Maine pulled her coat closer to her body as she roamed the busy streets of New York. Her bodyguard discreetly walked behind her a few feet away. Maine wondered at first how he would act discreet with his black suit and aviator sunglasses but then she realized, much to her surprise that he would just fit right in since everybody in New York seemed to wear black all the time.
She strolled leisurely as she took in the sights while the the people around her rushed about intent on getting to their destinations quickly. If there was one thing that she learned about New York it was that the people there seemed to be always in a hurry. Maine couldn't imagine living her life like that. People were always on the go, walking briskly with their heads bowed down low. There was no time to stop and breathe, to sit on a café and enjoy watching people pass. It was as if the people there walked on a straight line and it would be a sin to deviate from it even for a second.
Maine has been there for two days and she has to admit that she was learning a lot. It was fascinating to immerse herself to a totally different culture. It was fun to discover how things could be very different from what she's used to and she has been trying very hard to veer away from her comfort zone and push her self to try new things. To be honest, she was starting to enjoy her independence quite a bit although it did not stop her from missing Richard so much.
It's been two days and RJ hasn't called her yet. She couldn't help but feel sad that he was able to ignore her that long. She was hoping that her absence would make him miss her a little bit. She tried to reason out to herself though that maybe he was just very busy in the office and didn't have the time to call her yet. Yes, it was better to think about it that way rather than to assume that he did not care at all.
Maine stopped walking as soon as she was in front of Central Park. She fell in love with the park the first time she saw it and made a promise to herself that she would pass by it everyday during her entire stay in New York. She found the park very soothing and enjoyed walking through the tree lined paths. She strolled through the park until she found an empty bench. She settled herself on it and contented herself on watching the people go by. She spotted several joggers and bikers who were making the most of the last rays of sun before evening finally settles in. A few people were walking their dogs while young lovers strolled by hand in hand.
Maine let out an unconscious sigh. She was sure that her husband would love to spend time here. They usually love spending a couple of hours in the park back home during Sunday afternoons. They would just let the hours pass as they sat on a park bench and talk about anything and everything under the sun. Sometimes he would buy her some ice cream and they would eat it under the shade of a tree.
Maine took her phone out from her purse and stared at it as if willing it to ring but much to her dismay it continued to stay silent like it did yesterday.
Richard was lost in thought as he strolled the streets of Manila very early in the morning. He was supposed to be in the office to finish some paper works but he's been feeling suffocated since he got up and eventually decided to leave the house early to take a walk and get some fresh air.
Richard was feeling very tired. He was not able to sleep much last night and the three cups of coffee that he took during breakfast did not help at all. He couldn't understand why he doesn't seem to be in the mood to do anything. He's always loved being in the office but quite recently he couldn't seem to think of anything to lift his spirits. That empty feeling that he felt has taken up permanent residence in his heart and he seemed to have lost all motivation to accomplish anything.
Richard slowed down to a stop as soon as he spotted the park that he and Maine visit during weekends. Without thinking twice he crossed the street and entered it. Richard took a deep breath and filled his lungs with fresh air. The trees that dotted the park has always brought a calming effect on him. He took a seat on an empty park bench and watched the trees sway gently against the wind.
He reached into his pocket and took out his phone. He stared at it for a couple of minutes as if contemplating on what to do. He played around with it for awhile until he started scrolling through his contacts. He stopped on the name he was looking for and finally after a moment's hesitation he pressed on the call button.
Maine jumped and almost dropped her phone when it started ringing. She looked at the screen and felt her heart speed up as soon as she read the caller id. She took a couple of breaths to calm her self and finally answered on the fifth ring.
"Hello" Maine's voice was heard through the other line and all too soon Richard felt a certain feeling of contentment. It felt as if he has not spoken to her for a long time and he felt his heart jump a bit as soon as he heard her voice.
"Honey, how are you?" He asked softly as he leaned back against the park bench.
"Everything is great. I'm having fun so far" she replied. He can feel her smiling.
Richard cleared his throat before answering. "That's good to know"
"Surprisingly, I'm managing quite well for a beginner" she said proudly.
Richard couldn't help but smile.
"Guess where I am right now" Maine said mysteriously.
"The Empire State Building?" Richard guessed although he crossed his fingers and hoped that he was wrong. For some reason he did want his wife to go there at all.
Maine laughed at his comment. "No, although I do have plans to visit that soon" she remarked. "Anyway, I'm in Central Park."
"Really?" Richard said his smile widened. "Well, guess where I am right now."
"The office?" Maine guessed.
"No, although I'm supposed to be there right now" he answered sheepishly.
"Then where are you?" Maine asked curiously.
"I'm at the park" he answered.
Maine was surprised when she heard this. "It's not Sunday right now. What are you doing there?"
"I don't know. I had the sudden urge to come here. No particular reason at all" he admitted.
Maine was quiet for awhile. If there was one thing that she likes doing with him the most, it was their weekly trips to the park. "Too bad we won't be able to have our weekly park trips for a month" Maine remarked sadly.
"We're both in the park right now aren't we?" Richard replied softly. "We can still have our park trips, it's just that you're there and I'm here"
"It won't be the same" Maine said as she tried her best not to cry. She's never missed RJ as much as she's missing him right now.
"It's alright honey. We'll make the most out of it" Richard assured her. "So tell me, have you been to any Broadway musical?"
"Not yet, although I'm thinking of seeing Les Miserables on Saturday and maybe CATS on Monday" she replied.
"They're both good. I'm sure you're going to enjoy them" Richard said in an approving tone.
"It's kind of lonely doing it alone" she admitted.
"Don't worry, I'll go to New York with you next time and we'll watch them again together" Rihard promised.
They talked for over an hour as they sat on their respective park benches from across the globe. Richard updated Maine about the company while Maine told RJ about the places that she is planning to visit. The sun has already gone down in Maine's side of the world when she finally thought that it was time to say goodbye. She was quite reluctant to put the phone down but she knew that she had to get home soon and RJ probably needs to go to the office.
"I have to go. It's already dark. I have to start making my way back home" she said reluctantly.
Richard was silent for a while. "Yeah, I think I have to get going too. If mom finds out I came to work late she's going to have my head chopped off" Richard replied halfheartedly.
"I'll talk to you again soon?" she asked hopefully.
"I'll call you back tomorrow" Richard promised.
"Bye" she whispered and finally pressed the end button.
She stared into space for a moment as she recalled her entire conversation with RJ. Just five minutes after they ended their call and she was already starting to miss his voice. With a heavy heart she pulled herself up from the bench and started walking back home.
Richard was thousands of miles away but she was glad that at least for a brief moment in time it felt as if he was just beside her.