You Were There

Chapter 3- At the Beginning

6:00 am

Maine woke up early the next day. She took this time to savor some time alone. Time to reassess what has been happening in her life. The pain of a heartbreak and betrayal. What did I do wrong to make him leave? How do I move on? These are some of the questions that have been bothering her for days. The days have been unbearable. The pain was driving her insane that she almost took her life. But fate has other plans for her.

Lord, help me get through this. She prayed silently with her eyes closed. The waves of the ocean had always had a soothing effect on her. Not noticing someone was watching her from afar.

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Alden went on his usual morning jog by the beach. He too woke up early. Today is his last day in Boracay. His vacation will be over soon and it's back to the daily grind for him. This vacation was supposed to help him recharge after months of non-stop provincial shows along with his daily stint in Eat Bulaga. He has gotten used to his daily routine of going to work and going back to Sta. Rosa. Work and his family have always been his priority since his career started. Having someone special in his life was least priority for now. If God wills it to happen then it will come, in His perfect time.

He was running halfway through his jog when he spotted Maine sitting on the sand. He stopped dead on his tracks and started walking towards her slowly. Her eyes were closed. Savoring the stillness of her surroundings. He couldn't help but stare at her face. Beautiful. Was the word that popped into his head. He was a few meters away from her when he stopped. Her mobile phone rang.

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Ring! Ring! Ring!

Maine opened her eyes. Who would be calling me at this hour? She thought. Seeing her mother's name flashing through the screen.

"Hello Nay."

"Anak! Buti naman sinagot mo ang tawag ko. Pinag-alala mo kami ni Tatay mo."

"Pasensya nap o at hindi po ako nakapagpaalam ng maayos sa inyo. Kinailangan ko lang po talagang makalayo at mapag-isa. Sa text ko na lang po kayo nasabihan kung nasaan ako. Sorry po."

"Basta ang importante okay ka anak at alam naming kung nasaan ka. Kelan ka ba uuwi dito?"

"Bukas po ng umaga ang flight ko pabalik ng Manila."

"Sige itext mo na lang sa akin ang oras ng iyong pagdating para masundo ka naming ni Tatay ha?"

"Opo Nay."

"Nak, tandaan mo na mahal na mahal ka namin. Anuman ang nangyari ay kakayanin natin ito. Magiging maayos din ang lahat, Meng."

Tears trickled down her cheeks as she listened to her Mom's words of love and encouragement. She cried silently.

"Meng, tahan na. Wag ka na umiyak dyan. Baka pumanget ka."

"Nay, naman eh!"

"Pinatatawa lang kita. Basta text mo sa akin yung oras ng pagdating mo ha?"

"Opo Nay."

"I love you, Menggay!"

"Love you too, Nay. Bye po."She sees her phone wallpaper after ending the call from her mom. It was their picture in Palawan. The day she said yes to his proposal. Tears were threatening to fall again when she heard someone call her name.