18 A Phantom's Shadow

Gloria was confined in the hospital for just a number of hours and discharged in the late afternoon then returned home with Rodolfo.

" The doorbell rang and Seb opened the gate, he smiled to Gloria.

" Mom, welcome back. Good that you're much better now than yesterday. Come on in. Dad, I'll take some of those you've been carrying."

" Good, where are the couple?" Gloria was looking around.

Seb was just quiet.

" Where are they?" She asked again.

" Nomin got wounds and cannot stand yet mom, while her wife had a vacation." Seb explained.

" Ow, I see." Then she smiled.

Seb went to Nomin's room and he told him about her recent curiosities to them.

" That seems questionable when she would ask about our whereabouts. But how do you generally assess her?" Nomin asked.

" Hmm, she's not really your mom." Godem in Seb said.

Seb was saddened as he moved backward on his bed and sighed. After seconds, Gloria knocked the door and have just decided.

" We're going to leave for Tarlac tomorrow and will bring Mama Tere. Indeed, the ambiance here is getting worst, I don't know if what you have gotten there but we're not sleeping there tonight. By the way, how are you Nomin? " She said as she moved closer to Nomin's bed.

" Oh boy...are you badly hurt? let me see your wounds." She curiously asked.

" No ma'am, its okay." Nomin answered.

" But we have to better see it." Gloria moved closer to Nomin and forcibly removed the blanket covering him.

" Hahaha! there wasn't any wound and his claws appeared while slowly transforming into Demido and hostaged Nomin while facing Seb. But Nomin closed his eyes, released his wings that forced Demido's strengths weakened and trashed himself on the floor. Nomin's shimmering lights were all around his body, as the dark shadow tried to resist the heavenly force blocking him but Seb drew more brighter lights that caused the room almost covered with it that made Demido escaped using the open window. Seb had strongly shouted with his fists above him and his wings were released. He was about to follow Demido but Nomin stopped him. Seconds to that, someone fell down outside the door. Rodolfo had collapsed while witnessing the scenario, seeing the two angels and a demon inside the room while peeping unbelievably and stressed his brain too much. Seb transformed Karla into human again and she helped on taking good care of the old man. After an hour and back to his consciousness, he immediately sat down and started to talk but Seb moved closer and held his forehead as Rodolfo soundly slept till evening. When he woke up, he already forgot everything and busily prepared for their travel with Grandma Tere since the previous vivid memories retained was his wife's death in the hospital. He was very sad and grieving. In the next morning, Seb drove Rodolfo and Grandma Tere to the airport, waited their flight and he went back home.

With so much vonfusion, and loneliness, Karla sat down and was very lonely beside the window while looking up to the chestnut branches gracefully swaying on a windy high noon. Karla saw him parked his car and waited for him to come up.

" How are you..." Seb asked her.

" I'm not really fine, a little scared and lonely." Seb grabbed her hands and hugged her tight. With her on his chest, he could feel his heartbearts racing, it was tremendously calming for Karla who is trying to resist over the situation.

Nomin was watching at the door and Seb also saw him but Nomin backed off. To Seb's surprise, he did not feel awkward anymore to Nomin. There was such that instant obligation he had to do for Karla, it was his feeling he did not also understand. While Karla's head was at rest on his chest albeit not embracing him too but he caressed her soft hair strands over his fingers and whispered on her.

"Calm down...everything is almost over, just hang on and the whole Seb will be coming to you back soon. I'm Godem, but this one's you're hugging at, is Seb, your husband. You have the right to at least lean on it since this body is mortal. I know you can't do this to Nomin because he's immortal and only Seb's soul was in him. Don't get lost with what you feel, I'm not afraid, you may embrace me tight, I can head on to nothing while you will release your pains in me. Seb in Nomin can hear us, just press this body into yours and cry in as much as you would. This body is your husband. By just sharing your emotion, pouring out and all those years long of suffering, I guess the heavens will help all of us. As Seb's guardian angel, I saw him suffering for you too and it hurts me so bad to see you feel the same.

Karla sobbed and slowly leaned on to him softly beside the window and embracing his body so tight. She was silent, and just leaned her head on his warm chest while he was caressing her hair. His heartbeats were terribly increasing and chasing his breathe but he just closed his eyes and prayed hard. While her tears on his shirt flowed so warm, he carried her gently on bed and made her rested. While she was sleeping, Nomin approached him and tapped his shoulders while looking at her with so much pity.

" Thank you Godem." Nomin said.

" Although this isn't easy but I'm trying...hmm you know, I had a hard time coping today again." Seb smiled at him.

"Literally fighting to a lot of demons is easier than standing and being embraced by a beautiful woman who was just waiting to her man. When I gave her permission to do it, she did it but with so much sincerity over her pains and not of her desire because she knew. She's very protective and careful. Why true love...is really, very and awesomely beautiful. No wonder why you come back, suing for this feeling and put me on the hot seat." Godem in Seb smiled to Nomin.

Seb in Nomin only smiled.

"Yes, I know, don't tell me anything else beyond this conversation I know, I know." Godem in Seb smiled at him.

" Are you sure?" Seb in Nomin interrogated.

" Yes, I'm sure, that both of you haven't gone doing any serious marital affairs within your married life. Since after the wedding, your mother separated you always and Karla was warned to avoid you or you'll be hurt. Isn't that a life and death testimony, isn't it? this is really awkward." Godem in Seb pouted and bowed down his head.

" Shh...at least you know. She's closer to me and she leaned on you. However, still I'm happy because its my body she'd lean on." Seb in Godem calmly affirmed.

" She's a great woman. She loves one man in a lifetime and takes a great control of her actions. You are both blessed." Godem in Seb left Nomin beside Karla.