moirai

leaving

Rj didn't know what to make of what he just heard. He'd had other relationships before but Maine was different. He didn't want to be away from her for more than their "normal" time apart which was when they were each at home or at work. He was complacent in knowing her whereabouts always. They would inform each other of their activities either via text or phone call.

Maine had been thinking about their eventual separation since she was informed of the assignment. She had never been separated from anyone and she didn't know how to feel about it. Growing up, she would always travel with her family or relatives. Whenever her parents would leave for trips, she would stay home, a very familiar place.

"2 months gid?" he finally asked, a tone of sadness in his voice

She nodded, hesitantly. He thought hard for a long while.

"I tried to negotiate for the time frame but they couldn't cut it down anymore..." she finally said to explain.

"Well....at least Bacolod lang na....1 hour lang from Manila.....and you'll be 'home'" naman didto..." Rj knew about Maine's hesitation and agitation of having to be separated from people close to her.

"May house kami to pero waay na si Lola or Lolo..."

"Di bala you have cousins who come here to Manila from Bacolod....family mo man sila..."

"Yes...but the ones I'm closer to are all here in Manila na man..."

He put an arm over her shoulder for a side hug. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Sige lang, Pangga....that's just 2 months....we can call and text each other man like we always do...mal-i mo, I can come over and visit you...."

She nodded, wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. He kissed the top of her head.

The weeks went by slowly. Maine got ready for her trip while Rj busied himself with work, trying not to think of the date of Maine's departure. They still did what they normally did after work. He would pick her up from work, they'd have dinner and hang out. They'd communicate via text, phone call or face time until they went to sleep. In the morning, Rj would send a "good morning" text that would give Maine a boost to her day. She would reply with a funny quote or a greeting that would brighten Rj's day.

Rj woke up earlier that Saturday morning. It was the day Maine was leaving for Bacolod. He had asked Tita MaryAnne if he could be the one to take Maine to the airport.

"Diri ka na breakfast then dungan na kamo to the airport."

Maine had never been far away from her family for more than a couple of days when she would hang out with her friends within Metro Manila or parts of Luzon which were accessible by land. Tita MaryAnne and Tito Teddy were also feeling a little bit anxious at being away from their baby girl for an extended period. But they knew that they had to let her grow. Besides, she would be in a place that was familiar to them. They knew a lot of people there so they already made the necessary phone calls to their friends and relatives in Bacolod to keep an eye out for Maine.

Rj arrived at Maine's house while Maine was still in the shower. He was lead into the den where he sat, fiddling with his phone while waiting for her to come down. When she finally did, she went straight to him and kissed him on the lips. He didn't want to let her go so he took the chance to give her a long kiss and pressed his lips more against hers. They shared a passionate kiss for a while until they heard a gentle knock on the door signalling them that breakfast was ready.

It was just like he was home as breakfast was served in the kitchen instead of the formal dining room. He sat beside Maine. They feasted on a typical Mendoza household breakfast of uga (dried fish), bas-oy (pork meat and innards soup), rice and scrambled eggs. There was also some puto Manapla and hot chocolate. These were nothing new to Rj although in his house, the chocolate and puto were served as a separate meal altogether.

They ate their breakfast in silence. The thought of their eventual separation was palpable. Rj kept on glancing at the wall clock across the table. Tito Teddy kept on clearing his throat while Tita MaryAnne kept on asking Yaya Maring for things that were already at the table or were answered previously. Yaya Maring, too, kept on going back and forth between the kitchen and the living room outside where Maine's suitcase was as if to check if her ward had packed everything she'd need (it's as if she wasn't the one who packed the suitcase in reality).

After breakfast, the family moved to the lanai and lounged around. Tita MaryAnne kept on repeating final instructions of relatives and friends to contact in Bacolod.

"Your Tita Teresing is there, don't forget to give her a call....also, ma-visit ka sa iban mo nga mga lolas and lolos didto ha....call us...text...."

"Yes Mom...I will..." Maine was sad and annoyed at hearing all these reminders that her mom had kept on repeating for the past days.

At around 9:30am, Rj checked his watch and signalled to Maine,

"Pangga, it's time to go...ma-traffic na..."

Everyone stood up and proceeded to the front door. They all walked across the front yard and out to the gate. Yaya Maring, with the help of the other maids, brought Maine's things to Rj's SUV. Rj, who had his arm around Maine as they walked out of the house, let go of Maine to help the helpers load Maine's luggage into his SUV. The drivers and helpers were all by the sidewalk as well to bid Maine goodbye. They too, felt the sadness of having their Menggay leave even if it were just for a short while. Maine gave a tight hug to her parents and to Yaya Maring who were all teary-eyed.

"I'll text as soon as I can..." she assured them.

"Yes, hija! Tawag ka man, ha?" Tito Teddy said.

"Your Tita...." Tita MaryAnne started...

"Abi MaryAnne, hipos na....kakulit na bala sa imo..."(....keep quiet....you're getting to be annoying....) Tito Teddy interjected which caused everyone to smile and chuckle.

Rj kissed both of Maine's parents before getting into the driver's side of the SUV.

Maine got into the passenger's side and rolled down her window.

"O, hijo....drive safely...." Tito Teddy reminded Rj

"Yes Tito" Rj replied.

"Bye!" Maine said tearfully as Rj started the engine and shifted gears.

"Halong kamo...." Yaya Maring said as they drove off.

The 30-minute drive to the airport seemed like forever to Maine and Rj. They barely spoke to each other. Maine looked out her window while Rj was concentrating on the road ahead. When they got to the airport, Rj parked the SUV and checked his watch.

"May oras pa..." he said and turned to Maine. "Pangga, don't forget to call or text me, ha?"

Maine was trying to hold back her tears so she just nodded and looked down, trying to avoid Rj's gaze. He held her chin, raised her face and gave Maine a long and deep kiss on the lips. After they kissed, they hugged each other tightly with Maine's face buried on Rj's neck.

"I have to go now..." Maine finally said which prompted Rj to hug her even tighter. "I'll call you as soon as mag-abot ko sa Bacolod. I promise" she assured him.

They broke off their embrace and alighted from the vehicle. Rj took Maine's luggage and together, they walked to the check-in counters. Rj stayed with Maine until it was time for her to go into the pre-departure area, just as boarding announcements were made. When it was just literally minutes before the final announcement of the closing of the gates, Rj hugged Maine tightly before he let her go.