If I close my eyes
I can see your smile
I can hear the laugh I love and I can't get enough
I can pull you close in a moment just like this
I can stop the world with only just your kiss

-Taking Over Me by Lawson

--

Cyrus was extremely pleased with what's happening around him. For weeks, he's been bugged by his relatives to bring Lena home. Ngayong nakilala na ng mga ito si Lena, masaya siyang nakasundo nito ang mga kamag-anak niya. It's a big deal for him, since his family's a huge part of himself.

Iyong una kasi niyang naging girlfriend noong high school, ayaw ng mommy niya. Pati si Clem. Kapag dinadala niya ito sa bahay ay umaalis ang kapatid niya. Malapit din si Joanna sa pamilya niya dati. She was adored by everyone.

Her battle with cancer became bearable because so many people were behind her. Marami ang nagdasal para rito. Marami ang nag-alaga. But that wasn't enough because she still died. His whole family was devastated. And for years, nawalan din siya ng ganang mabuhay.

Iyong bahay na pinapagawa niya dati, hindi na natapos-tapos. When Joanna died, he lost the heart to finish the house. Umalis siya ng isang taon, pagala-gala kung saan-saan, hinahanap ang sariling nawala nang mamatay ito. When he came back, the house was still a skeleton, hindi na tinapos pero hindi pa rin ginigiba.

He couldn't bring himself to sell the land. He felt like if he let go of it, he will also let go of Joanna. Hindi pa niya kaya.

When Lena came into the picture, he wasn't really looking for someone to replace Joanna in his life. Pakiramdam niya ay wala nang makapapalit dito. But Lena was slowly claiming his heart and he wasn't complaining.

The only downside right now is that she couldn't fully invest in whatever they have because she's still hung up with Martin. Seeing Lena interact well with his family made him feel complete. If only she could see that this is where she belongs, maybe she will stop holding on to Martin and her unreciprocated love.

"Hey," untag sa kanya ni Julie. "Patulugin mo na 'yong girlfriend mo. Mukhang antok na antok na, o."

Tumingin siya sa gawi ni Lena. She's still with Clem and Cadence. Nag-uusap-usap ang mga pinsan at kapatid niya habang ito naman ay nasa isang tabi at kunwaring nakikinig. She's still wearing his hoodie and that made him feel like he's hugging her somehow.

Papikit-pikit na ito. Nakainom din kasi ito ng alak.

When Julie arrived an hour ago, nag-aya kaagad itong mag-inom. Pilit nitong isinama si Lena and the latter, not wanting to disappoint, gamely joined in. Ngayon, tutuka-tuka na ito sa isang tabi.

He excused himself and got out of the pool. Napamura siya nang maramdaman ang lamig. How long was he in there? Kanina kasi ay kalaro niya ang mga pamangkin. Nang magsitulog ang mga ito, sina Julie naman ang kasama niya roon. Inaabutan lang sila ng alak ng tanggero.

--

For some reason, Lena's eyes became completely wide when she saw him. She quickly averted her gaze. Kitang-kita niya ang pamumula nito. His heart did a triple back flip. She has no idea how beautiful she looks at that very moment.

"Hi!" he greeted.

Bumaling ito sa kabila, her cheeks burned redder.

"What's wrong with you?"

Clem threw him his shirt. "Magdamit ka kasi, Kuya!"

Tiningnan niya ang sarili. Was she too embarrassed to look? He couldn't help but smile at the thought. Kung hindi nga lamang malamig ay hindi siya magdadamit. It's fun to tease Lena. Halata kaagad kapag hindi ito kumportable.

Naupo siya sa tabi nito pagkasuot ng shirt. Sa wakas ay nakatingin din ito sa kanya nang diretso.

"Inaantok ka na?" tanong niya.

She didn't even need to answer that. Mapungay na ang mga mata nito, handang-handa ng matulog. Kasama nito sa kwarto sina Clem, Julie at Cadence, pero mukhang ayaw pang matulog ng tatlo. He knew that Lena won't be able to sleep without having anyone in bed with her. Kaya madalian siyang naligo tapos ay inaya na niya itong matulog. His sisters looked at him like he was about to commit a murder.

"She can't sleep alone," he explained.

Cadence looked at him incredulously. "Nako, Kuya, mga galawan mo!"

"Totoo nga!" pilit niya.

"It's true," Julie butted in. "Unless isa sa inyo ang willing na matulog nang may nakayakap sa leeg nyo, I suggest that you let him sleep with her."

The two hesitated. "Thanks," he told Julie. Then he turned to Lena and pulled her up. "Let's go."

"Keep your hands to yourself, okay?" paalala sa kanya ni Clem. Nailing na lamang siya. It's not like he's going to do anything with Lena. Marunong naman siyang rumispeto sa babae. They'd just cuddle. And maybe kiss, if he's lucky.

Lena didn't remove his hoodie. Basta nahiga na lamang ito at nagkumot. Nang mahiga siya sa tabi nito ay agad itong lumapit sa kanya at yumakap.

He wrapped one arm around her while the other one served as her pillow. She could feel her soft breaths on his neck. Every time she exhales, a wave of shiver runs through his body. But he wouldn't want it any other way. Sleeping is the only time that she lets him be this close to her without shying away. Plus, she also needs the rest. Alam niyang pagod ito dahil sa expo.

"Lena," bulong niya maya-maya. "Tulog ka na ba?"

"Hmm... why?"

"Can you talk to me for a while? Pangako, mabilis lang 'to."

She looked up with a squint and asked, "What about?"

Having her close, he could just-No. he mentally shook his head. He reminded himself not to take advantage of the situation. Baka mamaya ay magtago naman ito sa ilalim ng kama.

"About us," he answered.

Nakailang kurap muna ito, parang nagpapatanggal ng antok, bago ito nagsalitang muli. "What about us?"

He's been meaning to ask her. Ilang buwan na rin silang ganoon. Gusto naman niyang maiba. Gusto niyang magseryoso. Gusto niyang umasa na nagtagal sila hindi lang dahil sa deal na ginawa nilang dalawa.

"What if we scratch the old deal and make a new one?"

She frowned. "Huh?"

"We've been dating for months now. Don't you want to know what it would be like if we... you know... make it real?"

Lena stared at him for a long while. Sa tagal, nagsimula na tuloy siyang i-second guess ang mga sinabi niya. Gusto na niyang bawiin. Maybe he's asking for too much. Maybe he just got carried away. Maybe he shouldn't make reckless decisions while he's happy.

"It's cool if you don't want to," bawi niya. "Suggestion lang naman. Baka gusto mo lang subukan."

She lowered her gaze and shook her head slowly.

"I like what we have now," she told him. "Please don't make it complicated. I don't want to have to leave."

His heart sank, but he had no choice but to take it as it is. Baka kapag nagpumilit siya, bigla itong lumayo.

Pinilit niyang ngumiti. "Okay."

"Thank you." She tilted her head up and kissed his chin. Saka nito isiniksik ang ulo sa leeg niya. And while she drifted to sleep, he laid there awake, wondering if that is all they'll ever be.