Coldness enveloped my body. The sound of crashing waves broke the eerie silence, offering a faint sense of solace.

It's still six in the morning. The creaking of the bamboo bed echoed softly as I got up. The cool morning air kissed my skin, bringing with it the faint aroma of dew-covered grass and the distant, salty scent of the sea.

Inayos ko ang aking hinigaan bago lumabas ng kwarto. Tanging manipis na kurtina lamang ang naghihiwalay sa silid at sa kusina ng munting kubo.

Pinili kong gumising nang maaga para maghanda ng breakfast namin ni Dom. Tuwing weekdays, pumapasok siya sa trabaho bilang private bodyguard ng isang kilalang pamilya sa bayan, at kapag weekend naman, nangingisda siya para maibenta ang huli niya sa palengke.

May kung anong kirot ang dumaloy sa puso ko nang mapansin ko ang malaking katawan ni Dom na nakabaluktot sa mahabang bangkong kawayan at mahimbing na natutulog.

Bawat hampas ng hangin ay napapansin ko ang bahagyang panginginig ng katawan niya. Ang kumot na tumatabon sa kaniya ay hanggang kalahati lamang ng kaniyang katawan, at hindi sapat para labanan ang lamig. Ang kaniyang dalawang braso ay mahigpit na nakayakap sa sariling katawan, at tila pinapainit ang sarili.

Pumasok ulit ako sa kwarto para kunin ang kumot na ginamit ko. Marahan ko itong kinumot sa kaniyang katawan.

I tilted my head to the side, my gaze was fixed on his face. His thick eyebrows and long lashes framed his features perfectly. His jaw was sharp and defined and every time he's annoyed, it would tense in a way that made him even more striking. His lips, was plump and naturally red, it looked soft even in his sleep. Kahit tulog, napaka-pogi niya talaga.

I swallowed hard, my chest tightened. We had been through so much together. After the accident that left me comatosed for a year, it was Dominic who never left my side. He was there, day and night, taking care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. And when I finally got out of the hospital, napag-isipan naming tumira sa kubo na pag-aari niya sa loob ng ilang taon.

It still feels like a dream sometimes. I can't believe I'm married to a man as handsome and kind as him. A man who could have had anyone, yet chose to stay with me.

Hinaplos ko nang marahan ang kaniyang pisngi, naramdaman ko ang init na nagmumula sa kaniyang balat. Isang maliit na ngiti ang sumilay sa aking labi. Hindi ko na siya ginising. He looked so peaceful, and for everything he's done for me, he deserved every moment of rest he could get.

Tahimik akong tumayo at naglakad patungo sa kusina. I decided to cook breakfast, something simple but hearty. Habang hinihiwa ko ang bawang at sibuyas, naririnig ko pa rin ang mahihinang hilik ni Dominic mula sa sala.

I placed the plates on the small wooden table, making sure to set aside his cup of ready to make coffee. Then I turned to face the long bamboo chair then crouched beside him. This time, I couldn't resist brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead.

"Dom," I whispered softly, not wanting to startle him. "Kain na."

He stirred slightly, his eyebrows furrowed before his eyes fluttered open. It took him a moment to focus, but when he did, his gaze immediately softened.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice is rough from sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips. "Tara na bago pa lumamig ang niluto ko."

Nagulat siya at namangha sa narinig, tumigil saglit bago magtanong, "Pinagluto mo ako?"

I smiled as I handed him the plate, my heart warmed at the sight of his surprised expression.

"Oo, para maka bawi ako sa pag-aalaga mo sa akin," I smiled, placing the plate in front of him. "Palagi na lang kasing ikaw ang gumagawa ng lahat. Nahihiya na ako dahil palagi na lang akong nasa bahay, walang natutulong sa'yo."

Tinitigan niya ako, seryoso ang ekspresyon, ngunit marahan ang tingin. 

"Lilah," he began, his voice was steady but filled with emotion. "I'm your husband. It's my duty to provide for you, to take care of you, and to make sure you're happy and safe. Hindi kita pinili para sa kung anong maitutulong mo sa akin. Pinili kita kasi mahal kita, kahit ano pa 'yung kaya o hindi mo kayang gawin."

