Patience and Affection

#37 - ❝The Morning Goodbye❞

The sun had barely risen when Maxwell and Wayne began packing their things, preparing to head back to the city. The cool morning air filled the room as Wayne zipped up his bag, glancing over at Maxwell, who was carefully folding the last of his clothes.

"Handa ka na ba?" Wayne asked, his tone neutral but his eyes soft as he watched his boyfriend.

Maxwell nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oo, pero... parang hindi pa ako handa na umalis," he admitted, his voice tinged with reluctance. "Gusto ko pa sana mag-stay."

Wayne chuckled softly, moving closer to Maxwell. "Alam ko. Pero kailangan na natin bumalik," he said, gently brushing a strand of hair away from Maxwell's face. "May klase na ulit bukas."

Maxwell sighed, knowing Wayne was right. "Oo nga," he muttered, slipping the last of his clothes into his bag and zipping it up. "Pero nag-enjoy talaga ako dito, Wayne. Salamat sa pagdala sa akin."

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Wayne's lips. "Hindi ako ang dapat pasalamatan," he said. "Si Mama ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito."

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Just as he spoke, the door burst open, and Wayne's mother, with her usual flair for drama, entered the room. "Naku, mga anak, handa na ba kayong umalis?" she asked, her voice full of emotion. Her eyes immediately sought out Maxwell, and without warning, she enveloped him in a tight hug.

"Ay! Tita!" Maxwell exclaimed, surprised by the sudden embrace but laughing nonetheless. He returned the hug, feeling the warmth and affection radiating from Wayne's mother. "Salamat po sa lahat. Sobrang saya ko po rito."

"Ikaw talaga, Maxwell," she said, her voice thick with emotion as she squeezed him tighter. "Ang bait mo at napakabuti mong tao. Kaya nga masaya ako na nandito ka para kay Wayne."

Maxwell blushed slightly, his eyes flicking over to Wayne, who was watching the scene with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Tita, kayo naman," Maxwell replied bashfully, trying to ease out of the hug but finding it difficult with Wayne's mother clinging to him.

Wayne finally intervened, stepping closer. "Mama, tama na 'yan," he said, a hint of annoyance in his tone as he tried to pry his mother off Maxwell. "Kailangan na naming umalis. Baka mahuli kami ng flight."

Wayne's mother finally let go, but not without planting a kiss on Maxwell's cheek. "Ingat kayo, ha? At Maxwell, alagaan mo si Wayne. Alam kong hindi siya madalas magsalita, pero alam ko, mahal na mahal ka niya."

Maxwell, cheeks flushing red, could only nod in response. "Opo, tita. I'll take care of him," he promised, glancing over at Wayne with a smile that made the latter's heart skip a beat.

Wayne sighed, shaking his head slightly but unable to suppress the small smile that crept onto his face. "Sige na, Ma. Magpaalam ka na. Kailangan na talaga naming umalis."

Wayne's mother finally relented, giving them both one last look of motherly concern before nodding. "O, sige. Mag-ingat kayo," she said softly, stepping aside to let them pass. "At Wayne, sumulat ka naman paminsan. Huwag puro text lang. Gusto ko ng sulat."

"Oo na, Ma," Wayne replied, rolling his eyes good-naturedly as he and Maxwell finally made their way out of the room. "Mag-iingat kami."

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As they walked out of the house and towards the waiting car, Maxwell couldn't help but glance back at Wayne's mother, who stood in the doorway, waving until they were out of sight.

"Ang sweet ng Mama mo," Maxwell said once they were inside the car, buckling his seatbelt.

"She's too much sometimes," Wayne grumbled, though the fondness in his voice was undeniable. He started the car and began driving towards the airport, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the landscape.

As the car cruised along the highway, the silence between them was comfortable, filled with the quiet understanding that had grown between them over time. Maxwell leaned his head against the window, watching the scenery pass by, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Alam mo, Wayne," Maxwell began softly, "I think your mom likes me more than she likes you."

Wayne glanced over at him, a smirk forming on his lips. "No surprise there," he replied, his tone teasing. "Everyone likes you."

Maxwell chuckled, reaching over to lightly punch Wayne's arm. "Hindi naman totoo 'yan," he said. "Pero seriously, Wayne. Thank you. For everything."

Wayne's expression softened as he glanced at Maxwell, his eyes filled with something deep and unspoken. "Walang anuman, Maxwell," he replied quietly. "I'm just glad you're here."

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They continued driving in silence, the city slowly coming into view as they neared the airport. As they approached their destination, Maxwell couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at leaving this place, where he had felt so much warmth and acceptance.

But as he looked over at Wayne, who was focused on the road but reached out to hold Maxwell's hand, he knew that no matter where they were, as long as they were together, he was home.

As they pulled into the airport parking lot, Wayne finally broke the silence. "Ready ka na?"

Maxwell nodded, squeezing Wayne's hand gently. "Ready," he replied, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's go home."

And with that, they stepped out of the car, ready to face whatever awaited them back in the city—together.

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