They said long distance sorta relationships- or what Maine & Richard agreed to called it - were not easy. Both chose to look at it half full. Instead of getting together, they decided to just take it day by day, taking advantage of the foundation that is their friendship. Studying is their priority; they seem to be inspiring each other over the past several months. It's a win- win.
One Sunday, Richard was with his Constitutional law study group at a local cafe. He got up after an intense session with the group and made his way into the cashier to purchase his second coffee for the day. He turned to get his drink at the pick up counter, and inadvertedly ran into Antonio.
"Richard..."
"Antonio..."
No one said anything for several heartbeats. Richard recovered. "Kamusta naman?"
"Ok naman. Dito ba study session nyo?" Antonio asks as he looks around the cafe.
"Oo, finals na soon. Are you still at the same job?"
"Yes, I got promoted recently and eto mapaparami na din byahe. Si Maine, how is she?" Antonio asked.
"Di ba nag memessage sa iyo?
"Not really, kamustahan minsan."
"She's okay. Busy with school. Me thesis na kasi sya."
"That's good."
Lost for words, both men were quiet. But Antonio spoke first.
"Pare, I just want to say... na Maine is special, alam mo yan. Sana di mo na patagalin. You and I both know that you like her. I can't quite place it, alam ko naman na if at one point, she would have to chose between us, na ikaw ang pipiliin nya. Just don't waste it. Baka mapunta pa sya sa iba. Anyway, nice seeing you. Kamustahin mo ako ke Maine ha." And with that, Antonio took his coffee and walked out of the door, leaving a stunned Richard.
//
*FaceTime call from Maine in which Richard answers*
"Hi Miss Maine".
"Kuyaaaaaaa."
"Maine, you better stop that Kuya nonesense."
Maine dissolves into a fit of giggles. "It's so cute eh. And I kind of miss calling you Kuya."
"Di pwede, Maine."
"Why not? I used to call you that."
"Basta di pwede."
"Ang bully mo. I miss you, Kuya."
"Tigilan mo na yan...."
"Ay napipikon si Kuya."
"I saw Antonio earlier."
"Whoa, whiplash! And...."
"He's okay. Ikamusta daw kita."
"I texted him before naman."
"Alam ko."
"Ano pinagusapan nyo?"
"Ah...wala naman. Ikaw. Ginulat nya ako, biglang nagsabi na he knows na if you'd end up choosing between us. You'd choose me."
"Ganoin? Wipe that smirk off your face."
"Wala naman ah. I was more surprised. Prangka pala yun."
"Pag gusto nya. Team Richard na ba sya?"
" Aba malay ko dun! Wala naman akong masamang tinapay...."
" Really ha... I miss pandesal tuloy."
" Yan ba tawag mo ke Antonio?"
"Praning, yung totoong tinapay na pandesal. Antonio is....well, at least ok kami. I didn't want na me issue kami coz he was nice to me. ANYWAY. Bakit ba natin paguusapan si Antonio...."
"Aba malay ko, binanggit ko lang na nagkita kami. Teka, san ka ba papunta, pretty girl? You looked so dressed up. At ang baba ata ng neckline nyang dress mo. Di ba winter? Ba't di ka mag turtleneck? Baka magkasakit ka nyan."
"I have a coat naman, pero I'm going to a dinner that Auntie Agnes is hosting for Uncle Massimo's work colleagues. It's kind of fancy. She wants me there para me kausap daw yung mga younger ones."
"Ha? Bakit? Di ba pwede sya ang kumausap?"
"Sira, syempre Auntie Agnes will be talking to them. I'm helping out lang."
"Me mga boys ba dun?"
"Kuya..."
"Maine, tigilan mo na yang kaka-kuya mo."
"Don't worry, I won't talk to cute young Italian boys who can probably sweep me off my feet then propose and marry me."
"....."
"Huy."
"Maine."
"Uy joke lang yun. Are you mad?"
"......"
Silence.
"Sorry na at pinikon kita."
"Okay."
"I miss you, Richard."
"I miss you, Maine. O sige bye na."
"Huy ba't ganyan ka. Ayaw mo na ako kausap."
"Busy ka pa eh. Aalis ka na din soon."
"Don't be mad. I'll behave."
"Okay. Sige na."
"Bye."
//
Richard busied himself with his school work after their FaceTime chat. A few hours after, he took a break and checked his phone. He sees a message from Maine in iMessage.
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I changed tops. Don't be mad na, my fake kuya. xoxo
Richard smiles and texts her back. "That's my girl. 😘"
///
A/N:
Happy new year!
Short update for now. Not proofread, etc etc. Lam nyo na yun.
Realidad ate me alive the past weeks and just spat me out with a cold to boot. Yes, I am sick again. Buti colds lang. Between work/ birthday/holidays/vacation, I'm surprised I didn't get sick sooner.
I hope you all are doing well.
Comment and tweets are appreciated!!! Always.
xoxo
Alden's pic credit from his Haplos MV c/o google inages
