Patience and Affection

#5 - ❝A Moment Of Realization❞

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Maxwell’s room, casting soft rays of light across his bed. It was a lazy Sunday, a rare day off from classes, and Maxwell felt no rush to get up. He stretched out, savoring the comfort of his bed, but then his phone buzzed on the bedside table, reminding him of his plans for the day.

“Uy, Max! Huwag mong kalimutan, may lakad tayo ngayon!”

The text from Rhiannon was simple, but it was enough to get Maxwell moving. He had promised to accompany her to the mall to pick up some materials for her architecture project.

“On my way,” Maxwell replied, quickly getting dressed. He had always enjoyed hanging out with Rhiannon, and today was no different. Besides, a day at the mall sounded like a good way to relax.

By the time Maxwell arrived at Rhiannon’s dorm, she was already waiting outside, looking as vibrant as ever. She wore a casual outfit, her long hair tied up in a high ponytail, and a bag slung over her shoulder.

“Let’s go!” Rhiannon greeted him with a bright smile, ready to start their day. “Kailangan ko talagang bumili ng mga materials para sa plates at diorama ko. Thanks for coming with me.”

“No problem,” Maxwell replied, matching her enthusiasm. “Besides, it’s not like I had anything else planned today. Mall day sounds fun.”

They chatted easily as they made their way to the mall, the conversation flowing effortlessly between them. Maxwell loved how comfortable he felt around Rhiannon—she had a way of making everything seem light and easy, no matter how stressful things got.

When they reached the mall, the two of them headed straight for the art supplies store. The aisles were filled with rows of paint, brushes, and various tools for creative projects. Rhiannon immediately began browsing through the shelves, her eyes scanning for what she needed.

“Max, help me find the best quality foam boards,” Rhiannon said, her voice muffled slightly as she peered into a lower shelf. “Kailangan ko yung matibay, pero hindi naman super mahal.”

Maxwell chuckled, moving to help her. “Got it. Let’s see what we can find.”

They spent the next hour gathering materials—Rhiannon meticulously checking each item while Maxwell offered his opinions and occasionally made jokes to keep the mood light. It was fun, in a way, seeing Rhiannon so focused on her work. She was passionate about architecture, and it showed in the way she carefully selected each material.

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Once they had everything they needed, they decided to grab lunch at a nearby restaurant. The place was cozy, with a relaxed atmosphere that suited their leisurely pace. They ordered their food and settled into a comfortable booth, continuing their conversation as they waited.

“So, Rhian,” Maxwell began, twirling a straw between his fingers, “how’s everything going with your plates? Mukhang madami ka pa talagang gagawin.”

Rhiannon nodded, leaning back in her seat. “Yeah, it’s a lot, pero sanay na ako. You know me—I thrive under pressure.” She grinned, but then her expression softened as she looked at Maxwell. “How about you? How’s everything with Wayne?”

Maxwell blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in topic. “Wayne? Bakit? Everything’s fine, I guess. We’ve been hanging out more lately, and—”

Before he could finish, Rhiannon leaned forward, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Max, kilala kita. I’ve noticed how you’ve been acting around Wayne. Are you sure ‘fine’ lang talaga ang nararamdaman mo?”

Maxwell felt a slight blush creep up his neck, caught off guard by Rhiannon’s observation. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

Rhiannon chuckled, enjoying his flustered reaction. “Come on, Max. Alam kong close na kayo ni Wayne. And that’s great, but... have you ever thought na baka iba na yung nararamdaman mo para sa kanya?”

Maxwell’s mind raced as he tried to process what she was saying. He had always seen Wayne as a good friend—serious, reliable, and someone he could count on. But as Rhiannon’s words sank in, he began to wonder if there was something more to the way he felt about Wayne.

“You mean... like, a crush?” Maxwell asked slowly, as if testing the idea in his mind.

Rhiannon nodded, her smile softening into something more sincere. “Yes, Max. I think you might have a crush on Wayne. And that’s okay. I just want you to be honest with yourself.”

Maxwell looked down at his hands, his thoughts swirling. Had he really developed feelings for Wayne? The idea hadn’t even crossed his mind before, but now that Rhiannon had mentioned it, he couldn’t deny the possibility.

He thought about the little things—how he looked forward to spending time with Wayne, how his heart seemed to beat just a little faster whenever Wayne was around. And then there was the way he felt a pang of jealousy when Lily had started getting close to Wayne, something he had brushed off as concern for a friend.

“Maybe... maybe you’re right,” Maxwell admitted, his voice quiet. “I never really thought about it like that before, but... now that you mentioned it, parang may sense yung sinasabi mo.”

Rhiannon reached across the table and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, Max. It’s normal to have feelings for someone you’re close to. And if it turns out that you do like Wayne, then that’s something you can figure out as you go.”

Maxwell nodded, feeling a strange mix of emotions—surprise, confusion, and a hint of something that felt a lot like excitement. The idea that he might actually have a crush on Wayne was new and a little scary, but it was also something he couldn’t ignore.

“Thanks, Rhian,” Maxwell said, offering her a small smile. “I think I needed to hear that.”

Rhiannon returned his smile, her eyes shining with understanding. “Anytime, Max. Alam mo naman, I’m always here to help you figure things out. And whatever happens, I’m sure everything will work out for the best.”

As they continued their lunch, the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, but the thought of Wayne lingered in Maxwell’s mind. He couldn’t shake the realization that maybe, just maybe, his feelings for his friend were more than what he had originally thought.

After they finished eating, they spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through the mall, window shopping and enjoying each other’s company. But no matter what they did, Maxwell couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation they’d had at lunch.

By the time they left the mall and headed back to their dorms, Maxwell felt like something had shifted inside him. He wasn’t sure what to do with this new realization, but he knew one thing for certain—he needed to figure out what his feelings for Wayne truly meant, and what, if anything, he should do about them.

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