Reckless Abandon

Chapter Thirty Four

Enrico's POV

A tingling sensation on my face stirred me up from my slumber. I open my eyes and I see a thick mob of mane in front of me. All of a sudden, the smell of strawberry shampoo greeted my nostrils. 

My lips curl into a discreet smile as I recognize the scent and who it belongs to, and I wrap an arm on her body and snuggled closer to her. 

Eureka. 

The bed shifts from my movement. Eureka turns to look at me with sleepy eyes. "Why are you awake?" she asks in a small voice. 

"I don't know, love..." I murmur as I plant a soft kiss on her cheek. "Just go back to sleep."

Eureka scoots closer to my body and rested her pretty little head at the base of my neck. My room doesn't feel real right now. My drapes are partially open to the side, revealing the clear, dark blue sky from the outside. The sun hasn't risen yet, but I can hear a few birds chirping away outside, flapping their wings before they take off again after hanging out in the railings of my balcony. Normally, I keep my curtains shut so I don't get woken up easily once the early morning comes, as I am a light sleeper and terribly sensitive to light. But last night, Eureka cracked them open a little so she can look at the stars before falling asleep. I think that's fucking cute. 

Now, the light from the break of dawn seeps through, illuminating my whole room with shades of grey and muted blue, and I know it will be impossible for me to go back to sleep now, but I don't mind, in fact, I don't care at all. I have kept these rules for myself all my life but I don't care if I could no longer scour a few hours of additional sleep before my alarm goes off everyday anymore--- if she wants her curtains half drawn I'd be more than happy to abide. 

Eureka looks up at me. "Why are you still awake?"

"Hindi na kasi ako makatulog." sagot ko. Napatingin ako sa orasan. It says it's only 5:45 in the morning. I took a deep breath and hugged her tighter. Eureka smells so nice and feels so soft and warm. "How about you, though? I told you, matulog ka ulit."

"I can't," she answers. "I just had a bad dream."

"Tell me."

"I dreamt I was being chased by rats. Then there was a fire... but I wasn't burning. Ang weird."

Natawa ako. "Napanaginipan mong hinahabol ka ng mga daga? At may sunog?"

"Oo."

"Baka naman isa ka sa mga daga?"

"Hindi ah! Nakita ko ang sarili kong hinahabol nila."

I propped my elbow so I can look at her closely. "Are you scared?"

Eureka shakes her head. "No... I just have a bad feeling in my stomach, that's all."

"Don't worry Eureka, it's just a dream."

"Alam ko. Pero what do you think it meant, Enrico Hale?"

"I think it meant you should clean up your apartment, Eureka."

She giggles. "Hoy, wow! Pinapalinisan ko iyon every week noh!"

"Then it probably means nothing. I don't know much about psycho-social analysis or meanings of dreams."

"Well, I think it's a bad omen."

"Sssh! Don't say that. It means nothing, okay? That was just a silly dream."