay niya. Maingat nitong kinalas iyon saka humarap sa kanya. Niyakap siya nito saka hinagkan sa noo. Napapikit siya sa magaan at payapang sensasyong lumukob sa katawan niya. Kalish was her very own personal dose of drugs. She wanted more of him each passing day and she didn't mind getting overdosed or better yet addicted. Well, she already is.

Kalish's lips travelled down her nose then to her lips where it lingered for seconds. It was a slow, sweet yet passionate and full of love. She smiled against his lips and she felt him do the same.

"Good morning." He murmured huskily as they let go of each other..

"Good morning." She murmured a liitle bit shyly making her husband smile in amusement. She was thankful though when he let it passed. Giniya siya nito sa komedor at pinaghila ng upuan. Nagpasalamat siya sa asawa na hindi pa rin umuupo bagkus ay pinagsilbihan pa siya. Pinagsalin siya nito ng sinangag at ham. Nilagyan rin nito ng ginisang carrots, repolyo, baguio beans at green peas ang plato niya.

"Thank you." Nahihiyang sabi niya sa asawa. Ni minsan ay hindi pa niya ipinagluluto ito dahil hindi naman talaga siya marunong sa kusina. Si Kalish na lang ang laging abala sa kusina at pakiramdam niya'y hindi niya magampaman ang pagiging maybahay nito dahil hindi naman siya marunong magluto. Naupo ang asawa sa upuang katabi niya.

"I thought you need to eat more vegetables after tiring you out last night." Pormal na sabi ni Kalish na ikinasamid niya wala pa man siyang kinakain. Mabilis na iniabot ng asawa ang baso ng gatas sa kanya. Mabilis siyang nagpasalamat matapos uminom.

"Am I making you uncomfortable talking about it?" Tanong pa nito sa kanya.

"I- I'm sorry. I wasn't just used to it, yet." She honestly replied with a shy smile.

"Then, I'll make you get used to it." Kalish nonchalantly announced making her jaw dropped. He looked at her and she wan mesmerized even more when he smiled. Dumukwang ang asawa para dampian ng magaang halik ang kanyang nakaawang na labi saka masiglang humarap sa mesa upang salinan ng pagkain ang sariling plato.

Sa nakikitang saya ng asawa ay hindi na rin niya napigilang mapangiti. Nagsalin siya ng sinangag at ham sa kutsara at iniumang iyon sa asawa na natitigilang napatitig sa kanya at sa kutsarang nasa harapan nito.

"Let's use one plate." Nakangiting sabi niya dito. Ngumiti naman ang asawa at tinanggap ang ino- offer niya.

Natapos ang almusal na nagsusubuan sila ng pagkain, and Holly had never felt so full 'til now.

......

Nasa duyan si Holly kasama ni Kalish ng dumating si Marissa. Tatayo sana siya ngunit humigpit ang pagkakapulupot ng braso ni Kalish sa baywang niya. Nahihiya niyang nginitian ang babae na nakangiti lang din sa kanila.

"Maupo ka muna, Marissa." Offer ni Holly saka itinuro ang kahoy na upuang nakakonekta sa puno ng mangga kung saan nakatali ang isang side ng duyan. "Ipaghahanda kitang maiinom at meryenda-"

"Naku, 'wag na, Holly. Salamat na lang." Putol nito sa sasabihin niya saka tumingin kay Kalish na tahimik lamang sa tabi niya habang inaamoy- amoy ang buhok niya, "Kalish, ipagpapaalam ko lang sana sa'yo itong si Holly. Maga- ani kasi ng gulay ang mga kababaihan sa atin doon sa may garden ng barangay. Maaari niyang maiuwi 'yong mga naani niya tsaka magsisilbi na rin iyong bonding namin sa isa't isa."

Napatingin si Holly sa asawa nab akas ang pagiisip ng malalim. Nang tumingin ito sa kanya'y tila nagtatanong ang mga mata nito kung nais niyang magpunta. Tumingin siya kay Marissa na kay Kalish pa rin nakatingin saka muling tumingin sa asawa na hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa kanya. Ayaw niyang mahiwalay sa tabi ni kalish pero nais niyang bumawi kay Marissa dahil sa mga naisip niyang laban dito noong nakaraang gabi.

"Ayos lang ba?" Humihingi ng permisong tanong niya sa asawa.

