Patience and Affection

#34 - ❝Island Invitations❞

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Wayne's dorm room. He stretched lazily, savoring the rare feeling of relaxation after the intense exam weeks. The announcement of a vacation by Rhiannon had brought a wave of relief across the campus, and today was the first day everyone could truly unwind. Plus, the misunderstanding between them has been resolved.

Wayne's phone buzzed on the bedside table, interrupting his thoughts. He reached for it, smiling when he saw the familiar contact name flashing on the screen—his parents.

"Hello, Ma," Wayne answered, his voice soft with affection.

"Wayne, anak, kamusta ka na? Tapos na exams niyo?" His mother's voice was filled with warmth and a hint of concern.

"Oo, Ma. Tapos na lahat kahapon. Rhiannon announced a vacation for the students. Kaya medyo relaxed na kami ngayon," Wayne replied, his tone light.

"That's good to hear, anak. Pero may kailangan kaming sabihin sa'yo. Your dad and I were talking... and we were wondering if you could come home for a while. We miss you, Wayne."

Wayne felt a pang of guilt. It had been a while since he'd gone back to Palawan, and he knew his parents missed him. But there was something else he wanted to share, something important.

"Actually, Ma, I have something to tell you too," Wayne began, feeling his heart race slightly. "May boyfriend ako ngayon... His name is Maxwell."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before his mother responded, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Maxwell? The one you've been friends with for a long time?"

"Yes, Ma. Siya nga. We've been together for a while now," Wayne said, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought of Maxwell.

"Well, that's wonderful, anak. If you're happy, then we're happy too," his mother said, her voice warm and supportive. "In that case, bakit hindi mo siya isama dito sa Palawan? We'd love to meet him properly, as your boyfriend this time."

Wayne felt a surge of relief and happiness at his mother's words. "Talaga, Ma? That would be great! I'll ask Maxwell if he's available to come with me."

"Sige, anak. We'll prepare for your visit. We can't wait to see you, and to finally meet Maxwell."

After ending the call, Wayne lay back on his bed, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had never been this open about his relationship with his parents before, and now they were welcoming Maxwell with open arms. It felt surreal.

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Later that morning, Wayne found Maxwell sitting in the campus garden, reading a book. The sight of him, peaceful and content, made Wayne's heart swell with affection. He approached quietly, sitting down beside Maxwell, who looked up with a smile.

"Hey," Maxwell greeted him, marking his place in the book and setting it aside. "You look happy. Something good happened?"

Wayne nodded, his eyes sparkling. "I just talked to my parents. I told them about us."

Maxwell's eyes widened slightly, and he shifted to face Wayne more directly. "You did? How did they take it?"

"They were really supportive," Wayne replied, taking Maxwell's hand in his. "And they invited us to Palawan. They want you to come with me."

Maxwell blinked, a mix of surprise and warmth flooding his expression. "Really? They want me to come?"

"Yeah. They said they'd love to meet you as my boyfriend this time," Wayne said, squeezing Maxwell's hand gently. "What do you think?"

Maxwell's mind flashed back to the last time he had been to Palawan, during his first year of college. Rhiannon, Joshua, and Kaitlyn had invited him along for a vacation at their family's house there. It had been a beautiful experience—white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the warmth of the Hong family's hospitality. But this time, it would be different. This time, he would be going with Wayne, not just as friends, but as something more.

"I'd love to go," Maxwell finally said, his voice filled with excitement. "Palawan is beautiful, and I'd love to meet your parents properly."

Wayne smiled, leaning in to kiss Maxwell softly on the lips. "I'm glad. It's going to be amazing, I promise."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of excitement as Wayne and Maxwell began making plans for their trip. They talked about what to pack, where they would go, and the things they wanted to do together. Wayne could see the joy in Maxwell's eyes, and it made him even more eager to share his home with the person he loved.

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As evening approached, they found themselves sitting in a quiet corner of the campus, watching the sunset. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over everything.

"Alam mo, Wayne," Maxwell began, his voice soft, "I'm really looking forward to this trip. I've been to Palawan before, but this time... it feels different. Special."

Wayne nodded, his heart full. "It will be. We'll make new memories, just the two of us."

Maxwell leaned against Wayne, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Thank you for inviting me, Wayne. For sharing this part of your life with me."

"It's not just my life anymore, Max," Wayne said, wrapping an arm around Maxwell. "It's ours."

As they sat there, watching the last rays of the sun dip below the horizon, both Wayne and Maxwell felt a sense of peace and contentment. The journey ahead was uncertain, but they knew that as long as they were together, they could face anything.

Palawan awaited them, with its serene beaches and welcoming embrace. And for the first time, Wayne felt like he was truly going home—with Maxwell by his side.

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