50 Days to His Heart

Day 18: Henry

Today's menu is Rigatoni Pizza Pasta and cheesy garlic bread paired with white wine.

I don't know how long will I be waking up earlier than usual to prepare for Lorraine's food but I don't mind. Back then, she had to prepare for me and our two boys. Even if we have Manang with us, she still wanted to be hands on. Now I know what it felt like.

I called up Manang and told her that I'm extending her vacation for a month. At first Manang didn't want to especially when I told her that she will still get her salary because she said 'it would be unfair if she gets paid without rendering her service'. I had to explain that it's more of a thank you gift from the family for being with us for 10 years plus I want to do everything for my wife and take care of her.

Manang was so happy with the idea that she asked me to get a pen and a notebook so I could write down recipes that my wife will surely love. She even said that Lorraine's favorite are white roses and it would be sweet if I'll have white roses every day. I scolded myself for not knowing what Lorraine wants. All the while I thought she prefers red roses. How could I not know?

Marriage is really an every day journey of discovering and learning. I just failed to really get to know my wife. Stupid me.

'Also sir, masaya si maam sa mga tula mo sir.'

(Also sir, ma'am is happy with all the poems you wrote.)

Manang said that at times when I won't go home because of out of town business trips, Lorraine would cry secretly and just read the poems I gave her.

'Minsan po naiisip ni maam na may iba na sir pero di daw po siya bibitiw.'

(At times sir, maam would think that you have other girls but she said she will hold on.)

I am guilty. Eunice might not be another woman for me but I spent a lot of times with her, and at times during my business trips, she would be with me too. I  just thank God that despite all of these, Lorraine is still in the guest room.

'Lord help me bring her back to our room.'

I was almost done with my table set up when I heard a loud thud near Lorraine's room that I had to run where I saw my baby trying to get up from the floor.

She is wearing a handkerchief to cover her eyes. I was about to ask her why when she started walking towards the restroom. So, she covered her eyes because she knows she might see me here? How I wanted to just hug her tight but I have to control what I feel.

"Baby, Remove that eye cover. I'll just go upstairs and come back in 15 minutes. You might hurt yourself."

***

Conrad has given me my meeting schedule and I'm happy that he was able to make sure that I'm not that fully booked so I would still have time for my wife plus visit the investigators for my children.

I dropped by ACC Icecream House, one of our family's favorite hang out places to grab Lorraine her favorite strawberry, choco mocha scoop.

"Henry, long time no see."

"Oh, Vincent, glad to see you too."

Vincent is the manager of the Icecream house and since we are a regular customer, we became more than acquaintances.

"The last time you were here was like a month ago."

"Yes, right. Things happen."

"Yeah but I'm proud of your boys. They're really grown ups now."

"What do you mean Vincent?"

"They were here I think four days ago."

"What?!?"

"Yeah. They ordered the usual but they were in a hurry that I was not able to talk to them. There were a lot of people too."

"Can we look at your cctv footages then? Ahmmm..."

Why didn't I think of going to our family hang outs to check?

"Ahmmm.. My kids have been missing for almost 3 weeks now and we haven't gotten any traces of them."

"Oh.. I'm sorry to hear that. Had I known.... I'll ask Andi to check out the footages so we can review."

"Thanks Vincent."

"I'll prepare something cold for you first. Don't overthink Henry. God has a way of putting things together."

If my kids dropped by the Icecream house, most likely, they are not with any kidnappers, most likely they just run away from home. But why?

"Henry, let's go to my office and review the footages."

"Alright. Let's go."

***

I dialled Lorraine's number for the nth time and finally, she answered.

"What?"

"Lorraine, our boys are safe."

"Our boys? Where are you?"

"They're not with me yet baby but they dropped by ACC four days ago."

"Oh."

"I'll have to see the police first and do something about this. I might go home late."

"I wanna be with you."

Oh? So she wants to be with me?

"I mean I want to join you and help you look for our kids."

"Baby you still have chicken pox remember. You're almost healed so the more that it's contagious."

"But..."

"Don't worry daddy will sleep with you tonight."

I said trying to control my smile.

"Whatever!"

She put down the phone and I was left smiling, thankful that we now have updates with my boys and I might be sleeping with my baby tonight.

Conrad is right after all when he said that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

What Bible verse is that again? I remember he mentioned about Ephesians.

'Thank you Lord for providing the footages. Thank you.'