Hung Over

Second date. A call, an apology, a promise at 8 PM.
A taxi cab. Rush hour. Ten minutes in waiting. The arrival.
Complicated menus. Hunger and sweet foods.
You ordered coffee outside as I played with the food you bought.

Starting off with, "Nagtampo ka daw?"
Allowing myself to tell the story.

"If I could afford to not feel it, I wouldn't"
You seemed to smile.
"Well," you said, "That's love."

And it drew me to better understand how you feel everyday.

Then you tell me the sad story about both your parents
attempting to commit suicide.
The Christmases and New Year celebrations you never knew
How I wonder how you still remained good despite all that.

You tell me you told him to say sorry to me.
And I could only imagine how you talk about me.
And am thankful for that which you did for me behind my back...

Then we talk about the future. How you have no career plans
How you would rather be stay at home Dad.
You know, tend to the kids.
But you also know that it betrays God's design of man
to provide for his family.

How on our walk home, I asked you to pray for my passport.
expecting you to say, "Okay I will".
But instead as we were walking, you start praying.
And I had to bow my head down to hide a blush,
and how my heart leapt in thankfulness.

As usual, we walked our way home, taking an alternative route
Passing by houses, we talked about cars, pets, and children.
How I hate dogs, and how you hate cats.
And how I would have wanted it to rain,
so you could come inside the boarding house to talk more.

Plus, the awkward high fave in front of the gate...
and the restlessness I had as I retired from my bed
and as I wake up from it.

This is
our second date.