Patience and Affection

#47- ❝The Golden Shower❞

The afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the University of Santo Tomas. The ginkgo trees lining the Lover's Lane were in full bloom, their leaves turning a brilliant yellow, creating the breathtaking 'golden shower' effect as they fluttered down to the ground. The air was filled with the scent of the season, a mix of crisp leaves and the faint sweetness of nearby flowers. It was the perfect setting for a stroll, and Maxwell was keenly aware of how special this moment was.

"Alam mo ba," Maxwell began, his voice soft as they walked side by side, their footsteps in sync, "sinabi sa akin ni Rhiannon dati na kapag ang magkasintahan ay naglakad mula simula hanggang dulo ng Lover's Lane, magtatagal sila."

Wayne glanced at him, his expression as unreadable as ever, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Gano'n ba?" he replied, his voice low but tinged with interest. He kept his gaze ahead, but Maxwell could sense the slight shift in his demeanor.

"Oo," Maxwell nodded, smiling to himself. "Parang isang pamahiin na nagpasalin-salin na. Nakakatawa, 'di ba? Pero gusto ko 'yung ideya. Parang may magic sa simpleng paglalakad."

As they continued, the golden leaves fell around them like confetti at a celebration, some landing softly on their shoulders, others swirling in the gentle breeze before settling on the path. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them in a golden tunnel of leaves, the bustling university life a distant hum.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Maxwell felt his heart pound in his chest, each step bringing them closer to the end of the lane and to a moment he wasn't sure he was ready for, yet desperately wanted. Wayne, on the other hand, appeared calm, his strides steady and confident. But there was a tension in the air between them, something unspoken yet palpable.

"Wayne," Maxwell ventured, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. "Naalala mo ba nung una tayong nagkakilala? Hindi kita maintindihan noon. Pero ngayon…"

Wayne stopped walking, turning to face Maxwell fully. "Pero ngayon?" he prompted, his eyes searching Maxwell's face.

Maxwell swallowed, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "Pero ngayon, parang mas kilala na kita," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "At mas naiintindihan kita."

There was a pause, a heartbeat of silence where the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, without a word, Wayne took a step closer, his presence commanding, and yet there was a gentleness in his gaze that Maxwell hadn't seen before. Wayne reached out, his hand hesitating for a fraction of a second before he let it rest on Maxwell's cheek.

"Maxwell," Wayne murmured, his voice carrying an emotion that was new, even to him. "Alam mo bang matagal na rin kitang naiintindihan?"

Maxwell's breath caught in his throat as he felt the warmth of Wayne's touch, the sincerity in his words wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. "Wayne, ano ba 'to?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

Wayne didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned in, his eyes never leaving Maxwell's, as if searching for any sign of hesitation. When he found none, he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips softly against Maxwell's. The kiss was gentle at first, a tentative exploration, but it quickly deepened as if both had been waiting for this moment far longer than either would admit.

The golden leaves continued to fall around them, the world seeming to stand still as they lost themselves in each other. When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other as they tried to steady their racing hearts.

"Wayne," Maxwell whispered, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Parang totoo nga 'yung sinabi ni Rhiannon. Kasi pakiramdam ko, magtatagal tayo."

Wayne chuckled softly, a rare sound that made Maxwell's heart skip a beat. "Baka nga," he replied, his voice filled with a warmth that matched the golden light around them. "Pero kahit ano pa 'yung pamahiin na 'yon, ang mahalaga ay nandito tayo ngayon, magkasama."

Maxwell nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness. "Oo, Wayne. Nandito tayo, magkasama."

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

With one last look at the ginkgo leaves still falling around them, Wayne took Maxwell's hand, intertwining their fingers as they continued their walk. This time, there was no tension, no unspoken words. Just a comfortable silence filled with the promise of something more, something that would last beyond the golden leaves and the Lover's Lane.

As they reached the end of the lane, Wayne stopped once more, turning to Maxwell with a serious expression. "Maxwell, gusto kong malaman mo na… hindi ko 'to ginagawa dahil sa pamahiin. Ginagawa ko 'to dahil mahalaga ka sa akin."

Maxwell's heart swelled at Wayne's words, and he felt the tears finally escape. "Wayne, salamat," he replied, squeezing Wayne's hand tightly. "Mahalaga ka rin sa akin."

They stood there for a moment longer, basking in the golden light and the warmth of each other's presence. The Lover's Lane had done its magic, but it was the connection between them that truly made the moment special.

As they finally walked away from the lane, the ginkgo leaves continued to fall, but they knew that whatever happened next, they would face it together. And that was more than any superstition could ever promise.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