13

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

It has been a year and 3 months since Maine left for her studies abroad. Richard has been wrapped up with his studies, opting to continue law school at San Beda College. Studying was the best use of his time : a fulfillment of his promise to his mother and to himself.

Richard tried to date. It was more of him giving into friends setting him up with someone. It never went past the first date though. Zo, when he was in town, was the only one who helped him ward of their friends matchmaking skills (or lack of it).  " Pare, tigilan nyo na si Richard. Me nakalaan na sa puso nyan."

"Eh sino ba kasi? Si Maine?"

"Sino pa ba? Ambagal naman kasi ni Papi eh. Naunahan tuloy."

"Mga gago, mag trabaho na lang kayo. Me boyfriend na si Maine. Wag nga kayong magulo dyan."  Zo, ever the faithful friend, remarked.

Richard would just take his friends constant ribbing. He couldn't deny it anyway.

//

It was going to be Christmas soon, and Maine was set to come home for the holidays. He tries not to call or FaceTime her a lot, but he can't help it. Richard needs to hear her voice or at least see her. Prior to her leaving, Richard could not care less about social media. He has now made a habit of checking her Instagram and Facebook, and he even made a Snapchat account.

It may sound stalker-ish, but seeing Maine's smiling face would make his day. 

Except when she speaks or writes about Antonio. Maine is still pretty smitten as Antonio has been a pretty good boyfriend even with with the distance. However, this goodness also worries Richard. He finds Antonio nice. He can't even dislike him. Now that Antonio joined the workforce (Maine was away when he graduated), Richard was given intel by Yaya Pacing that he has plans to go to Italy with Maine's parents for the holidays, if they decide to go. That is, if they will allow him. Antonio even offered to "pick up" Maine from Rome. Luckily for Richard, her parents thought it was impractical and costly to do that. Instead, Maine was flying home by herself given she is  already 18 for her three week break in Manila.

The day Maine arrived, Richard headed to her house after accepting a dinner invite from Maine and her parents.  Antonio begged off, as he has family from the province coming to spend the holidays. This made Richard happy; he can have Maine for himself.

When Maine stepped out, Richard felt like the wind was knocked out of him. Maine looked beautiful, ethereal even. He was somehow stupefied. God, ang ganda nya. Ang ganda ganda nya, Richard thought. He was then roused from his stupor, when Maine came up to him, and kissed him on both cheeks . His heartbeat quickened; he knew that he was hopelessly in love with her.

"Bakit ganyan ka, di ka man lang mag hi ngayon ?" Maine chided him, as she playfully patted his cheek. " Parang di tayo naguusap when I was away ha..."

Richard turns red and scratched his nape.  "Ha? Wala naman. Nakakamiss ka din pala. Buti pala ngayon na solo kita..."

Maine laughed. "Lakas ng loob mo ah, wala kasi si Antonio. Baka seryosohin nya mga sinasabi mo, magselos pa lalo sa iyo."

Uy me selosan pala ha, Richard smugly smiled. 

"I saw that." Maine told him.  "Why are we talking about me?  You know naman how I am enjoying my studies in Rome, my life. How about you? "

"Same old, Maine. Same old. Just as busy kasi syempre, di pwedeng petiks lang. Tsaka gusto ko makatapos on time."

"Not that part. That, I know naman. Lovelife?"

" Wala, dahil ikaw lang." Richard murmured.

Maine stopped and came up to him. "Don't say things you don't mean, Richard."

"Who says I don't mean it?"

" Richard..." Maine warns.

"Fine, Maine.  Let's just talk about something else. So ano plans mo while you're on vacation?"

"Hmm. We have a bunch of family reunions and such all through out. And I just want to hangout with friends. And eat everything Yaya Pacing will be cooking! I miss that."

"And hang out with Antonio...."

"Given na yun. He wants us to go din to his family's property in Batangas. Papakilala na daw ako at akala nila invisible girlfriend eh."

Richard's heart dropped. It was unreasonable for him to feel this way, but he was surprised at the intensity of his jealousy. "Pero, will I see you bago ka aalis man lang? Kahit dito lang tayo sa bahay nyo..."

"Oo naman...."

They were called to the dinner table afterward. They sat next to each other over dinner as Maine regaled them with her adventures in Rome. He was smiling as he looked at Maine. Richard was happy that at least, he gets to call this night his.

//

Time went by and suddenly it was 2 days before Maine's flight back to Rome. Richard was once again at the Mendoza's. He brought 2 egg pies , one of Maine's many favorites. He convinced her to "save" tonight to hang out with him.  He rang the doorbell and Maine opened the door.

"Me dala akong favorite mo! Ang haba ng pila pero tiniis ko yung bakery na yun ha... Huy bakit ganyan ka."

Maine's eyes were red and puffy, obviously she had been crying.

"Can we just sit and watch tv? I really don't feel like talking muna."

"Of course."

Richard sat on the couch , while Maine was on the lounge chair. She was still quiet. He patiently waited another fifteen minutes, before moving close to her chair.

"Maine, what's wrong? I don't like seeing you this way...."

"Antonio and I had a fight."

"And..."

"And he apparently disliked that I took the extended course, yung me internship, kasi another six months na daw yun. I felt bad na di ko sya na consult naman, but I had to decide right away or the committee will give the internship to someone else."

"So nagalit sya kasi di mo nabanggit itong extension?"

"He knew. He just wanted me to say no to it and come home. Am I selfish? I mean, he knows how much I want this."

"Siguro mabuti na pinagusapan nyo ng maayos. Pero I get it, you had to make an executive decision."

"Yun nga eh. So nag away kami. Pinahihirapan ko daw sya. Blah blah blah. So para di na sya mahirapan, sabi ko eh di wag na. Maghanap na lang sya ng tiga rito. Then he said "baka nga dapat". And then he left." And with that, she started crying.

Richard rubbed her back as she cried. He felt horrible for her . The naughty side of him wanted to celebrate, yet it pained him seeing her cry.

"Hayaan mo na. Baka mainit lang ulo. Pagusapan nyo muna ulit yan. And here you are, about to leave pa naman."

"Why are you even being nice? Aren't you supposed to say 'ako na lang'?" Maine looked at him.

" I can't take advantage of your pain, Maine." Richard took her hand and kissed it. "All I can do is be here right now and be your friend."

Maine then cried once more upon hearing this. Because that is what she truly needed at the moment.

///

A/N:

Kamusta po ang sabaw? 😅 Thank you po sa nagtiyaga sa akin. 😭

What direction is Richard and Maine's relationship going?

Paano na si Antonio? hindi sya masamang tao, promise. i don't want to hate him. huhu. 😭 at hindi sya bakla huhu we love LGBT dito ha! 😊  🏳️‍🌈  *looks at 3cheeese and mchay101 *

Thank you innamarie24 💗

Pic credit to : papixure_ne 's IG