13

The truth will set us free

Maine has been nervously waiting at her gate for Richard. It's been a few days since her Italy announcement, and well, Richard has been clingy. He would randomly message her about stuff then interlacing it with a bomb. " I think Ysa and I are breaking up." Then refusing to talk about it. It's 1am, and he sent a message earlier that he had a few drinks, and that he will Uber to her house.

When Richard's ride got there, Maine and the uber driver, Carl, helped Richard out of the car. "Me pinagdadaanan 'tong kaibigan mo ah, nagiiyak pa kanina na iniwan na sya. Tapos tumigil na at eto tulog. Sana maayos naman sya." Maine thanked Carl for his help after Richard stirred and woozily walked with her to the guest room. Luckily for Richard, Yaya Pacing is asleep or he would get an earful about drinking. Her parents were out of town for the weekend for a work conference.

Maine looked down at the bed. Richard was literally a blob, lying facedown. She helped him out of his shoes and socks, and wiped his forehead. Maine moved the trash bin near the bed, and took a brand new toothbrush and towel from the cabinets. Maine remembered that she does have a plain white shirt of Richard's from long ago, and , speak of the devil, Richard began to stir as Maine walked back in the guest room, and stood by the bed.

"Maine......." Richard mumbled.

"Richard, iinom inom ka pa eh ang baba ng tolerance mo. Nakipagsabayan ka sa friends mo na malakas uminom. Di ka man lang maihatid sa inyo. You're an idiot!" Maine berated him.

"Ang lakas naman ng boses mo. Ang sakit ng ulo ko." Richard moaned.

"Teka kukuha ako ng water at gamot sa kitchen. Naku wag kang pakita ke Yaya Pacing, baka kurotin ka nun sa singit." Maine started to walk, but Richard pulled her down the bed.

"Dito ka muna, Maine..." Richard's arm was on her middle, and she can't really move without hurting him, which she thought was unfair given the state they were in.

"Richard, I need to get you meds...."

"It can wait. Iniwan na ako ni Ysa. Iiwanan mo na din ako. Iniwan pa ako ni Mommy. Alam mo bang death anniversary nya today? Grabe na combo sa akin today." Richard murmurs. They were in a spooning position now, his head tucked on her nape.

Richard doesn't like talking about his mom's death. All she knew was that she got really sick - cancer - and it was a slow and painful death.

"Si mommy, kahit nung me sakit sya, ganito sya maglambing. Di nagbago....." And he went on and on reminiscing for a bit until he became quiet. Maine, turned to face Richard.

"Richard. What happened with Ysa?"

He laughed bitterly. "She broke up with me. Ikaw na lang daw dapat ang girlfriend ko, rindi na sya sa kakapakinig na aalis ka na papuntang Italy." His eyes were still closed. "It wasn't working out, she's too demanding of my time eh di ko maibigay, tapos pag magkasama kami we end up fighting. I got annoyed na kasi kung ano ano na sinasabi nya na walang sense, pati ikaw dinamay na bulag daw tayo, so ayun napikon na din ako, and she threatened to break up, and I said fine."

"Plus....hindi ko na sya mahal." Richard whispered and opened his eyes. "Kasi Maine, hindi ko na mahal si Ysa....."

They were inches apart from each other. One could cut the tension between them. There were little bit of sparks, as Richard's eyes roamed her face, and his hands reached out and gently touched her face. Maine, on the other hand, closed her eyes. She could not breathe, and the words he spoke, hung in the air. She can sense that he was waiting and hovering.

Maine moved and sat up, interrupting whatever was about to happen.

"Maine...." Richard softly said, as he tried to sit up next to her, trying being the key word here, as his head felt like it was being pounded by a hammer. He leaned back on the bed.