Falling For You

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

" You might not have been my first love
but you were the love that made
all other loves seem irrelevant"
- Rupi Kaur

Tu es ma joie de vivre. ( You are the joy in my life.)

The best things in life are not necessarily material things given. Being mindful to the ones you love is something worthwhile. My dad taught me this,
Richard thought as he saw how the little pup playfully licked Maine's face as she cuddled and embraced it. " This little one is the cutest.." Maine told him
" I'm sorry if I caught you off guard with my gift. It wasn't my intention. I just want to make you happy. Seeing you happy makes me happy too.." Richard replied
" I love it. You surprised me and I thought of a name for her..I'll call her Chloe.." As she lifted her dog and Chloe softly barked in agreement.
" Why don't we head home and order take out and watch a movie.." Maine suggested
" Sure, I'll start packing our stuff.." Richard collected their picnic essentials and blanket with Maine and head for home.

Twenty minutes later.

As they arrived at Maine's front door, Ruby was greeted by Chloe's soft yelp..Maine placed Chloe down by the front hallway and the dog ran towards Ruby..
" My...my, what do we have here..as Ruby picked Chloe up from the floor. " Maine, did Richard give you this cute little thing here?" As she playfully touched and hugged the dog
" Yes and her name is Chloe." Maine told her
" Ate Ruby, do you think you would mind if Richard stayed over for dinner and watch a movie by the living room with me?" As she talked to her privately at the kitchen.
" Sure, Iha. No problem at all. Your mom called this afternoon and asked what time you would be back apparently they wanted to tell you their anticipated arrival here. I have to get started on dinner, I've cooked your favorites."
" Thanks ate Ruby, a comfort food is all I need. Ate Ruby, can you take Chloe to the backyard while I open the front door for Richard?" Maine left Ruby in time to hear the soft chimes of the doorbell. " Thanks, love. Is it ok for me to stay over?" Richard asked
" It's fine by her. My mom called earlier while we were at the park. She probably want to tell me when they will be arriving." Maine told him
" You must be excited right?" Richard asked as he draped his arm across Maine's shoulders walking to the living room
" I sure miss them.." Maine's cell phone rang by the foyer and as she rummaged through her purse and answered the call.
" Hello? Mom? Yes, I just got home. I was out earlier, ate Ruby told me that you've called. Next Saturday? Really? Ok mom, take care, I love you too.." Maine hang up and walked over to where Richard was sitting in the living room.
" They are coming home next Friday and we're dining out next Saturday. Do you mind coming with me?" Maine shyly asked Richard and touched his cheek.
" Of course I don't mind. Are you gonna tell your parents about us?" Richard asked
" Yes, of course. I need the perfect timing. Don't worry I'll take care of it. In the meantime, let's go in the kitchen and see if dinner's ready.."
" Come you two..join me in the dining room.." Ruby called out to them and one by one serving Maine's dishes in the large dining room table.
Richard and Maine sat next to each other across Ruby. Their lavish meal was sumptuously prepared.
" Have some more fruits, Richard." Maine served him array of fruits.
" Thanks, Maine."
" Richard, have you told your family that you're staying over for dinner?"
" Yes, I called my dad and he was okay with it."
" Seems like you two have been getting closer huh? Huwag mong sasaktan alaga ko, okay? Maine is like a daughter to me. Anyone who hurts her will have a taste of their own medicine.."
" Hurt Maine? Ate Ruby, I would never hurt her, actually I love her.." Richard pointed out
" You're telling me that you love Maine as a friend or more than a friend?" Ruby clarified Richard's statement
" I love her more than a friend, did you tell her about us Maine?" Richard asked as he turned to Maine
" Tell me what, Richard.." Ruby asked
" Well, Ate Ruby, Maine and I are officially a couple.."
" REALLY?!" Ruby shrieked in excitement as she got up from her chair and hugged Maine
" I'm happy for you, Iha. Whatever makes you happy, and I can tell how Richard means to you."
" Thanks Ate Ruby." Giving back a heartfelt hug to her elderly nanny.
" Are you two done with dinner? Go on, go on the living room and I'll finish up here.." Motioning for the two to head to the living room.
" What are we going to watch? As Maine flipped on the remote and handed it to Richard.
" Love, it's your house so you choose the movie.."
" I don't mind, love why don't we browse through the channels and pick a movie.." Maine took her shoes off and helped Richard take his off. Richard took large pillows and Maine settled in beside him as Richard put his arms around her in a tight embrace.
" I love you, Maine.."
" I love you, too Richard.." As he kissed her tenderly.
As Richard flipped on different channels, Maine saw a movie entitled, Serendipity, and she told Richard.
" Have you watched that movie yet? It's a good movie.."
" No, I haven't, it's a chick flick right?" Richard teased her
" Yes, but it's inspirational and romantic.."
" Okay, then. Let's watch it.."
Soon after the opening credits rolled, Maine dimmed the lights and cuddled next to Richard.
" Damn! You smell so good.." Richard told her
" Shush! You have to concentrate on the movie.." Maine reprimanded him
" You next to me, is just so distracting.." Richard said and kissed her on the neck...
A giggly Maine kissed him back this time much lingering and his lips were burning in intensity.
" We should concentrate on the movie, love.." Maine said
" Okay, fine..ill be on the opposite side of the couch then.."
" Don't you dare, Faulkerson!" Maine said sternly
" Just what I thought, I'm just too irresistible and you can't stand it, me being away from you.." Richard continued to tease her
" Fine! You win.." Feeling resigned as Maine pulled him closer to her.
At the end of the movie Richard asked Maine, " Is it just coincidence or serendipity?"
" It's both, love. So what can you say about it?" Maine asked
" I think the plot is wonderfully written, I could relate to the movie myself.." Richard pointed out
" How so?"
" Well, the movie is somewhat on how we met, it's unexpected at the same time lucky enough to have found each other, don't you think?"
" Yes, I agree..."
" I have an idea, why don't we go to the bar this Friday and bring Pat along. It'll take her mind off Sam for once." Richard suggested
" Sure, I'll ask Pat if she's available.." Maine glanced at the clock and saw that it was 11:30.
" Love, it's past eleven, and you have work tomorrow.."
" Okay, I better go home. Can you walk me to the front?" Richard asked
" Sure, love c'mon..as she got up from the couch and held her hand out to him and helped him up to his feet away from the room to the parkway.
" Thanks love, are you sure I can't stay over and sleep next to you?"
" Not a chance, haha! Nice try though, besides my parents will disown me if they find out.."
" What if I proposed to you, right here and now and tell you that I'm dead serious and if something were to happen between us, I still want to marry you.." Richard said
" I'm sure I would gladly accept it, at the right time.."
" I'm sure you would, love.." Richard said
Their kiss was more passionate than the last. A slight downpour of the rain made them both look up at the sky and Richard grabbed Maine's waist to plant another lingering kiss, her lips tasted of strawberries, the poignant smell of gardenias and roses around them watered by its rainfall was haunting. Their heartbeats beating loudly as they hugged each other tighter..
" I love kissing you in the rain.." Richard whispered in her ear.
" And you're definitely a good kisser.." Maine told him
" We're both drenched.." as Richard kissed her one last time.
" Any chance you have extra pair of clothes that will fit me?" Richard asked
" I think so. Why don't you go back inside and you can change in the guest room?" Maine suggested
" Sure. " he replied
Running hand in hand back to her front door, as Ruby saw them both soaking wet.
" Ate Ruby, unpredictable weather outside, I should be more in tuned to the weather.."
" You're both wet. Come inside." Handing them both a towel.
" Ate Ruby, I'll get a shirt for Richard, can he change in the guest room?" As she turned and ran upstairs to her room.
" Of course. Iho, follow me upstairs.." Ruby leading the way to the second floor past Maine's bedroom.
" Is this Maine's room?" he asked pointing directly at it
" Yes. It is...go on, the guest bedroom is to your right. Two doors down."
Maine inhaled deeply as soon as she closed her door behind her.

