My Sunflower World

Chapter 7

“Ricky, iyong kamay ko.” Maya whispered to Richard when they were about to enter the executive offices of LAS after exiting the elevator. “Baka makita tayo ng mga staff mo.”  Maya had noticed some of the employees looking at them earlier, curiosity on their faces.

“Oh!” Richard said, looking at his and Maya’s clasped hands. He gave her another of his lopsided smiles. “Just like old times, huh!”

Maya blushed at Richard’s words. She, too, was remembering instances where Richard would intertwined their hands while walking.

“Okay, I will let go.” Richard gently let go of her hand, but added impishly, “Not that I mind them seeing, you know.” Then he blurted out before he can stop himself, “Pero baka pala sa iyo may magalit na nakitang magka-holding hands tayo!” Oops, and you sounded like you are fishing for information, Richard Lim, he muttered to himself. You were not even subtle about it. Richard felt himself turning red!

“Hmmm, wala naman.” Maya frankly said, then seeing that Richard getting red in the face, knowing that his statement was a slip of the tongue, she teased him too, to put him at ease. “Pero baka sa iyo, meron.” Then she gave him a mischievous smile.

He smiled back, as their banter felt like old times too. Then he turned serious and gazed at her intently before saying, “Wala naman!” He didn’t elaborate or say anything else, just continued looking meaningfully at Maya.

Maya felt unnerved at the way he was looking at her. Her heart beating faster. Her face heating up. “Halika na nga, kailangan pa nating mag-prepare for the meeting.” She managed to say.

Richard let her be at that moment. He smiled happily. He felt so much happier now than the first time he stepped back on Philippine soil. He was still smiling when they entered the offices. Like this morning, there were quite a number of stares at them. The simple curiosity of the employees turned to surprise when they saw their boss smiling, with a smile that lit up his face. A smile from Richard Lim! Wow, milagro, some of them thought! The employees’ surprise at their boss’ behavior didn’t end there, as Richard LIm greeted them with a cheery, good afternoon, followed by the beautiful lady he was with that morning, a gesture that left some of them in slack-jawed amazement!

“Maya, I’ll see you later.” Richard told Maya when they arrived at the entrance to their offices. “Thank you for a wonderful lunch. I love the company.”

“See you, Ricky. Thanks a lot again for the lunch.” Maya said with a big smile. However, instead of going inside her office, she detoured to Liza’s cubicle.

“Yes, Atty. Maya?” Liza asked when Maya reached her cubicle . She, too, had observed the change in their boss’ demeanour this afternoon. “Anything I could help you with?”

“Oh, I will ask lang sana where is the restroom, Liza.” Maya replied. “I need to freshen up.”

“Just at that corner, near the pantry.” Liza said, gesturing towards the corridor beside the room where Maya heard people chatting earlier. “But I’ll take you there. Papunta pa lang din ako doon. Habang wala pa ang mga taga-Coastal Airlines!” Liza offered.

“Thank you, Liza.” Maya said with a grateful smile.

The two of them walked towards the restroom.

“Sa labas kayo nag-lunch ni Sir Richard, Atty. Maya?” Liza asked conversationally while they were walking. Well, she was a bit curious too, seeing the drastic change in the serious Richard Lim she had known for the past several months. Tao lang, she muttered.

“Yes. diyan sa may Spanish restaurant na malapit dito.” Maya replied. “I got engrossed with what I was doing earlier and didn’t notice the time. Kinatok lang ako ni Ricky and he reminded me na lunchtime na! Otherwise, nalipasan na ako ng gutom. I’m like that when I get too concentrated into something I’m doing.”

“Talaga, so nice naman of Sir Richard!” Liza remarked, and because she can’t really help herself anymore, hearing Maya said ‘Ricky’ again, she decided to ask the nice lady lawyer what she had been dying to know since she saw them came back from lunch. “Atty. Maya, may I ask you something personal, kung okay lang?”

Maya looked at Liza and she saw curiosity in her eyes. “Sure, ano ba iyon, basta ba kaya kong sagutin eh.”

