Patience and Affection

#11 - ❝Unexpected Waiting❞

The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the campus cloaked in the soft hues of twilight. The usually bustling grounds were now quiet, with only a few students lingering here and there, finishing up their late-night studies or simply enjoying the calm before another busy day.

Wayne stood by the entrance of the Psychology Building, hands in his pockets as he leaned casually against the wall. He hadn't mentioned anything to Maxwell earlier, but something had compelled him to wait. Perhaps it was the thought of walking together again or just wanting to make sure Maxwell didn’t feel alone when he left for the evening. Either way, Wayne was there, and he didn’t mind the wait.

He checked his watch, noting that Maxwell’s last class should be ending any minute now. His thoughts drifted to the conversation he had with Rhiannon earlier in the day.

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Earlier that afternoon, Rhiannon had been rushing between classes and SSG duties when Wayne caught up with her.

“Rhiannon, sandali,” Wayne called out, causing her to stop and turn around, her expression a mix of urgency and curiosity.

“Wayne, ano 'yun?” she asked, a bit out of breath.

“Alam ko na busy ka, pero kailangan kitang tanungin ng isang bagay,” Wayne began, his tone serious.

Rhiannon sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Ano ba ‘yun? May kailangan ka ba? Medyo tight lang kasi ang schedule ko ngayon.”

“Alam ko,” Wayne replied, understanding her situation. “Actually, gusto ko sanang malaman kung sino maghihintay kay Maxwell mamaya. Wala kasi siyang nabanggit, pero naisip ko lang na baka wala siyang kasama pa-uwi.”

Rhiannon paused for a moment, considering Wayne’s question. “Dapat ako 'yun,” she admitted. “Pero naipit ako dito sa Architecture Building. Pinapakiusap kasi ako ng mga profs na turuan si Sébastien—alam mo naman, lagi siyang nasa listahan ng mga pasaway.”

Wayne nodded. “Oo, narinig ko nga 'yun. Pero kung kailangan mong tutukan 'yan, baka ako na lang ang maghintay kay Maxwell. Para makapag-focus ka kay Sébastien.”

Rhiannon looked at Wayne, a hint of relief in her eyes. “Salamat, Wayne. Kung pwede mong gawin 'yun, malaking tulong. Sabihin mo na lang kay Maxwell na hindi ako makakarating.”

“Walang problema,” Wayne assured her, before they parted ways.

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Now, standing outside the building, Wayne felt a sense of responsibility settle over him. It wasn’t just about doing a favor for Rhiannon—it was about being there for Maxwell, something he found himself wanting to do more often these days.

Finally, the doors of the Psychology Building opened, and students began to trickle out. Wayne straightened up, scanning the faces until he spotted Maxwell, who was walking out with a tired but contented expression.

Maxwell looked up and was momentarily surprised to see Wayne waiting for him. His surprise quickly turned into a smile, and he walked over to where Wayne was standing.

“Wayne? Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Maxwell asked, clearly not expecting to see him.

“Hinintay kita,” Wayne replied simply, his tone as calm as ever. “May kailangan akong sabihin.”

Maxwell’s curiosity was piqued. “Ano 'yun?”

“Si Rhiannon, hindi makakarating. Naipit siya sa pagtuturo kay Sébastien—kailangan daw siya ng mga professors,” Wayne explained. “Kaya ako na lang ang maghahatid sa 'yo.”

Maxwell blinked, surprised at Wayne’s thoughtfulness. “Hindi mo naman kailangang gawin 'yun, Wayne. Baka busy ka rin.”

“Okay lang,” Wayne reassured him. “Wala naman akong ibang gagawin. Mas okay na may kasama ka pa-uwi.”

Maxwell couldn’t help but feel a warm glow of appreciation. He hadn’t expected anyone to wait for him, least of all Wayne, who usually kept to himself. But there he was, calm and steady as always, ready to be there for him.

“Salamat, Wayne,” Maxwell said sincerely. “Ang bait mo talaga.”

Wayne shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. “Wala 'yun. Tara na?”

As they began walking, the campus was now bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights, casting long shadows across the pavement. The two of them walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night.

For a while, they walked in comfortable silence, the events of the day slowly unwinding in their minds. Maxwell occasionally glanced at Wayne, still amazed by the unexpected gesture. He had always known Wayne to be reliable, but this felt different—more personal, more deliberate.

“Nakakatuwa naman si Rhiannon,” Maxwell said after a while, breaking the silence. “Kahit sobrang busy niya, naisip pa rin niyang mag-ayos ng tutor para kay Sébastien. Ang hirap din ng ginagawa niya, no?”

“Talagang masipag si Rhiannon,” Wayne agreed. “Lagi niyang inuuna ‘yung ibang tao bago sarili niya. Pero kahit ganun, kailangan din niya ng tulong minsan.”

Maxwell nodded thoughtfully. “Tama ka. Siguro nga, minsan, kailangan nating maging andyan din para sa kanya, lalo na kung sobrang dami na ng ginagawa niya.”

Wayne’s expression softened. “Oo, importante na hindi lang siya ang palaging tumutulong. Kailangan din niyang maramdaman na may kasama siya, na hindi siya nag-iisa.”

Maxwell looked at Wayne, a deeper understanding forming between them. He realized that Wayne’s decision to wait for him wasn’t just a favor—it was a reflection of how much Wayne valued their friendship, and how much he cared.

As they continued walking, Maxwell felt a sense of comfort wash over him. Wayne’s presence was grounding, steady, and reliable. It was a feeling that made Maxwell’s heart swell with a mixture of gratitude and something else—something he wasn’t quite ready to name yet.

When they finally reached the point where they would part ways, Maxwell turned to Wayne with a smile. “Salamat ulit, Wayne. I really appreciate this.”

“Walang anuman,” Wayne replied, his tone warm. “Basta kung kailangan mo ng kasama, andito lang ako.”

Maxwell nodded, feeling the sincerity in Wayne’s words. “Same goes for you, Wayne. Kung may kailangan ka, nandito rin ako.”

With that, they parted ways, but the warmth of their conversation lingered in Maxwell’s heart long after. As he made his way back home, Maxwell couldn’t help but think about how much his feelings for Wayne had grown—how every little gesture, every moment they shared, only deepened the bond between them.

And as he lay in bed that night, Maxwell found himself smiling, thinking about Wayne and the simple, yet profound way he had shown he cared.

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