The Light of Midnight (BxB)

Chapter 10

I woke from a heavy rain. It is still five in the morning. Somehow, a little light can already be seen outside, but it is still not enough to illuminate the inside of my dorm. I looked into my right and saw how Pierre is peacefully sleeping. 

I can still remember how I already admit to myself how I am falling for this person. How I love him not because he's always there, but because of who he really is. He's just pure and genuine and kind. Dagdag nalang 'yung physical na anyo na mayroon siya. 

"Pierre, you're Mom's calling." Marahan ko itong tinapik sa braso at doon ito ginising dahil rumehistro ang tawag sa kaniyang telepono mula sa side table na katabi ng kama ko. 

"Answer it, 'Ver. Tell her you're my boyfriend." 

"What?" Hindi ba tayo magliligawan muna? Ganito ba kabilis 'yon?

"I'm joking, give it to me." 

After a while of talking, I saw him throw his phone anywhere in the bed. Pinulot ko ito at inilagay muli sa side table bago nahiga at sinubukan na matulog muli. 

"Malakas ang ulan, sa susunod na linggo nalang kami tutuloy at baka mas matagal na kami ro'n dahil baka doon na kami mag Pasko." Then he lean closer to me. "Puwede ba na matulog ako muli? Inaantok pa ako, River." 

"Yeah, you can spend the day here?" 

"Thanks!" Then he lean closer. "Can we cuddle? I always dream of doing it when it is raining outside." 

"Okay, Pierre." 

"Fuck. What?" Napaupo ito sa kama dahil sa gulat. Hindi ata niya inaasahan na papayag ako. "Pumapayag ka?" 

"Huwag mo nang hintayin na magbago pa ang isip ko." 

Excited itong tumalon muli sa kama at doon ako niyakap nang mahigpit. We are both facing each other without minding everything.

"Am I dreaming?" 

"No, you're not." 

He hugged me tightly that's why I felt something that's poking my manhood. 

"Calm yourself, Pierre. It's just a cuddle." 

"I can't help it. It's always like that in the morning. 'Yung sa'yo nga nakadiin sa'kin hindi naman ako nagrereklamo." 

"Yeah, whatever." 

We continue to be like that until we both fell asleep feeling the coziness of the cold breeze of morning with the rain falling outside and our body giving heat to each other. This feels like home.

This is my home. 

Today is Friday ang the last day of our semester. River is outside waiting for me to finish my exam before we start to watch the concert. 

"Come on, River! The concert is about to start!" Sigaw ni Pierre habang tumatakbo sa hallway ng building namin. Kanina pa hindi ko mahagilap 'yung Kambal at si Chloe dahil wala ng pakialam ang mga ito at chinamba na ang exam makalabas lang kaagad. Nagpaalam naman sila at gusto pa ay hintayin ako kaya lang parang nabalewala ang pagchamba nila kung gagawin nila ito. Buti ay nakita ko na nag-aabang si Pierre sa labas kaya hindi ako magiging mag-isa sa panonood ng concert na inahanda talaga para sa'ming mga athletes.

"We don't have a place anymore, Pierre." I said to the man beside me. Nakatanaw nalang kami ngayon sa salamin na bintana sa hallway ng building katabi ng hagdanan dahil nakita namin sa baba na wala ng puwesto para sa'min. Mahihirapan din kami kung makikipag-gitgitan pa kami. 

"We can watch and listen here, River." 

"Okay." We sat on the flooring and waited for the band to start. It composes of nine members and they actually have a lot of good songs. Ride Home is my favorite. 

Tama si Pierre dahil mula sa puwesto namin ay kitang kita silang lahat. Sapat din ang naririnig namin namin kahit pa may salamin sa pagitan namin. At mas ayos din na nandito kami, wala nang tao kaya mas payapa ang pakiramdam.

The band is now playing a Christmas song because in weeks now, we will celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. We hum and sang with the song like we all know every bit of lyrics in it, but in fact I'm just comfortable singing it without being afraid that I might get laugh at because of my wrong words.

The next song came and then the next one until it went into my favorite. Agad akong inimbitahan ni Pierre na tumayo para sabay kaming tumalon at magsaya sa kanta na madalas namin na pinapakinggan. 

The beat is now starting to play and we dance like no one's watching because there is literally no one. We jump and grove to every bit of whatever instrument that is. I don't know, it feels light. It feels wonderful knowing how I might be looking stupid right now yet I don't even care. 

"Took a morning ride to the place where you and I were supposed to meet" 

Sumabay kami sa kanta habang tuloy pa rin ang pagsayaw. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakakuha ng lakas na maging komportable sa isang bagay na madalas kong pinag-iisipan kung gagawin ko ba. Kadalasan ay alak lang ang nagtutulak sa'kin para sumayaw at kumanta, pero iba ngayon. Walang alak, walang pamimilit, tanging si Pierre lang na kasama ko sa lahat ng mga ito. 

We stopped when the bridge of the song game and just like in the movies, we just look into each other's eyes and feel how the song and us is the only thing existing in the world .

"So many questions I've thrown to the skies and all of the answers, I've found in your eyes."

"This feels good, Pierre." Then I smiled at him. 

"Yeah. This really feels good, River." Bumuntong hininga ito na parang may iniisip na kung ano. 

"When I'm with you, home is never too far and my weary heart has come to rest in yours."

"What is it? Are you okay?" 

"I don't know, River." 

"I found my way home." We said in unison and repeat it like it is not sinking in, to him. I found my way home, Pierre. I found you. 

"Can I kiss you?" I said because I really can't imagine my life being away from him. He was surprised with what I said as it was  evident in his eyes like it is something that he's waiting for me to say for years now. "I told you that I want to give my everything to the person that I'll be marrying. Marry me then, Pierre. I'll wait." Then I smiled at him. 

Nag-iwas ito ng tingin sa'kin at doon ko nakita ang pamumula ng tainga nito. Hinintay ko lang siyang makabawi ng emosyon niya dahil mukhang nagulat ata siya sa mga sinabi ko.

"You can, River." In the moment, my fears, doubts, and anxiety vanished. Ang tanging gusto ko lang ngayon ay gawin 'yung dapat ay noon ko pa ginawa. 

"You're all I need, the very air I breathe. You are home." 

Fireworks came into the sky like it was really meant for the both of us. Shouts and claps started from the outside that's why I look into it to see if what's that for. Sa fireworks lang pala. 

"Hayaan mo sila, River. You have me."

Then we kissed. A soft one. It's our first time and I think we should practice a lot. I smiled at thought, but still kissing him.

"Tayo na, River?" 

"Ayaw mong ligawan kita?"

"Wala nang gano'n. Pakakasalan na kita bukas!" Saka ito tumawa. "Kung legal lang ang pagpapakasal dito siguro ay marami nang mas masaya ngayon." 

"Let's pray to that." Then we kissed again. 

I think I'll be looking forward to this everyday. Him, us, kissing. Cozy bed, cold morning breeze, rain, everything.