Somewhere Beyond

Part One: Time Flies

January 24, 2020 4:58 A.M.

"He would still come, right? He'll be here at five. Right?"

Tousled hair, damp cheeks and a single tear-stained letter. Nicomaine would sob quietly as she sits and waits on the balcony floor. Sometimes, she would just get lost in thought as the dark indigo skies get painted with hues of bright blue. Before, she would only be like this every 24th of the month. But now, she waits everyday, and everyday, she would think back to the times when she had him, when they still had their forever.

---

November 24, 2018 5:02 A.M.

"Good morning, Meng!" RJ peeks through the steel bars of Maine's balcony as he places a bag of bread on the floor, and a carnation bouquet in his other hand. He climbs up and is met by his girlfriend's excited hug.

"Jusko po, Nicomaine! Balak mo ba akong patayin? Muntik na ako mahulog ah!" His eyes widen but he can't help but let out a chuckle.

The love of his life is right in front of him, looking like she just got out of bed. Puffy eyes, dark circles, an itchy nose, her lips looking ever so luscious. God, he hopes and prays that he could wake up to this everyday.

Maine's expression changes as she crosses her arms across her chest. "You're late."

RJ looks at his watch, sandwiched between his rosary and Puca shell bracelets. "Three minutes lang! Look oh, 5:03 A.M. Round off mo, 5 o'clock pa rin yun!" He pinches her nose.

"Ugh, fine." Her expression changes she hugs the living daylight out of him.

"Happy anniversary, love!"

"Ha.. ppy... Annivers.. ary..." RJ chokes out.

"Oops, sorry love! Na-excite lang talaga ako."

"Okay lang, love. Alam ko naman namiss mo 'ko eh." And he earns a punch on his arm. "Namiss din naman kita. Lika nga dito."

He pulls Maine into a tight but comfortable hug once again, and he kisses her hair. What if he could stay like this forever? What if God finally grants him his only wish, his only plea, and his only prayer?

"I love you, Nicomaine. Please always remember that."

"I love you, too, Richard. Ikaw lang."

Her last two words hurt his heart like hell. He felt a lump in his throat as he fought back his tears, looking up to stop them from falling.

"Talaga? Ako lang talaga?"

"Oo naman! Ikaw lang. Period."

"Paano kung may makilala ka na mas okay kaysa sa'kin?"

"Lakompake. Ikaw lang."

"Paano kung iwan kita? Pagpalit kita?"

"Ano ba, love! Mamaya ka na mag-joke, ang aga pa oh."

"So ano nga? Mamahalin mo pa rin ako?"

"Always. Ikaw lang. Ikaw. Lang."

It felt like a sharp knife was digging deeper in his heart as she repeated those two words.

It would break her, RJ thought to himself. God, it would break her. If you won't grant my prayer, please... Just don't let her strong heart falter.

"Ikaw.." Maine started as she buried her face deeper in his chest. "At ako..."

"Tayong dalawa."