For Keeps Part 5

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"Ma, stop crying na." RJ wipes her tears with the back of his hand. "I'll be gone for work. One year lang ako doon, babalik din ako."

"I know. I'll just miss you." She tightens her embrace on her son. The rest of the family already said their goodbyes but Mommy Rosario wanted to stay a little longer

"I'll miss you, too but I'll be back in no time." He kisses her cheek. "And aren't you proud of me? Out of all the excellent people in the company, isa ako sa ipapadala out of the country for this project."

"Of course, I'm proud but can you blame me? Mamimiss ko ang pinakapogi kong anak."

"Quiet, Ma. Kuya might hear you." He laughs. "Sige na. It's almost boarding time. Send my hugs to Papa and the siblings. Tell them I'll miss them as much."

"Okay." She nods. "Call immediately when you land, okay?"

"Yes, Ma." He hugs her one last time and kisses her on the cheek before pulling his suitcase with him. He waves to his family on the other side of the glass as he walks to the gate.

---

They didn't receive the memo that the head of their department would be leaving for the US for one year. They only knew about it when a different face was introduced to them as his temporary replacement. Maine felt her heart constrict inside her chest. She feels her breathing go unsteady and she closes her eyes to fight the anxiety building up on her.

Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale...

She stares blankly at the ceiling, the sound of her breathing the only things she could her. She slaps her forehead multiple times scolding herself for not having the balls to walk up and talk to him as soon as possible. Sure, he's going to be away for just a year. He's going to come back but a lot can happen in a year. What if, aside from work, he also sees the trip as a way to clear his mind of her? Forget her and start to realize he's better off without her?

She can't afford that to happen. She can't afford to lose the chance to make things right. She can't afford to lose the love she has always wanted but never realized. She can't afford to lose him. Her best friend. Her partner in crime. Her shoulder. Her rock. Her other half. Her love.

She jumps out of bed and gets ready to leave. She arrives at the Faulersons' residence thirty minutes later.

"Maine, anak." Mommy Rosario puts her hand on Maine's back and guides her to their living room. "What brings you here?"

"Tita, nakaalis na po ba si RJ?" She asks as she sits down on the couch, her heart on her chest to steady her breathing.

"Oo, anak. Kaninang madaling araw." She scans the younger woman with worried eyes as she could see her having a hard time breathing, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "Are you alright? Wait here. I'll get you a glass of water."

Maine nods and Mommy Rosario makes her way to the kitchen. She gets back on a whim with a glass of ice cold water in hand.

"Thank you po." She downs the water in one go and holds the glass between her hand to relish its cold sensation.

"Didn't he tell you?" She inquires with a confusing look.

"Hindi po eh." Maine shakes her head.

"Bakit, anak? Did you two have a misunderstanding?" She caresses Maine's hair and the younger lady feels her shoulders lighten. She didn't say anything and just bows down. Mommy Rosario apparently still didn't know what happened. RJ probably didn't want to get her involved in his problems. The older woman notices Maine in deep thought.

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