That was intense, she thought. Truly epic.

She browsed through her shirts and saw her dad's shirt tucked underneath her pile of clothes in the drawer, she took the shirt and pants and raced towards the second floor hallway to the guest room. She breathes deeply and knocked lightly. Richard opened the door and stood shirtless and Maine softly gasped, tongue tied and just stared how his manly physique took her breath away. Richard stood like a Roman god who could make any girl bend her knees and obey at his command.
" Ahem, love here's your shirt.." Speechless Maine spoke at Richard and his smile glowed on his face.
" You want to come inside?" Richard teased her
" Stop it. Don't tempt me. I'll be downstairs, okay?" She told him
" One kiss?" Richard took Maine's hand and kissed her once again.
Maine kissed him back and said, " Richard, have to go...meet me in five?"
" Okay, see u in a bit."
Richard emerged from the room and went downstairs and saw Maine and immediately joined her.
The rain stopped as they walked to the driveway where Richard's car was parked and said their goodbyes and farewell kiss.

Richard arrived at his house exactly past twelve midnight and was about to hit the sack when his phone glowed in the darkness.

Yesterday, I did love you, come tomorrow I will only think of you, and you know what, I love you..
- Maine

What if I told you I couldn't live without you, would you know I'm trying to tell you how much I love you. Marry me, Nicomaine. Time won't be as of this moment, but I'm sure that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
- Richard

-------To be continued