Everglow

January 2, 2015: I'm coming back home (ii)

A/N: Here's part 2 guys!

Also, like the previous chapter, I have to clarify that Richard did not go back in time again. Flashback lang to. Sana napakilig ko kayo kahit papano this Christmas season. 🙃

Merry Christmas and thank you for supporting Everglow! 💛💛💛

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"Maine?"

"Hmm?" Maine replies, eyes still closed, her hands instinctively rubbing Richard's back.

"Can you promise me something?"

"Anything, Rj."

"Hang out with me?" He asks quietly,  "Can you please hang out with me for the rest of our lives."

Maine couldn't help but let out a chuckle, and yet, she holds him tighter, "You're such a dork, Richard."

Richard let out a hearty chuckle and she couldn't help but smile as they slowly break apart.

*******

"Menggay, teka lang, before I forget." He grabs her hand and faces her palms up in the air as he shifted in his seat and fishes out something from his pocket.

Her eyes widen as he placed a lone key in her hands and says, "Here's your duplicate. Don't lose it ha! I know you."

"Teka, Rj. You're giving me key to your place?"

"Oo naman." He replies simply as he picked up his plate and eats a spoonful of paella. "Why are you so shocked?"

"Uhm, wala naman. I didn't think you'd give me a spare key." She stood up, grabbed her purse and places the key safely inside.

"Honestly Meng, who else would I give a spare key to?" It shocked her how he was saying things nonchalantly--as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I can live like this.

We really are going to hang out for the rest of our lives. Then may be, just may be, one day we'll finally be together the way we used to want to? May be one day things will finally fall into place. May be one day, things will finally align. The timing might finally be right.

Baka tamang panahon lang talaga ang kailangan.

As long as its with Richard, I think can live like this.

I can wait it out.

"Wait, Rj! I have presents for you!" She says to veer her away from her thoughts--thoughts she had not allowed herself to linger on for quite some time.

"Presents? Plural? Aba! Ang generous mo ngayon Menggay ah!" He was acting like a complete child as he followed her and reached over to pinch her cheeks gently. He gave her this boyish grin she secretly loved. Richard had to grow up quickly when his mother died--he was so serious most of the time, braving this strong front. And Maine felt incredibly lucky to be one of the very few people who got to see him when his guard was down.

"Of course!" she stands up, "Wait, close your eyes while I get it."

"You better not leaving me hanging, Mendoza."

Richard heard her shuffle back in place, "I'd never! Especially not today! Teka, its almost ready."

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"You may."

Richard slowly flutters his eyes open and saw the woman he loved in front of him, with a plate of what appears to be chocolate cupcakes with lighted candles perched on each one. She starts singing for him, in a small yet sweet voice, "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday my dearest Rj, happy birthday to you!"