AMACon 3: Oikos - Children

The Wax and Wane - Chapter Three

Days passed by and he was just happy enough to be back in the orphanage. Maine had left as her assigned stay only lasted to ten days every time but much to RJ's surprise, little Jane was back.

He was delighted to learn of the little girl's return but was equally concerned because of her sudden disappearances. He tried to question the kid but to no avail. Little Jane did not seem to have been in trouble though.

The doctor promised to look closer at the child from then on. In fact, on his second month in the orphanage, just when they expect Jane to disappear again, RJ decided to sleep in the same room that Jane shares with all the other kids.

True to what Mina, Jane's neighbor in the sleeping quarters had said, RJ noted how the girl doesn't seem to be near sleeping. She was just lying on her side, thumb sucking as usual and looking up at the skies through the window. He tried to keep himself awake to wait until she falls asleep but due to exhaustion from the day's work, he succumbed to slumber at around 2am. When he woke up, Jane was gone with none any wiser on where and how she had gone.

He roused the helpers' attention. RJ expressed his concern about the missing girl but he got the same answer. This was Jane's fourth disappearance over a span of four months.

"Huwag ka nang mastress, Dok. Babalik din naman yun, babalikan ka nun. Ikaw pa, balita ko hindi mahiwalay sa'yo yun."

One of the helpers commented. "Wag na po kayong malungkot, nandito na yung inspirasyon ninyo."

Maine was back as house mother. Throughout the day, Maine and RJ went about their work but the doctor received pats on the back, reassuring squeezes on his arm and bright smiles from her to appease his concern over his little friend.

"Hot choco?" Maine offered him as they turn off the light and close the door to the children's room.

"Hot choco." He nodded and proceeded to preparing their drinks while she waits at the orphanage balcony.

While holding the hot drinks in both hands, he had to stop walking to tame his heart beat for the sight before him looked so ethereal. Maine was lounging by the balcony, her face turned towards the sky with her eyes closed, her thick hair cascading over her shoulders. RJ was reluctant to call her attention and break the spell.

She turned her head towards him and a smile slowly creeped up her face, patting the chair next to hers for him to sit on. She reached towards his forehead and straightened the creases on it. They started off talking about how their day had been, moving on to random topics.

"How are you with your readings?" She started a light conversation.

"I'm good. Done with one of Rick Riordan's mythology series. Nakakahiya, pang-young adults na mythology yung binabasa ko. Pero may pambawi ako, classic. Edith Hamilton's Classical Mythology haha!"

She looked at him curiously, "Why mythology for your books this year?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. I just felt compelled to. Parang dapat this year ito naman. And reading about immortals actually got me thinking ha."

"Yes?"

"It made me realize how precious mortal lives are. You know how immortals just play with time because they have too much of it? Samantalang tayo, andaming kailangang gawin, kailangang patunayan pero ang ikli ng buhay. Without knowing it, it's your last day na pala. Just like how it was with my parents."

Maine was just nodding, listening to him intently while he was also looking closely at her face.

"And I realized something else too. I realized how your beauty equals those of goddesses and how mere mortals like me are privileged to see such beauty."

She laughed lightly and put one hand on the side of his face. He leaned to it and closed his eyes. He felt soft lips landing lightly on his.

Maine stood up, "We should go and get some sleep." And the moment is broken.

It had been like this for the next ten days until RJ was bound for Laguna again. He could feel them beginning to develop a connection that's well beyond friendship but he could not put a label on it because Maine kept on holding back. He'll figure things out and break down her barriers, he promised.