" I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."
― Pablo Neruda
Forever Yours.
The five hour plane ride to Manila on a Saturday morning was uneventful, aside from Richard feeling nervous in anticipation of what to say to his beloved Maine. He clutched his hand tightly onto the small blue box and scanned for local taxis. He arrived in Manila a little earlier than expected and wanted to surprise Maine. He told the driver, " Boss, can you drop me off at Forbes?"
"Sure, Sir.." As the man turned on his keys and started to drive.
Richard's three story mansion came into view..he could see Wally walking around the gardens busily tending to chores.
" Boss, thanks.." He happily told him after he paid and thanked him and went inside his residence.
"Kuya Wally! I'm back!" Richard announced
" Sir, nice to see you. Do you want your lunch?" Wally asked
" No, thanks. I already ate on the plane. I'll just change and get my car. I have made plans already. Is daddy home?" Richard asked
" No, sir. He went out of town for business.." Wally replied
" Ok. If you see him, please tell him that i'll be gone a day and I'll be back Sunday late night, he can reach me on my phone. I have to go..." Richard said
" Sure, take care sir. I will give your dad your message." Wally said
Richard went to him and prepared for his date. He wanted to give Maine a call but it is after all a surprise. He got ready and packed a few items along with the blue box and went downstairs to his car.
Maine stood by the window and thought of packing but she didn't have any idea of Richard's return so she called his number. Ring...ring.. No answer. Bummer.
Richard drove through several mansions and saw Maine's house and stopped the car on her driveway.
He rang the doorbell..once, twice..no answer. Where could she be on a Saturday morning?
Maine heard the faint sound of her doorbell from her bedroom and made her way down. She opened the front door and saw.."Richard!!" He was carrying bouquets of yellow flowers and gave it to her..
" I'm so happy to see you..Did you just arrive?" Maine exclaimed, as she gave him a hug.
" The flowers are for you. Yes, I stopped by my house and drove here. So happy to see you too..missed you. Are you ready for our trip? We are going on a road trip.." Richard said
" Really? When? Now?" Maine asked her eyes widened with surprise
" Yes, that's what the surprise is for..go on, pack..we'll stay overnight and be back Sunday night.." Richard told her
" Really? I need to tell my nanny first." Maine said
" Sure go on." Richard said
Maine told Ruby and went to her bedroom to pack her bathing suit, her scuba suit Richard gave her, light clothes, some jackets and toiletries and necessities.
Carrying her duffel bag, she locked her front door, Richard took her bag and placed it on the backseat along with several other bags. " Are you sure we won't stay long? It's like a whole house packed in here.." Maine jokingly said
" Don't worry my whole household would not fit in here.." Richard said
" Are you ready? Let's go.."
The songs on the radio filled the air, both were singing along to the music and were happily chatting reminiscent of the songs they loved.
The two hour ride was a stretch, they made several stops just to dine and see the view. Maine observed local girls giggling and would whisper, " That guy is so cute..i wonder if that girl is his girlfriend. I sure would like to be one.."
Richard, aware of the stares the ladies were giving him, he puts his arms around Maine to put them in their place. The girls would just stare and leave.
Their four hour trip was not so bad, the car passed along few signs of town to an exclusive area. Maine looked around and saw a man approaching them..
" Sir, Richard..your boat is ready, please follow me.."
Richard took Maine's hand and lead her to the boat and placed their bags underneath the seats.
The breeze and the salty air was so refreshing..The islands were magnificent to watch.." Sir, we are almost there.." The beautiful island with coconut palm trees all over was a dream. The blue green emerald color of the ocean was breathtaking.
The twenty minute boat ride to an island was not such a bad experience. The boat made it to the shores and Maine saw tents over a small campsite.
The white sandy beach touched her toes and it gave her warmth. How heavenly!
Richard walked up to her and said, " Follow me, I have something to show you..." Maine followed closely and saw a huge white tent, a table for two, chandelier lights and rose petals scattered all over the sand.
" Wow! You did all this?" Maine asked
" Of course. Well, I had someone do it for me, but I gave them instructions.." Richard said
" I'm amazed, actually. Thank you for doing this.." As she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
" Sir, here are your bags. Here is the radio if you need anything, let us know.."
" Thank you, Thomas.." Richard said
" So, this island your family owns this?" Maine asked
" Yes, my mom's side actually. Thomas is the family's caretaker. Are you hungry? You want to eat?" Richard said
" Sure. Let's eat.." She went over to the table and noticed the food had already been prepared. A colorful array of seafood, vegetables and fruits with a wine on a chiller nearby with scents of flowery jasmine and lilies adorned.
Richard pulled out a chair for her and she thanked him. Their meal was exquisitely prepared, both had a great time dining with a soft music playing nearby.
At the end of the meal, Richard turned to Maine and said, " Maine i got something to tell you. It took me a while to realize how much you mean to me and what I'm trying to say is that...I love you. I really do."
" Richard, as what I have said in my text, I have a confession, that is in reply to your statement right now. Well, what i'm trying to say is that I feel the same way. So the next time you tell me that you love me, I'll say i love you too.." Maine said
" Really? Maine? You love me? Yes!! yes!! He jumped from his chair and yelled and hugged her and lifted her into the air.
" Put me down, you silly!!" Maine laughing
" I have one more surprise to give you. Close your eyes.."
As Maine closed her eyes, he took the small blue box from his bag and placed it on Maine's hand
" What is this?" Maine asked
" Open it.." Richard said
Maine's eyes widened as she opened the small box and saw a diamond ring..💍 she was breathless..
" Richard! This is too much!" Maine gasped
" Only the best for my girl!" Richard said as he took the ring from the box and slide it onto her finger.
" I promise to be here for you and always be true, as i promise to hold you when your day isn't going alright, and through the cold lonely nights..
I promise to give you smiles, when you feel like crying, even if you feel like dying
I promise to be near,
To wipe away each tear
And as i promise you that no matter what, we will make this through together,
As i give this ring to you, its a pact
That i promise to love you forever..." Richard told her
" Richard! I love you! Thank you.." Maine hugged him tight and tears slowly fall onto her cheeks..
" Are you crying?" As Richard wiped her tears away
" I'm just happy. You make me happy."
" C'mon, I got something to show you.." Leading her towards northwest of the island..Coconut trees filled the atmosphere...steady stream of a lake quietly flows into a stream.
" I'm gonna close your eyes and count to three.." As Richard placed his hands on her eyes..
" Now open them..." he said..
Maine opened her eyes and saw a waterfall and let out a sigh, she gasped, she tried to open her mouth but couldn't speak. The waterfall was too beautiful and it was just spectacular to watch.
" I come here when I was a boy. When I was confused about something or upset. This is sort of my own secret hideaway..."
" Richard, I'm so glad you showed me.." As Maine turned to him and kissed him.
-------To be continued