Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Twenty Five

I woke up when I felt my side of the bed dipped. I slowly fluttered my eyes open and there's the man I love already dressed and ready for the day. I took a quick glance at the bedside table and saw it's only thirty minutes after five in the morning.

"Hey, baby. How are you feeling?" His words were so gentle, like he was caressing me with it. He was running his fingers on my hair, his face scrunched up with worry.

"A little better. Hindi na ako masyadong nahihilo."

"I think you should take another day off from work. Parang flu na 'yan, eh. Magpa-check-up na tayo."

I gave him a weak smile. "Mag-de-day off muna ako ulit, pero ako lang magpapa-check-up. If you miss another day from work, matatambakan ka nanaman."

"That's not important. You are. It's been driving me crazy knowing you're sick and I can't do anything. Saka kailangan mo ng mag-da-drive para sa'yo going to the hospital." Though his tone was firm, I still noticed the slight wobble of his voice.

I took his hand away from my hair and nestled my cheek there. "I'll be fine, Kiel. Kaya ko namang ipag-drive ang sarili ko."

"Baby, hindi ko naman–"

"I'll tell you what." I muttered, cutting him off. "Papayag akong sumama ka sa'kin kung sasabihin mo kung sino 'yong bumisita sa'yo sa opisina mo from a week ago."

The determination left his face and was replaced by dread. Biglang kumabog ang dibdib ko, tulad ng iba pang pagkakataon sa tuwing sinusubukan kong i-open ang topic na 'to. He's been very secretive about it. At habang tumatagal, mas lumalala nang lumalala ang mga scenario na sumasagi sa isipan ko. Ayaw ko naman siyang piliting ibulgar sa'kin, lalo na't nangako akong maghihintay ako kung kalian siya handang magkuwento. Kaso ang hirap pala.

"Dothy, baby, I need more time." So, he says everytime this topic was brought up.

But I'll still choose to be understanding.

I knifed up and rested my back on my pillow. "Okay, but promise me by the end of this week, magsasabi ka na. Hindi ko na kinakaya, Kiel. Hindi na ako mapanatag."

He gave me an assuring nod. "Yes, baby. I promise. I'm really sorry." He then took both of my hands in his and plastered it with kisses. "I love you, I'm sorry I'm doing this to you."

I just stared at his handsome face, fascinated how his eyes grew a shade darker from its usual hue. I was about to repeat my condition when his work phone started ringing. He groaned his protest before he took it from his pocket and checked the caller I.D.

"It's my secretary." He said with an annoyed expression before he answered and barked that he's on his way. Muli niya akong tinitigan, may alinlangan sa mga mata niya kaya ako natawa.

"Sige na, lumarga ka na. I'll see you this afternoon? May lunch meeting ka rin ngayon 'diba?"

He let his head fall and sigh, "Yes, but I cleared my schedule starting nine am. 'Yong sunod kong meeting, ala-dose na. Saka, hindi ko papalagpasin ang umagang 'to nang hindi ka nakikita."

Heat crept on my cheeks. "Para namang hindi tayo magka-usap ngayon."

"This is different. I need to see you to recharge from a long-ass morning. You know you're the only person I'll ever need."

Now, what am I suppose to say to that?

I bit my lip, suppressing the bursting feeling inside my chest. He gave me one of his lazy smiles before he closed the space between our faces.