“Well, I just want to know lang po sana kung matagal na kayong magkakilala ni Sir Richard.” Liza said, then explained, “Kasi kanina parang so at ease kayo with each other. Pasensya na sa kulit, Attorney. Promise sa akin lang ito, cross my heart, hope to die.” Liza even put her hand over her chest. “Oh and saka I heard that you called him ‘Ricky’ earlier, tapos ngayon din. I didn’t even know that Ricky is his nickname.”

“Hahahaha, Liza, okay lang.” Maya laughed, opening the door of the restroom so that she and Liza can enter. “Yes I have known Ricky before. Friends kami dati. Though, I haven’t seen him for around ten years na yata. Nagkagulatan na lang kami sa RRMA yesterday.” Maya continued.

“Wow, ganoon na katagal! Small world naman talaga na nagkita kayo ni Sir Richard!” Liza said with a big smile, happy to hear about this. “Thank you for telling me Atty. Maya. Stop na ako, hindi ko na tatanungin kung naging kayo ni Sir.” She added, jesting.

“Ikaw talaga, Liza, showbiz na iyan ha!” Maya said, but she was smiling. For some reason, magaan ang loob niya sa executive assistant ni Richard kahit personal na ang mga tanong nito, considering na ngayon lang sila nagkakilala. She reminds her of Doris.

“Joke lang, Atty. Maya.” Liza laughed. “In fairness, bagay kasi kayo.”

“Halika na nga, let’s freshen up na. Malapit mo nang malampasan ang mga beteranong showbiz reporters at anchors sa pagtatanong.” Maya said, still grinning.

“Okay, stop na po ako, promise.” Liza said, smiling, liking the lady lawyer who gamely answered her kulit queries.

While Maya and Liza were in the restroom, Richard was sitting on his desk, just staring out of the window. He still have a ghost of a smile on his face. He just can’t concentrate on the papers on his desk awaiting his review and signature. Who would have thought that today, especially his lunch would turned out so wonderful! He finally started clearing the air with Maya. The bridge to the past is slowly being built! They still have a long way to go, but their lunch and what transpired there was a very good start.

When Richard to moved back to the Philippines with Abby more than three months ago, his first goal was to get his daughter settled down, complete his company’s move here, and then at the back of his mind, he wanted to see if he could find Maya after all these years when everything has settled down. He thought among the toughest, aside from making sure Abby is okay with the move to another country, would be finding Maya after all this years as he didn’t know where to start. Mindoro perhaps! With the business, it was not so difficult he had established a very good reputation in the region and have quite a number of big airlines as client. He still have those in the China office. However, he wanted to shift everything to the Philippines long-term. He never thought that by ditching his plan of hiring a corporate legal counsel, he would find her!

Richard is very happy that everything is falling into place. Maybe, it is his and Maya’s destiny to meet again after all these years. There was really something special about their shared short past. He had never forgotten her. He would think of her from to time, especially when he watched a movie or a TV series with a lawyer as a heroine or when he go to a bookstore and saw her favorite bodice-ripper novels on display!

He is willing to take it from where they are at present. He smiled, remembering Maya’s answer when he probed if someone will get mad at her holding hands with him! Boy, he was happy to know that she is still single. After Alexandra died, he never thought of looking for another life’s partner. There was no one he got interested in and all his efforts, he poured towards Abby’s welfare. It has taken most of his energies, worrying if his daughter will be okay as the experts say there is no ‘cure’ for autism.

While he and Alexandra had a good relationship, considering the circumstances of their marriage, both of them knew that it was not the grand love that was depicted in the movies, in the romance books, or the kind of love that poets waxed about in sonnets and verses. It was a comfortable marriage brought by understanding and companionship of two lonely souls. Truth to tell, she was more of a very good friend to him, and he to her. They actually both realized it halfway through their married life.

Richard felt so sad at her untimely passing at the same time, he had wished then that he was capable of giving her the love she deserved. But he and Alex understood each other. They had happy times. He was loyal to her. She to him. They took care of each other despite the fact that it was really not their intention to get married to each other.

