Kryptonite

Awakening

James groggily began to open his eyes as he tried to recall what had happened the night (or morning) prior. 

The last fragments of his memories involved taking yet another glass of wine and hearing Nadine reminding him to be careful.

"Okay lang ako," James assured as he took another sip.

"Hoy, wag masyadong mabilis. Mas marami ka na uminom sakin," Nadine pointed out. "Grabe ang pula ng mga pisngi mo, kitang kita."

A tinge of pain struck through his head. The memories after were a blur as he couldn't make out what was going on. 

Still quite tired, he let out a groan and tightened his grip around what he thought was a pillow next to him. His eyes began to flutter open as he realized that though soft, the pillow felt harder than usual. 

James' flinched as soon as he caught sight of just what--or who, rather--was between his arms and where he had spent the night.

"Oh my god," he said under his breath.

Facing him was Nadine, who slightly stirred at his action but didn't wake, and rather, snuggled her head into his chest even more.

His arms, somehow, had found its way around her body.

What the hell happened, he thought to himself as tried to recall any recollection of how they could've ended up in that position. We didn't--nothing happened between us, right?  he thought in panic.

His worries eased as he looked down to realize that both were fully clothed. Letting out a breath, he gazed down at her sleeping figure.

She was quiet except for the light sounds of her breathing. Her eyes were closed and she looked fairly peaceful, as if nothing else was going on in the world.

He couldn't help but move one hand over her face as he pushed a strand of hair back before maneuvering his hand over his cheek in a gentle caress.

"Hindi na 'to tama," he reminded himself as he traced over her jawline ever so softly. 

Though wrong, everything about having her in his arms with her head over his chest as they slept felt so right. Too right that it was criminal. And as every second passed, he wished the feel of it all could be longer. Her in his arms with both of them resting and allowing all their problems to be forgotten, even if temporarily. 

His eyes went to the clock on the wall; it was still fairly early and the sunlight was not yet on full blast.

His lips curved into a small smile before bending his neck down and laying a quick kiss over her forehead before laying down once again. 

It was one of the moments he knew he'd planned to treasure when he had to leave. When he had to finally awake from the dream he'd found himself living in the past couple of months.

He almost wished the day didn't have to come.

Until then, though, he closed his eyes--ignoring the aches present in his head--and tried to fall asleep once more.

--

James let out a groan as he got up once again, his hand going over his head. 

"Kamusta na ang pakiramdam mo?" asked Nadine as she walked over to his side of the bed with a plate of eggs and pancakes. 

"Is this for me?" asked James.

"Hindi, para sakin," Nadine replied sarcastically, causing James to frown. "Joke lang, para sayo 'to" Nadine replied, her lips curving into a smirk as she sat on the side of the bed.