Patience and Affection

#41 - ❝The Morning After❞

The sun was barely peeking through the curtains when Maxwell woke up, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he recalled the previous night. Wayne’s kiss during the fireworks display had left his heart fluttering. It was a moment he’d been replaying over and over in his head, a memory he wanted to savor for as long as possible.

Maxwell stretched lazily in bed before checking his phone. A few messages had already popped up on his notifications, most of them from his friends. He knew what was coming, and yet, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness.

As soon as he stepped into the cafeteria for breakfast, he was greeted by a chorus of teasing voices.

“Oooh, here he is! The man of the hour!” Isabel sang out, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm as she waved Maxwell over to their usual table.

Rhiannon, who was already seated with Andrea and Scarlett, grinned at him. “So, Maxwell, paano yung kagabi? Akala mo hindi namin nakita, ha?”

Maxwell blushed, feeling his face heat up as he approached them. He knew there was no escaping the teasing, especially not from this group. “Ano ba? Pwede ba kayong tumigil? Di naman ganun ka-big deal…”

“Oh, come on, Max!” Andrea leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “We all saw it. Wayne kissed you, right there in front of everyone! Tapos sasabihin mo na hindi big deal?”

Scarlett, who was usually the voice of reason, couldn’t resist joining in. “Hindi ka na makakalusot, Max. Kaya spill the details. Gaano katagal yung halik? Was it fireworks-worthy?”

Maxwell groaned, covering his face with his hands as he sat down. “Grabe naman kayo. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit kayo ganyan.”

Rhiannon chuckled, reaching out to pat Maxwell on the back. “Relax ka lang. We’re just happy for you. Besides, it’s not every day na nakikita namin na ganyan si Wayne. He’s usually so serious and aloof, pero kagabi, he really looked like he couldn’t hold back anymore.”

Maxwell’s heart swelled at Rhiannon’s words. The memory of Wayne pulling him close, the way he had gazed into his eyes before closing the distance between them—it was something Maxwell would treasure forever.

“Okay, fine,” Maxwell finally conceded, dropping his hands from his face and letting out a shy smile. “It was… magical, I guess. Parang everything around us disappeared for a moment. And then, when he kissed me… I don’t know, it just felt right.”

Isabel let out a dramatic sigh, clasping her hands together. “Ang sweet naman! Parang sa pelikula lang.”

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“Ang tanong ngayon,” Andrea interjected, “what happens next? I mean, where do you guys stand now?”

Maxwell paused, the question catching him off guard. He hadn’t really thought about it. The kiss had been so sudden, so unexpected, that he hadn’t considered what it might mean for their relationship moving forward.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko pa alam,” Maxwell admitted. “We haven’t really talked about it yet. Pero I’m hoping… maybe this is the start of something more?”

Scarlett nodded thoughtfully. “Well, whatever happens, just remember to take it one step at a time. You don’t have to rush into anything.”

Rhiannon smiled warmly at Maxwell. “Tama si Scarlett. But whatever happens, nandito lang kami for you. Wayne is a good guy, and if anyone deserves happiness, it’s you, Maxwell.”

Maxwell’s heart swelled with gratitude as he looked around at his friends. He knew that, no matter what the future held, he had a support system that would stand by him through thick and thin.

“Thanks, guys,” he said softly, feeling a wave of emotion wash over him. “I really appreciate it.”

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Just as the teasing subsided, Wayne appeared in the cafeteria, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Maxwell. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he made his way over to their table.

Maxwell’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t help but notice the way Wayne’s gaze softened when he looked at him, the same way it had the night before.

Wayne reached their table and greeted everyone with a nod before turning to Maxwell. “Good morning,” he said, his voice low and warm.

Maxwell smiled up at him. “Good morning.”

Rhiannon, ever the matchmaker, couldn’t resist one last jab. “Oh, look at that. Magkasama na naman sila. Mukhang hindi na talaga mapaghiwalay.”

Wayne shot her a playful glare. “Ikaw talaga, Rhiannon. Always stirring the pot.”

Rhiannon raised her hands in mock surrender. “Just calling it like I see it, Wayne.”

Maxwell chuckled, feeling the tension melt away as he stood up from his seat. “Come on, Wayne. Let’s get some breakfast.”

As they walked away from the table, Maxwell felt Wayne’s hand brush against his own. It was a small gesture, but it sent a thrill of excitement through him.

For now, everything felt perfect. The future was uncertain, but as long as he had Wayne by his side—and the unwavering support of his friends—Maxwell knew he could face whatever came next.

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