Patience and Affection

#48 - ❝Crossing Paths❞

The evening was quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling day that had just passed. Wayne held Maxwell's hand as they walked together towards Maxwell's dorm. The air was cool, and the stars above were beginning to peek out from the darkening sky. The gentle pressure of Wayne’s hand in his was a comfort to Maxwell, a silent assurance that, despite the complexities of the day, they had each other.

“Ang tahimik ng gabi,” Maxwell remarked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Oo nga,” Wayne replied, his thumb gently brushing over Maxwell’s knuckles. “Buti na lang, kasi gusto ko ng ganitong moments—yung tayo lang.”

Maxwell smiled at that, his heart warming at the sentiment. “Tayong dalawa lang, ha?” he teased lightly, though there was a hint of vulnerability in his tone.

Wayne gave a small smile, squeezing Maxwell's hand gently. “Walang iba.”

As they continued walking, the soft sound of their footsteps mingled with the distant hum of the campus settling down for the night. They were nearing the dorms when they saw two familiar figures up ahead. Isabel and Jaxxon were standing together, deep in conversation. From the dim light of the street lamps, Maxwell noticed Jaxxon’s hand loosely holding Isabel’s.

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However, as they drew closer, Isabel quickly pulled her hand away, a slight flush visible on her cheeks even in the low light. She straightened up, her usual composed expression slipping back into place.

“Wayne, Maxwell,” Isabel greeted, her tone neutral, though her eyes flickered nervously between them. “Hindi ko alam na nandito pa kayo.”

Wayne nodded slightly in acknowledgment. “Pauwi na rin. Kayo?”

“Just walking around,” Jaxxon replied smoothly, but there was something in his gaze that Maxwell couldn’t quite place. He looked at Wayne with a curious intensity before shifting his attention back to Isabel. “Anyway, it’s getting late. I should head back too.”

Isabel nodded, avoiding everyone’s gaze. “Sige, good night.”

“Good night,” Jaxxon said, giving them all a nod before turning to leave.

Wayne and Maxwell watched as Jaxxon walked away, a small tension hanging in the air. Maxwell couldn’t help but feel that there was more to what they had just witnessed, but he didn’t press it. Instead, he turned back to Isabel, who still seemed slightly on edge.

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“Kayo na ba ni Jaxxon?” Maxwell asked, a teasing note in his voice, though his eyes were full of curiosity.

Isabel’s lips twitched in a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “No. We’re just… figuring things out, I guess.”

Wayne raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. Instead, he gave a small nod of understanding. “Okay. Basta, ingat ka.”

Isabel nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at them. “Salamat. Kayo rin. Good night.”

As they parted ways, the tension in the air dissipated somewhat. Maxwell and Wayne continued their walk towards the dorm, the earlier serenity between them returning.

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“Nag-aalala ka ba kay Isabel?” Maxwell asked softly, his fingers still entwined with Wayne’s.

“A bit,” Wayne admitted, his gaze thoughtful. “Pero alam ko naman na kaya niya ang sarili niya. She’s strong.”

Maxwell nodded in agreement. “She is. Pero alam mo, minsan okay lang din na hindi strong all the time.”

Wayne looked at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re right. Pero ikaw, okay ka lang ba?”

Maxwell looked at Wayne, his heart swelling with affection. “I am. Kasi nandiyan ka.”

Wayne’s smile widened, and he stopped walking for a moment, turning to face Maxwell fully. “And I’ll always be here.”

Maxwell felt a surge of warmth spread through him at Wayne's words. He leaned in, his forehead resting against Wayne’s as he whispered, “Salamat.”

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Without another word, Wayne leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Maxwell's lips, the gesture filled with the unspoken promise of always being there for each other. It was a moment of quiet intimacy, one that neither of them wanted to end.

When they finally pulled apart, they resumed their walk, the dorm now just a few steps away. As they approached the entrance, Maxwell looked back at Wayne, his heart feeling lighter than it had all day.

“Good night, Wayne,” Maxwell said, his voice soft and full of warmth.

“Good night, Maxwell,” Wayne replied, his eyes holding the same warmth. “See you tomorrow.”

Maxwell gave him one last smile before heading inside, the door closing softly behind him. Wayne stood there for a moment longer, the ghost of a smile still on his lips as he turned and made his way back to his own dorm, the peaceful night wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

As he walked back alone, his thoughts drifted back to Isabel and Jaxxon. There was something there, something unspoken and complicated. But Wayne knew better than to meddle. Isabel was strong, like Maxwell had said, and she would figure things out in her own time.

For now, all that mattered to him was the warmth in his chest, the lingering taste of Maxwell on his lips, and the knowledge that they had many more nights like this to look forward to.

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