**I was invited to join the ADNHC Writers group a few months ago. We were asked and tasked to write a short story with the theme/prompt: coming home
Thank you for bringing us into your lives...into your family...thank you for bringing us HOME.
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"This is your Tita Agnes, wife of Tito Jed..." Tita Marion called on Maine. They were at a family reunion.
"Hello po. Welcome home!" Maine smiled and hugged Tita Agnes.
"Hello hija! Hija, how old are you na? The last time I saw you, you were still in your Mama's arms..."
"I'm 23 na po..."
"Oh my! 23! Kelan ka mag-aasawa?"
"...excuse me po...I have to bring this to the kitchen..." Maine made a beeline to the kitchen to evade the oh-so-dreaded topics of marriage and relationships. She just separated from a somewhat rocky relationship and was not about to embark on a new one.
"...maybe when I'm 34..." Maine sighed and dropped her shoulders.
"OA nito!" Evie, her bestfriend nudged her.
"...seryoso! Bakit ba kailangan mag-boyfriend? Happy naman ako sa pagiging single...walang hassle..."
"Sigurado ka?"
"Oo" Maine quickly replied. "I never believed in soulmates. We were born single and learned to be independent at an early age, why complicate things?" Maine always said. "We do things on our own and try not to be a burden to others..."
Being single and alone meant doing things for herself, too. She wasn't bothered by couples around her although would occasionally scoff at those who'd show their PDA like they were the only people in a crowded mall on a Sunday afternoon. She'd often be third wheel when her couple friends drag her along. Maine would just whip out her phone and get lost in her own world. Oftentimes, she would celebrate special occasions alone. She was happy being single.
However, sometimes, being alone makes one think of other things and become absent-minded. Like, almost pushing the door to the men's restroom instead of the ladies restroom or using the wrong escalator because the mind is pretty much programmed into thinking that the going up escalator is always on the right side and this particular mall decides to switch it up on these particular escalators.
Maine walked from the mall to her car with paper bags in her arms. She whipped out her keys from her bag and pushed the button to unlock it. Being in the parking lot full of other cars, Maine didn't immediately notice if the car she was heading for responded to her pushing her keyless pad. She pulled on the door handle and wondered why it didn't budge. She put the key in the keyhole but it didn't want to go in. Only then did she realize that her car was parked two slots ahead. Maine immediately ducked behind the paper bags in her arms, grabbed her keys and walked quickly to her car when she noticed the blinking lights indicating it had responded to her pressing the keypad on her key.
A week after, at the parking lot near her office, Maine once again fumbled with her car keys. This time however, Richard, the owner of the similar-coloured vehicle, watched in disbelief and amusement.
"Excuse me. Hi. I think your car is that one..." Richard, who had approached his car from the other side of the lot, pointed to the car in the space behind him. Two empty spaces were between their cars.
"...uh...sorry...sorry..." Maine blushed and bowed and quickly made her way to her car. She immediately got in and sat in the driver seat, resting her forehead on the steering wheel. "Ang talino mo, Nicomaine! Nakakahiya ka!" she said under her breath.
Suddenly, a gentle knock on her window startled her. It was Richard. Maine opened her window.
"Sorry talaga...sorry..." Maine repeatedly apologized.
"No, it's okay. It happens. I was wondering, would you like to get something to eat first? Mukhang stuck pa naman tayo dito sa parking lot at medyo ma-traffic na sa labas o" Richard said as he looked toward the direction of the parking lot exit and the street outside. "I'm Richard, by the way" Richard extended his hand for a handshake.
"...Maine..." Maine replied and shook Richard's hand.
This simple gesture started a friendship between Richard and Maine which eventually blossomed into a relationship. In time, they would date and hang out at each other's homes during weekends and evenings.
"O, akala ko ba 'single is fun'?" Evie chided.
"Ehh...noon yun..." Maine retorted.
Maine and Richard cared for each other very much. Maine would often remind Richard to relax and slow down when the workaholic Richard would push himself. Richard would give the best massages and hugs when he felt Maine needed it the most. Even when they were not together, they would make each other's presence and care felt. One time, as Maine prepared to leave her car while it was raining heavily, she scrambled to find her folded umbrella in the car's glove box. As she was about to close the box, something caught her eye. It was a poncho with a note - "use during heavy rains".
The poncho protected Maine from the rain and she was thankful for Richard's thoughtfulness. As she set her bag on the counter of her condo kitchen, she noticed a bottle of orange juice with another note - "drink up and boost your immune system. bawal magkasakit". Maine opened the bottle and started drinking while kicking off her shoes. Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out. There was a brownout. Or so Maine thought.
Being the independent woman that she was, Maine immediately thought of where she kept her candles, matches, and flashlights. She was about to go and get them when Richard's familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday...happy birthday...happy birthday to you..." Richard sang.
"Hindi ko naman birthday e..." Maine slightly protested by scowling a bit.
"Shh" Richard smiled and finished the song. Maine stared at Richard, his features softened by the glow of the candles. "...close your eyes and make a wish..."
She nodded and closed her eyes. She opened her eyes and was about to blow out the candles when she noticed the cake design -- a simple cake with a ring on top of a small house.
"Will you come home with me?"
Maine looked up at Richard who said, "Maine, mahal, will you marry me?"
Maine slowly nodded and smiled. She blew out the candles and Richard leaned forward, moving the cake to the side, and kissed Maine on the lips.