Pinigilan niyang mapaungol ng asimpleng pisilin ng asawa ang baywang niya, "Kaya mo ba?" Banayad nitong tanong na ikinangiti niya. Gusto niyang ipagluto ito mula sa maaaning gulay. At magkakaroon din siya ng pagkakataong magpaturo kay Mira.

"Kaya ko." Sagot niya sa asawa. Hindi ito ngumiti, marahil ay ayaw rin nitong umalis siya.

"Uhm, Kalish, tiyak kong aayain ka rin naman nina tatay mamaya na mangisda kasama nila." Pumagitnang sabi ni Marissa. Hindi nilingon ni Kalish ang binata. Nanatili lamang itong nakatingin sa kanya.

"Kaya ko, Kalish. Please." Banayad niya pang pakiusap habang hinahaplos ang pisngi ng asawa na sa bandang huli ay napabuntong hininga tanda ng pagsuko. Napangiti siya. Tumingin si Kalish kay Marissa.

"Sa'yo ko na lang muna ipakikiusap ang asawa ko kung gano'n." Pormal na sabi nito sa babae na lumawak ang pagkakangiti.

"Oo naman, Kalish. Ibabalik ko ng buo si Holly sa'yo." May panunukso pa sa boses nito. Inalalayang tumayo ni Kalish si Holly bago ito tumayo. Napansin niya ang bahagyang pagngiwi ni Marissa habang nakatingin sa suot niya.

"Uhm, Holly, kasi medyo madamo ang dadaaanan natin," Anito, "mas praktikal kung jogging pants at t- shirt na lang ang suutin mo. Baka kasi mangati ka kapag nakabestida kang magaani ng mga gulay."

Napatingin si Holly sa asawa. Sa tingin niya ay wala siyang ganoong klase ng damit.

"Sa palagay ko ay walang gano'ng klase ng damit ang asawa ko." Si Kalish ang sumagot.

"'Di bale, pahihiraman ko na lang siya." Masiglang sagot ni Marissa at wala ng nagawa ng nagawa pa si Kalish nang tangayin siya nito patungo sa bahay nila.

"Holly! Ayos ka lang ba d'yan?" Tawag ni Aling Flor kay Holly nang mapansing huminto siya sa pagpitas ng bulaklak ng kalabasa. She was wearing a wide brimmed hat, jogging pants and a long sleeve shirt which were lent to her by Marissa. Ngunit sa kabila ng suot ay ramdam pa rin niya ang sinag ng araw sa balat niya. It's also a good thing that she wore her eyeglasses. Kahit papano ay naproprotektahan ang mga mata niya mula sa napakaliwanag na sinag ng araw.

Agad na itinago ni Holly ang namumulang kamay nang makitang palapit si Aling Flor at Aling Helen dala- dala ang kanya- kanyang basket.

"Sabihin mo lang kung hindi mo na kaya Neng at lumilim ka muna." Si Aling Helen.

Nahihiya siyang ngumiti, "Gusto ko po kasi sanang ipagluto ang asawa ko."

"Naku! Tamang- tama!" Masayang ani Aling Flor, "pumitas ka pa ng maraming gulay at papaturuan kita kay Marissa ng pakbet!"

"Ayos lang po kaya kay Marissa?" Nagaalangang tanong ng dalaga.

"Aba oo naman, hija. Day off niya naman tsaka wala naman siyang ibang ginagawa." Pagkasabi no'n agad nitong tinawag ang anak na hindi naman kalayuan sa kanila. Agad naman itong nakalapit. "Anak, samahan mong mag- ani ng talong, okra at ampalaya itong si Holly kasi ipagluluto daw niya ng pakbet ang asawa niya."

"Marunong ka?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Marissa. Nahihiya siyang umiling.

"Tuturuan kita." Nakangiting sabi ng babae na ikinangiti na rin niya. Hindi niya na alam kung paano susuklian ang kabutihan nito sa kanila ni Kalish.

Nanguna si Marissa patungo sa kinatatamnan ng ampalaya. At dahil sumasabit lamang ang salakot niya sa ginagapangan ng ampalaya mula sa taas ay inalis niya na lamang ito. Tinuruan siya ni Marissa kung paano pumitas at agad niya namang nasundan iyon. Pero unti- unti'y nagdidilim na rin ang paningin niya dahil na rin sa init.