When Alexandra was dying, she told him to be happy. She told him she wished that he would find a love that would last a lifetime, that he would find someone who would also love their beautiful angel, Abigail Ruth, someone who would make his heart beat faster, iyong parang sa movies, she said with a big, tired smile, and make him feel that he can scale mountains with just a smile from that wonderful person.

Richard had hoped too that one day, like Alexandra had wished him years ago, just before she succumbed to breast cancer that he would find the woman who will make his heart beat faster by just the mere sight of her, someone whom he can’t stop thinking about, someone he would do everything for, and someone who will make him happy with just the thought of her. He did find that someone a long time ago, he admitted to himself as he dealt with the sadness of Alexandra’s passing. With Maya! But the seed of the love they were starting to nurture then, didn’t have the chance to grow. He also had to put those thoughts aside because of Abby. She needed him big time, especially after her mommy died and she was diagnosed with autism. Now, she is doing much better.

“Sir Richard, Sir Richard!” Someone calling him from the doorway of his office cut into Richard’s thoughts of the past. He swiveled his chair towards the direction of the voice, and saw Liza standing by his office’s entrance.

“Yes, Liza?” Richard asked, giving his secretary a smile.

Liza at first, was not able to say anything, seeing that smile directed at her. “Errr, Sir, magsisimula na po iyong meeting ninyo nina Atty. Ryan, Atty. Maya and ang mga representative ng Coastal Airlines. Nandito na po si Atty. Ryan, dumiretso doon sa office na ginagamit ni Atty. Maya para they can review the contracts and other documents before the meeting. ”

“Oh, sige, I’ll be along shortly.” Richard said. He gathered his things, then went to Maya’s office.

“Brod!” Ryan greeted Richard when he saw him standing by the door. “Dito na muna ako ako dumiretso kay Maya kasi baka may mga kailangan pang i-ready for our meeting. I also looked na at the contracts that she had finished, and they are ready to go. Very nicely done. Walang loopholes! Mas maayos ang pagkaka-phrase kaysa sa akin.” Ryan added with a smile.

“Great! I know naman Maya can do it, with flying colors!” Richard said, smiling, looking at Maya. His voice was tinged with pride.

Maya blushed at the implied praise. She smiled at Richard and he did the same. Ryan looked at the two of them, and observed that there seemed to be a new undercurrent between his brod and his new associate.

Maya tried to collect herself by gathering her papers, then took out her iPad from her bag, and stood up. Ryan did the same and the three of them walked towards the conference room.

Several minutes later the head of operations of Coastal Airlines arrived, the head of maintenance, and their company lawyer, together with his associate arrived. Introductions were made, and after which they all buckled down to work and discussed the nitty-gritty of Coastal getting the services of LAS for its fleets maintenance in details for the next two hours. Maya was mostly observing and taking down notes for the contract she and Ryan will make for LAS. By half past 5pm, everything was settled and the content of the contract each party will sign has been agreed on. Everyone shook hands on the verbal agreements, and the agreed routing date of the contract to be signed by both parties.The Coastal Airlines team left LAS soon after.

“Brod, Maya, I need to get going. May isa pa akong client meeting. Dinner meeting after this. Sa Makati pa eh.” Ryan said. “Maya, bukas na lang tayo magkita sa RRMA and work on the contract. Kahit hindi ka na sumama on this one. Tapusin mo na lang muna ang mga ginagawa mo rito sa LAS since you are here na.”

“Yes, Atty. Molina, I would just do that, Sir.” Maya said.

“Okay, Brod. I’ll see you soon, kapag may libre na tayong oras. I haven’t seen some of our barkadas mula ng bumalik ako.” Richard shook Ryan’s hand and they did their frat’s shoulder tap greeting thing. “Ako na ang bahala kay Maya.”

“Sige Brod.” Ryan left with a wave of his hand. Not missing his brod’s statement. Hmmm, there is really something there, he thinks!

