Patience and Affection

#25 - ❝An Unexpected Arrival❞

The night was calm, with the gentle breeze carrying the distant hum of activity from the campus. The day had been long, and as the evening drew near, the exhaustion was beginning to settle in. Maxwell glanced at his watch as he stood outside the Psychology building, waiting for Rhiannon. The campus was quieter now, the energy from earlier events dissipating into the night air.

"Gusto ko sanang samahan ka, pero kailangan ko pang tapusin 'to," Rhiannon said, looking slightly apologetic as she glanced at the paperwork in her hands. The SSG President had been swamped with responsibilities all day, and it seemed the evening was no exception.

Maxwell sighed, but he understood. "Okay lang, Rhian. Kaso lang... gusto ko pa naman sanang makasama ka." His voice was soft, almost wistful.

Rhiannon smiled at him, her expression softening. "Wayne is waiting for you. Paalam mo na lang sa kanya na nagpaalam ako. Siguradong gusto rin niyang makasama ka."

Maxwell hesitated but then nodded, knowing she was right. He looked around, hoping to see Wayne approaching.

"Rhian, pwede ba ako magtanong ng pabor?" Maxwell asked as he bit his lip, feeling a little anxious.

"Sure, ano 'yun?" Rhiannon replied, curious.

"Pwede bang sabihin mo kay Sébastien na bantayan ka muna? Alam kong miss ka na niya," Maxwell said with a small smile, knowing that Sébastien was likely frustrated without her around.

Rhiannon chuckled softly. "Ako na nga ang tutor, ako pa ang papabantayan. Pero sige, I’ll tell him."

Maxwell's smile grew wider as he nodded, feeling a bit more at ease knowing that Sébastien would be around to keep an eye on Rhiannon. He glanced over to where Wayne was standing, a little distance away, looking slightly lost in thought.

"Maxwell, puntahan mo na si Wayne. He’s waiting," Rhiannon gently urged, giving him a small push in Wayne’s direction.

Maxwell gave her a quick hug. "Ingat ka, ha? At huwag ka masyadong magpaka-stress."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes but smiled, "Ako pa ba? Sige na, lakad na."

As Maxwell walked towards Wayne, he could feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The cool evening air felt refreshing as he reached Wayne, who gave him a small, welcoming smile.

"Bakit ang tagal?" Wayne teased lightly, though his tone was gentle.

"Si Rhian kasi, may kailangan pa raw tapusin," Maxwell replied, slipping his hand into Wayne’s.

Wayne squeezed his hand gently. "Ayos lang. Basta't magkasama tayo."

As they started walking, Maxwell glanced back once more at Rhiannon, who was now busy organizing her papers. He couldn't help but feel a pang of concern, but he trusted Sébastien to keep her company.

"Sabi nga pala ni Rhiannon, pauwi raw yung exchange student from China ngayon. She’s supposed to pick him up," Maxwell mentioned as they continued down the path.

"Talaga? Kasama si Sébastien?" Wayne asked, raising an eyebrow.

Maxwell nodded. "Oo, pero hindi ko pa alam kung sino yung student na 'yun."

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Meanwhile, back at the SSG office, Rhiannon finished the last of her tasks for the night. She stretched her arms, feeling the strain of the long day beginning to catch up with her. Sébastien appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a lopsided grin.

"Napagod ka ba sa trabaho, boss?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Rhiannon shot him a look but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Masyado kang nag-enjoy sa break mo. Balik ka na dito."

Sébastien laughed, pushing off the doorframe and walking towards her. "Tutal, nag-request si Maxwell na bantayan kita, dito lang ako."

Rhiannon shook her head but was secretly grateful for his presence. "Sige na, huwag kang magpabibo diyan. Kailangan ko pang pumunta sa airport para sunduin yung exchange student."

Sébastien’s playful demeanor softened slightly as he nodded. "Sasamahan kita. Para naman may kang kasamang pogi."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes again but appreciated the gesture. "Baka nga magamit ko yang papogi mong yan."

As they headed out of the campus and towards the car waiting to take them to the airport, Rhiannon couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation. There was something about this exchange student that made her feel uneasy, though she couldn’t quite place it.

They arrived at the airport, the terminal bustling with people despite the late hour. Rhiannon checked her watch, noting that the flight should have landed by now. She glanced around, scanning the arrivals area for any sign of the student.

"May picture ka ba nung susunduin natin?" Sébastien asked, his eyes also scanning the crowd.

Rhiannon shook her head. "Wala eh, pero sabi nila madali siyang makikilala."

As they waited, Rhiannon couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of curiosity. Who was this student, and why did she feel like this was more significant than just a routine pickup?

After a few more minutes of waiting, the crowd began to thin, and finally, Rhiannon spotted someone who looked like they were searching for something—or someone. The figure was tall, with dark hair and a look of quiet confidence.

“That’s got to be him,” Rhiannon murmured to Sébastien, who nodded in agreement.

As they approached, the student’s eyes met Rhiannon’s, and she felt a strange sense of familiarity. But before she could place where she might have seen him before, the student broke into a smile.

"Rhiannon Hong?" the student asked, his voice warm but tinged with something deeper.

"Yes, that’s me," Rhiannon replied, extending her hand.

The student shook her hand, his grip firm. "It’s been a long time… Maxwell didn’t mention that you’d be the one picking me up."

Rhiannon’s eyes widened slightly in recognition, the pieces suddenly clicking into place. The student wasn’t just anyone; he was someone who had once been very close to Maxwell, someone who Maxwell hadn’t mentioned in a long time.

Sébastien looked between the two, sensing the sudden tension. "Mukhang kilala ka niya, Rhian."

Rhiannon nodded, her mind racing. She didn’t know what this meant for Maxwell or how this would change things, but one thing was certain—this exchange student’s arrival was going to stir things up in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

As they escorted the student to the car, Rhiannon couldn’t help but wonder how Maxwell would react when he found out who had just returned to his life.

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