To Love the Dawn

22

After dinner, I decided to take a bath and go to bed early. But for some reason, I couldn't sleep. I reached for my phone and opened my Instagram. Pia had sent me some messages. I read them all and smiled. Pia knows how to make me smile.

I sent a reply and continued scrolling through my feed. When I got bored, I started stalking random accounts from the suggested accounts. I got so curious when I saw a familiar name. It was Zelena. David's ex-love interest. I clicked on her story and my smile faded when I saw David in there.

It was a candid picture of David while he was showing a stuffed toy to Zelena. Zelena captioned it, "What a cutie 💗." From that moment, I knew David was having fun. I felt happy for him because he had someone to lean on. He had someone to make him happy.

"Ma'am? Nandito na po ang gatas ninyo!"

"Open ang pinto, buksan mo nalang." Ngumiti ako kay Marinel nang ilapag niya ang baso ng gatas sa bedside table. "Salamat. Kung magising ka o kung gising ka pa pag-uwi ni David, sabihan mo ako."

"Sige po, ma'am." Ngumiti siya sa akin bago lumabas ng kuwarto.

I opened my eyes when I felt someone fixing my head on the pillow. I immediately saw David who looked like he just got out of the shower. He smiled when our eyes met. He assisted me as I sat up.

"Nakauwi ka na... Anong oras na ba?" mahinang panimula ko.

"It's already past 12. You should go back to sleep-"

"Kumain ka na ba? Saan ka galing?" I knew I shouldn't have asked that. But I'll always be concerned if it comes to him.

"Yeah, I had dinner with a friend." A friend. Zelena's only a friend to him? "Zelena just got discharged from the hospital today. I accompanied her."

"What happened to her?"

"Well, I didn't hear what the doctor said but according to Zelena, she was just tired. Being a model and a med student at the same time... Zelena's doing good now. Let's change the topic. What did you eat for dinner?" It was pretty obvious that he didn't want us to talk about his love life.

"I... had some vegetable soup and mashed potatoes. David, you should get some rest now. I know you're tired." His reaction changed when he heard the last word. It's like he hated that word.

"Go back to sleep now. I'll go to my room now. Good night." I reached for his hand as he stood up. He looked at my hand before glancing at me. "Do you need anything?"

"Can you sleep here tonight? I want you to feel our baby. Sumisipa siya kapag ganitong oras. Gusto ko rin na maramdaman niyang nasa tabi ko ang papa niya." David was stunned when I said that. Maybe because he's dating someone now. It's like cheating on that someone. "It's okay if you don't want to, I understand-"

"Can I sleep with you?"

"What do you mean, David? Is it because you're dating Zelena? It's fine if you can't, I respect your relationship with-"

"No, Sol, I'm asking for your permission."

From there, I forgot to speak. Instead of saying something, I gave him enough space and fixed a pillow. Without hesitation, he positioned himself just beside me. We stared at the ceiling for a few minutes before he finally spoke.

"Madalas na bang sumipa si baby?" Napalingon ako kay David. Nakatingin din siya sa akin kaya tumango nalang ako.

Inabot ko ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa tiyan niya. Dahan-dahan ko iyong inilipat sa aking tiyan. Tumagilid si David, paharap sa akin. Ngumiti siya nang maramdaman ang pagsipa ni baby. Sa tagal niyang nakahawak sa tiyan ko'y nagustuhan ko na ang init na nagmumula sa kaniya. Halos hindi na ako nakagalaw nang hayaan niya akong gawing unan ang isang braso niya.

Tumalikod naman ako kay David habang patuloy niyang hinahaplos ang tiyan ko. Nagpanggap akong tulog na. Hindi ko man sabihin ay alam kong gustong-gusto ko ang mga haplos niya. Nagmuklat ako nang kaunti nang hindi na maramdaman ang kamay ni David. Iyon pala ay nagta-type siya sa kaniyang cellphone. Dahil sa posisyon namin ay nagmistulang yakap-yakap niya ako.

ZZ
Active Now

Thanks for today!

Had so much fun w u :))

Why'd u leave so early?

Zelena, I'm sorry.
I cannot explain it now.

Let's stop whatever we started.

I should prioritize my kid now.

Kid? Wdym?

I'm a dad now, Zelena.

David locked his screen. I was about to close my eyes but it was too late. David saw my reflection through his phone screen.

"Why did you have to end things with Zelena?" Hinarap ko na si David. His arms were still around me.

"Isn't it obvious, Solana?" He looked straight into my eyes. "I'm choosing our baby over a woman. I know my priorities. And dating someone isn't one of those priorities anymore."

It was Sunday, and David had the chance to sleep more. He was hugging my waist, while he was facing my back. I looked down at his hand. He was still wearing the crocheted bracelet that I made for him. It looks good on his wrist. It was made for him.

I just washed my face and did my morning skincare before heading to the kitchen. I want to prepare David's breakfast. He deserves it! He's a good father and he'll be a good father. I cooked his favorite combination, Spam and scrambled eggs. Marinel did the fried rice. After cooking, I prepared a hot coffee for David. Sakto naman ang paggising niya. Nakahain na ang lahat sa lamesa nang umupo si David.

When he saw me standing, he immediately stood up. He went to me and assisted me as he made me sit beside him. Marinel was watching us with a wide smile. Minsan niya nang nasabi sa akin na bagay na bagay raw kami ni David. Mukha raw kaming isang sikat na love team.

"Did you have a nice sleep?" Napaubo ako sa tanong ni David. Kaagad niya namang inabot ang tubig ko at pinainom iyon sa akin. "Hinay-hinay lang." He started caressing my back.

"I-ikaw naman kasi!" He was taken aback by my reaction. "Why would you ask that?"

"Ask something that would make you react this way. Why are you so upset anyway?" He looked at me, his eyes narrowing. "Kinilig ka ba kagabi-"

"Bakit naman ako kikiligin?! Cuddling is norma-"

"We didn't cuddle, Sol," David said with amusement in his tone. "I did hug you but we didn't cuddle. And I hugged you because our baby likes it." He wiggled his brows at me.

"Halata naman na ikaw ang hindi pa nakaka-move on sa ating dalawa! Oh, what? What's your rebut? Galing pa nga sa 'yo na you're choosing our baby over your woman."

"Yeah, I did say that. But what's the point? It's not like I said that I'm choosing you over her." He crossed his arms over his chest. He even raised a brow at me. "What now?"

"Ang sakit mo!" I rolled my eyes as my last resort. I couldn't win! I just let him laugh like a devil! Wala pala akong palag. "Kailangan na nating mag-shop ng mga gamit ni baby."

"Natin?" ulit niya sa nang-aasar na tono.

"Sige, bahala ka sa buhay mo mag-shop-"

"Nagbibiro lang naman. Moody talaga ng mga buntis." Umiling-iling pa siya. Sinamaan ko tuloy siya ng tingin. "Okay, titigil na ako."

"Tama 'yan. You shouldn't get on my nerves if you want me to stay here." I smiled at him, well, sarcastically.

"I'll always wish for you to stay but I won't be stopping you if... If you'd wish to leave." All of a sudden, he looked at me with serious eyes. "I'll never forget my role."

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