André

TW: mature scenes. Please skip and read with care.

I strolled down the hallway of the office, whistling and humming to a melody that has been stuck in my head since last night. Matagal na akong hindi nagsusulat ng kanta, and for some reason, I wanted to sit down and write my heart out.

"S-Sir.. Sir André?" Someone stutteringly greeted me as I waited for the elevator door to open.

"Good morning, Kuya Henry!" I greeted back the middle-aged man who I recognized to be one of the cleaners in the building.

"Nakakalakad na kayo, sir?"

Ah right. I just received my miracle last night. Having my legs back was just a bonus.

Tinapik ko ang balikat ni Kuya Henry habang nakangiti. "Dumating na po ulit ang milagro sa buhay ko. Actually, dalawang milagro. Kagabi lang."

I proceeded to greet everyone I passed by before I reached the meeting room, where Izo was waiting as usual.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ng meeting room, nakita kong nakatingin si Izo sa kanyang relo. "It's 7:17 am."

I looked at the time on my phone. It was indeed 7:17 am. "Yeah, why?" sagot ko sabay upo sa bakanteng upuan sa gitna ng table.

"You're dramatically early," he deadpanned, fixing his eyes to the tablet he was holding. I bet he was reading the morning news like the old guy that he was.

I chuckled, typing on my phone. Hindi ako masyadong nakatulog kagabi, but it has been the best night of my life so far.

To My Charming Wife:

Good morning!

You can skip breakfast

But don't skip me

Just kidding

Have a nice day, mahal ko

I love you and I will love you in all of my lifetimes

You and Clau

As soon as I pressed the send button, a loud burst of laughter filled the room. "Mahal ko, I love you. Mwah, mwah, mwah."

"Chain, can you take a seat? You're disturbing my peace," Izo reprimanded the guy who was apparently standing behind me and reading my text.

"I don't mind," I shrugged, reading my beloved wife's response to my previous text.

From My Charming Wife:

Morning

Kain ka rin ng breakfast mo

See you mamaya

Love you mahal

I felt my stomach churn in giddiness as I suppressed a smile on my face. I've had plenty of women in the past, but this was the only time someone had ever made me feel like a freaking kid with a crush.

"You disgustingly look like a fool right now, mon frére." Chain tapped my shoulder as soon as he sat down next to me.

I glanced at him with a knowing smile on my face. "I do, don't I?"

Chain shook his head, turning to Izo. "He might need medical intervention. Do we have a drug for lovesickness?"

"How about you two stop talking and do some work?" Izo stated in a low voice, putting down his tablet.

"See you mamaya?" I read Charles' text again. Ibig bang sabihin ay pupunta siya dito mamaya? Or should I go see her after work? Damn, I miss her already.

"Can I go back inside my office now? His face is annoying me," Chain continued to look at me in disgust. But, I was pretty sure he was just jealous.

"You two can go in your own rooms. I don't want you here until I say so," Izo finally dismissed us.

Standing up, I tapped Izo's back, which made him turn to me. His eyes widened, looking at me from head to toe.

"What the actual magic trick am I seeing?" Chain blurted out, standing behind me with his jaw wide open.

"You can walk now," Izo stated the obvious. Ngayon lang niya na-realize na nakakalakad na ulit ako.

I chuckled at their faces. "Brothers, you're witnessing a miracle right now."

"Which saint have you been praying to?" Chain queried in mockery.

"Obviously not the one you're praying to," I tapped his back. "Oh, by the way, I just found out I'm a dad now."

Chain's jaw fell on the floor. "A what?"

"I already knew that," Izo mentioned.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "You knew?"

Izo nodded. "I know everything, Axe."

"Then, why didn't you tell me?" reklamo ko.

"Because that would ruin the fun," Izo stood up, leaving me in rage.

Bumalik na rin ako sa office ko after that. I just read tons of papers and signed documents all day. In between tasks, I would take a photo of myself and send it to my wife, hoping my face would brighten up her day. She might get annoyed, but I just couldn't help myself.

While I was posing in front of my phone camera, someone cleared a throat inside the room, catching my attention. "S-Sorry... Sir André."

Binaba ko ang cellphone ko sa table matapos kong i-send ang pang-sampung selfie ko kay Charles bago ko sinagot ang babaeng nasa harapan ko. "It's okay. Come in."

"Nasa lunch break na po si Mr. Sandos."

I nodded at her with a smile. "Thanks for the update, Melinda."

Everytime na may trabaho dito ang papa ni Charles, I always made sure that I was aware of it. I had to make sure that he was being taken cared of, just like what she would've wanted.

I proceeded to the cafeteria and saw Tito Carlos sitting on the corner of the room.

Marching my way towards him, I tried to compose an essay in my head. Kailangan ko nang sabihin sa kanya ang balak kong pagpapakasal kay Charles. I knew we just got together again, but my heart was infinitely sure she's the only woman I would marry.

"Hello po, Tito Carlos!" I greeted with a smile, waving at the middle-aged man infront of me.

