Eternal

Polo Shirt

They just finished eating lunch. It was quiet. None of them dared to spare a word and only the clinking sounds from their utensils can be heard.

Right after their meal, Jesse went up their room for the paperworks he intentionally brought home to finish for the rest of the day. He tried to focus his attention on his work but his mind kept drifting off thinking about how Leni is still not in speaking terms with him since yesterday and how guilty he was with what he had done.

***
The day before

"Sinabi ko naman sunduin mo na kanina, 'di ba?" Jesse hissed with annoyance as he drove a little faster than he usually would. Their 3 year old Aika was left with her mom because their schedule for the day has been way more hectic than it usually is. He's been fully booked with meetings and a curtesy call from another mayor, while she has been bombarded with school works and org deadlines.

She was the one scheduled to supposedly fetch Aika that afternoon but something came up with her school org and she needed to extend her time informing her mother that Aika will be fetched a little later. Everything went according to schedule until her mom called up and told her that their daughter was a little bit under the weather hence being difficult and throwing tantrums. She said the child was looking for her and wouldn't eat properly. She was in the middle of her org's meeting but she was left with no choice but to inform Jesse then he insisted that he'd fetch her asap.

Now they're both in the car and she can feel his annoyance with how he's driving and the words he utters.

"Sinabi ko din naman na something came up ah?" She uttered as calmly as she could.

"Leni, courtesy call yun from
Mayor Ben. We had an important matter to discuss pa sana after but I had to move it to another day. Nakakahiya." He replied with emphasis on her name. He couldn't mask his annoyance brought about by trying to restrain his emotion.

Stress and overwhelmed with the situation, caused him to utter his next words.

"Kung sana sinundo mo na kanina pa, baka hindi nasira 'yung sleeping pattern nang bata at hindi nag iiiyak doon"

"What I do is as important as what you do, Jess. Sana e consider mo din na kung gaano ka importante iyang trabaho mo, ganoon ko rin pinapahalagahan yung mga ginagawa ko. Pantay lang tayo. Hindi ko din naman ginusto ang nangyari. Pero since idinidiin mo naman, sige kasalanan ko." Leni uttered without stuttering. Her eyes looking straight in front.

It struck him. Hearing those words stiffened him. Leni's usually silent when situations don't go well and it's rare that she expresses her emotions in words when upset but when she does, it hits lighting in the nerves.

He was too struck by her reply. It was too late to take back what he said. He looked at her for a second. Seeing her emotionless made all his courage to console her shrink so the rest of the ride was silent.

***

He heard the their room's door open so he pretended to go back to reading his papers but he was observing her every move.

Sure he did not mean to sound offensive the other day. He did not mean to sound like his work is way more important than what she does and invalidate her. He has always seen her as his partner. Her career equally important as his. Hence, his words yesterday went out all due to tiredness and stress – that despite a crazy day at work, he still has to fetch his wife at school and then rush to fetch their child who's throwing tantrums and is a little sick. But how does he tell her?

She was carrying their laundered clothes and sheets. She placed it atop their bed then proceeded to arrange it inside the cabinet beside him. Her every move silent. The only hearable noise in their room was the sound of the air condition.

He tried to look at her – carefully so she wont notice. But what was supposed to be a quick glance turned into him staring at her. He has to admit that he's scared to even give her a glance when he knows she's mad so this is the first time since yesterday that he got to stare at her again. He noticed shes wearing a black polo shirt and jeans which perfectly hugged her every curve. His stare went up to her face – effortlessly stunning. Ganda parin kahit ang sungit he thought.

She went to the cabinet door nearest to him to put the laundered bed sheets so he grabbed his chance.

"Maa.." He said approaching her.
He hugged her from the back and placed his chin on her shoulder.

"Sorry na.." Jess added but his wife is still silent. He placed a soft peck on the side of her neck.

"Hindi ko sinasadya at mas lalong hindi ko intensyon na iinvalidate ang mga ginagawa mo. Nadala lang ng pagod hmm? Sorry na.." he said sweetly.

Leni just nodded and continued with what shes doing. The sheets were placed at the top of their bed so she keeps walking between it and the cabinet while Jesse holds her from behind, not letting go.

"Okay na. Nagliligpit ako." she uttered still keeping a straight face.

Jesse tightened his embrace before facing her to him.

"Hindi pa okay, eh. Sorry na, ma hmm?" He cupped her cheeks and looked straight into her eyes.

"Sobrang pagod ko lang talaga kahapon tapos nagka sinat pa si Aika tapos buong araw na kitang di nakikita" Leni could see his sincerity and also how true his words are. His eyes looked tired and sleepless.

"Kaya saakin mo binaling galit mo?" she pretended to still sound upset.

"Sorry, ma. Di ko na ulitin.." Jesse faked a pout and that was it for Leni. She giggled softly.

"Sige na nga, kawawa ka naman" she said while wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Ang sakit na nga ng likod ko sa sofa"

Leni let out a small laugh.

"Bakit kasi doon ka natulog?"

"Ayaw mo naman ako dito"

"Wala naman akong sinabi, pa. Ikaw lang to nag mukmok doon"

"E naka talikod ka naman kasi saakin kagabi"

"Asus. Ikaw 'tong nang away e"

They stayed in that position while gently swaying and making up for the day they weren't able to cling into each other.