Yūgen

Something Borrowed

2:36 am. 

The clock read on Maine's bedside table.

She pulled away from his arms before turning to look at her husband, who is lying quietly on his side, facing her. Years of being together have made them fall into habits.

Whilst they have lied down on their backs earlier that night, they still fall back into the comfort of each other's contact.

She continued to observe him, relying only on the faint light from the balcony door. Her eyes scanned his face, frustration in her eyes.

"May ganyan pala, ano? Hindi ko na yata matandaan kung may ganyan kami nung kami ang kinasal." Richard's grandmother said as she brought out a small pouch from her bag.

They were seated at the patio, his Lola on one side, while Richard sat on the arm of Maine's chair. With barely a month before the wedding, they only were able to get the item from his grandparents.

2:42 am. 

She moved to face the wall.

"Eto, mga anak." His Lola said, extending the red pouch to them. Her eyes had those twinkle in them as she, too, recalled her big day wearing the pair of earrings she handed them.

Maine received the pouch and held it on her hand.

2:46 am. 

She tried to stifle a sob, and failing as it ended sounding like a hiccup. The sound slightly jolted Richard. She then lets out a soft cough to mask the sound.

"Nung sinabi niyo na hihiram kayo ng isang gamit sa amin, natuwa ako." Lola said to them.

"Eh, Lola, kayo po talaga ang unang pumasok sa isip namin nung nabasa naming yung listahan..." Maine added as she leaned on Richard's leg. He responded by rubbing her back, pulling her closer.

2:56 am. 

She slipped slowly out of their bed. Then, quietly stepped out of the room.

"Masaya ako na sa huli, kayo rin." Lola said to them. "Hindi madali ang pag-aasawa. Marami kayong pagdadaanan..."

The two smiled at her and nodded. Richard held Maine on the shoulder and pulled her towards him. Then, kissed her softly on the head.

2:58 am.

Hearing the door creak, he turned up from lying on his side. He was not asleep after all. So, he turned on his back and stared at the ceiling above him, deep in thought.

"Lagi kayong kakapit sa isa't-isa. Matutong umunawa." Lola added. "At, laging mag-usap. Kung may di pagkakaintindihan, pag-usapan. Matutong makinig, makiramdam."

The two nodded in agreement. Maine nudged Richard, and they both stood up to hug her.

"Thank you po, Lola. Thank you kasi andyan kayo lagi." Richard said.

"Thank you, Lola." Maine added, as she went near her for a hug. Richard, followed suit, enveloping the two ladies in her life.

***

When they got home at past 7pm earlier, Maine went directly to the room.

They weren't really planning to attend another children's birthday party. Both of them tried to come up with a reason to evade another event that will just remind them of what they have yet to have; another event to make them feel inadequate.

She was to tell them of a prior engagement.

He was to say there was another appointment.

But no one said a thing until the last minute. And they can't do anything anymore but go.

Maine went directly to her dresser to remove her jewelry, replace the make-up kit and perfume from her pouch. She also pulled out a small ceramic feeding bottle with the littlest 'thank you' note before standing up to store her purse back to her closet.

Richard soon came in and placed the car keys and his wallet on his side of the dresser. He took a deep breath when he saw the ceramic souvenir, shook his head before he went to his side of the closet to get something to change into.

They passed each other by the closet, no one said a word. They almost bumped into each other by the bed, not a sound at all.

At a little past 10, in their night clothes, they sat on each side of the bed. Richard on his laptop, probably checking on his businesses. Maine scanning through her files and sites on her tablet.

As has been the case the past weeks, silence.

Because he weren't really good with words, while she really didn't know how to feel. Silence.

3:39 am. He heard her footsteps going to their room, so he lied on his side again before the door opened. He closed his eyes once more. In a few seconds, he felt the bed move. She's back, facing away from him.

As if on cue, he, too, turned away from her.

Minutes passed, and the room's quiet was broken, replaced by their sleeping sounds.

When in the past, their breaths used to be synchronized. Now, even the sounds of their breaths clashed, like a retort directed at each other.

As if all the words they don't get to say when they're awake were expressed at this time.

"Thank you po, Lola." Maine said as they broke away from the hug. "Iingatan po namin to."

"Isukat mo nga, hija, nang makita." Lola told her, holding her hand with the pouch.

"Oo nga, mahal. Try mo na." Richard said, waiting for her to open the item.

"Hikaw po." Maine remarked as she dipped her hand into the pouch. "Naku, lola. Ang ganda po."

Richard watched Maine and his Lola as the latter helped her wife-to-be with the earrings.

"Bagay! Ang ganda, mahal." He commented. "Salamat, 'La."

"Thank you po, Lola." Maine softly said. "Aalagaan po namin 'to."

"Opo, 'La. Promise yun." Richard seconded.

Lola looked at the two with a smile on her face, then she said "Mas mahalaga diyan ay kung anong meron kayo. Ang pagmamahalan ninyo ang alagaan ninyo, mas importante yun." She held on to Maine's hand, while her other hand patted Richard's arm.