Tomorrow With You

Chapter 3

Aleah Mallory Marasigan

I closed my eyes so I can fall asleep but hell I can't. Palagi na lang.

Hindi na ata ako masasanay pa na matulog nang maayos.

I decided to just open my eyes but then my eyes widen when I looked at the balcony.

May pigura ng tao akong nakita.

Is that Mommy or Daddy?

Napahilamos ako ng mukha at pinikit pikit ang aking mga mata dahil baka namamalikmata lang ako at masyado ko silang na mimiss.

But my fear fills me when I saw the figure walking. I hold back my voice so I won't scream because of fear. I run as fast as I could until I saw Declan walking.

I didn't bother looking like crazy or what but I just need to be with someone. Someone na totoo at buhay ah.

I found myself hugging him.

I slowly walk backward. "Uhm, I'm sorry. M-may multo kasi." I sounded shy and scared.

"Multo? Naniniwala ka do'n? Or baka naman parents mo lang 'yun." He shrugged.

"No." Tanggi ko. Hindi ako tatakutin ng gano'n ng mga magulang ko.

They know how easily scared I can be.

"So ano na?" He asked.

"Uhm, can, ahm, can I sleep in your room?" I shyly asked.

I saw his lips curved. "You said you won't let me sleep with you?" He smirked.

I looked down. I have no choice. I'm too scared and I'd rather not prioritize my pride so that this fear can vanish.

"Binabawi ko na. I really can't go to sleep in my room." I pouted.

"Then why don't use your parents' room?" With his question, I felt a pang on my chest. I can't go to sleep in their bed, in their room. After three months, I still haven't seen their room.

It will put me to the day when I lost them.

"Let's sleep." He held my wrist and pulled me to the room.

When we get into the room, he fixed the pillows for me and immediately walk to lay down on the sofa.

"You'll sleep there?" I asked him

He nodded. "Yes, why?"

I shook my head. It's better if he'll sleep there. If ever he'll push himself sleeping on the bed, then it'll be my first time sleeping with someone aside from my parents.

"Wala lang. Goodnight." I smiled then put my blanket to cover my body.

I didn't bother waiting for his reply and closed my eyes already.

It took me a half hour before getting into a deep sleep.

I OPENED MY eyes when I felt the sunlight on my skin.

I get up to do my routine before going downstairs. I was about to get to the kitchen when I saw food on the dining table.

"Good morning." I heard Declan's soft voice from behind.

I turn my head back and saw him walking with food in his hands.

"G-good morning." I greeted him back.

He placed the food on the table and pulled a chair for me. "Let's eat breakfast." He smiled.

I was speechless while taking a sit. When I finally got comfortable, I started staring at him while he's busy putting rice and dish on my plate.

Why is he doing this?

When he finished putting food on my plate, he looked up to me. "You're not hungry? You don't want to eat or you don't like the food?" I saw sadness and fear consumed his eyes so I immediately put a small smile on my lips and shook my head.

"No, i-it's just that, i-it's my first time again after three months." I paused and talked again. "T-that someone cooked breakfast for me." I almost whispered.

I actually lost weight 'cause I barely cook food and eat it. It's just these days when I finally trying to live my life for my parents' will. I'm sure they won't like seeing me starving.

I saw him gulped and nodded. "Well, at least I'm here now. I'll cook your breakfast every day." He smiled.

How sure he is? As far as I know, he's living here with me because his house is under construction.

"How sure are you? It's not like you're living here forever." I shrugged.

"Well, let's see." I saw him smirk which gave me goosebumps.

Is he planning something? Is that good or bad? God, please guide me.

Hindi ko na binigyan pansin ang sinabi niya at kinain ang pagkain na niluto niya.

Normal breakfast ang hinanda niya and it's perfect, delicious to be exact.

"Hmm." I nodded. "Tastes good." I smiled.

I saw his face lightened. "Thanks."

We ate peacefully. There's nothing but silence except for the sounds of our utensils.

We finished eating at the same time so when it's time to clean, he insisted that it's on him.

"No, you already cooked our breakfast. It's my turn now." I said and get the rags from him but he immediately get it from me again.

"I said I'll do it. Just please let me." He pleaded.

I sighed. "Come on, just the table and I'll let you do the dishes. Please." I even clasp my hands in front of him.

He sighed in defeat and nodded. "Okay, just the table and everything is fine." He said and turn his back to the kitchen.

A smile suddenly blooms.

"Aleah, 'wag masasanay, okay? He'll be gone soon." Paalala ko sa aking sarili.

I don't have the authority to make him stay with me all the time. He's just a nobody.

I started wiping the table and when I finished, I saw Declan wiping the plates to dry it.

He looks like he's an expert doing such stuff. I wonder how and why 'cause he looks like he's rich. Well, he really is, I guess.

When I realized that I'm staring at his back for such a long time, I caught my attention to give it to something else.

I looked at the door when someone knocked.

"Ako na, Aleah." I heard Declan's voice.

I stilled when I heard my name he uttered. Why does it feel so comforting hearing him saying my name?

I walked to the living area and take a sit on the sofa.

When he entered the house, he's holding an envelope and passed it on to me.

I asked him through my eyes and opened it. These are the papers I'm looking for. Daddy really sold the land. As much as I want to get mad at him but I realized that it also pained him but he still sacrificed for Mommy, for us. He doesn't have any choice at that time.

"Thank you." My voice cracked. "For showing this to me. At least I'm aware that I can no longer live my life here and be drowned because of the memories that I and my parents spent together." A lone tear fell.

I placed the envelope and walk upstairs when a baritone voice owned by Declan called my name.

I turn my back and I saw him walking towards me. "You can live here. I'm not claiming the land so I can get it. It's just that, I, ahm, I don't have a place to stay for now. After the renovation of my house, I'll leave and let you stay here as long as you want." He assured me.

I nodded with a smile on my face. "I'll remember that." I ruffled his hair. "Thank you..." I uttered. "Declan.." I smiled genuinely.

He's sweet and kind, I...adore him.