"Oh, André, ikaw pala. Teka... okay na ang mga binti mo? Nakakalakad ka na ulit?" he asked in awe.

Tumango ako. "Kahapon lang po."

"Mabuti naman kung ganoon. Ilang taon ka ring naparalisado, hindi ba? Kagaya ko..." he paused, thinking deeply. "Teka, kumain ka na ba?"

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Hindi pa po. Pero kakain na rin ako mamaya."

"Eto, kumain ka na rin. May dinuguan pala dito sa canteen niyo? Paborito din yan ni Cha." Inabot niya sa akin ang plato niya na may ulam. "Huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi ko pa nagagalaw yan."

"Sige po, salamat." Kinuha ko ang kutsara na inabot rin niya sa akin at kumuha ako ng dinuguan. Sinubo ko ito at agad kong naalala ang araw na pinakain ako nito ni Charles sa karinderya.

"Kain ka pa."

"Kain na rin po kayo. Ito po," binalik ko ang plato sa kanya pero umiling siya.

He nodded his head, looking at me again. "Nga pala, iho, sinabi sa akin ni Cha na nagkabalikan na kayo."

I nodded. "Ang totoo po niyan ay balak ko na sanang magpakasal kami next month, pero kailangan ko munang hingin ang permission niyo."

"Next month na agad? Parang ang bilis naman niyan, iho."

"Sigurado na po talaga ako kay Charles. Siya lang po ang gusto kong pakasalan," I said firmly.

"Iho, hindi padalos-dalos ang kasal ha. Marami kayong dapat pag-isipan pa. Alam ko namang may kaya ka sa buhay. Pero si Cha, hindi pa siya lisensiyadong arkitekto. Sana ay maintindihan mong gusto ko lang na maabot pa niya ang pangarap niya."

I understood what he meant. Gusto ko rin namang maabot ni Charles ang pangarap niya. And I also wanted to be there with her when she would. "Naiintindihan ko po, tito. Hindi ko iiwan si Charles at maghihintay ako hanggang sa maging successful architect na rin siya."

"Salamat, iho," he finally flashed me a warm smile.

"Mukhang seryoso ang usapan ah." A voice so familiar to my ears caught my attention. When I turned to the side, nakita ko ang asawa kong nakatayo sa harap ng table namin.

"Chal!" I immediately stood up from my seat, greeting her with a kiss on her cheek. Kahit na gusto ko siyang halikan sa labi, I had to control my hormones infront of her dad.

"Lunch break niyo, pa?" She asked.

"Oo, anak. Eh nakita ko si André dito kaya nag-usap lang kami. Nabanggit rin niya ang plano niyong pagpapakasal."

She immediately glared at me. "Bat mo naman sinabi agad?"

"Sorry," I mouthed at her.

"Mas mabuti nang alam ko, anak. Tsaka, sinabihan ko na si André na huwag muna hangga't hindi ka pa nakakapasa sa board exam mo."

"Opo, pa. Alam ko naman 'yon," she answered.

"Don't worry, tito. Tutulungan ko siya. I'll make sure na papasa na siya this time para makapagpakasal na rin kami," I took her hand, caressing it on my lap.

"Siguraduhin niyo lang," Tito Carlos stated.

Matapos namin kumain, pinahatid ko si Tito Carlos sa condo. Nanatili naman ang mahal ko sa aking tabi nang sabihin ko sa kanyang magpapa-check up ako sa resident therapist dito sa company. Gusto raw niya akong samahan.

Nang makarating kami sa consultation room ng therapist, nakita ko ang pag-awang ng labi niya.

"Mr. Alexandré, totoo ngang nakakapaglakad ka na?"

"Yes, kagabi lang, doc. That's why I wanted to ask you if this is just temporary o babalik ako sa pagiging paralyzed state ko."

Nilapitan ako ng therapist at chineck niya ang mga binti ko. He even made me walk, run, jog and jump several times around the room.

"So, what do you think, doc? Am I really back to normal now?"

He sighed. "It's very rare, pero I guess I was right all along. Ang nangyari sa'yo ay psychosomatic paralysis. Remember, I told you about this before?"

"Psychosomatic paralysis?"

"Psychosomatic meaning resulta ito ng psychological trauma instead of physical trauma. Kahit na may nangyaring physical na aksidente sa'yo, ang dahilan ng paralysis mo ay dahil sa stress, anxiety or depression. Sinabi ng utak mo na hindi ka na makakapaglakad, na hindi ka na makakabalik sa dati, when in reality, your body was not broken physically. Remember, walang mali sa mga xray at ultrasound results sa binti mo?"

I slowly nodded my head, realizing everything the doctor said. "So, how did I end up walking again?"

Tinuro ni doc si Charles sa tabi ko. "Hindi ba siya ang dahilan?"

Napatingin ako sa babaeng mahal ko. "You're right, doc. She's my miracle." I pulled the woman closer to me, kissing her cheek.

