A Second Chance

Part 29 - Back to Reality

Richard's POV

He took Charm's pictures and videos non-stop. He wanted to capture every moment he spent with her. And when he saw Charm's tear nag-alala sya. He thought he might have stepped overboard but when she thanked him nabunutan sya ng tinik and gave an imaginary pat on his shoulder. Tuwang tuwa sya that Charm is happy.

Good job, Rj! look at her ang saya nya. 10,000 pogi points for you!

The look on her face is priceless. He felt a deep connection between them and he longed for Charm to be Maine. He wished it is Maine that is laughing with him, sharing that magical moment with him, spending the night with him,  kissing him...making love to him...uttering his name in the throes of passion. But it pained him that Maine is not Charm and she would never be. Yes, they may share the same face and some of Maine's traits but Maine will never come back. Maine loved the beach and the open waters whereas Charm is the opposite. So much so that he wanted Charm to be Maine, he pretended. He pretended Maine is with him, they were together again happy with each other's arms.

Masaya sya na hindi nya maipaliwanag. Despite his pretension, he wanted to see her happy. He wanted Charm to be Maine, really wanted it. Gulong gulo ang isip at damdamin nya. He knows he is using Charm. Dahil sa kanya, nabuhay muli ang pag-asa nya na makasama si Maine. Dahil sa kanya, nahawakan at nayakap nyang muli si Maine. Dahil sa kanya, natikman nyang muli ang init ng mga halik nito and she gave more than just a kiss. She gave herself to him. Charm will never forgive him if she would know the reason behind his intention. That he is just using her to replace her dead girlfriend. Hindi nya alam kung paano sasabihin ang tungkol kay Maine. Si Meng ko....

But all that worries vanished when he woke up that morning in Boracay, alone! Charm was nowhere to be found. No note of goodbye or whatsoever. All that is left is her scent that has lingered on the pillow and bedsheet and...he felt his trouser pocket at nilabas ang laman niyon, a thin black cloth...Charm's laced bikini panty. The only thing that she had left. He accidentally found it under the bed. For whatever reason, he still clings to that little piece of ... just like he is clinging at it now. He looked at his hand at kiniyumos ang hawak nya...muli na namang nabuhay ang galit nya kay Charm.

Nagmukha akong tanga! Ginawa nya akong tanga! Did she really just used me to mock his boyfriend? ipamukha sa boyfriend nya na iba ang naka 'di-virginized' sa kanya? God! how can I be such a fool! she used me! nagpupuyos na ang galit nya

Ang bilis ng karma, bro!

Shut up!

Naihilamos nya ang mga kamay nya sa mukha nya. Shit! tiningnan nya ang hawak pa rin nyang panty ni Charm at hinagis ito sa magulo nyang office table at sumandal sa swivel chair.

I can't even throw it away! Have I turned pervert? wala ng naglaro sa isip ko except our last night together... a week ago.

*****

Hindi nya akalain na magagalit si Charm sa ginawa nya. Akala nya after their parasail, ok na sya.

I should have known. Hindi ko dapat sya minadali. I got too excited for her. Now she's mad and doesn't want to talk to me.

'Maine, please...tell me hindi ka galit sa akin. I'm really sorry. Hindi na kita pipilitin sa ayaw mo. Please, Maine can you open the door?' pangungumbinsi nya.

'I'm ok, Richard. I just need a moment by myself' he heard her say.

I'm ok. I just need a moment by myself. So it means hindi sya galit? abswelto na sya? ok, i'll let her be, iiwanan ko muna sya for a moment. I also need to fix myself. 

'ok. I'll leave you for a moment. Magbibihis lang din ako. I'm going back, Maine' kelangan nyang bumawi. He looked for her key card bago sya lumabas. He made sure the door is locked and went to his room. He took a quick shower and changed to a white v-neck shirt and beige cargo shorts. Buti na lang bumili sya kanina. He went out again. Huminto sya sa tapat ng pinto ni Charm and listened. Mukhang nasa banyo pa rin sya. Nagmamadali syang pumunta sa front desk ng hotel. Si Leni at Jean ang naandon. Hindi ba umuuwi ang mga to? wala bang ibang empleyado dito?