CHAPTER 16
Few feet from the garden, Maya can't help but smile, she can already see from afar the flowers in full bloom swaying against the cool morning breeze. She later on find herself giggling remembering few instances when she was so engrossed reading that she failed to notice her mom already sitting with her at the bench waiting for her to move her head up from the book.
After barely 2 minutes, she's already traversing the path along the flowery bushes going to the center where the concrete round table with benches is located. She dreamily admired the garden which is undoubtedly well kept by the university's gardener, Mang Tony. She's almost by the concrete table when she finally noticed rose petals on the ground, she quickly looked back and gasped realizing that there are petals along the path she just walked on. She looked around, seeing no one, she slowly walked nearer to the table, which seemed to be fully set with different cut fruits in bowls and a pitcher of water, an elegantly wrapped bouquet of white roses is also laying on the table. She again looked around and turned to leave, thinking that someone got ahead of her in the garden and she is intruding.
Good morning Ms Dela Rosa!
Maya stopped on her tracks, when she heard a masculine voice greeted her. Shit! Oh my God, nakita pa ako! Maya sighed and closed her eyes for a second before she slowly turned around eyes focused on the ground to apologize for intruding.
Sir, i am really sor... and just like that she stared on the man in front of her, in pink polo shirt and jeans, who is giving her a wide grin. She momentarily get lost on the beauty of the man before her. She sighed again, and just smile shaking her head, loss for words.
There you go again, say something! Richard said walking closer to her chuckling. Hmmm, why don't you start with "Good morning"? I have already said good morning twice but you haven't responded yet.
Maya started to laugh. Mr Lim, you're silly! Okay, good morning to you too, times two!
It's Richard's turn to laugh; while Maya just look at him grinning. He's still here!!!
When Richard noticed Maya looking at him, he started to feel awkward... he took few steps more toward her, feeling the need the explain why he's there.
Uhmmm, Maya, uhmmm... well, I already told you last night, right? I just want to make things formal.... (Maya is still just looking at him) ... to let you know that I am really serious. From the very start, I've really fallen...
Richard was cut short of his spiel and almost lost his balance when Maya suddenly closed their gap and clasped her fingers behind his neck, resting her head on his chest. Richard instinctively wrapped his arms around Maya. They have been like that for few minutes, Maya is just quietly resting her head against his chest.
Maya? Hey! Richard tried to gently shook her.
In response, Maya moved to look up at him with a small smile, their faces just inches from each other. On the other hand, Richard is at loss on what is happening, he's a little nervous on what would happen next, and before he can rationalize things, Maya moved again planting a chaste kiss on his lips, then proceed to whisper "I love you" on his ear.
Richard was left gaping on the turn of events, and the next thing he knew, Maya is grinning widely at him, pulling him towards the round table. He just let her pull him, but he suddenly stops, Maya looking at him puzzled.
Wait, can you please tell me what just happened? Richard asked still lost, his heart is beating so hard and he can barely breath, he just wanted to be sure that he's not dreaming.
Maya let go of his hand, feeling a little embarrassed - it is so clear that she's the one who kissed him first! To hide her discomfort, she casually said "Well, i think may boyfriend na ako just few minutes ago." She looked at him fleetingly then continued, "come on, let's eat, mukhang ang sarap ng fruits", then she proceed sitting at the bench without waiting for him and started digging on the fruits, her heart beating fast.
Minutes have passed, Richard quietly sat beside Maya getting hold of her hand.
Thank you. You have no idea how happy I am now. Richard said gently tracing the contours of Maya's face with his thumb, while pressing his lips at the back of her hand.
Maya smiled at him. I think I should be the one to thank you; it's so overwhelming. Ang saya-saya ko.
Richard then holds Maya's face with both hands, while Maya holds unto his arms. Then after lovingly gazing at each other as if memorizing each other's face, Richard lowered his head to share with Maya their (real) first kiss. The two poured and expressed their growing love for each other through the kiss, until they felt both of them are crying. Both run their thumbs on each other's face to wipe the tears, which is obviously tears of joy, smiling then grinning at each other.
Richard then reached for the white roses. For my girlfriend who is so beautiful inside and out.
Maya grinned. Thank you, Richard. I love you.
I love you more, sweetheart!
Sweetheart?
Why? You don't like it?
Maya act like thinking for a second, but deep inside she feels like floating being called as "Sweetheart" by Richard.
Okay! They both laughed.
After anotehr quick kiss, the two then proceed to enjoy the fruits, which Maya learned was bought and prepared by Sabel; while Lino was the one who did the scattering of petals.
