✓ | The Altered Version (Fate's Transgression Series, #2) [UNDER REVISION]

TAV 45: Somebody Else

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE : Somebody Else

Omniscient | 3rd POV

"You made everyone worried today..."

Napako ang tingin ni Clarinette sa Duke ng magsalita ito. Hindi na lang siya nagbigay ng tugon at bumalik ang tingin sa kinakain niyang mani.

Nasa pabilyon sila ngayon. Malalim na ang gabi subalit hindi pa natutulog ang dalawa. Clarinette requested this from the Duke since she could not sleep.

"What is with all the gifts?" the Duke spoke again. "I have observed your actions since this morning. Hindi naman tayo magtatagal sa paglalakbay, pero kung makabilin ka parang hindi na tayo babalik."

Napatawa na lamang si Clarinette, kahit sa kaloob-looban niya ay gusto na naman niyang umiyak.

"Trip ko lang gawin 'yon. I haven't given them gifts since I entered the Duchy. Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng oras kaya ginawa ko na."

"Really, it seems like you have forgotten to give someone a gift other than them," he said.

Clarinette gave off a sly smile as she looked at the Duke. Lumapit ang mukha ng dalaga at hinagkan ang labi ng kanyang asawa bago binalik ang tingin sa harap.

Naglatag sila ng tela para maibsan ang lamig ng semento. May cushion din silang dala kaya nagmumukha itong picnic sa ilalim ng buwan.

"Ako. I am your gift," nakangiting wika ni Clarinette. Bumalik ang tingin niya sa asawa at binigyan ng mani. "Naalala mo kung paano tayo nagkita?"

Vyrre nodded before he ate what Clarinette gave. Inayos ni Clarinette ang kanyang pagkakaupo at hinarap ang Duke.

"We met after a year of my disappearance. We stayed a half a year in the hut where I was treated, and we came home in the Duchy seven months ago."

"And why are you bringing that up? I am still fuming mad about the forest fire and the negligence of the State that delayed the search for you for a whole year. Kung hindi ako umuwi, makakasama kaya kita ngayon?"

Clarinette held Vyrre's hand. "We are bound to meet, Vyrre. Kahit anong mangyari, I will always be your wife in any timeline."

"Are you going to say goodbye to me, too? Magkasama naman tayong aalis bukas. Don't make me worry, wife."

Sinapak niya ng mahina ang Duke. Napapailing na lamang siyang tumingin sa asawa. "Ang assuming niyong lahat. Hindi porket unang beses akong naglabas ng kabutihan, ang dami niyo agad puna sa akin. Wala kayang nag-appreciate ng mga regalo ko. Lahat kayo napapaisip."

"We are not used to it, wife. I am not used to your peculiar mood these days. I've been trying to understand that," he said.

"I am just really grateful, Vyrre. Sa lahat ng nangyari, sa lahat ng taong naging parte ng buhay ko. I will never stop showing my gratitude to every sacrifice you and all the people in the Duchy made for me."

"You're becoming emotional again," he said as he wiped Clarinette's tears running on her cheeks. "You deserve to be treated with love, wife. What you do with people reflect who you are as a person, kaya malabong may gagawa ng masama sa 'yo dahil naging mabuti kang tao sa lahat."

Hinawakan ng Duke ang magkabilang pisngi ng Dukesa at inilapit sa kanyang mukha. He planted a kiss on her forehead, her nose, and eventually her lips.

This action of the Duke made Clarinette burst into tears. She had missed that action so much since they parted. Maraming gustong sabihin si Clarinette ngunit dinaan niya lamang sa iyak ang mga iyon.