Richard and Maya both looked at Ryan’s departing figure. Then they both returned to their offices. Richard to review the documents on his table that needs his signature. Maya to finish working on the rest of the papers she got from Liza that morning.

More than two hours later, Liza knocked on her opened door. “Attorney Maya, hindi ka pa ba uuwi? It’s almost 8pm na! Sabay na tayo.”

“Oh, oo nga ano! Hindi pa kasi ako ginugutom because of the snack at the meeting kaya siguro hindi ko namalayan ang oras. Sige Liza, please go ahead, tatapusin ko lang itong hawak kong papers. Palipas-traffic din. Kapag ganitong oras, traffic pa pauwi sa area ko.” Maya said. “Thank you for everything ha I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

“No worries, Atty. Maya, I’m glad you are here nga. Mauuna na ako ha.” Liza said, then smiling, she told Maya.”Huwag masyadong subsob sa work, First day mo pa lang dito. Hinay-hinay. Para kang si Sir Richard, hayun hindi pa rin tumitigil sa work. He told me na nga to go ahead of him dahil he can manage naman daw.”

“Ganoon ba, Ricky is still here.” Maya replied, smiling, not really sure what to make of Liza’s statement, including Richard’s name and the fact that he was still at the office too. Hmmm, is she playing matchmaker? “Thanks again, Liza, for everything!”

Liza left and Maya went back to her papers. Like that afternoon, a knock on her door made her jump more than an hour later.

“Maya, nandito ka pa pala! I thought you umuwi ka na kasabay ni Liza kanina!” Richard, his back against the door and his arms folded on his chest. He was about to go home when he noticed the light in the office that Maya is using. He thought she just forgot to turn off the light.

“Ricky! Ginulat mo ako! Naku, it’s almost 9PM na pala! Hindi ko namalayan ang oras. Tahimik kasi. Ikaw, ginabi ka rin?” Maya asked, removing her eyeglasses.

“Tinapos ko na lahat ng kailangan kong i-sign so I can go to work late tomorrow.  May aasikasuhin kasi ako bukas ng umaga. I have been putting this off for the past weeks. I need to do this na.” Richard said. “Halika na, sumabay ka na sa akin. I’ll bring you home. Let’s have dinner first, please. Gutom na ako.” He suggested.

“Naku, Ricky. Huwag na. I can manage. Baka out of your way rin ang place ko sa iyo.” Maya protested.

“Maya, please. Hindi pa nga natin natapos ang catching up natin kanina.” Richard insisted. “Don’t worry, traffic is lighter na naman at this time of the night. Saan ka ba umuuwi ngayon? No arguments, I will bring you home.”

Maya stood up, gathering her things. “I still live in Mirasol Street.” She said softly. Suddenly, the street where she lives evoked something she has not felt in a long time, parang a combination of saya and lungkot sa lahat ng mga nangyari sa kanya sa kalye na iyon.

Richard was surprised to know. Had he known that she is just there! “Really? You do? I thought after college that you and Doris might have moved somewhere. How I loved that street and our house there, so many good memories!”

“Doris did, kasi she got married soon after. Pero since I went to a university near PUS for my law degree, I continued staying there. Saka iyon na kasi ang nakasanayan kong home dito sa Maynila.” Maya explained. “Hindi na ako umalis doon kasi accessible naman kahit saan. In all the time I was living there and since you left, I haven’t seen someone staying at your house, except for the occasional visits of your caretakers before, sina Mang Lando and Aling Lucing.”

“I haven’t been there since we left, and since I returned to the country . Since umalis din kasi kami ng Pilipinas, ito pa lang ang balik ko after all these years. Iyong logistics for the transfer of the LAS Corporate headquarters here from China, inasikaso ng cousin ko whom I have left naman in our China office now. Palitan kami.” Richard said. “Nakilala mo pala sina Mang Lando and Aling Lucing?”

