Promise In The Wind

✥ 36

ZACHARY

I woke up in the middle of the night for no reason. Biglaan na lang. I shifted under the blanket and I felt the heat of the person lying next to me. My wife.

I turned around and saw her in her most beautiful, innocent, peaceful and vurnerable state. She breathe as though the weight of the world lays on anyone's shoulder but her own.

I smiled as I stroked her soft hair scattered all over her pillow. I smelled its flower scent. I wrapped my arm around her. She let out a sleepy sigh as if peace was coming to her. I kissed her face in the most gentle manner so as not to wake her. I don't think I would be able to sleep again. Maybe I can have some coffee downstairs.

I turned my back around, ready to jump off the bed when an involuntary grin formed on my face. I felt an arm wrapped around my waist... and I know, it doesn't get any better than this.

My eyes went to her direction. I let out a soft chuckle when I saw her staring at me with an half eye open.

"Saan ka pupunta?" she asked in a raspy voice.

"I can't sleep anymore. I'll just drink some coffee downstairs, babalik din ako."

"Sama ako,"

Natawa ako. "Go back to sleep, baby. Maaga pa. Babalik din ako agad. Promise."

I kissed her on her forehead as I glanced on her belly. Few more weeks and I'll be able to hug you, kid. Until now, we still don't know what's the gender of our child. We want it to be a surprise. It doesn't actually matter if it's a boy or a girl. What matters is he or she will be born healthy, as well as her mother.

"Balik ka kaagad, huh?" Lissie said in a sleepy voice.

"Yes," I softly caressed her smooth cheek. "Sleep more. I love you."

"Hmm..." tanging sagot niya. Napangiti ako dahil alam ko namang inaantok pa siya pero gusto niya pang sumama sa'kin.

This past few months, she's been so clingy and touchy most of the time. Maybe because of her pregnancy hormones. But it's absolutely fine, mas gusto ko na ganoon siya.

Maingat akong tumayo paalis sa kama bago naglakad patungong kusina. It's only three in the morning, kaya sigurado akong wala pang gising na kasambahay. Habang binabaybay ko ang daan, hindi ko maiwasan isipin kung gaano kalaki ang bahay na ito para sa'min. Kung sakaling hindi pa kami magkakaanak, paniguradong aalog-alog kami sa bahay na 'to.

I built this house because I want to have a bigger family with Lissie. I want to fill this house with laughter and happiness. I want to see our child in each and every corner of this house. It's really sad to be an only child.

I was pulled out from my thoughts when I heard a giggle coming from a woman's voice. Ang paraan ng hagikhik niya ay para bang kinikiliti siya. I was in the middle of climbing down the stairs when I heard it. Sa palagay ko ay malapit lang sa kusina ang boses. Sinikap ko na huwag lumikha ng ano mang ingay na magmumula sa paglalakad ko.

Habang papalapit ng papalapit ay mas lumalakas ang hagikhikan, at sigurado akong hindi lang iisang tao ang nagmamay-ari ng mga boses. Dalawang boses. Isang lalaki at isang babae.

Ilang hakbang pa at palapit na ako ng palapit sa mismong kusina. Madilim, kaya naman hindi agad ako makikita ng kung sino mang mga tao ito. Gumilid ako sa dingding para kapain ang ilaw at biglain sila sa liwanag na dulot nito.

Panatag ako na hindi sila magnanakaw. Sa sobrang higpit ng village na 'to at maging ang mga securities ay mangingimi ang sino man na magtangka sa bahay namin.