Natahimik ako, ang mga salita niya ay unti-unting tumatagos sa puso ko.

"Nandito ako hindi dahil may obligasyon ako sa'yo, kundi dahil gusto kong makasama ka. Sa hirap, sa ginhawa, sa bawat araw," he continued, his voice softened. "Hindi mo kailangang maghanap ng paraan para bumawi sa akin, Lilah. Ang presensya mo lang, ang pagmamahal mo—'yun na ang bumubuo sa araw ko."

"Dom..." bulong ko, hindi na maitago ang emosyon sa boses ko.

Ngumiti siya, "You don't need to do anything to deserve love, Lilah. You just have to be you. That's more than enough for me."

Hinila niya ako papunta sa yakap niya, at sa mga sandaling iyon, lahat ng takot at pagdududa ko ay nawala.

"Dominic..." my voice were full of emotions.

"Akala ko naghanda ka kasi gusto mo akong sumaya, nagluto ka lang pala para maka bawi sa akin," his face looked annoyed, his brow furrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

I blinked, caught off guard by his words, "Dom, hindi. . ."

He let out a small sigh, shaking his head as if trying to make sense of his own feelings. "I just don't want you to feel like you owe me anything," he said softly, though the frustration was still evident in his tone. "I don't need you to 'pay me back' for taking care of you. I do it because I care for you, not because I expect anything in return."

We both stared into each other's eyes. My breath hitched as I felt the intensity of his stare, the way it seemed to reach into my soul and strip away all my doubts and fears.

"Kumain na tayo..."

We enjoyed our breakfast together. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay ako na ang nagligpit ng mga pinagkainan. Tahimik lang siyang nakaupo habang umiinom ng kape at hinahayaan akong gawin ang gusto kong gawin. Nang matapos ako, tumayo siya at dumiretso sa banyo para maligo.

Habang naliligo siya ay hinanda ko ang uniform na susuotin niya. His uniform consists of a neatly pressed sky-blue polo shirt paired with black slacks. Sinigurado kong maayos ang pagkakatupi ng damit bago ko inilagay ito sa gilid ng kama.

For some reason, habang ginagawa ko iyon, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It wasn't something I usually did for anyone, pero may kung anong pakiramdam na tila natural lang ang lahat ng ito sa akin.

Before he left, he gave me a soft peck on my forehead. Ganoon ang lagi niyang ginagawa tuwing aalis siya para sa trabaho, isang simpleng halik sa noo, at aalis ng hindi lumilingon.

Napatingin ako sa pinto na kaka-sara lang. Wala na akong gagawin sa buong maghapon, maliban na lang kung maisipan kong maglaba o maglinis ng bahay. Hinubad ko ang suot kong pambahay at dumiretso sa banyo para maligo.

Pagkatapos maligo, isinuot ko ang simpleng bestida na nakatambay sa cabinet. I combed my hair and let it fall naturally over my shoulders. Hinayaan ko na lang itong nakalugay.

Lumabas ako ng bahay, tumama agad ang init ng araw sa balat ko. The light breeze carried the scent of the sea, and I couldn't help but take a deep breath. For a moment, it felt like I was exactly where I needed to be—calm, grounded, and free.

Pagdating ko sa dalampasigan ay hinubad ko ang tsinelas ko at naglakad nang nakayapak sa malamig na buhangin. Napangiti ako nang bahagya habang pinagmamasdan ang alon na tumatama sa paa ko.

I walked aimlessly along the shore, letting the sound of the waves drown out the noise in my mind. The sea was calm today, the surface is reflecting the soft hues of the morning sun. But even in its serenity, I couldn't shake off the heaviness that lingered in my chest.

I may have much, but it felt like there's still a missing piece. Parang may espasyo sa buhay ko na hindi kayang punan ng kahit anong materyal na bagay o gawain. Sometimes, even when I'm surrounded by comfort, there's still a part of me that feels restless, like it's searching for an answer to a question I don't even know.

I stopped walking and stared into the distance, at the line where the sea and sky met. I wondered.

