Immortal City

Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Intimacy vs. Isolation

I wake up lying on a bed, a hand resting on my stomach—Daimon's hand. We're back in his room and he's sleeping right next to me. He looks so serene with his eyes closed that it made me forget my exhaustion for a while. I slowly lie on my side to face him, careful not to wake him up, and my arm feels heavy when I softly brush his hair aside.

He stirs and holds my hand.

"Celestine?" he says with caution, his voice tired and his eyes a little red from suddenly waking up. "You're awake? Are you really awake now?"

Punong-puno ng pag-aalala ang mga mata niya, pati na rin ng isang bagay na siguro ay matagal nang bumabagabag sa kanya. Takot.

Tumango ako at agad niyang hinaplos ang aking mukha. Mariin niyang ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata bago ipinatong ang kanyang noo sa akin. "Don't scare me like that, please," sabi niya. "You have no idea how scared I am of losing you."

"I—I'm sorry."

He shakes his head. "Don't be." He wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer and gently rubbing my back. "It's not your fault, love. It's cruel—the world we're living in, but it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault."

Strange.

Bakit para niya akong pinapatahan kahit hindi naman ako umiiyak?

And why do I find comfort in it?

I wonder why his words strike me so much. Why it alleviates the unknown burden I feel inside my chest. Why it eases the emotions I have. Why as if it's what I needed to hear.

I nestle close to his chest, seeking comfort from his warmth, and he holds me with so much care that makes me realize how vulnerable I am. How much I need him with me as much as he needs me.

Ilang oras kaming nanatili sa ganoong posisyon. Na yakap lang ang isa't isa. At hindi ko inakala na ito ang magpapagaan ng loob ko. Sa kanya ko lang nahahanap ang ganitong klase ng katahimikan.

I don't know when he started to become my safe haven.

Daimon is caressing my nape with his fingers when he asks, "Do you want to get up?"

I don't.

"You haven't eaten anything yet, love. You should eat."

I shake my head.

Daimon props himself up on one elbow. "Seriously, you need to take care of yourself better," he says as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

I shake my head again, feeling a little cheeky.

He huffs an amused smile, slowly shaking his head at my response. "I'd love to lie here with you all day too, but you need food. Don't be stubborn. I'll make you something to eat."

He quickly sits up and I groan in disapproval.

"Behave yourself, Celestine," he kids, completely standing up as he heads toward the door. "I'll be back."

Then he's out of the room.

Talagang iniwanan niya ako dito sa kwarto niya kahit totoong ayokong kumain. Sa tingin ko naman ay wala akong sakit, pero wala rin akong gana kumain. Mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam ko pero hindi na ganoon kalala kagaya kagabi.

Teka. Kagabi nga lang ba?

Walang kahit anong bintana sa kwarto ni Daimon kaya hindi ko alam kung umaga na ba, tanghali, hapon, o kung ano man.