Payb Takes Book 3

Waiting 2

August 15, 7:30pm:

I already know you wouldn't be home when I get there but I still feel my heart sink when I open the door and find an empty home.

I sigh and pull my luggage in. In the living room, I find a streamer with your lettering that you made with white fabric and paint. Seven huge balloons hold it, making it float in the middle of the room.

It says "Welcome Home" but how can I really be home if I'm not with you?

I take a deep slow breath as I stare at each letter you carefully made, blinking back the tears that brim my eyes.

I get my phone and send you a message.

I'm here, Love. Thank you. I miss you so much.

To which you reply:

I miss you, Love. I made dinner and tea for you. Sorry. They've probably gone cold.
Also you got your vitamins and meds ready in the pillbox on the table.
I love you.

I sigh. I can't believe you still had time to do all that for me in between your hectic work schedule. I am indeed the luckiest man in the entire universe to have you as my wife.

Okay. Thank you, Love. I love you more.

"Oh giliw ko... Miss na miss kita..." Mama Ten who is just behind me sings and chuckles.

"Ma!" I pout.

"Ikaw naman kasi kung maka-buntong hininga parang humopia ka pa na nandito si Meng eh alam mo namang nasa trabaho yun." She rolls her eyes at me.

"Alam ko naman pero hindi naman ibig sabihin na mas madali." I sigh. Again.

"Hay naku ka! Ang lala mo na talaga. Tigil-tigilan mo nga ako at di ako sanay na nage-emote ka nang ganyan." She shakes her head and proceeds to putting my bags in the bedroom.

I walk to the dining room and find a place setting for two and all the food you made neatly covered in their serving dishes, rice, mushroom soup, steak and green salad.

"Paano mo pa to nagawa lahat?" I wondered.

"Nak, pag-init na kita ng pagkain. Mukhang masarap ang luto ni Meng." Mama Ten says.

"Dito ka na din kumain, Ma."

"Sige."

--

After dinner, I take the vitamins and medicine you left for me then take a shower.

I send you another message.

Can I call you please? I miss you.

I really need to hear your voice but you say you can't talk on the phone because you're just sneaking messages in between work. I understand. Of course I understand but it doesn't mean I don't feel bad about it.

I sigh and lie back on the bed. Maybe sleep will make me feel better.

--

I wake around midnight to the ringing of my phone. It's you but before I can answer, the call ends.

I sit up and check my phone. I find at least twenty messages from you. You must be thinking about me, judging by the storm of messages you sent, A LOT.

I inwardly scold myself in the dark room for lying at home and waiting for you to come home when I can do something else.

I jump out of bed, fully energized and charged with determination. I immediately put on some clothes and grab my keys, phone and wallet before jolting the very sleepy Mama Ten awake.

"Ma! Let's go!" I beam.

"Saan?"

"Sa asawa ko. Saan pa?" I grin and march out the door.

To be continued...
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Unbeta'ed and not proofread.

Mukhang pagiging 4-parts ito sa sobrang bitin ng oras ko para magsulat. Next one siguro mamaya during break sa work. 😂

Thank you for reading.