Maybe, Tomorrow

20: Home

It's a chilly Thursday afternoon and Maine was home early. Hindi ito madalas mangyari kaya't nang pinauwi sila ng maaga ay nagkukumahog sya umuwi sa bahay para ayain na lumabas ang kanyang asawa. But to her dismay, it was an empty apartment that welcomed her instead of the smell of a freshly brewed coffee that her husband usually makes before she arrives.

It was one of the things she has developed for the past five years – drinking coffee. She never liked coffee, but her yearning for a change during the times of sadness and confusion was strong na kahit anong pagbabago ay gagawin nya for her sanity. She did consider cutting her hair short but that's too overrated.

Sayang ang buhok na inalagaan nya ng pagkahaba-habang taon, parang ang mga ala-alang inipon nya simula nung nagkakilala sila.

Maine laughed and shook her head. She slowly walked towards the coffee maker on top of the island table to make herself a cup of coffee.

Gaano sya kalala noon? Sobra. Was she allowed to be like that? Maybe. Definitely.

She was his other half while he was – and maybe still is – her everything.

Mabilis na tiningnan ni Maine ang orasan sa sala at nakitang halos malapit na mag ala-singko ng hapon. Half of her wants to enjoy the alone time but the other half wants to call or text him. She pulled out her phone inside of her blazer's pocket and unlocked it.

Seeing her lock screen wallpaper always and will always hits home.

Parang kailan lang nung dumating si RJ dito sa Florida para buhayin lahat ng natutulong na dragon sa kanyang tiyan. This photo of her facing the ocean with her left arm on the back while he was holding it is one of her favorite new memories of them. Masakit oo, pero yung sakit na magigising ka sa katotohanan na walang nagbago sa pagmamahal mo sa kanya. Kung mayroon man, mas lumala pa ang pagmamahal na iyon at nadagdagan ng panibagong emosyon na hanggang ngayon ay pilit nyang inaalam kung ano.

Siguro ngayon, mas minahal na nya yung sarili nya.
Siguro ngayon, mas makakaintindi na sya.
Siguro ngayon, mas kaya nyang magmahal na sapat lang sa kung anong binibigay sa kanya.

And maybe Belle is right, maybe she's just overthinking things.

Bago pa man nya buksan ang iMessage ay bumukas na ang pintuan ng kanyang apartment at bumungad sa kanya ang kanyang asawa na kung paano at bakit mukha pa rin syang fresh ay hindi na sakop ng utak ni Maine.

"I'm home." He greeted her and smiled.

Naglakad si RJ papunta kay Maine bitbit ang isang paperbag at binigyan ang asawa ng halik sa tenga.

"Welcome home," She answered. "Bakit ngayon ka lang?"

"Actually, ganitong oras ako minsan nakakauwi galing meetings, sadyang maaga ka lang. Bakit ka nga pala maaga today?" Tanong ni RJ at inilapag ang bitbit na paperbag sa mesa.

"Halfday kasi si Justin, so pinauwi na rin kami. Medyo good mood sya kanina eh," Maine replied and glanced towards the bag that was neatly placed on the table.

"Ano yan?"

"Pasalubong." He replied and smiled.

"Para sa akin ba?"

"Ikaw lang naman ang tao dito sa bahay, hindi ba? Unless may nakikita ka pang iba..." He teased and got a slap on his biceps immediately.

"Baliw ka talaga!" She said and laughed. "So, akin nga?"

"Oo nga! Ang kulit. Pero mamaya mo na buksan. Nag-dinner ka na ba?"

Maine shook her head and raised her mug as an initial response.