The Nightwatch

SNEAKING

20

After that seemingly date of ours. Wade had been gone for days. I expected for him to call but I think he's working on something for the agency cause he seems busy.

"Don't do anything dumb while I'm away"

It was the last message I received from him last night.

I put down my phone and prepare myself to sleep. I've been taking sleeping pills this past few days to help me sleep and I'm glad it do really helps me a lot.

But sometimes I feel afraid to sleep. Cause my dreams are dragging me back to that horrible night. My past keeps finding a way to haunt me.

I fell asleep but I found myself dreaming. I knew that I am inside my dream cause I'm standing in front of our old house.

It is already dark and no light can be seen from where I am standing. I walk towards the house but I cannot seem to get closer to it. I tried and walk and walk. But all those efforts just put me in extreme exhaustion.

Parang hindi ako nakaka-alis sa pwesto ko. O parang tinatakbuhan ako ng bahay. I tried running once again, kahit na nagsisimula na akong pawisan. I'm out of breath and my legs are barely moving. I didn't know that I could be this tired inside a dream.

Napa-hinto ako sa pagtakbo nang mag-simulang gumuho ang bahay na nasa tapat ko. It started with the roof, nagbabagsakan ang mga semento na bumubuo sa pader. Hanggang sa biglang bumuka ang lupa at nilamon nito ang bahay ko ng pa-unti unti.

I scream and scream until I was pulled back into reality. Napa-upo agad ako at naghahabol ng hininga. Pinag-papawisan na din ako.

Nasabunutan ko ang sarili ko at sinubsob ang aking mukha sa dalawang tuhod kong mag-katabi. I clenched my fist as tears roll down my cheeks. I clenched so hard as if my hands can conceal the agony inside me.

It's 4 am but I have no plans on getting back to sleep. So I put on a thin robe para matakpan ang expose kong balat sa lamig at lumabas ako ng kwarto.

I want a coffee but I can't move to make one. Umupo nalang ako sa mesa habang nakayuko. Pero maya maya lang ay nilabas ko ang cellphone kong nasa bulsa ng aking robe. I dialed Wade's number impulsively.

It was too late for me to cancel the call when after three rings he answered his phone. I couldn't talk back when I heard his voice.
"Bree?"

This is ridiculous. Without saying anything, I hanged up. All I know is I'm too frustrated and my mind isn't working properly. I tighten my grip on my hair as I close my eyes and face downward. All I want is a damn good sleep. But even that simple thing, the world won't allowed me to have.

I heard light yet fast footsteps getting down from the stairs. Nag angat ako ng ulo upang tingnan kung sino ang nagising sa ganitong oras.

My eyes are blurry from the tears and I thought I'm just hallucinating when I saw Wade walking towards me coming from the dark living room. But as he came nearer, he said my name and when I see his eyes I knew It's true. He's really here.

"Bree"

He looked so stress. His hair's messy and his eyes look so tired. Yet he afford to be here standing in front of me. Why does this man always comes when I need someone to save me? Why does he always save me?

Tumayo ako para salubungin siya at ilang segundo lang kaming tumayo sa harap ng isa't isa habang tinitignan ang mga nanlulupaypay naming mata. I couldn't keep it all any longer and the moment I cried he gently pushed my back to hug him.

And while I am in his shoulders I cry even more. Cause I felt safe and peace within his grip and its making my heart aches. I hug him tighter and I burried my face into his chest. I can smell his scent, a mixture of sweet and strong perfume absorbed by his clothes.