"Holly, ayos ka lang ba?" Tanong ni Marissa.

Tipid niya itong nginitian, "M- Medyo nahilo lang."

"Sa init na rin siguro. May blusa ka naman sa loob di ba? Mainam sigurong hubarin mo muna yang long sleeves mo total medyo malilim naman dito. Magiginhawaan ka kapag nahanginan ka." Suhesyon naman nito. Tumango na lamang siya dahil nakakaramdam na talag siya ng hilo. Inilapag niya ang dalang basket saka hinubad ang long sleeves na suot. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag nang makadama ng kaunting ginhawa matapos dumampi ang malamig na hangin sa balat niya.

"Salamat." Nakangiting sabi niya kay Marissa. Tumango lamang ang babae saka ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.

Nang masigurong sapat na ang napitas ay umalis na nagdesisyon siyang lumipat naman sa taniman ng okra. Ngunit hindi pa siya nakalalayo'y sumabit ang braso niya sa tulos ng ampalaya. Agad niyang naramdaman ang hapdi ng humalo ang pawis sa dugo niya.

Agad na tinambol ng kaba ang kanyang dibdib. Hindi pa nga nasosolusyonan ang peklat niya sa may collarbone at madadagdagan na naman ng isa pa. Pahaba ang sugat sa braso niya at magiging mahirap ang magtatago no'n. Higit siyang hindi tatanggapin ng pamilya ni Kalish kapag nagkataon.

Nagmamadali siyang lumilim sa isang puno ng mangga para inspeksyunin ang sugat. Malamang ay malalim iyon base na rin sa 'di maampat na pagdurugo nito. Nagaalalang nilapitan siya ni Marissa.

"Anong nangyari?" Tanong nito saka mabilis na idiniin sa sugat niya ang hinubad na long sleeves. Hindi niya namamalayan ang paguunahan ng luha sa kanyang mga mata. "Masyado bang masakit?" Natatarantang tanong pa nito.

"H- Hindi ako maaaring magka- peklat, Marissa." Gumagaralgal ang tinig na aniya. Bumabalik sa kanyang ala- ala ang galit nag alit at nandidiring mukha ng abuela ni Kalish. Ng matinding pagkadisgusto sa mukha nito ng makita ang itinatagong pilat sa katawan. Kung magiging dahilan ang panibagong pilat upang mailayo siyang muli kay Kalish gagawin niya ang lahat matanggal lamang ang bakas ng sugat na natamo niya ngayon. Hindi na niya kayang malayo pa sa asawa.

"Bakit naman hindi? Tsaka marami ng gamot para sa peklat ngayon."

She desperately shook her head while her eyes continuously bled tears. "K- Kapag nalaman nila baka lalo nila akong hindi matanggap." She said in between desperate sobs.

"Sinong hindi tatanggap sa'yo?" Nalilitong tanong ni Marissa na nagpatigil sa kanya.

Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin siya sa babae. Wala siyang pwedeng sabihin dito. Kailangan niyang ilihim ang lahat kung nais niyang manatiling lihim ang pagkatao nila ni Kalish. Tila napapasong inagaw niya ang kamay na hawak ni Marissa, binitbit ang basket na may lamang gulay at nagmamadaling tumayo. Nasapo niya ang noo sa pagkahilo ngunit mabilis siyang naalalayan ni Marissa.

"Holly! Narito ang asawa mo!" Tawag ni Aling Flor at nanigas sa kinatatayuan ang dalaga, "Hindi na nakatiis at sinundan ka dito, hija!" Natatawa pang kantyaw ni Aling Flor ngunit sa halip na makadama ng tuwa ay napaatras siya at pilit na itinatago sa likuran ang nasugatang braso.

"Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo, Holly?" Nalilito ng tanong ni Marissa.

"H- Hindi niya kailangan makita ang sugat ko, Marissa." Holly pleaded almost desperately. lalong kumunot ang noo ni Marissa.

"Bakit ba big deal sa'yo 'yang sugat mo, Holly?"

"Nasugatan ka?" Seryoso ang baritnong tinig ni Kalish na hindi nila namalayang nakapalit na pala. Napaatras pang muli sa gulat si Holly ngunit hindi na naitago pa ang nasugatang kamay sa asawa matapos nitong higitin iyon. Halos hindi siya huminga ng alisin nito ang pagkakatali ng longsleeves sa braso at lumantad ang pahabang sugat niya rito.

