She opened her eyes to the dawn of a new day. She could smell the sweet scent of the roses RJ planted just right outside their bedroom window. She felt the most calming gush of wind brush through her face. She could hear Moshu's loud breathing from the foot of her bed and the pitter patter of small feet just outside her door. She could hear the voice of the man she had loved with all that she was, and in the absolute nothingness of it all, everything that mattered to her were right within her reach.
She giggled at the feel of a wet tongue slobbering her face, barking at her as if it were time for yet another adventure.
"Hey Moshu, good morning boy."
Arf. Arf. Arf.
If her lovely dog could speak, that was probably him telling her to get up.
"I'm up. Help me out, will you?"
And just like that, the pooch knew exactly where to go and what to do. He handed her his leash and guided her way as she planted her feet on the ground. There were busy bodies and loud clashing of pans and dishes echoing from the kitchen, and she heaved in the delightful smell of pancakes and bacon topped with the aroma of her favorite coffee only RJ had perfected—all of which made for the perfect breakfast.
"MAMA! Good morning."
She felt little hands envelope her waist in a tight embrace and she felt her hair as she caressed her tiny little head. She was merely 3 feet tall, but she was so full of love just like her father, although often told to be the exact replica of her mother.
From afar, the sound of a bouncing ball reverberated through what she thought may have been their living room area.
"Alden, honey. What did I say about bouncing balls inside the house?"
"Sorry mom."
"Come give your momma a kiss."
Then a gentle peck landed on her lips from the pair she had memorized like the sound of her very own voice.
"Hey you're not Alden."
"Good morning love."
"Nako Ricardo. Nakaw halik ka, palibhasa hindi kita makita."
"I love you too."
"Where's my son?"
"Right here mom. Daddy, Charm and I made you breakfast."
"Really? Awwww. You guys are the best."
"Syempre mana sakin."
"Anong sa'yo? Sakin nagmana yan. Right kids?"
"Yes mommy."
Her kids all sung in unison.
"See?"
"No pancakes for the both of you."
"MOOOOOOM!"
They shouted in rebellion.
"Unli pancakes for everyone."
Nicomaine said, earning her a multitude of small kisses and murmured I love yous.
"Honey, you're spoiling our kids."
"Only as much as you spoil me RJ."
And to that, they both smiled the most genuine of smiles. And even though she couldn't see it, she knew in her heart Richard was equally as happy as she was. What more can one blind girl really ask for?
Before him, her lifetime was spent constantly looking for the next adventure down every curb. She will never deny that she was happy then, but she realized now she had always felt incomplete. Then Richard, wonderful loving Richard, opened her eyes to realities that could not be seen by our mere naked eye. As ironic as it may be, she was finally able to see. That life was not about where you are, but rather who you're with. That happiness was not something to be found from whatever lies above the material world but within yourself. That love, amongst all other things, was the one thing that made living worth all the turmoil, all the pain, all the loss and all the confusion. That we existed not merely for ourselves, but for the people who hold our hearts in the palm of their hands.
