Yūgen

Epilogue

It was raining.

Fat rain drops plopped on my surface, I don't mind though. This is my purpose; to shelter, to protect, to safeguard those who reside within me. There is a crack of thunder but the lovely couple who chose me as their home are unfazed and that brings joy to me, that I am able to serve my purpose and give them a sense of safety.

Maine and Richard, those are their names. Once again they reside in my halls and that fact left a slow warmth in me. Even now, Richard's hand clasps Maine's, their fingers fitting one another like lock and key. Maine is trying to hide it but it is very clear that his touch does things to her. It is very obvious how hard she is trying to conceal the smile that his touch produces.

They are happy, content but still hesitant to bridge that small gap between the two of them. Understandable. It has only been months since they finally decided to return to me; to return to Apartment 716.

Every night they go to bed facing one another, the gap that could have fit a child between them very noticeable. They were taking small steps to regain what they lost, to re-learn how to be one another's. If they unconsciously move towards one another in their sleep and wake up in each other's arms then no one is talking about it and if more often than not those mornings in each other's arms lead to something more... tiring... well... they are definitely not complaining.

***

Richard was sat on the sofa, he just got home and he may or may not be exaggerating just how tired he is.

"Pagod ka, Babe?" Maine asks Richard as she gently squeezes the tension off of Richard's shoulders

"Sobra, pero masaya. Namiss ko 'tong mga pa-masahe mo."

They are silent after that, only the low moans from Richard whenever Maine hits just the right spot on his shoulder are filling the room.

"Times like this, lalo kong napapatunayan na kaya natin to." says Richard after a few minutes of silence.

"Hmm?"

"We will be okay." Richard repeats, his head craning up to look into Maine's eyes "This time around we will make this work. Masyado kitang mahal for this not to work out."

She smiles and leans down to kiss him on the lips.

"Mahal din kita."

"Alam ko naman yan, Mahal." Richard says with a grin "Pero iba pa rin talaga kapag sinasabi mo. Isa pa nga? Please?"

Maine laughs and hits him lightly on the head.

"Loko ka!" Maine chides him but still leans down to place a kiss on Richard's pouting lips.

"I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you" Main whispers to Richard after every kiss she gives him.

Richard suddenly stands up and stands behind Maine. He scoops her into his arms and leans to nuzzle and place a kiss on her neck.

"Ops! Saglit!" Maine stops him before he can even continue

"Bakit? Labing-labing na!" Richard whines

"Kailan ka huling nagshave?" Maine says as she turns in his arms so she can face him, her hand grazing over the beard that he is sporting.

"Di ko na matandaan eh. Mga last last week pa siguro?"

"Go, shave. Now."

"Bakit?! Mamaya na yung ahit! Labing-labing muna!"

"No shave, no sex Mr. Faulkerson."

"Pwede utang muna? Sex now, shave later?" pleads Richard "Ano bang problema sa facial hair ko, Mahal?"

"Kasi!" exclaims Maine with a stomp of her footfalls

"Kasi ano?" Richard asks with a laugh

"Nakakakiliti, okay!" Maine admits, her cheeks reddening with the admission.

Richard smirks and leans in so that their foreheads are touching and looks into Maine's eyes.

Maine gulps as she feels the warmth radiating from Richard plus that tint of something aggressive that she sees in her love's eyes.

"The more reason not to shave. You have no idea what you do to me whenever you make that sound as I go do-"

Maine places her hand on Richard's chest and pushes to get out of his embrace.

"Ewan ko sa'yo! Ang landi landi mo!" Maine shouts as she stomps off towards their bedroom, Richard's laugh echoing as he watches her run off.

"Richard, ano pang tinatawa-tawa mo?! Halika na dito!"

Richard immediately shuts up and eagerly follows the love of his life.

"Yes Mahal!"

***

Maine is a worrywart. That is just who she is.

Usually a few minutes of cuddling would do wonders for her worries. If Richard was not there then to the kitchen she goes and there she releases all of her stress by baking. It serves as one of her own 'signs'. Whenever Richard enters their home and the aroma of a dozen different baked goods reaches him then he prepares the living room, looks for an overly cheesy and sappy film before dragging Maine and just spends the night holding her in his arms.

This was a different matter though.

Not even baking could keep her mind off of whatever it is that is worrying her. I've seen her try and I've also seen the disasters that were the results of her baking.

Then she just runs out of the house and I do admit that I felt an ounce of fear that she may not return again similar to her running off years ago. But she comes back with a flustered look on her face. She is gripping a plastic bag as if it holds her entire world.

She quickly goes to her bathroom and there she stayed.

She paces.

She hesitates.

She paces again.

"Shit... Bakit ang tagal lumabas?" Maine says "Bilisan mo naman please bago dumating si Richard!"

"Maine! Andito na ko!" Maine hears Richard shouting

"Langya!" Maine quickly combs her hair with her fingers then runs out of the bathroom "Babe! Kumain ka na?"

She tries so hard to hide what it is she was doing but Richard knew her too well.

I wonder though, why she is so frantic over that little thing she left in the bathroom.

What could be so important about two red lines?