Is this all there is? Is this how my life is supposed to feel?

"Hey!"

My head turned towards the direction of the yacht anchored not too far from the shore. A man stood on the deck, casually dressed in a white button-down shirt and khaki shorts, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He held up a glass of champagne, and there was a playful smile on his lips as his eyes met mine.

I squinted against the sunlight, para maaninag ang mukha ng lalaki. I raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to feel amused or suspicious. He looked like just a stranger trying to strike up a conversation.

Instead of entertaining him, I turned and walked back.

Pagkabalik ko ay naabutan ko si Miranda na nakaupo sa mahabang kawayan habang abala sa paghahabi ng banig.

"Oh, saan ka galing?" tanong ni Miranda nang makita niya akong papalapit.

Tumabi ako sa kanya at nagpasya nang tumulong sa paggawa ng bag na gawa sa buri. Sa tagal ko nang nakatira rito, nakasanayan ko na ang paraan ng pag-gawa niya.

"Naglakad-lakad lang," sagot ko, pinulot ang isa sa mga piraso ng banig at sinubukan itong isama sa ginagawa niya.

Tumingin siya sa akin, itinigil sandali ang kamay sa paghahabi, at napasimangot.

"Alam mo? Mabuti pa, sumama ka na lang sa amin sa pagtitinda sa palengke," sabi niya na may halong biro. "Nang sa gano'n, hindi ka mabaliw sa kakatulala d'yan, kakahintay sa asawa mo!"

"Hindi naman ako mababaliw, madami akong pwedeng gawin."

"Hindi pa, sa ngayon! Mababaliw ka rin," aniya habang tumatawa. "Sayang din ang magiging porsyento mo."

"Pag-iisipan ko, sasabihan ko si Dominic," sagot ko habang iniiwas ang tingin sa kaniya.

"Sabihan mo na, Lilah. Malay mo, pumayag siya. Masaya 'yun, magkakasama tayo sa palengke," aniya, sabay kindat. "At saka, para makita mo rin kung paano ako magbenta. Baka mahawa ka sa galing ko." tumawa siya.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at napangiti ng bahagya. "Hindi ako sigurado kung papayag si Dominic."

Nagtuloy tuloy pa ang pang-aasar sa akin ni Miranda tungkol sa amin ni Dominic. Napailing na lamang ako, pilit na pinipigilan ang munting ngiti na sumisilip sa labi ko. Dahil wala na akong kawala sa mga pang-aasar ni Miranda. Nang tumanghali, nagpasya akong pumasok sa bahay upang magluto ng pananghalian. Si Miranda naman ay umuwi na rin sa kanila upang kumain.

Nasa gilid ng kalsada ang bahay nila, pero mas gusto niyang tumambay dito sa amin na malapit sa dagat. Ang sabi niya, mas masarap daw magtrabaho sa lugar na naaamoy ang simoy ng dagat at naririnig ang tunog ng alon.

Para naman may magawa ako, naglaba ako sa buong tanghali. Pagkatapos magsampay, agad akong naglinis ng bahay. Tinanggal ko ang mga alikabok sa mga sulok sulok at sinigurong malinis ang sahig, habang maayos ang mga gamit.

Habang nagwawalis sa loob ng kwarto ay may napansin akong maliit na lata sa ilalim ng lumang cabinet. Sa una ay hindi ko 'to pinansin dahil baka wala lang ito. Pero nang mapansin kong may kakaibang bigat ang tunog nito nang mabangga ng walis ay hindi ko napigilang lumuhod at kunin ito.

Medyo makalawang na ito at kupas na ang disenyo ng lata. Binuksan ko ang takip, tumambad sa akin ang mga papeles at sobre. Ibabalik ko na sana ang takip ng natigil ako.

One thing immediately caught my attention—a necklace lying beneath the pile of documents. I placed the tin can down and picked up the necklace carefully. The necklace was made of gold, seemingly ordinary at first glance. But it was the pendant that caught my eye.

The medallion was about the size of a coin, and its unique design and unusual structure made it seem like it had a purpose beyond a mere accessory. There was something familiar about the shape, something that made me feel as though I had seen it before.

