Broken Strings
Chapter 42

MELISSA QUIZON

I got out of the car. I don’t take my eyes off him because maybe when I close my eyes he will disappear from my sight. Is this the well -known Wright Agoncillo? He used to be someone who can’t live without his helpers, can’t ride a jeep because of his many cars. He was no longer the former Wright who could not endure under the heat of the sun and sweat. His last name is well-known because of the amount of company they have but here he is and he is threshing rice, pulling bones, his clothes are dirty, and his clothes are wet with sweat.

He has already changed.

It was as if something touched my heart when I noticed the weariness on his face. His companion saw me and said something to Wright.

My heart leapt as he slowly turned to me.

“Melissa!” He ran closer to us. I could no longer control myself so I met him. He hugged me around my waist and I wrapped my arm around his neck.

“I finally found you.” The corner of my eye heats up.

He turned me to him. “You mean ..”

I nodded. Tears welled up in my eyes. “I searched half of the world just to find you.”

“Why are you looking for me?”

“I want to see you and I want to apologize to you.” I swallowed to clear my throat. “Wright, I’m sorry. I’m sorry because I took revenge on you. I wanted you to feel how hurt I was. I wanted you to know how to be thrown away and treat like you don’t exist. I’m sorry for not appreciating the things you sacrificed for me. I’m sorry I became so heartless and selfish. I was just scared. I was just scared that I might get used to being with you and you would leave us again as if we’re not enough. I set my distance because I don’t want to get hurt again, but I didn’t know that hurts me more when I push you away. “

He hugged me tightly. I felt him k**s my hair. “Enough now, Baby. Stop crying.”

“I can finally tell you my real feelings.” I looked up at him even though my eyes were dimming with tears. “I’ve always loved you, Wright. Always.”

He pressed his forehead to the two of us. “I never stopped loving you, Melissa.”

***

“Did you get tired?” I worriedly question Wright after he took off his shirt and discarded his black boxer. I scooped up the dipper with water and poured it over Wright’s head.

He smiled at me after removing the water from his face. “Of course not. My back just hurts.”

It was late at night when they finished sheltering rice. I let him rest before he took a bath. We were outside his hut and sitting opposite in the well. Mang Hermino’s wife lent me a duster(Clothes) I was wearing while helping Wright taking a bath. Reid slept peacefully inside Wright’s hut since he could no longer bear the fatigue of our trip.

He stared at me intently. I took the soap but Wright immediately snatched it from my hand as well. “Na-uh. I can do this. it’s hard I might not be able to hold back ..”

“Hold back what?”

“Melissa, come on.” He sounds pissed.

“Why do you look so pissed off?”

“I’m not pissed, I’m frustrated.”

“W-Why?” I asked.

He bit back a g***n. “Because I want to k**s you right now.”

I bit my lower l*p. “I won’t mind.”

He sighed. “Just wait for me in that cradle. I think it’s not appropriate to k**s you now that I’m half-naked.”

I looked at the hammock in the mango tree not far from the well where we were.

“B-But-“

I took a deep breath and lowered the dipper into the bucket. I sat on the hammock and looked at Wright who was also staring at me.

There was a twinkle in his eyes. “Now, turn around and stop watching while I’m taking a bath.”

Seriously? He’s conservative now ?!

I hurriedly moved to the other side of the cradle and sat behind him. I heard a rush of water. I tried not to look back because I was sure he would make fun of me peeping at him.

A flashing light in the distance caught my attention.

“Firefly!” I’m happy to say. They multiplied and almost surrounded me and the mango tree. I lay down on the hammock and examined them. They are like stars moving around. They are relaxing to watch.

“Enjoying yourself?” I looked over at my feet and saw Wright fully dressed. he was wearing a white v-neck and knee-length shorts. His body grew even bigger because of the type of work he did.

I moved a little so that he would be positioned next to me. He lay down and I leaned on his arm. No one spoke between the two of us, we just watched the fireflies around.

“Would you like me to massage your back?” I ask.

“I’m alright,” he says hoarsely.

“You did all of these for me?” What I am referring to is his work on the farm and fishery.

“Yeah. It’s hard at first but eventually, you’ll learn. I enjoy it.” I squeezed more into his body. I missed him. I felt him smell my hair.

“I missed smelling your hair.” He murmured.

I got up a little and faced him. Half of my body was on top of him. My eyes wandered to its gentle face. I can’t help but caress that.

“I love you,” I said softly and before closing my eyes and kissing him on the lips.

I could feel his smile between our lips. We just k**s gently, we savour every moment. One of his hands went up to my name and the other was on my waist. I backed away but he immediately chased my l*p.

“We need to stop. We might scandalize your whole community.” I said softly. I stared at him and he stared back at me. “Have you forgiven me for having a pride higher than the Eiffel Tower? And for building a great wall between us because I’m a coward? And for hurting you so much? And for wasting all your effort? And for pushing you away like a stray sick dog? “

“It doesn’t matter, Baby. What matters most is you’re here, Reid’s here. You still love me. And I’m incredibly happy.” She said earnestly as she caressed my cheek.

I leaned against his massive chest. “Promise not to leave me again, Wright.”

“Promise me that after this, you’ll marry me.”

I stumbled upon what he said. “What? No ring?”

He laughed softly. “Oh, I’m sorry. You’re going to marry a poor, poor man, my lady. I do fishing and farming for a living. I don’t have money to buy a diamond ring-“

“You’re enough for me.” I cut what he said.

My forehead furrowed as he laughed out loud. “Your response is so corny!”

He stopped laughing when my two warm hands cupped his chin and yanked his head up, and then my mouth collided with his in a hard, reckless k**s.