Wasted (A BCWMH Fanfic)

Wasted - Part 1

Richard shut down his laptop. That was enough work for the day. He checked his watch and saw that there was enough time to go to the supermarket to buy ice cream for the children.

Children… If he can still call them that.

Luke and Nikki were both well on their way to young adulthood and baby Abby into her preteens.

He sighed as he got into his car. Heaven knows how he will deal with his children growing up, particularly Abby. He was obviously not well-versed with girly issues or teen angst. He hoped that Nikki’s guidance will be enough female influence for Abby.

But it never will be enough, wouldn’t it? Not after Her.

With eyes on the road and moving on autopilot, Richard Lim drove to the grocery.

It has been four years since Maya dela Rosa left the Lim household- four lonely years for him and four years of living with a subdued household.

“If only I did not mess up, I shouldn’t have rushed things.” He gripped the steering wheel tightly as his mind travelled to the past.

—

Maya has just graduated from her internship at Time Airways. Towards the last weeks of internship, she has been integrated into the training program as well.

At the insistence of Eman, the group of interns planned a mini celebration. They invited their mentors and were allowed to bring one guest each. They reserved a bar for the group.

Richard recalled the night when Maya asked for his permission.

It was late at night. The children had gone to bed and Manang Fe, Doris and Sabel have all finished tidying up the house for the day. Maya nervously placed Richard’s coffee on the desk in his office. Richard thanked her and noticed her fidgeting.

“Is there something you need, Maya?”

“Sir Chief, magpapaalam lang po sana…” Maya hesitated. “May maliit lang po na handaan yung mga interns po sa Time dahil po sa pagtatapos ng internship namin -.”

“You may go.” Richard interrupted her.

“P-po?” She stuttered, unsure if she heard correctly.

“I am giving you permission to attend,” He noticed her incredulous expression. “But with a few conditions.” Her face changed to being crestfallen. “Which wouldn’t be too hard to follow.” He continued. “Sinu-sino ba invited? Saan ba ito gagawin?” He sipped his coffee.

“Ah, ano po, ito po yung invitation,” Maya pulled out the thin card from her pocket. “Dun po sya gaganapin sa bar sa may Time Airways na office. Kasama po dyan – siyempre kaming mga interns, pati po mga mentors namin, kasama po dun si Maam Yna.”

How about James Ventura, Richard wanted to ask but didn’t. He looked at the invitation. He knew the bar, it was at a relatively safe area.

“Ok, pero hatid-sundo ka dapat ni Joma ha. Ayoko yung uuwi ka ng late tapos magtaxi ka o kung kanini-kanino ka lang sasabay.” Richard still has misgivings but the bright smile she gave him was worth it.

“Salamat Sir Chief!” Maya beamed at him.

—

Hmm… 9 pm- not too early and not too late.

The president of Lim Aviation instructed Mang Lem to drop him off at the venue of the party of the Time Airways interns then dismissed him for the night. He hoped that this will not blow up on his face. And that he and Ventura will not come to blows should he be there.