13

Breathe

"What do you think?" Maine asked Richard, while they were at a clothing store at the mall.

Richard was still looking on his phone so she repeated the question. He looked up at her and said "yes, its great." But he didn't seem like he was into it.

"Richard, are you okay?"

"Huh? Yes, love. Sorry, I apparently made a small error at work so I'm trying to fix it right now..."

Maine looked at him as he tinkered away on his phone. Lately, Richard has been distracted. When she asks him about something, he usually just agrees with her and goes back to what he's been doing. When she prodded, all she got was that work has been busy : his uncle's law firm that he has been working as a junior associate landed a big client. He has been putting extra hours at work too.

At first, Maine has been okay with it. They both agreed to have a long engagement. Maine also has work commitments , mostly travelling on and off for the next months as there were several exhibits that the artwork was being loaned to. They do not even have a date yet. As soon as they got engaged, Maine & Richard's workload have increased.

Maine went back to the dressing room and went back into her own clothes. She then purchased the blouse she tried on. Richard was absent mindedly looking at the clothes rack.

"Love, can we go?" Maine asked as she took his hand. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I kind of skipped lunch - only had a smoothie and a banana pala nung lunch. Pasensya, Maine. Medyo gutom na din pala ako."

They had dinner at one of their go to Japanese restaurants. Richard talked a little bit more then. Maine could not help but still think that something was bothering him even when he stepped out of their booth to go to the restroom.

Maine looked at her calendar, and realized that Richard's mom's 15th death anniversary was coming up. "So that's why he's been off ." Maine thought.

Richard came back and she asked him to sit next to her.

"Love, why did you not tell me that it's your mom's...."

"Death anniversary? Sa Saturday....Sorry, kaya ata ako na distract. I just realized how much I miss her. Yung dati I was busy....di ko namalayan...And with Dad visiting his sister abroad, I also just forgot. Until recently...." Richard trailed off.

"Since Saturday naman in two days , why don't we plan on attending the early morning mass? Then we can visit her."

"That would be nice." Richard quietly agreed.

***

That Saturday morning they did just as planned : Richard picked up Maine at her condo, and attended the morning mass. They went to eat breakfast afterwards.

When they left the cafe, Richard suddenly became quiet. Maine would just hold his hand while he drove.

When they got to the memorial park, Richard blew out a shaky breath. "Nerves, love. I haven't been here in awhile. Let's go!" , as he took a bouquet of white roses from the passenger seat of the car.

Maine held his hand as they walked into the lush space. She had only been here a number of times - during birthdays and holidays. There were people with them usually : Richard's dad, a cousin or aunt from abroad. She realized this was one of the few times they just by themselves.

They stopped and looked in awe at the small mausoleum. It had candles and a few flower arrangements : white & baby pink roses and orchids. It looked beautiful.

Richard looked around, amazed at the display. "How......Did you do this?" He sputtered.

"I called your dad. I asked for the caretaker's information and I spoke to her about receiving the flowers yesterday. I knew we had to do something, love. I felt like she is part of this, of us.." Maine said softly, her voice cracking while she showed him the engagement ring.

Richard had tears in his eyes as he hugged her. "Thank you, love."

He then slowly approached the marbled top. "Ma, andito po ako. Sorry natagalan ang pag bisita. I have Maine with me. We got engaged na. Sabi nyo po noon, if you didn't like who I gave your ring to, you would let me know. Wala naman po akong narinig or naramdaman Ma na ayaw nyo." He laughed lightly.

"When you started getting sick, I was only 10 years old then. You told me, make sure to find someone who has a heart as pure as mine. But I went to find someone who had a beautiful heart like yours, Ma. Buong puso akong mahal, and had so much patience in me while I made mistakes, and found my way back to her."

"I love you, Ma. Sana andito ka ngayon to meet Maine. I am sure you will love her. Dad loves her too. He says Hi by the way, kasama nya si Auntie Jo ngayon sa States. I am sure he is thinking of you too."

Maine squeezed his hand as she cried with him.

"Thank you po, Tita.."

"Mama, love. Di na tita."

"Thank you, Mama. For Richard. I will take care of your ring po. Para sa magiging mga anak namin."

"Uy mga anak daw. Narinig mo yan, Ma! Ilan ba gusto mo? 12?"

"Loko ka nasa harap tayo ng nanay mo. Pero mga 24 siguro pwede."

They both laughed at their silliness, the seriousness of it all forgotten.

They stood in silence until a yellow butterfly flew in and landed on the flower arrangement on the marble tomb.

"Richard, I think Mama is here."

They both looked at the butterfly until it finally flew away.

///

A/N:

Death ends a life, not a relationship. - Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie)

Losing my papa days apart before his birthdate almost 2 decades ago is still bittersweet and tough for me. That and watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 earlier. Sinong naiyak sa ending ng isang superhero/action movie ? *raises both hands*  😅

I'm still thinking on whether continuing this story a little bit more. Originally, mga 2 chapters na lang til it ends eh. Pero some asked to make it longer. What would you like to read about? Anything? Throw me a bone here... 😊

Not proofread, etc.. mistakes are all mine.

Butterfly pic c/o google images