13

Trouble will find me

For extreme reading potential, listen to this while reading : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW9Cu6GYqxo

****

After Maine's vacation, Richard became busy with school that they barely saw each other, just texting and commenting on each other's social media posts. The promise of spending a day catching up and having her late celebration was left hanging. Richard's texts and calls became less. She figured he was busy and that his courtship with Ysa was now a priority more than hanging out with her.

One Sunday, Maine was getting out of church with her Tatay and Nanay when she saw them. Her kuya Richard was holding Ysa's hand and smiling down at her, and vice versa. "I guess sila na", she sadly thought. Her heart hurt after seeing them together . Tears stung her eyes. She quickly excused herself to the restroom because her heart could not contain her emotions right now. Wag kang magkakalat, she tells herself as she reigns in her emotions.

Gaga ka, Maine, wala kang karapatan magalit, she told herself this while brushing away tears. "Sorry po Lord, alam ko po kakasimba ko lang. Pero bakit ba kasi masakit."

She later on sent him a text message, trying to get together, but it did not get answered. Maine checked his Instagram account that evening and saw a picture of Richard bussing Ysa's cheek with the caption reading: "Official. July 15."

Maine cried hard, her sobs rocking her whole body that Nanay panicked after hearing her wail. She threw herself to Nanay and said, "Si Kuya Richard kasi , Nay, me girlfriend na po sya. Please don't say I told you so...please. Ang sakit po pala Nay. .".

"Oh sweetie, ganyan kasi pag nag mahal. Di lang lagi puros saya eh, meron ding hirap. Kahit di nya ibalik yun, pero masaya kang nakikita syang masaya, kakayanin mo."

"Eh di ko nga alam na mahal ko sya. It just hurts e."

All Nanay can do was hug Maine tightly as her daughter nurse her broken heart.

/

Richard called Maine several weeks after when he finally realized that she has stopped texting and calling him.

She answered on the 5th ring. " Well hello, stranger. I'm so glad you called, at di ko na kelangan malaman through Instagram na kayo na pala ni Ysa."

Richard flinched at her cold voice. "Maine, so sorry, I haven't called. It's just been busy with everything going on....."

"You mean school. And Ysa."

"Yes and no, and ....kasi. Si Ysa. Medyo di nya gusto na close tayo." Richard lamely said.

"Ah, of course. So ano sinabi mo?"

"Nasasabihan kita..."

"So ganun lang, friendship on hold ba tayo kasi sabi ng girlfriend mo?" Maine spat venomously.

"Di naman sa ganun, pero medyo selosa lang si Ysa. Kasi matagal na kitang friend, di nya ma gets yung concept na very close friends tayo. Di sya naniniwala sa platonic friendship, di daw nangyayari yun coz someone ends up falling to the other party." Richard explained.

"Okay, Kuya. Messaged received." Then Maine hung up.

Richard was left staring at his cellphone wondering what the hell just happened.

****

A/N:

paano na mga bes? 😢

YT vid/ song is I can't make you love me (original version by Bonnie Rait). actually lahat ng version eh 😭, from Bonnie Rait, Bon Iver to Adele.

Chapter title credit to The National

Pic credit from EB / Aldubvines