Drum Beats

Heartbeat

"Sorry for intruding," Richard said disappeared into their room. A moment later, he came out with his luggage in hand.

"Richard, wait," Maine stopped him.

"My dad needs me right now," he reasoned. "He said he needed my help."

"You're lying," Maine said.

"What?"

"You bite your lower lip when you're lying," she said. "Why are you lying to me?"

Richard sighed. "Alright. You got me," he smiled sadly. "You both seem to be happy that you saw each other again. I don't want to take that away from you, so I'm gonna leave. Spend time with each other."

"Richard..." she grabbed his arm.

"Maine...just please let me go," he pleaded. "The more time I spend here with you both the more it hurts."

"Ang daya mo naman eh," she hugged him from behind. "You promised you'd wait for me. But look at what you're doing now. You're leaving me."

"The one you really love already came back. Wala na akong papel sa buhay mo," Richard replied. "Diba yung usapan, kapag mahalin mo ako? Maine, you can't love both Janine and I."

Maine loosened her hug, so Richard walked away, without looking back.

Why the hell is this so hard?

Maine burst into tears and fell on the floor. Richard can heard her crying, but he had to be strong. If he left, not only he made Janine happy, but Maine most especially.

I want her back. But I need him...

"Go," she heard Janine said.

"What?" Maine answered.

"Go after him. Forget about me. I'll be okay," she gave Maine a reassuring smile.

Maine did not waste anytime and ran after Richard.

He was about to ride his car when he heard someone calling him. "Richard!"

He turned and saw Maine running towards him.

"What are you do--" she cut him off with a kiss. He kissed him back and when air became a necessity, they pulled away.

"Why are you here?" he asked, fixing her hair and wiping away her tears.

"Sabi nila follow your heart, diba?" Maine smiled. "Well, I followed mine."

"Nasaan?" Richard joked and looked around.

Maine chuckled. "Nandito," Maine replied and held his chest. "Together with yours."

Richard smiled and kissed her cheek. They spent the next moment hugging each other. It was like they didn't see each other for years.

"Richard?"

"Hmm?"

"Remember the last rule I gave when I agreed to date you?"

"Hmmm...let me think," he pretended to think, although he remembered it clearly. "You...wanted to go to the beach?"

"No," Maine chuckled. "Kung ganyan ka-poor ang memory mo edi babalik nalang ako kay--"

"Huy, wag naman ganon. Nagjo-joke lang eh," Richard cut her off. "Makakalimutan ko ba yun? You said I can't tell you I *toot* you unless you say it to me first."

Maine looked at him lovingly. "I changed my mind on that."

"Huh?" He asked, confused.

"I want you to say it to me first," she said, their faces getting closer.

"I love you, Maine," he said as soon as their foreheads touched.

Maine smiled. This is what I want.

"I love you too, Richard."