Mahigpit ang yakap ko sa unan ko nang maramdaman ko na tila may nakatitig sa akin. I opened my eyes and saw Jahann looking at me. Kumunot ang noo ko at napatingin sa orasan sa lamesa ako.
It's 6 in the morning.
"What..."
He smiled and pecked on my lips. "Good morning, Creep," he greeted me before kissing my lips again. He pulled me closer and deepened the kiss.
"Wait..." I raised my hand and put it on his chest and gently pushed him away. I covered my mouth with my hand. "What are you doing here?" I asked him softly. Nilingon ko si Nikolai na mahimbing pa rin na natutulog sa crib nito.
"Checking on you..." he smiled again. "I watched you sleep..." he added. Mas lumalim naman ang kunot sa noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "Baliw ka," napailing na lang ako bago muling humiga at itakip ang unan sa mukha ko.
I closed my eyes while hugging my pillow. I heard Jahann chuckled. He removed the pillow and hugged me tight. Hindi ko rin mapigilan na hindi matawa nang isiksik niya ang mukha sa bandang leeg ko at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.
"I love you..." he whispered softly. I smiled and hugged him back.
Is this a dream? I don't know. I hope it's not...
Minsan ay gusto ko na lang kalimutan ang problema namin, minsan gusto ko na lang isipin na hindi komplikado ang lahat at makakasama ko si Jahann ng walang iniisip na hadlang sa amin.
Whenever he's hugging me, it always makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. He's assuring me that this time, he's going to hold my hand, he's not gonna let me go and he will fight for me... for us.
"Go back to sleep, Creep," he said before kissing my head. "I'll watch you sleep."
"No..." mahinang sabi ko sa kanya habang nakapikit. It's really still early and I am still so sleepy. He chuckled and kissed my head again. He pulled me and hugged me tight.
I rested my head on his chest and hugged him back. I closed my eyes and fell asleep again. With his arms around me, I feel safe. I feel happy.
Nang magising ako ay wala na akong kasama sa loob ng kwarto ko. Maging si Nikolai ay wala na sa higaan niya kaya naman mabilis akong bumangon at inayos ang higaan ko. Naligo na rin ako at naghanda sa pagpasok.
May sakit pa rin akong nararamdaman sa binti ko kaya marahan lang ang paglalakad ko. Hindi ko rin pinupwersa ito at dinidiin sa paglalakad. Alyanna told me to just rest today but I refused to do that. Naghahabol naman din ako dahil napag-iwanan na nila ako nang huminto ako kaya wala akong planong mag-absent lalo pa at kaya ko namang pumasok.
Napalingon ako sa kusina nang marinig ko ang boses ni Jahann na tila may kinakausap. Nang makapasok ako ay nakita ko ito na kinakausap si Nikolai.
Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti habang nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa.
Nikolai is staring at Jahann and he's giggling while Jahann is talking to him.
Sumandal ako sa may gilid habang pinanunuod silang dalawa. May hindi ako maipaliwanag na emosyon na nararamdaman habang pinanunuod silang dalawa.
"Cherinna, gising ka na pala. Maupo ko na at ipaghahain kita ng almusal," ani ng isang kasambahay namin nang makita ako. Napatuwid naman ang likod ko at nakita ko ang paglingon ni Jahann sa akin. He smiled at me and pulled the chair beside him.
"Thank you..." Naupo ako sa tabi niya at tumingin kay Nikolai na hawak-hawak ang daliri ni Jahann. "Hi, baby..." I greeted him. He smiled and called me again.
