Just Like Summer (WAHS #2)

2 | Sunflowers

/Jacob/

🔸🔸🔸

I would never forget that morning when I turned eleven, I was just scrambling out of bed as I began to hear hushed voices from outside the door of my room. When the door flew open, I saw Greg holding up a single layered chocolate cake with two number-one-shaped candles. Kumakanta silang dalawa ni mama habang papalapit sa akin. Mom scooped me from the bed and made me sit on her lap habang naupo naman si Greg sa harapan naming mag-ina.

It was our first year in New York and still adjusting with the abrupt changes in our lives. I haven't been enjoying school then. Isang taon na ako sa America pero wala pa rin akong kaibigan. I would just rather stay home with mom than socializing with kids far different from my roots.

Greg tried so hard to win my heart. Hindi naman din siya nahirapan sa bagay na iyon. Greg was a very nice man. He loved my mom so much and made her very happy. They rarely fight. But when they do, Greg would always make it to a point that they won't sleep on it without making up. I've seen mama's best version of herself with Greg. At kung saan masaya ang mama ko, masaya na rin ako.

When I came home from school later that day, Greg bought me another one. So, I had two cakes that day. I never had two cakes for my birthday until that day. And Greg always makes it to a point that I have a birthday cake during my birthday. Kahit pa nasa college na ako, they would still send me a box of chocolate cake.

Iyon yata ang isa sa pinakamasayang umaga sa buhay ko. Greg gave us a happy home and with him, I've got the chance to feel what was it like to have a dad; to have a complete and happy family.

But looking into the snuggling beauty on the other side of the bed beside me surpassed that memorable morning experience I had almost two decades ago. I feel like I was eleven again. Happy and deeply satisfied.

Hinawi ko ang ilang hibla ng buhok na tumatakip sa mukha ng asawa ko at marahan itong hinalikan sa noo.

Umungot ito pero muli lang bumalik sa pagtulog. I wanted so much to cuddle with her again or to kiss her soft lips but wouldn't want to interrupt her in her sleep.

Bumangon ako mula sa kama at pinulot ang boxer shorts ko na nasa sahig bago iyon isinuot. I went to the bathroom para maghilamos at magsipilyo. I changed into clean boardshorts and simple V-neck before quietly leaving Gabby on our suite for a while.

May mga tricycle na mga nakaparada ilang lakad mula sa hotel kaya nagpahatid na ako patungo sa malapit na pamilihan. I was lucky to find a stall selling fresh sunflowers, bought a bunch of them and went back to our suite. Mahimbing pa rin si Gabby sa pagtulog nito ng makabalik ako. Knowing how deep-sleeper Gabby is, sigurado akong maya-maya pa ito magigising at babangon mula sa kama.

I took my old journal and tore a page from it and scribbled down a short note for my sleeping beauty.

To my Gabrielle,

I hate not to be the first thing you'd see the moment you open your eyes this morning. You look so serene and beautiful (as always and still can't believe you're mine) as you sleep, I feel like it would be a sin to wake you. So, I hope the sunflowers are enough to show how sorry your man is for leaving your bedside.

I know you miss me already, but please know that I miss you just as much. So, get your butt up, missus and meet your lonely husband at the breakfast bar downstairs. And if you're lucky you might be getting a kiss. Don't be too long, my sunshine. You know how prone your man to missing you so much.

Mahal kita. Sobra.

Jake

Inisang tupi ko ang papel at dinala iyon sa kaninang pwesto ko sa kama katabi ni Gabby. Itinabi ko rin roon ang nabili kong sunflowers para sa kanya. When everything's set, I've decided to go out again for a walk.