Send Me In Orbit

Rainy Days

The typhoon had hit signal number five in Metro Manila and Clark was forced to call off all work at the warehouse. They had anticipated this typhoon coming so he had already suspended deliveries a few days ago. They were going to fall behind schedule but Clark knew that the clients would rather have their furniture delivered to them safe and dry than damaged and water logged. And the safety of his employees was more of a priority.

The power suddenly cut off, plunging the house into darkness.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"

Clark ran from the kitchen to the living room where he had left CJ watching cartoons. The two year old was on the couch looking panicked and terrified.

"Shh...it's okay, bud." He lifted CJ up into his arms and his son clung onto him. "You're okay. I'm right here."

"Dark, Daddy," CJ cried.

"I know. It's just a brown out." Clark fumbled with his phone to turn on the flashlight feature. He made his way up the stairs to find Leah. He could already hear Claire crying loudly.

"What's bwown out?" CJ asked.

"It means there's no power in the house, no lights or TV, because the rain and wind outside is very strong."

They got to the nursery where Leah was trying to calm down Claire in the dark.

"Natakot bigla noong namatay ang ilaw," Leah said as soon as Clark walked in.

He gestured to CJ, who had his arms around his neck and was holding on for dear life. "Why did our kids have to inherit your fear of the dark?" He teased.

"Hoy! Natural lang na matakot ang mga bata sa dilim, noh. Kung makasisi 'to..."

Clark chuckled. "I'll turn on the generator."

"Huwag muna, Hubby. Hindi natin alam kung gaano katagal ang brownout na 'to. Baka maubos ang gasolina. Mamayang gabi na lang."

He nodded. "I'll get the flashlights and emergency supplies then."

Clark tried to put CJ down on the rocking chair but he refused to let go of his death grip around his neck. "Anak, kailangan mo muna bitawan si Daddy."

"Noo! Daddy!" Tears flowed down CJ's face. "Don go!"

Clark set CJ down on the rocking chair and kneeled in front of him. "Hey hey," he said gently. "Daddy's not going anywhere, okay? I just need to get some things for us and I'll be right back."

"I go!" CJ hiccupped. He held his arms up.

Clark gently wiped the tears from his cheeks. "You can't go. Maraming bubuhatin si Daddy. Pero sandali lang ako. I promise."

CJ looked at him and started to calm down. Claire, however, was still crying.

"I need you to stay here and help Mommy with Baby Claire. Okay ba, Kuya?"

CJ nodded. "Okay!"

Clark held up his hand. "High five, bud!"

CJ smacked his large hand with his tiny one.

"Fist bump."

They bumped fists and Clark pressed a kiss to his forehead. "That's my buddy. Ikaw muna bahala dito, Kuya CJ."

"Clark, siguraduhin mo may pagkain at tubig pa si Mekeni," Leah called after him.

"Yes, Wifey."

Clark went to the downstairs closet to get flashlights, candles, two small battery operated fans, and extra batteries. He made his round of the house, making sure appliances were turned off and unplugged, and that water wasn't seeping in through the windows or the sliding glass door. Mekeni's cage had been brought into the kitchen and Clark gave him some food and refilled his water. When he was done he gathered up all the supplies and returned to his family.

Leah was sitting on the rocking chair with Claire, who had calmed down, in her arms and CJ on her lap. As soon as CJ saw Clark he jumped down and went running into his arms.

Clark lifted him up. "I told you I'd be back," he said, kissing the top of his son's head.

Leah held up her phone. "Sabi sa news baka hanggang bukas o makalawa pa walang kuryente. Ano gagawin natin?"

"We'll only use the generator at night. I have one spare can of gas. Kapag lumipas na ang bagyo bukas o sa makalawa, pwede pa ako bumili."

"Paano yan?" Leah nodded at CJ. "Walang TV, walang Wifi...maiinip yan tapos totopakin. Mainit pa sa loob ng bahay."

Clark adjusted CJ in his arms and grinned. "Ako bahala."

Twenty minutes later the entire Medina family was gathered together on Clark and Leah's king sized bed. Leah was sitting up against the headboard with Claire lying on her tummy beside her, Clark sat on the other side with CJ on his lap. Clark had set up the two fans on the nightstands to blow air on them, and he'd propped a large lantern on the bed so that the light was focused on the wall. He was amusing CJ with a hand puppet show and stories while Leah laughed beside them and occasionally chimed in with her own stories.

The storm was still raging outside but Clark couldn't be happier in his little family nest. He reached across the bed and rubbed Leah's small bump.

"Boy, Daddy?" CJ asked.

"We don't know yet, bud. It could be a boy like you or a girl like Claire." Clark ran a hand down Claire's back.

CJ looked at her. "Boy!" He demanded.

"Anak, boy or girl, pareho natin mamahalin si Baby," Leah said. "Diba, Kuya CJ?"

CJ looked up at Clark, who nodded at him. CJ copied the nod, looking resigned, and Clark couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry, bud. If it's a girl, we'll try again for another boy."

"Hoy Clark!" Leah slapped his arm.

CJ giggled with him, though Clark was sure his little boy had no idea what they were laughing about.

Claire started crying between them. Clark looked at CJ.

"Uh oh, little sister is bored."

CJ grabbed his toy musical train and crawled over to her. Clark and Leah watched fondly as CJ amused Claire with the train, pressing the buttons to play different songs. Leah lay her head contentedly on Clark's shoulder.

An hour later and the room was silent except for the wind and rain pounding on the rooftop. Leah let out a snore and Clark smiled as he looked down at her. She was laying beside him with CJ curled up in her her arms. Mother and son were lying on their sides, facing each other, CJ's face pressed into Leah's neck. Claire was lying on Clark's chest, also asleep. Clark could feel her little chest rising and falling against his and hear her breaths...there was nothing in the world more soothing.

It was times like this that Clark couldn't believe this was his life. It was too perfect, too good to be true to be lying here in bed in the middle of the day with the love of his life beside him and their two children in their arms, their third growing inside of her. But it was real. Clark could pinch himself a thousand times and he'll never wake up. After living a waking nightmare for so long, now finally...his reality was better than his dreams.

A tear slipped down Clark's cheek and he gently ran his fingers through Claire's soft hair. He breathed in her wonderful baby scent. Clark couldn't express how grateful he was to have this life and this family, so he closed his eyes and prayed and thanked God. All of the hardships he's been through, all of his suffering, he would do it all over again to end up right here.

"Thank you, Mama," he whispered. "I know you've been looking out for me. This one looks like you." He rubbed circles on Claire's back. "She has her Grandma's cheeks and smile."

Clark lay there for a long time, unable to sleep but feeling utterly content and happy. The drumming on the rooftop faded to light taps. And then near sunset, remarkably, Clark saw a ray of light break through the dark clouds. The storm had passed and a small part of the sun was shining through.

Claire opened her eyes and blinked sleepily up at him. Clark grinned and turned her towards the window. "Say hi to Grandma, Baby."