Fleeting Moments

Chapter 17: Dream

#HHFM Chapter 17:

Dream

* * *

"Frankie," Ryo mumbled in his sleep.

It's still too early in the morning, pero hindi na ako makatulog.

My body quickly adjusted to the ruined sleep patterns, and to waking up extra early so that I could at least take a nice bath bago pa mag-decide si Raiko na umiyak ulit.

Raiko's still peacefully sleeping in his crib. Si Ryo, pikit pa rin naman ang mga mata kaya sigurado akong tulog pa rin. I wanted to go down for a second to eat something, but I got too caught up watching the two of them sleep.

Sometimes, Tito would bring Ryo to work, or Tita would ask him to drive her somewhere, kaya pagod na pagod din si Ryo. Pag-uwi niya kasi, siya ang bumubuhat kay Raiko after ma-breastfeed at ayaw pa magpalapag sa crib. There were times that I tried to argue with him para ibigay niya sa akin ang bata pero ayaw niya. His excuse was that it's his arm workout.

Since the day of my labor, hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ulit ang tungkol sa aming dalawa. We were too focused on Raiko, and we would rather eat or sleep rather than talk about our leftover issues. Our relationship was fine, but I wonder when we would open up the topic again, because I wanted to tell him something.

I carefully pushed back the hair strands resting on his forehead. I told him to get a haircut, pero lagi niyang nakalilimutan, as usual. I remember shaving his head at our apartment once dahil ayaw niyang magpagupit.

I found myself smiling at the memory. Pinagtawanan siya ni Cali no'n dahil hindi sanay na makitang semi-kalbo si Ryo. I was no expert so kailangan niya pang ipapantay ang pagkaka-shave sa ulo niya sa mall.

He stirred. I didn't stop staring. Watching him this close and knowing that he's near brought me a sense of comfort, and a feeling that I know too well.

I wasn't sure on when and how to tell him, though.

The mattress bounced a bit with his movements. His eyelids fluttered slowly, eyes squinting as he adjusted to the light. Hindi ko binuksan ang ilaw pagkagising ko pero medyo maliwanag na dahil sa malaking bintana sa tapat.

Kasabay ng pagpikit niya ang pag-angat ng gilid ng mga labi niya. The side of his eyes crinkled. Maybe he was dreaming of something nice. I wondered what and hoped that I was there.

Bahagyang gumalaw ulit ang mga talukap ng mata niya. Maybe he's about to wake up soon. Naniningkit pa rin ang mata niyang sumilip sa akin nang bahagya. His smile widened.

"Good morning," I whispered. Hindi ko pa rin sigurado kung gising na siya.

"Morning," he croaked. Gising na nga. Ang ganda ng gising niya dahil ngiting-ngiti pa.

I might have frozen for a second when his palm reached for my cheek. He lifted his upper body off the bed with a grunt.

Nahigit ko ang paghinga nang ilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. His nose touched the tip of mine, and his eyes closed at the contact. Napaawang ang bibig ko para sana awatin siya pero walang salitang lumabas. Before his lips could reach for mine, I luckily managed to move my head back. His eyes fluttered open.

"Ryo," kinakabahang tawag ko sa kaniya. Tulog pa ba 'to?

Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya bahagyang nabigla na parang natauhan, unti-unting nagkamalay, at tuluyang nagising. He retracted his hand away from me the same time his eyes widened.

My brows pushed together when he suddenly scrambled out of bed. Napangiwi ako nang sa kamamadali niya ay nahulog pa yata siya at medyo malakas ang tama ng tuhod niya sa sahig. Ang lakas ng tunog e. That must hurt.