MaiDen One Shots by poutylipschinita

ii. PATIENCE

Its just one of those nights where we sat in their front porch, as the stargazer she is, we were just looking up to the sky. I can't believe I'm able to meet a person whose silence is very comforting for someone who knows chaos and loudness all of his life. Silence every now and then, isn't bad after all. 

In the midst of our silence, she quietly talked, "In my daughter's 18th birthday, I'm going to name a star after her." 

"Are you saying that because we just watched The Notebook?" I asked. 

"No, I always wanted a star even before I saw that movie. I think I don't have to capability to do it now so I'm going to save it for my daughter." She timidly smiled and looked at me.

 How can you not love this person? I like how her smiles reaches her eyes, I like it how I secretly run my fingers through her hair when she's sleeping and god, her eyes! Her eyes speaks a thousand words I cannot fathom. Its like I'm under a spell whenever I look at her. That's not all, she's a good daughter, she's her siblings' best friend, she's a true ally to her friends. She is a selfless person because she put other people's needs before hers. No one would expect that a guy like me who has been in the industry since childhood would fall for someone as simple as her. Is this what they really called love? Everyday seemed like you're in a cloud 9? Is this it?

But why her? As I stare to her face right now, not minding that I may be late for my tv shooting tomorrow, I can't help but ask, why her? Out of all the thousands of girls I meet at every mall shows I do, the hundreds of beautiful and elegant ladies surrounding me in the industry, why her? Why does it have to be her who's fighting for her life at a young age. She can only dream of giving her daughter a gift, she can only dream her own wedding, she can only dream her dream of having her own version of her family.

"What's wrong RJ?" She worriedly asked, maybe I was staring too long. I don't want to cry in front of her, it will just bring her more pain. 

"Nothing, I just miss running my fingers through you hair." My excuse.

 "I'm sorry, I promise I will survive this and let my hair grow as long as you want." She flashed my favorite smile of hers. That's one of the reasons I wake up everyday. I wake up everyday just to see her smile. 

"I think you should go now, you still have an early shoot tomorrow before Eat Bulaga, say hi to the dabarkads for me, okay?" She said. 

"Are you sure you want me to leave already?" I asked. 

"Yes, thank you for visiting me. "

You know, I visit whenever I can. Watch Eat Bulaga tomorrow okay? There's starting a new segment so don't miss it." I started to walk away. 

"Chard.." She rarely calls me by my other nickname, I don't know what to expect. I turned around and I was surprised to receive a warm hug from a very pale girl. 

"Happy Birthday! I love you." That was the last words she said before she lost consciousness.

Its Day 165 and Maine Mendoza is still in her hospital bed, still fighting for her family, for her fans, for her dreams, for her life. 

She's was diagnosed of stage 3 cervical cancer in the middle of  July 2017, she was still the most in-demand actress with additional commercial contracts, on-going shoots for the new MMFF movie entry with me, new teleserye on the making but still the humble and energetic Yaya Dub we met when she was still starting. Everything was perfect before she knew her condition. It felt like she lost everything she worked hard for but despite of her sickness, she was still happy. We didn't have any idea that she was going through something until one day, she lost consciousness in the middle of our dance number  in Eat Bulaga. Everyone was worried of course, but her condition was kept secret not until  she was hospitalised. 

Everyday, her fans would flock in front of the hospital, bearing fruits, flowers, and prayers. 

Everyday, I would see one member of her family, teary-eyed whenever they see Maine lying on the bed.

 Everyday, I would flash her favorite smile and show my dimples whenever she's awake even in a few minutes. Its just so unfair. She said I love you to me on my 25th birthday. I don't know if I should  be happy that she finally said those words to me or be worriedly scared that I was the first one to see her like that.  

Everyday, I'm waiting. I'm waiting to say I love you too to a healthy Maine and finally claim her my girlfriend. 

I'm waiting Maine, I'm waiting..