Maybe

Chapter 16: The Beginning

They arrived at home at nearly midnight. Richard saw an envelope sitting on the countertop. I'll come back to that later - Richard

Richard carried Rachel into her room since he didn't want to disturb her slumber. He went downstairs and looked at the envelope. It was from Louise.

To My Ever Dearest Superwoman.

He didn't bother to open the envelope but, instead, Richard put the pastel purple envelope on the nightstand in Rachel's room.
----------------------------------------------------

     Saturday morning. Rachel woke up. She told herself, This is it. This is the start. You have to do your best to be happy, Rachel. Kaya mo 'to. She turned around and her head started to throb a bit. Rachel saw the envelope on her nightstand. She picked it up and opened it.

     To my dearest Mama..

     Mama,
             Hi Ma! Sorry I'm not home yet. I'm assuming this will arrive late, surely na-discharge ka na from the hospital. But I hope you're doing well. Pinag-alala ninyo ako ni Papa, lalo na wala ako diyan tapos opposite na opposite pa yung oras. Sana maging okay na kayo ni Papa, I mean kasi halata naman na yung amor ninyong dalawa sa isa't isa never really went away. And I want you to be happy. Not Papa, not anybody else, but you. You deserve it. ❤️ Love you!

Love, your little girl,
     Louise :)

     Rachel smiled and texted Louise:

Just now got the card. Thanks, Anak. Ang aga-aga dito, you already made me smile. Have nice day, my love. I love you. 😘

     She made her way downstairs, wincing from time to time. Rachel saw Richard finishing up their breakfast in the kitchen, "Oh gising ka na pala. Have a seat, I'm almost done."

     "Yeah. Good morning, Rich," she gave him a queasy smile.

     Richard put the sinangag on the table and approached her, "What's wrong? Masakit ulo mo?"

     She nodded, "Oo eh."

     He smiled and rubbed her back, "Wait her first, I'll make you some coffee. Okay?"

     Rachel smiled, "Okay, thank you."

     They ate breakfast and decided to have a movie marathon since Paul is still going home later in the evening. They watched several movies including 'Sana Maulit Muli'. While Richard fell asleep during the second half of the movie, he was still sensing Rachel crying at points.

Paul arrived and immediately went to his room to change. He knocked on his parents' door, "Mama?"

"Bukas."

He opened the door and he saw the lights off and his parents were on the bed, "How was your stay, Anak?"

Paul was still stunned towards what he's seeing but immediately answered, "I-It was okay. Lolo and Lola were asking if you're feeling well, I said yes."

"Did you have fun?"

"Yes, a lot. I talked to Ate by the way, she said baka mas matagalan daw siya dahil sa mga credits na gusto ng mga professors niya. Sorry daw," Paul.

"Ha? So hindi siya makakauwi by the first week of March?" Rachel.

"Hindi nga daw po eh. Sayang nga daw, may mamimiss siyang event na dapat pupuntahan naming dalawa."

Rachel's birthday was on the first week of March. Maybe Paul just misheard what Louise said, Rachel hoped. "Ah okay, I'll talk to her na lang later to clarify. Thanks, Anak. Go rest, late na. I'm sure pagod ka."

Paul smiled and gave her mom a quick hug, "Thanks, Ma," then Richard, "Pa."

Later on, Richard and Rachel also started to get ready for bed. As usual, Richard slept either in the sofa bed in Rachel's room or the guest room.

"Wala ka nang kailangan, Rach?"

"Wala na. Thank you, Richard," Rachel smiled at him, "Good night."

"Good night."
----------------------------------------------------

Yes, I know. This update is plain and short. I'm sorry but I've been currently busy with school and everything going on at once. Thank you for still supporting my story. I have a couple blank spaces/chapters that I'm willing to take requests for before I put in what I have in mind so please, please, please, please comment what you want on them and I'll be picking a few. Thank you again, don't forget to comment and vote, and have a marvelous day!

- E.