ASYMPTOTES

Chapter 6.2

She was enjoying herself way too much. The stranger on the other end of the line was making her laugh. She loves the fact that they know nothing about each other yet they talk about a lot of things. In fact, it was nearly 5 AM when they stopped talking. When she put down the phone, she had a huge smile on her face.

For the next 5 months, the phone calls became their nightly habit. He would call at 1 AM and they'd end up at around 3 AM. They agreed on giving each other at least a 2-hour sleep.

They talk about anything and everything. One night, she whined about how difficult it is to cook paella and he willingly shared with her his mother's recipe. A week ago, he was telling her what happened during his basketball game and she listened with such focus and attention even though she had never witnessed a real one all her life.

The funny thing about it is, they still do not know each other's names. They haven't exchanged cellphone numbers or any other personal information. To this day, they remained strangers.

For Maine, it is just what she wanted-an uncomplicated human interaction. For Richard, it gave him anonymity. He knows he was accepted for the person that he is and not because he is a celebrity.

Her phone rang at exactly one in the morning and she picked up almost immediately. She had been feeling particularly low all throughout the day. Something was bothering her and she could not put her finger on it.

"Hi," she answered weakly.

"O, matamlay ka yata?"

Upon hearing his voice, she realized what the problem was: she was falling for him.

She knew she couldn't let it happen. When did he start breaking down her walls? How did he do it?

Right then and there, she knew she had to put a stop to whatever it is that they are doing.

"I need to tell you something. But before that, can you tell me your name please? Or kahit yung first letter na lang."

"Ang weird ng request mo pero sige, it's R. Yours?"

"M. Okay," she took a deep breath, "ganito kasi yun, R. I think we should stop."

"Stop what?"

"This! Whatever this is."

"Bakit? May nagawa ba 'ko?," his voice slightly changing in tone.

"Wala naman."

"Wala naman pala eh. I think hormonal ka lang."

"Pwede ba, seryoso ako. Please don't call me anymore pagkatapos nito."

"Teka nga sandali. Ano 'to?"

"I am not obliged to provide you with a reason. Basta ayoko na. Tapos."

"I know you're not obliged to give me one but you know I won't stop pestering you until you give it to me."

She had no choice.

"It's just that I think-,"

"Ano?," he cut her off, "That you're falling for me the same way that I'm falling for you? Ganun ba yun?"

Maine could not believe her ears. Is it possible for two people to fall in love without meeting each other?

"Wag kang patawa, uy. Hindi pa tayo nagkikita."

"Eh d magkita tayo! Yun lang ba? Pupuntahan kita ngayon. Sabihin mo kung nasaan ka, pupuntahan kita."

"Hindi pwede."

"Hindi pwede or ayaw mo? Kasi magkaiba yun."

"Ayoko kasi hindi pwede."

"Wow, ang labo," he sighed in frustration, "so ganun na lang? Bigla mo na lang sasabihin na tigilan na natin kasi ayaw mo na? Paano naman ako na gusto ko pa?"

"Huwag kang mag-drama diyan. Telepono lang 'to."

"Para sa'yo telepono lang, pero hindi mo alam how much I look forward to hearing your voice. Yung tipong pagod na pagod ako sa trabaho at sawang-sawa na sa panlalait ng ibang tao pero pagdating ng ala-una ng umaga, nawawala at limot ko lahat yun dahil kausap kita."

Maine squeezed her eyes shut. How does one respond to words like that? She decided not to say a word.

"Makinig ka na lang muna kung ayaw mo magsalita. Naalala mo yung first night na tumawag ako? Naglasing ako dahil kay Julie. Oo, Julie ang pangalan niya.

Alam mo kung bakit hindi ako naniniwala na kailangan magkita muna ang dalawang tao bago nila sabihin na mahal nila ang isa't isa? Gusto mong malaman kung bakt?

Kasi si Julie, ilang beses kami nagkita. Halos araw-araw magkasama kami. Pero hindi enough yun para mahalin niya 'ko.

Kaya please, huwag mong sabihin sa'kin na hindi kita pwedeng mahalin dahil hindi pa tayo nagkikita."

They were both crying now, but Maine knew she had to say something.

In between her sobs, she said, "Aalis na ako for New York in two days. We won't have this anymore."

"Huwag kang magsalita ng patapos. Magkikita din tayo, maybe not now, or tomorrow, but someday. You know why? Because what's meant to be will always, always find its way."

*****

A/N: Tweet me your violent & non-violent reactions. I'm @yowsapsap on Twitter.