Just Because You Are

Chapter 27 - Singing a Different Tune

Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love.

“Chummy, make sure babalik ka right after your shows, ha,” Louie tearfully told Raffie, holding her best friend’s hands tightly. “Palagi ka na lang nang-iiwan, eh.”

Harvey grinned at his girlfriend. “Bae, shhhh…bawal daw yung mga nag-e-emote dito,” he joked as he glanced at Quino who was standing nearby, holding Raffie’s luggage.

They were already at NAIA Terminal 2 to send Raffie off to her direct flight to Los Angeles. As soon as she went out of Harvey’s car, Louie clung to her friend as if not wanting to let her go while pouting childishly.

Since only the passengers are allowed to enter, they stayed for a while outside the terminal building to bid good-bye. Harvey asked a passer-by to take a picture of the four of them together just before Raffie went to the queue area.

Raffie, finding Louie’s childish antics cute, hugged her best friend. “I’ll be on the first flight pabalik dito as soon as we are told to pack up, prooooomise,” she assured Louie. “So please habang wala pa ako paki-check din sila Daddy sa house pag may time ka, ha?”

“Of course naman,” Louie said. “You don’t have to worry, palagi naming bibisitahin ni Harvey sila Tito at Tita…and andyan din si Sir Quino to play piano and guitar, diba?” She glanced at Quino who was just quietly looking at them. Realizing that she was taking much of the time that Quino would probably wish to have with Raffie, she then kissed her and told her that she and Harvey would go ahead. “FaceTime as soon as you arrive your hotel, okay?”

Raffie nodded, waving at the couple. “Bye Chum! Alagaan mong mabuti si Louie, ha, Harvey!”

Harvey made a thumbs-up sign to Raffie while flashing a big smile.

“I guess this is it, Raffie,” Quino said, forcing a smile as he neared her. When they talked in her office last week, she told him that there’s no need for him to send her off to the airport since Harvey and Louie will be driving her there.

He clearly understood why. But he still asked her a favor of being the one to drive her to the airport, of being with her for the last time before she leaves.

Raffie nodded, managing to smile at him. “Yeah, this is it, Quino,” she said. She looked at his sad eyes, pain somehow mirroring on her own expression. She bit her lip, trying to control her tears.

‘This is for the both of us…this is for the best,’ she thought.

Flashback – Forte, Last Week

“Let’s have dinner, Wǒ de ài,” Quino told Raffie as soon as he entered the latter’s office in Forte. “Doon na lang tayo sa resto mag-usap.”

Raffie smiled. “I prepared food for us…let’s eat now,” she said, taking out the food containers from the thermal bag. She prepared a simple dinner with the help of Carmi who was somehow surprised when she heard about her daughter’s decision.

“Wow!” Quino exclaimed, rushing towards the table where the food was prepared with matching candle light. He hugged Raffie and kissed her on the forehead. “I like your surprise…now I get to eat your home-cooked meal. Thank you, Wǒ de ài.” He drew the chair for Raffie to sit down first.