Siena
There were three reasons I woke up feeling fantastic the next day.
One, I know that there are still a lot of things to work out with Bagwis, but for the first time in a really long time, I woke up with a light feeling in my heart. I feel positive we'd make this work. And as I turned to my side, I stared at his still sleeping profile and said a prayer of thanks to Bathala.
Yes, magkatabi kami natulog — my second reason for feeling good.
It feels weird because it's a first for us. He can't go to my place under the oceans and we never had a place here on Earth, ngayon lang. Besides, we don't really need to sleep when we are on Earth but it was still nice. Being beside Bagwis was even better.
Last reason why I'm happy is because today we start exploring more outside. I have been very curious about how humans live. I am able to read and watch them sometimes but for a good part of my existence I have been busy taking care of those that belong to the sea.
He slowly opened his eyes and gave me a lazy smile. I sighed thinking this is probably why my sisters do not want to leave their husbands' bedside. "Good morning," he whispered.
"Morning."
"Ready for today?"
I nodded.
"Anong una mong gustong gawin?"
I thought about the stuff I read the past days. "I want to eat taho."
"Talaga? Yun ang gusto mo?"
I nodded my head enthusiastically. "Yes! Yes! And longganisa and hotdog and cotton candy and apple and... oh! But I don't want to eat balot."
"Why not?"
"I do not wish to eat one of your kind."
Bagwis rolled his eyes. "Yung kapatid mo, tinawag akong pato. Ikaw naman , itik. Ewan ko sa inyo."
*
"Food here on land is delicious!" I exclaimed.
"Masarap talaga but mag-ingat ka din ha? Baka ma-impatcho ka na sa dami mong kinain eh."
"My stomach feels full. I don't think I can eat anymore. Ugh and these feet hurt. I didn't realize it is difficult to walk around on these sticks."
Bagwis chuckled. "Limang oras ka ba naman sa grocery."
It was true. We went down every aisle and I examined almost every item I came across. "Thank you for indulging me."
He leaned in then stopped before asking, "May I kiss you?"
Of course! But my lips were left wanting as he planted a kiss on my nose. Still, I took it and felt happy when he pulled me in and cuddled me. "Gusto mo ng massage? For your feet?"
"I heard of those! Marunong ka?"
"Oo." He positioned me so that he could take hold of my feet and then he started working on them.
I groaned in happiness and closed my eyes. "That feels so good!" I watched him and examined the legs I've been given. "Why do men like women's legs?"
Bagwis frowned, thinking about it. "Hmmm hindi ko masasagot yan kasi yung nagustuhan ko buntot yung kanya eh."
I blushed. "But I did have legs when I lived in heaven."
"Yeah, but you've had your tail longer." He seemed to ponder his next question. "Nahihirapan ka ba using legs?"
I nodded. "Minsan lang. Nung mga unang araw, natatapilok ako parati. Muntik na ako malaglag nung isang beses pero buti na lang tinulungan ako ni Apolaki. Hirap din akong lumangoy."
"Namimiss mo na ba ang dagat?"
I nodded. "I'm sorry, Bagwis."
"Don't be. That's your home. Don't be sorry for missing it."
My heart worried for a second. Something in the way he said that made me think that this would not end how I wanted it to.
But he seemed to sense my worry and asked me, "Bukas anong gusto mong gawin?"
"Date!"
"Huh?"
"I saw a pair earlier and I assumed they are together romantically and one said that they hadn't been on a date in a long time. Tala and Mayari tell me they also go on dates with their husbands, so I want a date," I declared.
"Sino naman ang gusto mong kadate?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do you want me to sampal you, Bagwis?"
He burst out laughing. "Naninigurado lang." He kissed my nose again. "Date it is."
Can't wait for tomorrow! "May dapat ba akong gawin?"
Bagwis thought about it. "Hindi ko alam eh. Would you mind asking Tala?"
"Sige. I will do that."
"I hope it does not involve cooking my wings."
I chuckled. "I'll make sure it won't."
"Good. It's a date then. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
