The Time is Now

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Maine was speechless. She blinked several times then burst into tears.

Richard looked at Maine's parents and Aunt Agnes who all looked shocked as he was. Tatay shrugged.

"Maine, huy...." Richard reached for her and tried to pry her hands away from her face. "I'm sorry, but why are you crying?"

Maine finally stilled , hiccuping and whispered. "Andaya mo eh. Nag surprise-surprise ka pa dyan." 

Richard laughed and enveloped her in a big hug. "#sorrynotsorry, Maine. That was the whole point.  Miss na kita so... surprise! Ang hirap kaya itago to sayo. And I had tito and tita swear up and down not to give away anything."

She finally looked up at him and pushed him back a bit. "Nakalamang ka ngayon ha...." . Maine looked at her parents , who seem to be not bothered with her sudden outburst and was now busy chatting with auntie Agnes, so she hugged Richard close. " But thank you. I miss you. So much..... Kuya."

Tatay cleared his throat. "Ok kids, that's enough for now. Grab your luggages na ng makarami tayo ng kwentuhan."

Sheepishly, Maine and Richard disengaged from each other. Nanay playfully pinched Maine's cheek as they all started walking to the direction of the rented mini-van.


//



They all had late lunch al fresco at the patio. Uncle Massimo joined them and there was just a swirl of stories from  Tatay and Nanay's travel stories and of course, updates from their family in Manila to Auntie Agnes and Uncle Massimo's plans on where to go on their vacation.

As they were all enjoying dessert and port wine (for the men, Richard excused himself from it and had a cappuccino instead) , Maine sat back and held her Nanay's hand. "Thank you po Nay, pinayagan nyo si Richard na sumama."

Nanay squeezed her hand. "Anak, si Richard halos pinagpapawisan na nung nag paalam sa Tatay mo na kung pwede bang i-sorpresa ka. Actually, ang nagsabi na sumama na lang sya sa amin eh si Tatay."

"Hala! Bakit ganun..." Maine said, her eyes widening.

"Relax, Nak. Your tatay wanted to spend time with him at para na din makita natin sya in this light, na manliligaw mo, and not just your  kuyang hilaw."  Nanay laughingly emphasized.

"Nanay naman eh." Maine pouted.

"Seryoso naman kasi sya, anak. Sya pa mismo dumadalaw sa amin, pati ke Yaya Pacing mo me dala sya. I don't think most young men his age would do that. So that in itself is admirable. Hindi naman nya kami kelangan ma win-over, since kilala na namin sya, pero mabuti pa din na makilatis natin sya in a different environment." Nanay ended this with a quick hug.

The two ladies fell silent, just watching as Tatay , Uncle Massimo and Richard chatting.

"Nay, he makes me happy. Really happy." Maine said softly. "Kahit magkalayo kami, he never made me feel like his second choice. Parang mas maganda yung friendship namin. Yung tumatag... And also...."

"Mahal mo..." Nanay stated. It was not even a question.

"Yes po. Mahal ko po sya lalo." Maine looked at her mother with affection. "Parang sobra po ba to? Alam ko po nag promise ako na focus ako sa studies. And I am really doing that. Pero ngayon na andito na sya, I think...I want to tell him, if he asks me."

"You're a smart one ,iha . And I've seen you mature and blossom. If you feel this is best for you, hindi naman ako hahadlang. I will be here to guide you of course, and I will be a listening ear for you every single time you need me.  Ayaw ko lang ma pressure ka at mahirapan ka, long distance relationship ito, Maine."

"I think this time it will be different, 'Nay." Maine said.

"I trust you, and Richard. So I hope you do not disappoint us, na kakayanin mo ang relasyon na to at studies mo ha." Nanay stated.

"Ay, sasagutin ko lang po, Nay. Di po kami magpapakasal." Maine laughed. She was having a laughing fit that Nanay was infected by her.

"At ano naman ang tinatawa -tawa ng mag-ina ko?" Tatay interjected with Richard behind him.

"I will fill you in, Tatay." Nanay grabbed his arm and manuevered him towards the house, where their hosts have already walked into.  "Iwan na muna natin ang mga bata para makapag kwentuhan sila."

It's the first time they have had a chance to be with each other. Richard moved to be next to Maine, who is leaning on a low brick wall.

"So..." Richard nudges her shoulder.

Maine does the same. "Surprise pala ha. Kaya ang tipid tipid sumagot sa mga messages."

"Miss mo na kasi ako di ba?" Richard teased.

"Hep. Ikaw ang lumipad dito. Malamang mas miss mo ako."

"Dad had miles eh and it was expiring this year. He is busy with a new business venture so di makakaalis muna and offered this to me para makita daw kita. Granted, saglit lang...."

"How much time do we have? I mean, your vacation?" Maine stammered. Clingy mo ha. We agad.

"10 days lang ako Maine. It's 12 days really but I'm taking out the 2 days coz of travel."

"Mauuna pala sila Tatay at Nanay sa paguwi ng 3 days?"

"Yes, kasi naipagpaalam ko na din naman....Basta. Malalaman mo na lang."

"What? Di ka pa nga tapos sa atraso mo, boy gulat, and now I'm gonna have to wait?"

"Patience, my dear. Patience."

At that exact moment, they both looked at each other. Richard raised his left hand to brush the hair of the side of her face. His hand lingered, and Maine unconsciously leaned into his palm.  His thumb caressed the side of her mouth. Maine's throat was suddenly parched. It was like everything was bright and all she could see was him.

"Thank you." Maine said and kissed his palm. "You being here means a lot. I love it kahit pinaiyak mo ako." She then proceeded to pinch his side, making him yelp.

"I missed you so much, nababaliw ako kakaisip sa iyo kahit bugbog ako..." He leans over to kiss her temple.

"Nambola ka pa. Halika na nga. You need rest, para makapasyal tayo bukas." She pulls him up and tugs his arm towards the house. Richard pulls her back into a big bear hug. His heart is happy and content as it should be.


///


A/N:

Happy almost 79th Weeksary!!!

Sorna if anti-climactic ang ending for this chapter! Pero this is it pansit, 10 days of Maichard bonding. 😍 Granted, we have the parental unit with them but still! 😊

Should Richard pull out all the stops? How romantic do we want this to happen? Andami kong scenarios , di ko alam ano uunanahin ko ! 😅

Not proof read, any mistakes / typos are mine.

Comments & Tweets (isy1619) are ❤

Screenshot from their Eat Bulaga FB live vid . Coz that is GOLD. (At ganyan sila kalapit sa convo towards the end of this chapter)

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