"I see. Naalala ko na nakakatulog ka na rin without your CPAP machine, right? After your surgery? Mukhang hindi mo na ako kailangang bisitahin nang madalas ngayon."

I nodded again. "Thank you for everything, doc."

"I'm glad that you're finally better, André. I'm sure masaya ang dad mo ngayong nakakalakad ka na ulit."

I paused. Hindi ko pa pala nasasabi kay dad ang tungkol dito. So, that was the first thing I did matapos ang consultation ko kay doc.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Axe?" Dad's voice resounded over the phone.

"Sorry, dad. I was too preoccupied with everything and I've been spending time with the woman I was telling you about."

"You mean the love of your life that you want to marry?"

Napangiti ako habang nakatingin kay Charles na nakaupo sa sofa sa loob ng aking office. "Yes, dad. That's her."

"So, when's the wedding then?"

"Soon, dad. I'll call you first once we have the date."

"Okay, son. I'm really happy for you. You deserve this happiness in your life after everything you've been through."

"Thank you, dad."

After that call, nakita kong tumayo si Charles mula sa sofa habang papalapit sa akin. "Mabuti naman at nagkaayos na kayo ng dad mo."

I nodded, catching her hands and lacing them with mine. Nakaupo ako sa may edge ng table habang nasa harap ko si Charles.

"Ibig bang sabihin alam na niya ang ginawa ng stepmom mo sa'yo?"

Tumango lang ulit ako. Sinandal ko ang aking gilid ng aking ulo sa kanyang dibdib. I immediately heard her heartbeat. It was melodic and rhythmical... something I would like to listen to when I wanted to be calm.

"André..." her voice was soft, almost tickling my ears.

"Hmm?" Inangat ko nang bahagya ang aking ulo. I met her eyes staring down at me.

"I'm sorry..." she hushed. "I'm sorry kung hindi ako naniwala sa'yo noon. I'm sorry dahil naging selfish ako at hindi kita pinakinggan. I'm sorry kasi iniwan kita sa ere."

"Chal..." Inayos ko ang aking upo at nilagay ang aking kamay sa kanyang pisngi. "It's okay. Why do you keep apologizing? Your feelings were valid. You had every right to be mad and cursing at me."

Umiling siya. "Pero, hindi man lang kita binigyan ng chance mag-explain. Hinayaan pa kitang humantong sa aksidente mo pati na rin ang pagkakakulong mo. Hindi ko alam kung mapapatawad ko ang sarili ko kapag nawala ka nang tuluyan sa buhay ko."

"Chal, nandito na ako. Ang mahalaga ay okay na tayo ngayon kasama ang anak natin. Okay, mahal?" Nanatili ang mga kamay ko sa magkabilang pisngi niya. Fuck, I love this woman so much.

She finally nodded, leaning closer to me. When her lips met mine, I felt myself hyperventilating. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at hinalikan ko na rin siya pabalik.

God, I just miss her lips on mine. Kung pwede ko lang pagdikitin ang mga labi namin para lagi ko siyang nalalasahan ginawa ko na.

"André... baka may... pumasok dito... sa office mo," she mumbled in between our kisses.

I quickly ran towards the door and locked it. Then, I went back to her, grabbed her waist and guided her towards the sofa.

I kept on kissing her hanggang sa nakahiga na siya at nasa ibabaw niya ako. My hand crawled down to her chest habang ang isa kong kamay ay binababa ang zipper ng pants niya. I pulled her pants down a bit, revealing her underwear.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paghalik sa kanya while I rubbed my boner against her underwear. I was already damn hard. Siya lang talaga ang nakakapagparamdam sa akin nang ganito. I always had problems getting myself aroused even with other women before. It was partly because of my trauma, but ever since I met Charles, I found myself feeling the pleasure of making love again.

My kisses travelled down to her neck then to her beautiful twin mounds. I caressed them ever so gently, while sucking and leaving marks on them. This made her moan even more, satisfying me.

I slid my hand inside her underwear, touching her private area and massaging it as I felt her getting soaked.

"André... hindi ko na kaya... ipasok mo na..." she demanded.

Agad kong binaba ang underwear niya pati na rin ang suot ko. I slowly entered her opening, making gentle thrusts at first.

"Shit, André, bilisan mo pa," she whined, turning me on. She looked so fucking hot right now. Mas lalo akong ginanahan kaya binilisan ko ang paggalaw sa ibabaw niya.

"Aahh, fuck. You're so beautiful, Chal," I exclaimed, thrusting deeper and faster inside her.

I could feel her moving with me as well habang ramdam ko na ang paglabas ko. Fuck, I'm cumming. But, I had to hold out first. I hadn't made her come yet.

I kissed her lips again, making sure I was thrusting and hitting her spot.

"Aahh, André... malapit na..." she arched her back, closing her eyes. I felt her juice while I was still inside her.

"Can I release inside?" I asked for confirmation.

"Oo naman, mahal." When she smiled, I finally let myself inside her, hoping it would form into another little human being one day.