Maya looked at Richard, deciding whether she will admit it or not. She decided to be upfront so they can completely clear the past. “I met them one time, pagkabalik ko ng Maynila, when I asked them kung alam nila kung nasaan ka na. Hindi ko na kasi napigilan, sinubukan ko lang alamin. I have wondered kasi kung okay ka lang ba? Iyong family mo? Kasi nga bigla kayong umalis. But I think your Papa instructed them not to say anything.”

“Maya, you did?” Richard was surprised to know. It felt like someone pinched his heart hearing the tinge of hurt in Maya’s voice and at the same time glad, as she cared enough to ask, and to worry about him. “Maya, I’m really really sorry for not telling you. If only….”

“Ricky, no more of that please! I didn’t tell you that so that you will feel bad pa. We can’t live in the present and go forward if we indulge in ‘what ifs’. All the things that have happened, belonged to the past and no matter what, we can’t go back and undo everything. We can just go forward and put everything behind us. Both of us experienced something monumental and life changing that semestral break and it shaped us. Let us move forward with that in mind. Everything happened for a reason, sabi nga di ba?” Maya told Richard eloquently, touching his arm as they were walking out of the building to comfort him and let him know that everything is okay now. “Thank you for apologizing again. But knowing now what happened, you don’t have to say that. It was beyond your control and you had to do what you were asked to do then.”

“Thank you, Maya.” Richard said gratefully. He also stopped walking, and in a move that surprised, Maya, he touched her chin, looking deeply into her eyes, he said simply but meaningfully, “I’m so glad fate made us meet again.”

“Me too, Ricky. Me too!” Maya gave Richard a brilliant smile. “See, the important thing is we met each other again and here we are. Good vibes lang. Life is too short to dwell on things we don’t have a control of from the start and that had happened already.”

Maya and Richard shared a look of deep understanding and a sweet, gentle smile, for each other before they boarded Richard’s car. They drove into the night, first stopping at an Italian restaurant to have a late dinner, and then an hour after, they were on the road again, driving towards the direction of Mirasol Street, the street where they started.

Chapter 6

Richard led Maya to an office with an open, airy floor area in the top floor of the four-storey building housing the executive offices of LAS. Some of the employees looked up when they saw their boss coming and especially so, since he was escorting a pretty lady in a business suit. They greeted Richard politely but kept the curiosity to themselves. Richard returned their greetings politely. Something that the employees have been used too since they started working here. Richard Lim is a fair boss and the compensation he offered them is above the industry standards, however, he rarely smiles. They haven’t seen him smile spontaneously, one that lit up ones face.

Richard stopped at the table in front of a big office with glass walls, his office, Maya presumed.

“Good morning, Sir Richard!” The tall lady, dressed in a business suit, seated at the table greeted Richard with a friendly smile that also included Maya. “Good morning Ma’am!”

“Good morning Liza! This is Atty. Maya Dela Rosa from RRMA. Dito muna siya mag-office sa atin on certain days, starting today. Can you give her an office where she can work? May bakante pa sa tabi ng office ko, di ba?” Richard said, taking a look at the smaller office besides his. “Maya, this is my executive assistant/secretary, Liza Romero.”

“Hello, Ms. Romero.” Maya said with a warm smile. Then she looked at Richard. “Thank you, Ricky.” She didn’t realize that she had used his nickname. But it didn’t escape Liza’s notice.  Nor the fact that her boss call her by her first name too, which he didn’t do with the other associate that was sent to them. Liza had never heard of the beautiful lawyer before, from Richard nor from Attorney Molina whom they have been dealing with the past months. Hmmmm, this is interesting! Her aloof boss getting friendly with someone on a short notice. Maybe, it will make him less serious. Sayang naman ang kaguwapuhan, Liza thought!

“Hello, Atty. Dela Rosa. Liza na lang po.” Liza said with a big smile, responding to the lawyer’s warm smile. She likes her already.  Magaan ang pakiramdam niya with Atty. Dela Rosa. Then addressing Richard, she said, “Sige Sir, ako na po ang bahala kay Atty. Dela Rosa. Naka-ready na naman ang office na iyon. I-double check ko lang.”

