“Are you ok?” Enrique asked then rested his head on my shoulder. I was standing by the window and he was behind me while hugging me.
“Hmph.”
“Don’t think too much. That will harm the baby.”
“I just feel sorry for my brother Dylan. He has been through so much and sacrificed so much. Then this is the only thing that will happen. He lived in pure lies and I know he did not deserve this.”
“Dande.” He made me face him and held my hand.
“I wasn’t there to empathize with him. No one is there to understand him and empathize with him. Whereas when we needed him, he was always by our side. He never left us and never forsook us until we were well. But why when he was the one in pain, he was left alone? Why is life so fucking unfair to brother Dylan?”
“Dande.” He took the chair and made me sit there. He kneeled so that we were equal and then held my hand. “Listen to me baby girl, I didn’t know Dylan had such a past. We are not close so I don’t really know him. Besides, anyone knows him as an ass. But if anyone knows the real him, it’s you, it’s you. It’s not bad for you to be sad for him but I hope you think about yourself especially and you have a baby inside. Also, Dylan will understand why you are not there to sympathize with him.”
“I love him, I love my brother so much. He was the one who made the way for Brother Wallace to fix his life so that he could be worthy of sister Dane. He was the one who helped sister Erika so that sister Lileth’s heart could return to Brother Dave. He was the one who helped brother Dale and his ex meet to forgive each other so that he and sister Lauren could continue their lives, and I, he was the one who made the way for you to marry me. He helped us all to have a happy life. For the ones, we love to become husbands. But why does he—he endure? For how many years, then this just happened to him? This is unfair to him.”
“Dand.”
“Why is everyone being unfair to him? Why everyone said he deserved it? Is it because of what they see? My brother wouldn’t be like that if he wasn’t hurt. He hides his pain in drugs, alcohol, and women. Because he knows no one can understand him. No one understood him because the woman who was the only one by his side left him. Then now it’s his fault why is he destroying himself?”
“Dande, everything has a reason.”
“For him to get hurt?”
“Baby girl.”
“To hurt again and again? Is that the reason? Because if yes, he didn’t deserve it. He did nothing but love and asked for nothing but to be loved.”
“I don’t know the real reason. But I’m sure your brother will be happy too. Not now, but I believe in the right time.” He stood and then hugged me. “Stop crying.” He wiped my tears so I calm down.
“Thanks.”
“For what?” He sat beside me and rubbed my stomach.
“For being there for me. For listening.”
“I am your husband, and I should be the one to say that. Thank you for loving me and thank you for giving me a cute boy.” Then he tickled my seven-month belly. “So calm down now. I know your brother will get through what he is going through right now, just like how you got through it. He’s a Dy, remember? If you are brave, he will be braver so he will surely be happy too.”
“I know. Enrique?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you thought of a name for a baby boy? You give a name to Ixora, maybe you have thought of something for him too.”
“Yeah, I have, but I am not sure if you will like it.”
“Tell me.”
“Crocus.” I frowned because what he said was not clear to me.
“What did you think of my baby crocodile to name him Crocs?” But he just laughed.
“Not Crocs, baby girl, it’s Kro-kus, spelled as C-R-O-C-U-S.”
“Crocus? Where did you get that name?”
“A type of flower.”
“Flowers?”
“Hmp, it’s like Ixora and Ixora are from the flower.” Then look at me. “Like their mom.” I was shocked because of what he said.
I don’t know, even though we have two children, my love for him still hasn’t disappeared. Every time I look at him, it seems like I’m still Daze chasing him greedy for attention, and will be thrilled when he notices.
“Hey, what’s with the smile, baby girl?”
“Because you’re handsome?” But he just smiled at me. “You are the most handsome man I have ever met. I’m lucky to have you.”
“Nah, I’m luckier than you, baby girl. Because you loved me. The most beautiful woman in the world chose me,” What he said seemed to tickle my heart again.
“Enrique, how long will you call me, baby girl? We already have two babies and then we have a baby girl, Ixora.”
“You’re still my baby girl until we grow up. Even if your appearance changes because you get older, for me, in my eyes you’re still my baby girl. The only one.” He kissed my neck with a bite.
“Enrique, I’m tickled. Go ahead, maybe I can get your son out in no time.” He immediately stopped and held my hand. He took me to bed. It’s time to sleep so I lie down and he also lies down next to me.
He put his hand on my stomach while staring at me.
“I don’t know what to do, if you go to someone else, Dande. Maybe I should just stay single.” I laughed at what he said so I turned to face him.
“Why, do you think I would agree to be with someone else? Also, Celestine and I really plan to screw you in any way we can. That only changed when I got pregnant and something was on my mind so I didn’t tell you that you were the father.”
“You planned to trap me?”
“Yup, she said that I will get pregnant with Ervic and asked you to marry me. But no sex, I’ll get his sperm and inject it into me.”
“What the—” He was staring at me so I just laughed.
“I am so fucking desperate to get you, by hook or by crook. I really like you. I love you so much that I will do everything just to get you.”
“But you refused to marry me.”
“Well, I hate you. I want to get revenge. But even though I hate you, I still love you.” He smiled while staring at me. “I guess you charmed me when I was young so even if I die I don’t care just to have you.”
He smiled and hugged me then kissed my head.
“Your effort will not be wasted, Dande. Because I promise to love and take care of you only for the rest of my life.”
“I know, just try to hurt me and you’ll end up with me.” But he just laughed and left. I just stared at him and he stared at me.
Later I caressed his face. I feel various emotions while caressing him and I don’t know why.
“I love you so much, Enrique.” I cried and couldn’t hold back my tears. “I love you.”
“Hey.” He stood up and hugged me. “I love you so much and I promise I won’t leave you.” We hug each other. I feel the warmth of his hug on me.
Maybe I’m just happy that’s why I’m crying. Because until now I still can’t believe that the man I’ve loved for so long is my husband. My obsession. That he accepted me and promised to take care and love me forever.
I don’t have to chase. I don’t need to beg. I can no longer be called obsessed which is true. I am happy every day and I can’t help but be emotional that we are finally here. When I look back on my past with him, I can only smile at my foolishness. But I have no regrets because the result was good. He, and with two bonuses and can still be followed.
“Only you, Dande, only you.”
“You too, Enrique. You will always be—–Daze’s obsession, forever.” And we kiss passionately.