Again, please read Fortune Cookie (prompt5) and Second Chances (prompt7) before reading this as this is a sequel
Prompt: Tell the story of the life that Maine and Alden weren't brave enough to lead.
*******************************************
I have never seen anything more beautiful than what is before my very eyes.
Ethereal. Bathed in millions of stardust and the radiance of the moonlight. Maine.
She is wearing her wedding dress. A sweetheart neckline top fitted at the bodice with a waistline leading to a full skirt ang long trail.
"Huy RJ, ano ba tulala ka na diyan kanina pa kita tinatanong. Ano, maganda ba?"
I walked towards her and caressed her hair. She will always be beautiful to me. When she dances in full view in the sunlight, even when she discretely weeps in the shadows.
"Maganda naman Bes. Maiiyak sigurado si Richard niyan pag nakita ka."
"Thankyou sa pagsama sakin dito sa shop Bes ha. Alam mo na tradition kasi. Hindi puede makita ni Richard na suot ko yung gown ko."
"Ikaw pa ba Bes. Do you have any plans after this?"
"Wala naman. Do you have anything in mind? Dating gawi?"
I saw that bulging eyes and mischievous grin once again. The one we shared on the split screen that changed my life. And this, whatever the circumstance might be, will always have power over me.
"Tara."
I took her to a place that will always be special to us. And when we arrived, she was surprised as I turned her around for a blindfold.
"Ano na naman ito RJ?" I guided her steps as we entered the venue.
"Surprise." I removed the blindfold, gave her a smack and ran. She just stood still wallowing in the scene before her.
It was the same setup during our first valentines date. The make-shift gazebo, the "LOVE" inscription on the grass, and the amazing overlooking view.
"RJ!!! Sabi ko bawal na ang kiss." She ran to catch me. We were like payb year olds with the grins on our faces playing habulan.
"Ayoko na pagod na ko. Hindi ka naman nagpapahuli eh." She sat in the grass and pouted her lips.
Damn. I just want to kiss her once again.
I stood beside her and wiped the sweat on her forehead. She wrapped her arms around me and that is when I noticed her shoulders were shaking.
She was crying. And seeing her cry always wounds my soul. Always.
"Huy bakit ka umiiyak?"
"Ikaw kasi eh. Namiss ko 'to. Sobrang Namiss kita."
"Ikaw naman. Kahit ayaw mo na'kong papasukin sa buhay mo, mag ge-gate crash pa rin naman ako."
I hugged her tight. And when the missing becomes so painful as it becomes a prelude to an eternal goodbye, I stood up.
"Can I have this dance? Sorry hindi na ako naaccommodate nung stringed quartet nung tinawagan ko dahil biglaan ito."
I took his hand and laced my arms on his neck swaying to the music he sweetly hums:
"Ikaw na ang may sabi
Na ako'y mahal mo rin
At sinabi mong ang pag-ibig mo'y
Di-magbabago.
.....Tayo'y nag-sumpaan
Na Ako'y sa'yo at ika'y akin lamang"
"Hindi mo naman sinabi eh" - Maine
"Huh?"
"Alam mo bang ang tagal kong hinintay na sabihin mo yun? Hanggang napagod nako."
I froze. I felt the pain of seeing her in somebody else's arms when I could have been the One....,. no, when she wanted me to be the One. I cradled her face and looked straight into her eyes.
"Alam mo bang gustong gusto kong sabihin sayo yan? Pero sa tuwing sasabihin ko na naduduwag ako. Till I finally lost you."
"Minsan nga iniisip ko parin kung hindi na nga ba ako sayo. If you finally lost me."
"But you will always have me. Mananatili akong sayo. Forever." I put my necklace on her heart bearing the ring I was supposed to give her. It bore the words "Ikaw at Ako" with our initials R & M.
I felt my eyes well up with tears similar to hers. I lowered my head and kissed her lips savoring that sweet familiar taste of cherry. My tongue traced the seam of her lips subtly asking for entrance. And when her lips parted our tounges mated in full abandon. In a dance that was slow, sweet, exploratory. I delved deeper into her mouth acquainting myself to its every nook and recesses.
And in the stillness of the night, the stars became witness to a love that was unsaid but never forgotten.
"I love you Maine"
"I love you too RJ....
Ringggggggg
"Hi Richard. Nandiyan ka na sa Tagaytay Highlands lobby? OK punta nako diyan Babe."
...but goodbye.."
After one last kiss, she turned around and never looked back.
And I watched the love of my life walk away.