Holly wanted to cry upon seeing Kalish's disappointed look on his handsome face. Was he disappointed that she got another potential scar again? Walang anumang pinunit nito ang laylayan ng suot na long sleeves button down na nakabukas lahat ng butones kaya kitang- kita ang panloob nitong putting t- shirt. Walang salitang tinalian nito ang nasugatang braso niya saka hinubad ang polo upang isuot iyon sa kanya.

Napasinghap siya nang bigla na lamang siyang pangkuin ni Kalish. Maski ang mga nakatingin sa kanila'y hindi nakapagsalita.

"Pasensya na po, pero iuuwi ko na si Holly." Magalang na pagpapaalam nito sa mga naroon.

Her heart sunk. Nasaan na ang madalas nitong sabihing 'asawa ko'? Ganoon ba ito kadismayado sa kanya?

"K- Kalish..." Nanginginig ang tinig na untag niya rito, "g-galit ka ba?"

Hindi nagsalita ang binata. Lalo pang nanikip ang dibdib ni Holly. Ipinagpatuloy ng asawa ang tahimik na paglalakad ng pangko- pangko siya.

"K- Kalish, k- kaya ko ng maglakad." Sabi niya rito at walang salitang ibinaba siya ng asawa. Nais niya ng maiyak sa ginagawi nito. Kung hindi ito galit sa kanya'y tiyak niyang 'di siya nito ibababa. Nagpatuloy sa paglalakad ang binata at nahihirapan man ay pilit niya itong hinabol. Pinigilan niya ito sa braso.

"D- Dahil ba sa sugat ko?" She shakily asked and he stopped, "G- gagawin ko lahat para 'di 'to mag- iwan ng peklat. Sorry na... Sorry na, Kalish." Nagsimula na siyang humikbi.

Kalish frustratedly blew out a breath and faced her. Naroon pa rin sa kayumangging mga mata nito ang labis na disappointment.

"You're right. I'm mad, Holly. And it's all because of that wound." He stated honestly and she sobbed harder. Hindi pa nga natatapos ang suliranin nito dahil sa nakatagong pilat niya ay nadagdagan na naman. Kalish helplessly heaved a deep breath, but this time, his eyes were softer and warm.

Hinila siya nito sa upang ikulong sa yakap niya. She buried her face to his warm chest and cried. Lalo pa siyang napaiyak ng maramdaman ang banayad na paghagod ng kamay nito sa likuran niya.

"You got you first scar when I wasn't still in your life and that's corigible, Holly. But for you getting another scar now that you have me in your life is unexcusable." He muttered gravely and Holly's heart fainted a bit more, "I promised myself not to let you cry for nonsensical reason and I'm so mad at myself right now for making you cry. I shoul've followed you sooner and the tendency of you getting harmed would have been avoidable." Bakas sa tinig nito ang pagsisisi.

"I- I'm so s- sorry." Humihikbing aniya, "D- Don't be mad anymore, please. I love you, Kalish. I love you so much. 'Wag ka ng magalit sa akin."

"Who told you that I'm mad at you?" Amused na tanong nito sa kanya. Natigilan siya at sisinghot- singhot na tumingin sa asawa.

"But you're fuming mad!" She cried.

"I'm mad at myself for not able to protect you."

"It's not your fault. I was careless and I'm sorry." Paliwanag niya.

"You know that I don't care for my family's tradition, Holly. But you won't be having another scar again, coure mio. If I have to fight fate to prevent that then I would. No one's allowed to hurt you, my wife. Not in this lifetime. Not in a million existence."

How she hoped that it's possible. But fate has its way of pulling its tricks and she hoped that they'd be prepared when the time comes.

🤔

Please try to read some of my stories.

Teen Fiction:

Helix University: Kross Yuna Ibarra(completed)

Helix University: Kalidasa dela Cuesta(completed)

Helix University: Rumi dela Cuesta(ongoing)

Once Upon a Lost Umbrella (ongoing)

Vampire

Tres Dioses Caidos: Kiss the Blood (ongoing)

General Fiction:

Men in Colors: Onyx Alcor (completed)

Once Upon a 1,2,3 (ongoing)

Science Fiction:

Twelve to Midnight (completed)

Poetry:

To You Who Never Learned of My Existence (ongoing)

Thanks❤❤❤