Maybe

Chapter 18: Falling

Rachel was preparing a late lunch for them when she overheard Paul talking to someone at the patio.

     "Ohh. Okay, so kelan ka nga uuwi? Ah okay, so push through pa 'din sa plan natin or? Okay, good. Good. Sige, ingat ka sa biyahe. I can hardly wait," Paul.

     Rachel wondered, Who was he talking to on the phone? At anong plan 'yun?

     "Anak, kakain na,"Rachel called and saw Paul, "Paki tawag na 'din si P--yung Papa mo."

     Paul smirked before responding, "Opo, Ma."

     Richard finally came and the three of them ate in silence. A phrase replayed in Rachel's head, 'Follow your heart, Ma. Do whatever that makes you happy.' There, she knew.

     "Uhm.. Richard?"

     "Yeah?"

     "I-I was wondering if free ka sa March four, labas sana tayo?" Rachel hoped.

     Richard put his head down to hide a smile and showed her an arguable look instead, "March four? I'm so sorry Rachel pero meron kasi akong kliente sa araw na 'yun. Imporatante hindi ko mahihindian."

     Rachel was disappointed, not to mention it was her birthday. Did he forget? She tried to set that thought aside and just move forward, "Ah okay. Sige, next time na lang."

     Paul and Richard's eyes met as a way of communication. They knew.

     They were finishing their food when Rachel's phone rang, "Ay, sandali. Baka si Louise 'yun. Excuse me."

Rachel hurriedly grabbed her phone and answered it, "Hello, Anak?"

"Hi, Mama."

"Oh, ano? Makakauwi ka ba on the first week?" she asked with hope in her voice.

Louise sighed, "About that."

Rachel's mood changed, "Bakit? Kelan ka daw pwede umuwi?"

"Ma, sabi nila third week pa daw.. and that's the earliest they can allow me to," Louise.

     Rachel was disappointed but there was no use of letting her daughter know. She sighed, "Sige, anak. Okay lang," she gulped the lump in her throat, "Mag-iingat ka diyan ha?"

     "Ma.. okay lang ba talaga? If you want I can still resign from my clas--"

     "No, no, no. It's okay, Anak. Namimiss lang kita."

     "I do too, Mama," Louise.

     "Sige anak, kumakain kasi kami when you called eh," Rachel.

     "Oh, my bad. Pero, Ma, sorry talaga. Promise, babawi ako pag-uwi ko. I love you, Ma."

     "'No ka ba, okay lang 'yun. I'll just wait 'til you get home. I love you too, mag-iingat ka palagi diyan."

     "Ikaw 'din. Bye, Ma."

     "Bye, anak."

"Ano daw nangyari?" Richard.

"She said na third week pa daw siya uuwi eh," Rachel had a small frown.

"Miss mo na 'no?" Richard asked.

"Siyempre naman."

"She'll be back soon," he winked.

Rachel smiled and continued to finish her food.
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Rachel was having trouble picking out an outfit for tomorrow's event. The motif of the event is black, and the dress code is formal. She had a black, floor-length, sheath dress and another black but layered, long-sleeve dress. She smiled and made his way to the patio.

"Rich, are you busy?"

Richard smiled without turning around and thought, Did she just call me 'Rich' again instead of my whole first name?

"Hindi naman. Bakit?" Richard.

"Which one should I wear? This one?" she raises her right hand, "Or this one?" then her left.

"Parehas naman bagay sayo," but before she could say anything he caught himself off-guard, "But anyways.. hmm.. I think that sheath dress would be perfect," he smiled.

Rachel was smiling, trying not to giggle because of the kilig she unexpectedly acquired, "Okay, noted. Thanks."

"No problem. Ay Rach," Richard.

     "Oh?"

     "Papasama sana ako sayo mamaya," Richard asked.

     "Saan tayo pupunta?"

     "Sa office lang. Jen called and she said I need to sign something before tomorrow."

     "Okay, sige I'll go. Mamaya pa naman diba?"

      "Yeah," he smiled, "Thanks, Rach," he winked.
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Hello!
     Sorry. I know sabaw nanaman or bitin yung update. Sorry, I've been busy recently—I'll announce why when the time comes—and I just haven't found time to update properly. Still, thank you for the votes, comments, etc. keep it coming. It means much more than you know 💖 Thanks! Feedbacks are welcome.

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- E.