See You Tomorrow, Yuki (EDITING)

TWENTY-FIVE

Yuki is back in this time. Her insomnia had stopped bothering her since the operation ended. It's back yet again to torture her. Once she closes her eyes, she sees nothing but a very familiar face. That woman's face, covered in blood, barely speaking. She eventually opens back her eyes and not notice that it's already morning and she couldn't catch sleep again.

She could just ignore it if it's that easy. However, nightmares are more scary than not getting sleep at all. So, she thinks to herself, maybe her insomnia is a defense mechanism. It doesn't want her to fall into a deep sleep and witness the same thing over and over again. it doesn't want her to wake up scared and crying.

"Hello?" iritado niyang pagsagot sa tawag. Nakapatong lang ang phone niya sa kanang tenga.

[Hindi na ba dapat ako tumawag?] Jamie.

"No... that's not it. Nakauwi ka na?"

[I'm covering someone's shift. Hindi na naman ako makakauwi tonight. I just called to let you know I had your room cleaned. 'Wag kang mag-alala, sinigurado kong hindi nila ginalaw ang mga gamit mo.]

"Salamat. Ah, take it easy. Magkakasakit ka na naman niyan."

[If you're that worried, just treat me better.]

"Just be sick then. So I can treat you." Lumitaw na ulit ang ngiti sa mukha niya. "'Yung niregalo ko pala sa'yo, ginagamit mo ba?"

[Gusto mong makita? I'll send you pictures.]

"NO! KADIRI!" natatawang sigaw ni Yuki.

[Then why buy me undergarments?! Akala ko naman kung ano'ng ireregalo mo sa'kin no'n. You sounded like you were going to buy me a house back in the jewelry shop. Silly.]

"Goodnight!"

[Goodnight! Sleep well, okay?]

"Hmm." She ended the call. "Let's... sleep well..."

- - -

Yuki's outside Aciel's office, peeking through the blinds. Aciel is sleeping by the desk, with his head leaning on his left arm. Likod lang ng ulo niya ang kita ni Yuki. Tirik na tirik ang araw sa tanghali na 'to. Yuki raised her hand until the sunlight touched it. Its shadow reflected on top of Aciel's hand. She moved the same hand sideways, and the shadow began caressing his hand.

"He's awake," bulong niya nang makitang mag-unat si Aciel.

Kumatok siya bago pumasok sa loob ng opisina. She brought him lunchboxes and they have her home-cooked dishes inside. Sa pagod ni Aciel, hindi na niya nagawa pang magpasalamat at diretso nang kinain ang nasa harapan niya.

"Hindi ka ba nag-almusal?"

"Bumalik ako sa office kagabi pagtapos kitang ihatid. Haven't slept since then. I'm just tired and hungry right now."

"Dahan-dahan lang," paalala ni Yuki habang hinahaplos ang likod ni Aciel.

"I'll just report back to dad then we can laeave."

- - -

"Sit there first," utos ni Aciel na sinunod ni Yuki.

Sa rami ng upuan sa loob ng simbahan, hindi alam ni Yuki kung saan ang tinutukoy ni Aciel. Pumili na lang siya ng isa sa mga 'yun at doon naupo. Halatang unang pagkakataon pa lang niya sa ganitong lugar, bagamat siya ang pumili nito dahil dito ikinasal ang mga magulang at tito't tita niya. She was confused and nervous on what to do, so she sat there with both hands on her lap, looking awkward.