Falling For You

Chapter THIRTEEN

" This is not a goodbye, my darling, this is a thank you. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me joy, thank you for loving me and receiving my love in return. Thank you for the memories I will cherish forever. But most of all, thank you for showing me that there will come a time when I can eventually let you go..."

- Nicholas Sparks

New Beginnings.

Jake. Of all the people. I wasn't ready to see him, coming back from New York was the best thing that could happen to me. Just seeing him at this very moment brought such painful memories.

After meeting in college, I never thought being with Jake would be that serious, we were complete opposites. I didn't give him the time of the day, but then he was always there to listen to my every dilemma as we face our challenges in school. At the middle of my last semester I had to make a decision to have my internship in New York which of course, my parents resented the idea at first, but finally gave in to my urgings.

The first month was great, I went out with friends, go to museums, see Central Park which is my favorite place to explore and just think. Jake and I had our tough times, being in opposite parts of the globe and it had taken its toll on us. At the beginning, it was us adjusting fairly to endless phone calls, text messaging, Skype...you name it. Then all of a sudden, you realize that it is just not enough. Long distance relationships takes a lot of work and sacrifice to make it last.

A phone call from Patricia one day, changed all of it. I was in a meeting with a client when she told me how Jake betrayed me.

" Pain demands to be felt..." And this quote is so true. Being hurt is one thing, but a betrayal is another. One can't just simply forget.

Healing a broken heart is not an easy thing to do, I surrounded myself with friends, go to parties, as I lay on my bed after endless nights, crying myself to sleep, feeling my tears falling down my cheeks wondering if it would ever stop. I didn't think I deserved this, why me? I deserved an explanation, an answer.

My sixth month in New York helped me heal after I had answers to my soul searching realizing that I needed someone who would sacrifice and prove that indeed there is such thing as a person who is right for you.

" Maine, kumusta kana..." Jake's voice had Maine bring her thoughts back to the present.

" I'm ok, as you can see I'm out with friends, why are you here? And why am I even talking to you?" Maine angrily asked

Sam and Pat looked at them awkwardly and Richard looking puzzled

" Maine please if you would just let me explain..." Jake said, holding her wrist forcefully

" Can you let me go? I don't need an explanation from you, ok?" Maine said

" Pare, can you please let her go?" As Richard made his way towards Maine

A voice out of nowhere said, " Babe, my friends want to meet you, oh...Maine, I didn't see you there.." Jake's girlfriend, Alexandra joined them

Oh, wait..I failed to mention the cause of the betrayal in the first place: Alexandra, the one girl in college who can't stand being next to me, competing in every single attention from every guy in campus. Her, considering she was her one time friend not so long ago..

" Jake, I think it's best if you just go with her, don't you think?" Pat suggested

Jake looked at Maine hesitatingly and walked back to rejoin his group.

When they were finally alone, Richard asked Maine, " Who was that guy? Was he your boyfriend?"

Maine answered, " He was an EX boyfriend.."

" I see..was he always like that to you.." Richard asked

" Like what?" Maine asked.

" I just didn't like the way he held your wrist that way, are you ok?" Richard looked at her with concern, made her heart melt.

" No, he wasn't like that before, maybe he really just wanted to talk to me, that's why he acted that way.." Maine explained

" Well, I don't want to see you get hurt, that's all.." Richard said

" Thanks for your concern. I really appreciate it.." Maine said

As the night went on, they all realized that it was past one in the morning when all decided to call it a night..As everyone said their goodbyes, Pat said, " I'll call you in the morning, Maine..take care..Richard, take care of her ok?"

Richard said, " Of course...Sam thanks for the fun company, pare, tawagan na lang tayo, ok?"

As Sam and Richard gave each other a friendly hug, Maine collected her things and kissed Patricia goodbye.

As they headed towards the door, Richard went to the valet area and within minutes a blue BMW emerged.

Maine impressed at his shiny blue car, said, " And this is your car, huh? I never thought you would drive a BMW.."

" And what kind of car were you expecting me to have?" Richard asked

" A muscle car, like a Mustang....or a convertible.." Maine said

" Oh, well I had a Mustang before, it was a classic but I don't drive it anymore it's still parked in the garage though.." Richard said

" So, shall we?" Richard asked as he helped Maine onto the passenger seat..

" Thanks Richard..." As Richard started to drive through the direction of her house.

The twenty minutes drive from the bar was pleasant, the pair listened to Troye Sivan's Youth, happily singing along to it..

Maine's neighborhood in the Forbes Park area was full of mini mansions and perfectly manicured lawns..Maine gave him directions to where her three story mansion was located.

As Richard drove his car onto her driveway, he turned to her and asked, " So, don't you think it's time for you to give me your number na?"

"Ok, sige na nga...its 0917555777" As Richard wrote her number quickly...

" YEEEEESSSSS!!!! As Richard was too happy to get his wish...Richard asked her one last time...."Thank you, Maine..Can I pick you up here then we carpool for work starting Monday?"

" Starting Monday? Does it mean that you'll be my chauffeur from now on?" Maine asked hopefully

" Oo naman, ako pa...il be your chauffeur from now on..."

" I'm touched, thank you, Richard, so I have to think about it. I appreciate your offer..." Maine said

" I have to go, thanks for a wonderful evening..." Maine smiled and hugged Richard leaving her scent onto him

As Richard watched her leave, he felt so overjoyed that he left her house in a great mood.. You're just a phone call away, now Maine..and we will see each other soon, very soon.

-----To be continued