AMACon 3: Oikos (30 Day Drabble Challenge)

Day 10 - Thuo (You and I Tonight)

A/N: Hi everyone! Please take note that this happens: (1) after my 9th drabble and (2) before my 6th drabble. It's all connected but you can read each one separately.

I really couldn't resist writing about this. 😅

Let me know what you think. My twitter handle is
@nataliagrace02! 💛

*Thuo is a Greek word meaning to sacrifice, to slay, kill, or slaughter.

***

"What am I supposed to do?" Richard Faulkerson Jr. glanced over at his friends, Jerald Napoles and Sam YG who were sitting in front of him.

"About what?" Jerald asked, reaching out to take the bottle of scotch on the table. He looked around for a glass before deciding to drink straight from the bottle.

"Are you talking about that girl?" Sam asked as he took the bottle from Jerald. "Seriously, Je. You could be disgusting sometimes."

"Wait a minute. What girl?!" Jerald exclaimed. "RJ has a girlfriend?"

"Yes," Sam smirked. "I saw her yesterday and she looks like a princess."

"You know, I'm still here," RJ snapped.

"Sorry, RJ. I can't help myself. "

"So, who is this girl? And why haven't I seen her?"

He thought about lying and spinning a tale to please his friends. But he decided against it. He was going to die soon. He might as well tell them a bit more about what has been happening in his life.

"Her name is Maine Mendoza," he said. "And I know it might sound surreal but I think I'm in love with her."

His friends' jaws dropped.

"What? Is it that hard to believe that I would fall for someone?"

"No, I'm just surprised that you admitted it," Sam said. "Besides, I already knew how you feel."

RJ narrowed his eyes. "How?"

"Well, it was as if the whole world disappears when you're with her. I don't think you even noticed that I was right across from you yesterday. You were in your own little world."

"Okay," Jerald interjected. "I have to meet her. Where is she? Why are you hiding her from me?"

"I just want to enjoy what we have without involving other people."

Sam looked at Jerald knowingly. "See? I told you he's in love with her."

"I never thought I'd say this, but you're right. I've never seen him act like this before."

"You've only met me a few weeks ago," RJ said pointedly.

"But you're not denying it so it must be true," Sam countered.

RJ shook his head. "It doesn't matter, Sam. I have forget about her."

"Why?" Jerald asked exasperatedly.

"She's not staying."

"So? Why don't you give her a reason to stay? Make her deliriously happy or something."

"Why?" RJ said in a low tone. "Why should I do that when we're not meant to be with each other? When everything is not meant to last?"

"I don't know, RJ," Sam replied. "But have you ever thought of changing your fate? You'll never know what might happen."

He gritted his teeth in frustration. He longed to live the life he was meant to live with his Menggay even if he never really had her.

Maybe I just have to be brave enough to fight for I want. RJ thought to himself. Maybe I can keep Menggay even just for a short while.

After all, he had nothing left to lose.

He already knew that he would die because of her.

***

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Maine asked him, puzzled. They were currently at the rooftop garden of RJ's condominium. They grew tired of staying inside his unit so they decided to spend the evening stargazing.

He gave her a bedimpled smile. "I was just thinking about the days we spent together. I just never expected this."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I never thought moments like this are in the cards for someone like me."

Maine's mind whirled with memories of her parents telling her to choose their kingdom over him. Her target. She was supposed to say that he was right and that she was just using him to save herself and her people. Still, she couldn't tell him that so she hid her thoughts with a smile.

"Don't talk like that, RJ. You deserve this."

"I'm so glad I met you, Menggay," he whispered. "No matter what happens, no matter how long this moment lasts, I will always thank you for making me happy."

"A shooting star!" Maine exclaimed all of a sudden. He looked up and saw a silver light streak across the sky. "Quick! Make a wish!"

"Do you believe stuff like that? I tried it once and it didn't come true."

"Really? What did you wish for?" Maine turned to look at him quizzically. "Maybe it's something that you have to work hard for."

"Maybe," he sighs deeply, realizing that his wish did come true. He was able to experience real happiness before his death. How tragic. The person who will take his life is the person who made him deliriously happy.

RJ shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Menggay, what did you wish for?"

For this to last forever. For you to stay with me. For you to live. She wished that she could freeze this moment with him. If he were to find out what would happen next, she would say that this is the best day of her entire existence. It's a shame that she has to say goodbye.

Maine grabbed his hand in hers, looking straight into his eyes.

"I wished for this moment, RJ."

RJ's face lit up, a smile tugging at his mouth.

Any second now, you'll look away from him. Maine thought to herself. But she couldn't. She was transfixed by his smile and the way his gaze bore into hers.

"Really?" He held out his arms for a hug, and she surprisingly moved into them. "Just the two of us together?"

Maine found herself clinging at him before saying, "Yes."

"Forever?" RJ said, pulling away from her reluctantly.

Maine allowed herself to believe that it was that simple. Perhaps, there still was hope for them as long as she was brave enough to take the chance. Maybe I can finally live a life worth living.

"Forever," she finally said.

Moments later, a bright flash of light appeared and they both disappeared.