Part Two: Not Like the Movies

231.

ANTHONY

I woke up with Rafaela beside me. Nakayakap siya sa akin habang naka-unan sa dibdib ko. She was wearing my white shirt... just my white shirt yet she glows in the morning. And it's all I see every time I watch her sleep.

She's all I see... in my bed, in my arms... all hers.

And every morning, I whisper a prayer as I watch the beauty before me. I pray that when I touch her, may my hands be gentle that the only weight she will feel is the weight of my promises. I pray that when I look at her, may my eyes be truthful that the only lie she will see is me not loving her. I pray that when I speak to her, may my lips be kind even in silence. I pray that when I give off a scent, may it smell like the fresh coffee we'll have together and mornings with her. I pray that if I could give her a taste, may it be of happiness and love.

"Good morning, Megamind..." she said in a low and raspy voice as she slowly opened her eyes. "I'm sore..."

"I'll take care of you today," I replied. Hinawi ko ang buhok na humaraharang sa mukha niya at lalo siyang sumiksik sa akin.

"I love you," she randomly whispered as she gave me a hug. "Thank you for for being my first. I'm glad it's you," dagdag niya habang nahihiyang tumitig sa akin bago niya muling itinago ang mukha sa dibdib ko. I caressed her back and kissed her shoulder.

"Thank you for trusting me..." I told her. Inangat niya ang ulo niya at ipinatong ang baba niya sa dibdib ko. Sinalubong ko ang mga mata niya habang nakapatong ang isa kong kamay sa likod niya. Hindi pa rin kami bumabangon pero ayos lang sa akin. She's on a leave anyway, we can do this all day. Just lay on my bed as I love her over and over again.

"Mahal kita..." sabi ko pa habang hindi inaalis ang mga mata ko sa kanya. "Mahal kita, Rafaela," pag-ulit ko na parang hindi sapat kahit ilang beses ko pang sabihin.

Hindi siya nagsalita pero nanatili ang mga mata namin sa isa't isa. Ilang minuto naging tahimik bago siya ngumiti, walang bakas ng pagkagulat sa mukha. I knew then that Rafaela have always understood my love for her, even when I couldn't explain it well for myself.

And with her, I just know.

"Rafaela," I uttered with love as I caressed her cheek. "Shakespeare used a line, 'What's in a name?' to express the irrelevancy of naming things because it would still be beautiful, even if it has another name... and I used to think that I don't know love, but with you, I now know that I just have another name for it: yours."

She held my hand that is on her cheek, before taking it and intertwining it with hers.

"You don't say I love you like a normal person does," she started, as she gently traced my lips before giving me a quick peck. "But I know it every time you say my name. Rafaela. RZC. And even with your lab lab or the equation 2i < 6U which I had to simplify so I could get your i <3 U..."

"Anthony, I know your love for me well enough that I don't need to hear how it is usually said. I just need it to come from you, and it will always translate to love..."

"I love you, kalbo," she finished as she giggled.

She even gave my shaved head few kisses and I just crinkled my nose as I let her. Hindi ko pa kasi pinapatubo ang buhok ko hanggang hindi nakakalabas ang daddy ko sa ospital.

"I love you, Rafaela..." I repeated before finally pulling her in for another kiss and under my sheets.