Crossing the Line

Thirty

Umiling ito na parang bata. "I still want to talk to you. What are you eating?"

Swinitch niya ang camera para mapakita kay Connor ang kinakain niya na tinake-out niya sa isang fast food chain. "Nag-drive thru nalang ako kanina."

"Dapat pala pinadalhan kita ng mas healthy food."

Binalik niya ang camera para tapat na ito sa mukha niya. "Minsan lang naman po ako mag-fast food."

"Yeah because you prefer not to eat in some days. Which is more unhealthy."

"Sorry na po, dad."

"Call me daddy."

"Asa ka."

"Mamili ka, babe or daddy? I don't mind if ano piliin mo."

"Alam mo, kulang ka talaga sa tulog, kung anu-ano iyang sinasabi mo."

"I miss you."

She sighed and smiled at him. He looks so handsome with his disheveled hair and his "antok" face. Nagiging singkit na ito kasi alam niya na papikit na ang mga mata nito sa pagod at antok.

"I miss you too. We'll talk tomorrow, okay? Sleep ka na."

Tumango ito at naghikab nanaman. "Good night. I'll sleep na."

She smiled. "Good night, babe," she said and quickly ended the call.

Napatalon siya ng biglang tumawag ulit si Connor pero tinubuan na ulit siya ng hiya at hindi sinagot iyon. Napahawak siya sa kanyang dibdib sa sobrang kaba. Maya maya ay nag-pop sa screen niya ang isang message nito.

Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago tinignan ang message ni Connor.

Good night, babe. I can't wait to go home to you and hear you call me that in person.

Hindi na siya nagreply dahil alam niya na kapag nagreply pa siya, hindi na matutulog iyang si Connor. Tinapos lang niya ang dinner niya at nag-ready na din matulog.

Mabilis lang naman lumipas ang three days. The next thing she knew, Connor's already in her kitchen, cooking her breakfast.

Wait.

Kinusot niya ang kanyang mata at tinampal ang pisngi. Baka kasi nagha-hallucinate siya baka kasi dahil bagong gising palang siya.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

Oh shit. Totoo nga!

"Con?"

He placed the plates on the table and went to her. "The one and only."

"What — you're real!" Hindi na niya naitago ang saya at tumalon nalang at yinakap si Connor. Good thing he has good reflexes and he caught her.

"Someone missed me so much."

"Akala ko mamayang gabi pa dating mo!"

"My flight got rescheduled so I thought of surprising you." She felt his hug tightened. "I miss you, babe."

"I miss you too!"

Tinignan niya ng maigi ang mukha nito habang buhat buhat pa rin siya nito. "Nangayayat ka ba?"

He laughed at her observation. "Oo. Hindi kasi ako makakain ng maayos kakaisip sayo."