M A D E L I N E
Denver was putting on a plain white shirt when I opened the door to his room and stepped inside.
I looked around but I couldn't see Baby Ju anywhere.
"Asan si—"
"Nasa crib niya sa kwarto nila Jolo," sagot ni Denver. "May charge pa iyong tablet niya kaya pinapanood ko muna ng mga naka-download na video sa YouTube Kids."
Tumango-tango ako at saka panakaw na napatingin sa katawan niya.
He... grew.
Well, of course he did.
I mean he... manned up.
Physically. If that even makes sense.
Natapos siyang magbihis at saka mahinang nagsalita habang isinasara ang kurtina, "Come here and lock the door."
I did as he asked and pressed on the door knob before walking over to where he is.
It's like time slowed down as I carried one foot in front of the other.
He smiled as soon as I stopped in front of him.
For a moment, both of us were quiet and still. But then he lifted a hand and wiped softly on my cheek.
"I'm sorry I made you cry," he said in an undertone. "This would be the last, I promise."
"Dapat lang!" Hampas ko sa dibdib niya. "Kotang-kota ka na sa pagpapaiyak sa akin, gago ka."
Mahina siyang tumawa bago ako hinila at niyakap nang mahigpit. "You deserve each other, Mads," bulong niya sa tainga ko. "I know it took me too long."
I hugged him back and let out a sigh of relief knowing that we are both finally in the same page.
I revelled in his warmth and in the solace I found in his embrace.
After all that we have been through, he still has the same comforting effect on me.
"Denver..." tawag ko sa pangalan niya.
"Hmm?"
Binasa ko ang labi ko at saka bumulong, "Natatakot ako."
"Why?" he asked, running his hand on my back.
"Because... I l-love him so much, and I'm afraid that it's gonna destroy me."
He laughed softly, his entire body shaking as his laughter echoed around the room.
"Well, it wouldn't be love if it didn't." I heard him say.
***
Later that night, Tabitha knocked in our room and invited us downstairs.
"Bakit? Ano'ng ganap?" tanong ko.
"Birthday ni Paeng, isa sa mga driver. Dinner and drinking sesh daw."
