The 285th of Memory Reversion (Year 2024)
"Adrian, where's Joshua?" Mia asked with her voice tinged in confusion as she stood in the doorway of the bedroom.
It was 8 am and her voice sounded weak and dry as she had just woken up from her sleep. Her hand gripped the frame tightly and her body was leaning against it as though she might collapse. Exhaustion showed itself into her features and her furrowed brow and the slight wince of pain told Adrian that the headache was relentless today.
Yet even in her weariness, she looked stunning to him. Adrian sat on the armchair across the room while cradling a steaming cup of coffee. His eyes lingered on her, to her short curly blonde hair that caught the morning light and glinted with a soft golden glow. He could almost smell its familiar fragrance which was a detail that never failed to enchant him.
"Adrian, where is Joshua?" Mia repeated now with her tone edged in irritation. Her husband's blank stare seemed to frustrate her.
Adrian blinked and shook his head slightly to snap himself back out of his reverie. He took a slow sip of his coffee to buy himself a moment. Which Joshua was she asking about now? Was it baby Joshua, the toddler Joshua, the teen Joshua who never was at home at the time, or the happily married Joshua as of today?
"You're awake, honey," he gently opted for a neutral response with a smile tugged at his lips as he added, "Why do you ask?"
Mia's expression is now full with a mix of annoyance and confusion. Her gaze darted around the room as if searching for answers she couldn't quite find. "I woke up and he's not in the bed. He's not here with you either."
Adrian set his cup down on the side table and exhaled softly. He had the answer ready, it was Joshua that once still shared a bed with them.
"He's at Pop's," he calmly answered as he'd navigated this scenario many times before. "Remember? Today you want to come with me to the exhibition, out of town. My new project."
Mia stood up quietly for sometime then let out a deep sigh while rubbing her temples with her fingertips. She walked toward him slowly and slid her arms around his neck and perched herself on his lap. Adrian instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled gently towards her. Her white night robe bunched slightly as she shifted while her lips brushing softly against his in a tender kiss.
"Oh my.. How could I forget? My head hurts so much."
Adrian brushed a strand of hair away from her face and let his fingers trail through her curls.
"You're just tired," he said before pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Mia placed her hands on either side of his face, her thumbs gently stroking his cheeks. "Adrian, you're the one who looks tired,"
She tilted her head slightly as for a moment, something about his face felt unfamiliar in a way she couldn't explain. Adrian, my husband, my loved one for.. five years? She thought. It felt like a lifetime already.
"Am I?" a soft smile curling at the corners of Adrian's lips.
"I'm not sure," she murmured. "Maybe it's just my dizziness."
Adrian reached up covering her hands with his own.
She leaned forward while letting out a soft whisper in his ear. "But since Joshua isn't here… shouldn't we enjoy the morning?"
Adrian chuckled, his breath warm against her neck as he kissed it once, and twice, and thrice, before pulling back to meet her gaze. He smirked while teasingly tugging a strand of her hair before tilting her chin upward. "You're trouble, you know that? In the morning like this…"
He scooped her up effortlessly. Her laughter filled the room as he spun her around in his arms. "If you insist," a playful grin spreads across his face. "How could I say no?"
Their silhouettes disappeared into the bedroom followed by the BAM sound of the door slamming shut. The soft wind slipped into the now quiet living room. It was a living room that was frozen in time. Unchanged for more than two decades. The hand chair near their bedroom door was the same chair Mia had once used while breastfeeding Joshua. Beside the round table stood draped in a white embroidered tablecloth.
Across the room was the wooden parquet floor stretched toward the long couch facing an empty TV cabinet. The only alterations there along with the photo frames and mirrors that had long been removed since 15 years ago. Its decorative plant breathed life into the space and leaves brushed the soft morning light.
The wind whispered swaying the sheer white curtains that hung over the double handled doors leading to the backyard. Beyond the doors was Mia's garden. It brimmed with lush herbs like rosemary, basil, and thyme grew alongside vibrant marigolds and cascading petunias. Ivy clung to the walls and bougainvillea flowers bloomed in bursts of pink and white dangling gracefully from the trellis overhead.
Mia had fallen asleep again. Adrian leaned over her and brushed a kiss against her forehead while running his fingers through her hair. The curls felt as smooth as they had the day they met. His lips trembling as his emotions threatened to spill over.
His phone buzzed in his pocket that was pulling him from the moment. It was a newly released iPhone as a gift from Joshua for his 57th birthday just last week. Adrian's wrinkled hands fumbled slightly as he pulled it out. The lines on his face had deepened over the years, they were wrinkles Mia often failed to recognize.
He slowly closed the door behind him while peeking at the caller's name before hanging up.
"Dad, we want to come over," Joshua's voice greeted him warmly.
"Not today, Joshua."
"Ah…" There was a sudden pause in the conversation but Joshua quickly continued. "I understand."
"Is something wrong with work?" It was Tuesday or maybe Wednesday yet Adrian couldn't quite remember, but Joshua should be at his office now instead of offering to come here.
"Nothing, Dad. It's just, Naya needed a checkup."
"Did she…"
"Yes, Dad." Joshua's voice grew gentler. "The doctor confirmed it. You're going to be a grandpa!"
Adrian froze as his chest now felt tightened. "Joshua… that's…" His voice cracked and trembled as he brought a hand to his face to shield his eyes. Tears brimmed burning at the edges of his lids.
"Dad…"
"I'm just…" Adrian's voice broke entirely. He sobbed quietly into his hand while his shoulders shaking as he tried to contain the wave of emotions. "I'm just so happy."
"I know, Dad," Joshua said. "We'll visit you and Mom very soon."
"Yeah. Sorry, I just… Uhm." Adrian was still stringing his words together as his neck felt constricted from the effort of holding back his tears too forcefully.
"Take care of her." He continued. "I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad."
Adrian's hands fell limply to his sides. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, down to his nose and finally closed his mouth while murmuring softly, "A good news like this on your reversed time, my love…"