Nagiging paborito na ni Luisa ang katanghaliang tapat sa Lake house.
The season is slowly turning into summer at may kung anong gandang ilaw na taglay ang papasikat na araw tuwing umaga sa kalayuan. Mornings at the Lake house are bright and warm and so does the afternoons - where everything is quiet and still; it draws her to sleep.
She and Noah would be up from bed by five o'clock in the morning while Garret prepares to jog. Dahil tag-araw na ay may kaunting liwanag na sa ganitong oras. Luisa would put Noah on his high chair while she makes breakfast. After an hour or so, Garret would arrive from his morning jog and would take Noah by the porch for his daily sun bathing. Tapos kakain silang tatlo ng agahan na inihanda ni Luisa.
It seems like yesterday for Luisa but time flies incredibly faster. It's been almost a year since she had Noah and almost two since Garret. If only she can freeze time and make the days slow. It has been months since Garret profess his feelings for her. Gaya naman ng ipinangako nito, tila walang nagbago sa kanila. Luisa appreciates how Garret doesn't seem to push her towards her limits - respecting her personal space. Kahit nga matagal tagal na silang magkasama sa iisang bahay, marami pa ring nalalaman si Luisa sa asawa. And she enjoys these daily discoveries. Mas nakikilala nya si Garret at mas nagiging malapit ang loob nya rito.
Garret is a good natured man. Mabait ito kahit kanino. He's warm-hearted and definitely an old soul like her. He's a natural. Halatang hindi nya lang iyon ginagawa para may makuha sya pabalik, pero ramdam ni Luisa sa puso nya na sinsero ito sa pagiging mabuti nitong tao. A lot of people can atest to that.
Habang tumatagal ay nakikita na rin nya ang sarili nya na mas nagiging open kay Garret na halata namang naa-appreciate nito.
He's also a keen observer and listener. He likes documentaries about animals and history. He still reads the newspaper as if an old man. Solves crossword puzzle and naps with a book in hand.
"Tumatanda na talaga ang kuya.." pabirong sabi sa kanya ni Scarlet noong minsan ay bumisita ito at mapansin ang mga nakakagawian ni Garret.
Luisa can only laugh. She likes how matured Garret is. Like a perfect father figure to Noah.
Alam nya na dapat si Benj ang iniisip nya. She would hold the ring on her chest, rubbed it between her thumb and index finger, thinking about Benj. She felt like betraying Benj whenever she thinks Garret would make a great dad, because he is to Noah. Alam nya na walang mali roon. Alam nya na kung saan man naroroon ang nasirang nobyo ay matutuwa ito na may nagpupuno ng mga bagay na hindi na nagawa pang ibigay para sa mag-ina nito.
"Noah's asleep?" Tanong ni Garret sa kanya pagbaba nya nang hagdan isang tanghali.
Nasa sala si Garret at hawak ang remote ng tv sa isa nitong kamay.
Tumango si Luisa. Noah's already on his seventh month. He's eating solids at maayos na rin ang oras ng tulog nito. He sleeps around eight during the night. Wakes up at five AM, sleeps at 11 AM and then wake up around 2 PM and then repeat. Kaya halos hindi na rin sila napupuyat. It also allows them to be productive at home.
"Anong pinapanuod mo?" Tanong ni Luisa.
"Penguins. It's a feature film from Disney. About Adélie penguins."
Garret looked at him and tap the space on the couch beside him. "Join me?"
Tumabi naman si Luisa sa kanya para makinuod.
"It's a documentary with some sort of a story about a male Penguin joined a bunch of fellow male in Antartic to build a nest, find a life partner, and build a family."
"Once they found their partner, they would find their way towards each other no matter what."
"Penguins?"
YOU ARE READING
Bare Bones
RomanceNon-commital and married-to-work, Garret Alonzo thought he's better off alone. But in one unexpected moment, came a responsibility that will change his life forever.