“Thanks a lot, Liza.” Richard said. Then to Maya, “Maya si Liza na ang bahala sa iyo. If you need me for anything , I will just be next door. I will just send you the contracts for review and the other stuffs you need to work in this morning.”

“Okay, Ric-…err, Mr. Lim.” Maya corrected herself. She realised her earlier slip up. “Thank you.”

“Call me Richard please, since ayaw mo ng Ricky sa office. Di ba, we agreed na.” Richard gave her a lopsided smile. Like before, it made her heart beat faster, and she turned self-conscious. She then looked at Richard’s secretary and caught her giving them an interested, surprised look, before she schooled her expression to a neutral one.

“Sige, Richard. Let me know if there are other legal matters I need to attend to. I can manage. Thank you again.” Maya gave him a smile that lit up her whole face. Then turned to Liza. “Lead on, Liza.”

“This way po, Atty. Dela Rosa.” Liza said, now more curious than ever with the interplay between her very handsome boss and the beautiful and young lady lawyer. In all the months she had known Richard Lim, she hasn’t seen him smile like that. She led Maya to the corner office with big windows beside Richard’s.

“Wow, this is a very nice office! I like the view.” Maya remarked, admiring everything – from the subdued decor, big table, comfortable chair, a small bookshelf and the stunning view of the distant mountains from the office. “Sure ka ba, Liza, na walang gagamit nito. All I need naman is a chair and a table, and a computer with an internet connection, for today, as I have yet to received my company issued laptop.”

“Sure na sure po ako, Attorney Dela Rosa! It was originally intended for our corporate legal counsel. However, Sir Richard said that he would rather use the services of RRMA than hire our own. Here’s the password for the computer. You can use this while working here. Palitan mo na lang ng password para hindi mo na rin dadalhin ang laptop mo if you want.” Liza suggested, handing out a piece of paper to Maya. “That computer pala is connected to my printer so if you need a print out of anything, just send it and I will retrieve it for you.”

“Thank you very much, Liza, and please call me Maya, and no more ‘po’.” Maya said, as she walked towards the desk.

“You’re welcome Atty. Maya. Okay.” Like Lindsay at RRMA, Liza opted to use her title with her first name. “Basta if you need anything please let me know. Sandali pala, kukunin ko iyong contracts na gagawin and other legal stuffs you need to review. I have both soft and hard copies for you.”

With that Richard’s executive assistant was out of the room. Liza returned several minutes after with a ream of documents for Maya, and also a cup of coffee and pastries. Maya was touched.

“I thought you might want something to fortify you, Atty. Maya.” Liza said with a smile. “I hope coffee is okay, or would you rather have tea?”

“This is very nice of you, Liza. Thank you very much.” Maya said with a big, grateful smile to Liza. She needed a cup of coffee nga. “Coffee is fine.”

“No worries, Atty. Maya. Iginawa ko rin si Sir Richard. By the way, favourite pastries din niya ang mga iyan.” Liza said with a big smile. Then she waved at her and was out of the office in a flash.

Maya buckled down to work and didn’t notice the passing of the hours. She was so engrossed at what she was doing, that she jumped from her seat when there was a knock on the door. She looked up from the documents she was reading with her glasses perched on her nose. She saw Richard, minus his coat leaning against the door. He looked he was posing for GQ, with the pale blue shirt and dress pants he was wearing.

“Maya, how about some lunch?” Richard asked, smiling warmly at Maya. He was surprised to see Maya wearing eyeglasses. But maybe, it was not surprising with the amount of books she was devouring then, added to that, were all those thick law books. She looks lovely with it. The whole morning, he was unable to concentrate, thinking of her and the past, even if he was not consciously doing so. He also wondered when and where they could talk so they can move from there. Richard thought they needed it as there was ten years they needed to bridge, aside from the fact that he just disappeared from her life abruptly.

“Oh, is it lunch time! I didn’t notice the time.” Maya looked at her watch and notice that it was 15 minutes past 12NN! “I think I will just grab something on the way to RRMA then, Richard.” Maya stood up and started gathering her things. “I will submit Ryan the draft copies of the contracts for his review. Is there anything else you want me to do or relay to him?”