I stared at it, feeling a strange tug of recognition, as if this medallion held a connection to a past I couldn't quite remember. I had no idea why, but it seemed important. . .

"Lilah, nakauwi na ako!" I heard Dominic's voice from outside.

Quickly, I returned the necklace to its place and hid the tin can where it had been. I tried to ignore the unease creeping up on me from what I had just discovered. I stepped out, wiping the sweat from my brow, and greeted Dominic as he entered the house.

"Magandang gabi," sabi ko, sabay kinuha ang dala niyang bag. "Kumain na tayo, naghanda na ako ng hapunan," dagdag ko, inilapag ang bag niya sa upuan.

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinaplos ang aking buhok bago hinagkan ang aking noo. Ang init ng mga labi niya ay nagbigay ng kakaibang init sa aking dibdib. Napansin ko ang mabango niyang amoy na kahit isang araw na siyang nasa trabaho.

"You prepared me dinner, hmm?" tanong niya, may halong pagkamangha. Nasa bisig niya pa rin ako, at ramdam ko ang init ng katawan niya.

"Oo naman, sinarapan ko 'yon dahil alam kong pagod ka galing sa trabaho," ngumiti ako na may pagmamalaki.

"Really, huh?" he smirked. "Tignan natin," dagdag niya, na parang nag-aalangan ngunit may halong biro sa tinig.

Nagtungo kami sa lamesa, at nagsimula akong maghanda ng mga plato. Nilagyan ko siya ng kanin at ulam, at nang maihain ko ang adobong manok sa kanyang plato, hindi ko maiwasang maghintay sa magiging reaksyon niya.

Inangat niya ang kutsara at kumuha ng kanin at ulam sabay isinubo. Nang matikman niya ito, umaktong nasasarapan ang kanyang mukha, at tumango-tango pa siya bilang senyales ng pag-apruba.

"Hmm, masarap nga, nawala ang pagod ko," tumawa siya. Bahagya akong umiling habang tumatawa.

The truth is, my cooking is bad. I'm not a very good cook, pero sumusubok ako para maipagluto si Dominic. The thought of Dominic ignoring my red flag in cooking is making my heart flattered.

Tumigil muna ako, "Oo nga pala, magpapaalam sana ako sayo."

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo, "Aalis ka?"

"Hindi! Gusto sana ni Miranda na sumama ako sa kanila sa pagtitinda sa palengke para kahit papaano maaliw ako habang nasa trabaho ka," natatarantang sinabi ko nang magbago ang ekspresyon niya.

Nakita ko ang mga mata niyang nagdalawang-isip, at hindi pa sigurado sa sasabihin. Matapos ang ilang sandali ng katahimikan, tumango siya.

"Sige, kung 'yan ang gusto mo," nagulat ako dahil sa pagpayag niya.

"Sigurado ka?" paninigurado ko.

He nodded again. "Yes, of course. If it makes you happy and free, then it's fine."

I was stunned by his words. My heart leaped, a rush of warmth flooding through me that I couldn't explain. His simplicity, his sincerity, it was like a bridge that had suddenly appeared between us, a connection I hadn't even realized I was craving until this moment.

"Diyan ka matutulog?" I asked, watching him prepare his blanket and pillow. He was about to lie down on the long bamboo chair.

He glanced at me and smiled, "Sanay ako dito, I want you to sleep comfortably, Lilah."

I nodded, though I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. I wanted him to be comfortable. The small living room didn't offer much space, and the idea of him sleeping on the long bamboo chair somehow didn't sit right with me.

"S-sige, matulog ka na. Goodnight," a soft tone escaped my lips.

He smiled again. "Goodnight, Lilah."

I turned away, feeling the weight of the moment lingered between us. I pulled the curtain shut and took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I thought about the way he smiled, how his eyes stayed on me, and how his words keeps echoing in my mind.

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. For the first time in a while, I felt something stir inside me, something I couldn't quite name yet. I pushed those feelings aside. I needed to rest and calm the uneasiness in my chest. As the night wrapped around me, I let myself relax, even for a moment. Hearing the soft rhythm of his breathing from the other room, I slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep.