I gently remove the hair strands from her face, placing them behind her ears.
She looks serene,
at peace.
The afternoon sun shines over her. Her lips always seem moist.
I continue to sit by her, caressing her head. If she wakes up I will be in trouble, I smile thinking of her disproval.
Time does smooth all creases. I can sit by her like this, yet she will continue to sleep in peace. Without her realising it, I have become such a natural existence to her, like the air around her, an existence she is too used to, to take notice of.
She stirs.
I tuck her in. Placing a small kiss on her cheek.
She opens her eyes a little, still in a daze.
"Jaeha-ya."
I smile back, coaxing her back to sleep.
I lay beside her.
Holding her hand, I lay still.
I will wait.
Wait, till she of her own accord embraces me.
Till that day arrives, I am happy.
Happy with these small centimetres I am closer to her.
At least she is here.
She is alive.
She is alive.
here.
"Why are you crying?"
a lazy voice calls out to me. A warm touch on my cheeks.
I look at her.
She is alive.
I embrace her.
"You can scold me later, but for now, let me feel that you are alive."
With reluctant helplessness, she allowed my actions. Patting my back rhythmically.
A funny picture.
Me, a large man, cowering in her embrace, trying to disappear with in it.