Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

XIX: tagubtob

Tagubtob — (n.) a deep beating or pounding sound [ cebuano/bisaya ]

* should there be any bisaya words used throughout the chapter, translations will be provided.

***

That night, I tossed and turned on my bed. It felt extremely awkward that Mikie was outside. I gave up on sleep because the guilt was eating me alive. Iniisip ko ang kalagayan niya. Did he fall asleep already? Was the couch comfortable? Maybe I should tell him to move to Astrid's room? I was sure Astrid wouldn't mind. Was the blanket I gave him enough? Does he need another pillow? Was the air conditioning outside cold enough? Was it too cold?

I really couldn't sleep.

Slowly, I tiptoed to the door to peek at him. From my angle, I could only see the top of his head. His laptop was open on the coffee table. Was he already sleeping?

I moved closer to get a clearer view of him.

I was very quiet and careful as I approached. Mikie looked so peaceful in his sleep, like a baby almost. It looked like he did some school work before passing out. I was caught between waking him up to move to Astrid's room or just let him sleep in peace. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, my heart melting at the sight of his sleeping figure.

Slowly, I kneeled down on the floor next to him, getting a closer glimpse of his features. My eyes roamed his face as if trying to remember every inch of it.

"Dahan-dahan sa pagtitig," he mumbled as his eyelids slowly fluttered open.

I quickly stood up, awkwardly looking away. "I was going to ask if you wanted to move to Astrid's room para mas komportable ka."

"Okay na ako rito." Mikie crossed his arms and tucked his hands under his armpits as he wiggled his body on the couch, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position.

"Do you need anything? An extra pillow? A blanket? Sakto lang ba 'yung lamig ng air-con?"

"Okay na ako rito, Nina," he repeated. "Matulog ka na. It's late."

Pumikit siya ulit at huminga nang malalim. I nodded and turned around. I still felt bad that he was on the couch. As I motioned to walk back to my room, I felt his hand around my wrist.

I stopped.

"On second thought," Mikie said, "parang ang laming, eh."

My brows furrowed as I faced him once more. "Do you want me to turn off the air-con? Kumot?"

He just shook his head before replying, "Yakap."

"Ha?"

"Yakap nga."

"Siraulo ka talaga." I rolled my eyes and started to walk away, but he pulled me towards him, making me stumble back into the couch. Muntik ko nang masiko ang tiyan niya.

"You asked if I needed anything. I just answered you," Mikie stated matter-of-factly. "Dito ka," he added, patting the space beside him.

I looked at him weirdly. "Ha? Hindi naman tayo kasiya riyan, Mikie. Baka mahawaan ka kasi may lagnat pa ako at—"

"Dami mong sinasabi. Kasiya nga tayo."

Tinitigan ko lang siya before humiga sa tapat niya. We barely fit. One move and I would probably fall off, I was sure. Mikie wrapped one arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him as if I wasn't already pressed against him. He was so close that I could feel his breath dancing on my skin, his scent intoxicating.