Really? How did you do that?
Well, sweetheart, remember I got the best supporter here in your territory.
Yap, i noticed it. And I am wondering kung bakit ang lakas mo kay mommy? and take note, you are calling my mom "Mommy Tessie". Why is that, Mr Lim? I think I need a good explanation. Maya said pouting feigning annoyance.
Richard laughed then pull her closer towards him, wrapping his one arm on her, while Maya leaned her head on his shoulder all ears on what he has to say.
I guess Mommy Tessie didn't tell you, but it was her who suggested that I call her "Mommy Tessie". It was a week before we left for China and almost a month after what happened to your dad. Richard momentarily stop, but Maya gave him a smile urging him to continue. My dad had his check up and just got his clearance from his doctor to travel. From the hospital, we took a vehicle provided by a family friend so we can discreetly enter your residence. Well, because of what had happened, media are all swarming around your area ready to get some scoop or gossips.
Richard, why did your father do it? Why did he say that he's the one who planted the accident, that he caused my dad's death? I saw it on the news back then. But my mom told me last night that your father won't do such thing, especially to my dad. She told me that your dad protected us. Mommy sounds so sure of that and assured me that our fathers treat each other like real brothers. But why?
Maya, your mom is right, my dad and your dad are best of friends from way, way back... they have even dodged bullets for each other literally....
Richard stopped when he heard Maya gasps and looked at him.
...Well, that's a secret that Tito Art and Dad told me before, and it was a secret from our moms, so I guess we better keep it at that? Only four of us know it, please.
Maya just nod. But when did that happen? How come, our moms don't have any idea?
It happened during their college days, during their so-called-frat-wars. I am no longer sure, who first dodged bullet for whom, but both of them insisted that the other first save the other.
Anyway, as your mom said, my dad did it to save you and your mom. Your dad is a very noble man, aside from handling my dad's businesses' legal aspects, and other big companies; he is also accepting pro bono cases. And one of those is a case against someone from a political and influential family, your dad received threats, but it did not stop him from pursuing the case, and as usual he won the case. The decision, of course, did not sit well with the other party, and then the accident happened. It was all planned, they really don't intend to kill my dad to use him. The other party fabricated a story saying that my dad is the mastermind, and all that. Just to stop the issue, my dad had an interview claiming the deed, I think that was what you saw in the news back then. Your mom tried to stop my dad, but it was the best thing to do back then.... My dad was injured badly and he needs to have an operation abroad... We can't just leave you without doing anything to shield you and your mom... telling the media that he did it lessen the issue of dragging the other party's name... the issue became focused between the sort-of-betrayal between two friends. But eventually, after few months, the true culprit was apprehended, with other cases from more complainants.
Maya holds both of Richard's hands, saying sorry for thinking bad against his father.
Sweetheart, it was just perfectly okay. No worries about it. Richard said caressing Maya's face, then he grinned. Wait, i still need to tell you why i have your mom as a supporter.
Maya chuckled, playfully raising both her eyebrows wanting to hear that side of the story.
As I mentioned, we went to your house before we left for China. My parents and your mom are talking at the sala, but I am a little bored so I asked permission from your mom to walk around your house, then I passed by your room, your door is half-open. I saw you sleeping like an angel that time, but suddenly you cried on your sleep, so I came to you and gently tap your shoulder. It was the first time I saw you that close and I got mesmerized, and that was what your mom saw when she came to your room. Looking back I must be really in awe looking at you, that I didn't realize your mom watching me by your door. When I saw her, I quickly apologized but she just smiled at me, and we walked back together towards the sala. On our way to the sala, she's still looking at me with a smile, I apologized again referring to her as tita, as I have called her, but she told me to call her "Mommy Tessie", since my parents are her very good friends. But the other day, when I called her about wanting to meet her and telling her about my intentions to you, she told me that's she already knew it back then.
Maya just listened to Richard's story amusedly and feeling kilig. She mentally noted that maybe the reason why she felt comfortable around Richard since she met him in Batangas, even after the embarrassing moments she had with him, is that heartfelt moment that happened in her room that she was unaware of.
The two spent half an hour more at the garden in blissful silence, with arms around each other.
"Richard, how was it? Napasagot mo ba ang anak ko?" Mommy Tessie asked as soon as she saw the two entering the Dela Rosa premises.
"Mom!!!" Maya whined half running to hug her mother, while Richard chuckled nodding his head.
...Until next chapter, thankie po sa pagbabasa... :) :)
