Yūgen

Start of Something New

Richard didn't stay long; he stayed for two weeks then he had to go back to America. Maine was fine with it – or so she told herself – but lately, I saw her glancing more frequently and melancholically at me, as if she wanted to go back to the place that once her home.

The two continued talking on the phone, Skyping, and texting. They never lost communication – something that they failed to keep when they were married.

Maine and Richard, they were taking it slow this time, and I think, they were doing it right, too.

One night, as she was taking off her shoes after a long day in the shop, her phone rang and she saw Richard's dorky smile on the screen. She swiped to answer his call.

"Mahal?"

She always felt like a giddy teenage girl who was just noticed by her crush whenever he called her that. Smiling, she replied, "Hi, babe. Nag-breakfast ka na?"

"Sa office na lang. You? Have you had dinner yet? Past 8 na," he reminded her worriedly.

"Yes po. Went out with my employees."

Silence followed and only their breathing was what I heard. Maine took me and gently touched my metal bow.

"I miss you," she quietly admitted. "I miss you everyday."

"Mahal, please don't be sad. I miss you, too."

She heaved a sigh and plopped herself on the bed.

"Maine," he said. "Gusto mo mag-pick up lines na lang ako para hindi ka na malungkot?"

She let out a snort to which he indignantly reacted to.

"Sus, gumaganyan ka pero sa pick up line ko nakuha number mo."

"Naawa lang ako sa'yo n'on kasi sobrang waley," she teased him.

"Miss, sana regla na lang ako."

Maine laughed as Richard started. "Babe, no! Not again!"

"Dali na, kunwari teenager ulit tayo. Miss, sana regla na lang ako."

"Fine, isa lang ha. Bakit?"

In a low voice, he said, "Para madalaw naman kita."

"Wala pa rin, babe. Buti na lang talaga pogi ka, 'no?"

"Ito na lang. Mahal, chicharon ka ba?"

Maine covered her mouth. "Baaabe!"

Smugly, he asked, "O, bakit?"

"Kotse ka ba?"

"Ah, bumabawi. Bakit?"

In a raspy voice, she slyly replied, "Pwedeng pasaka–"

"MEEEENG," he whined. "It's hard to drive 'pag ano."

She continued teasing him. "Ha? Alin ang hard?"

"Damn it, ugh. Kapag ako nabangga, paano kita bibisitahin d'yan?"

The mood became serious after that and Maine looked at me again. Richard immediately took notice of this and called her name softly.

"Maine? Mahal? Smile na. Uuwi naman ako sa birthday mo eh. Ilang months na lang 'yun oh, hintay hintay na lang tayo."

"Okay."

"Maine?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Tears welled up her eyes and she sniffed before she responded. "I love you, too."

They chatted a bit more until they had to end the call. Richard arrived at his office and Maine was getting ready for bed.