Written in the stars // Jeo Ong

9: Sanctuary

Naynay and Tita went to buy some groceries. So I was stuck with Dongdong.

"Ate gusto ko tie hair mo." He said. We were walking to his room.

"Sige nga. Tie ates hair." I put him down the bed.

He started trying to tie my hair with his little hands. "Maliit kamay ko." He laughed.

"Maliit kamay mo? That's why you can't tie it?" I laughed too. "Yes ate." He smiled wide laughing.

My heart is always so happy when I'm with Dongdong. He's not like any other kids out there.

"I want to nap ate." He said hugging me. I hugged him back as I sat him down my lap.

"Tara sleep tayo." I lay him on the bed with me. "Sing mo ko pasleep ate."

"Okayy." I said.

"Kiss me, out of the bearded barley
Nightly, beside the green, green grass. Swing, swing, (swing, swing) swing the spinning step, You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress. Oh, kiss me, beneath the milky twilight. Lead me out on the moonlit floor. Lift your open hand. Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance. Silver moon's sparkling. So kiss me."

He fell asleep in my arms and soon after I fell asleep.

—

I woke up to tita taking pictures. "Hala nagising ko ata."

"Tita." I said softly. I tried to move but someone was behind me. Arms wrapped around my waist.

I look at the person it was Jeo, sleeping. I realized what was happening. Dongdong was in front of me sleeping on my arm and the kuya was behind me sleeping with his arms on me.

"Bless po tita." She just came to me and put her hand on my head.

"Okay lang, tong dalawang to." She said. We woke Dongdong up so he would still sleep later. Tita took Dongdong and he started to talk about things we did.

I laid down and looked at the big baby next to me.

"Iah. Wake up." I said caressing his cheeks.

"Iah ko." I said softly. "Mhmm." He moved a bit.

"Wake up na po." I said once again.

His eyes slowly flatter open. "Anong oras na?" His tired voice sounds so hot.

I check my phone. "4 na po."

"Hmm. Hinahanap kita kanina." He suddenly cuddled me tightly. "Tas nakita ko kasama mo si Dongdong matulog kaya nakisama na din ako." He burried his head on my neck.

I wrapped my arms on his neck. "Hinahanap kita date sana tayo." He said.

"Hmm san naman?" I asked.

"Secret." He smiled. I pout.

"Ano tara?" He said. "Okay sure. Ganito lang ako?"

"Oo ganda mo naman kahit ano suot mo eh." He hugs me tightly, tickling me too.

"Okay okay let's go or we're just gonna cuddle here?" I laughed

"Doon nalang." He smiled and stood up.

He borrowed a raptor and brought a totebag with food. He also filled the back with pillows and blankets. What is he doing?

He was driving. I didn't know where we were going. Songs from my phone blasts on the car speaker.

"Not anyone you're the one. More than fun. You're my sanctuary!" I sang and he just smiled.

"Anong song yan?" He asked.