The pitter-patter of the rain as it falls to the roof is what woke Jackson up. He pulled the blanket up to his chin and snuggled closer to one of the pillows. He has always loved the rain, loved the way it nourishes the earth, the plants and trees and flowers. Unlike other people who associates rain with melancholy, Jakson had always associated rain with life. That, and happy lazy memories of staying in bed, finding comfort and warmth underneath silk sheets and long limbs and giggly-doe-eyed Bambam.

He stayed in bed, listening to the raindrops, looking at the windows as the rain steadily falls causing water to splash across the glass windowpanes. He remembered a particular rainy day he spent in bed with Bam.

~~

“Nooooo. Five more minutes. I don’t want to get up. It’s cuddle weather,” Bambam whined as Jackson tried to tickle him awake.

“Baby, get up. We cannot be late today. It’s my Mom’s birthday.”

“Mama Sophia will understand if we’re like an hour late. It’s raining cats and dogs outside, Jack. Cuddles please? Hugs? Kisses?” Bambam looked at Jackson, opening his eyes wide and trying his best to look cute. Jackson sighed; he could not resist this cute, fluffy Bambam whose bedhead is just too adorable for words.

Jackson climbed into bed and snuggled closer to Bambam while the latter rested his head on his chest.

“I love you so much. I love you like the flowers love the rain,” Bambam, being his usual cheesy self, said.

Jackson smiled and kissed Bambam’s head.

“I love you too, babe. I love you like the bees love the flowers,” Jackson said, laughter evident in his voice.

“Ewww. So inappropriate, love,” Bambam said, smacking Jackson’s stomach, giggling.

They both laughed. They stayed in bed for some time before finally getting up to get ready to go to Jackson’s parents’ house for his Mom’s birthday.

~~

Jackson was startled by the ringing of his cellphone. He scrambled to get up and got his legs tangled in the sheets as he reached for the phone on his bedside table.

“Hello.”

“Ka-Yee,” the soft voice of his Mom came through the phone line. His Mom has always used his Chinese name and has never called him Jackson, as far as he can remember.

“Ma, how are you?” Jackson asked, clearly rattled that his Mom is calling him so early in the morning and also a little bit unsettled that he was just thinking about her and here she is, calling Jackson.

“Ka-Yee, I should be the one asking you that. How are you?” his Mom asked, her tone soothing and calming Jackson, just like the rain still steadily falling outside.

“I’m fine, Ma.” Jackson inhaled, taking in a deep breath. He has never been able to lie to his mother.

“Don’t pretend you are fine when you’re not, Ka-Yee. Not with me. I know y