“Maya, wait, wait. Let’s have lunch first. I guess Ryan hadn’t manage to give you a call yet on the change of plans or adjustment in your work schedule this afternoon. Coastal Airlines requested a meeting kasi. It was a bit on a short notice pero I agreed na rin since wala naman ako naka-schedule. Ryan also said he can come.” Richard said. ” I called Ryan to sit in kasi this is our major contract negotiation. He suggested that you should sit in as well.”

While he was saying this, Maya’s phone rang. She checked who was calling and saw that it was her immediate superior. “Richard, excused me, please, si Attorney Molina.”

“Okay, go ahead, Maya.” Richard said, then moved to sit at one of Maya’’s visitors chair.

Maya picked up the call, conscious of Richard’s presence. The office felt smaller with him in it too. Her boss told her basically what Richard had started telling her before her phone rang. He also asked her if she can stay put at LAS and sit with him in the meeting which will be held at 3PM. Maya, of course, said yes and told her immediate superior that she will wait for him in LAS.

“So, Ryan told you the same thing?” Richard asked after Maya ended her conversation with Ryan Molina.

“Errr, yes, Richard! The meeting is at 3PM, right?” Maya asked.

“Yes, so we have time to eat lunch.” Richard said. “Let’s go.”

“Lunch with you?” Maya asked. She needed to be sure that, indeed, Richard is inviting her to lunch.

“Yes, we, Maya! Join me for lunch please. Ayaw mo ba iyon, we can catch up. It has been ten long years since I last saw you!” Richard cajoled Maya. “ I was actually hoping we will have free time soon, this week, to catch up. Please, Maya. Pagkakataon na natin ito.”

Maya looked at Richard. He said, ten long years. Ah, Richard, you don’t know how long it really was for me, especially the first years you just disappeared into thin air. Maya thought to herself. She sighed inwardly. They didn’t make promises naman to each other, that’s true. He was not even her boyfriend when he disappeared! But even friends merit a proper goodbye, di ba, especially if you felt that you were more than friends. But maybe, it was just her who felt like that. Water under the bridge, Maya Dela Rosa!

“Maya, lunch!” Richard called Maya’s attention, smiling, as she seemed to just went off somewhere in her head. “Im here, inviting you to lunch.”

“Oh, okay! Lunch! Sorry, Ricky! My mind veered off somewhere. Let’s go.” Maya said, grabbing her bag and getting up.

Like what he did that morning, Richard escorted Maya by putting his hand on her elbow. Most of the cubicles including Liza’s were empty. Maya can hear some people chatting from the direction of one of the rooms at the left, which she presumed, is the office pantry.

They went to where Richard’s car was park and soon, they were on their way to a nearby Spanish restaurant. Richard asked Maya which she would prefer, that one or a Filipino restaurant. She said the Spanish one and Richard agreed as he wanted to try that one too. While in the car, they chatted about Abby and Lance. Maya asked Richard who will pick up Abby. Richard told her that he had asked Joma, the Lim family driver to pick her up, with Manang Fe, of course. He also mentioned that the Lim’s other household helper at the time they have known each other, Sabel, is working for him now. Soon after, they have arrived at the restaurant. The waiter escorted Richard and Maya to one of the booth tables by the window marked ‘Reserved’. Maya looked at Richard with a raised eyebrow and he admitted that he had Liza reserved it an hour before lunch.

“Oh!” It was all Maya managed to say, not wanting to read too much into that lunch invitation.

“I was really hoping you would have lunch with me.” Richard admitted sheepishly, as their waiter approached them. “Tamang-tama kasi since you will stay at LAS the whole day.

The waiter told them of their options for lunch, ordering from the menu or they can try the restaurant’s buffet. Richard and Maya looked at the mouth-watering food arrangement at one corner of the restaurant, then looked at each other, smiled and they said simultaneously to each other, “Buffet it is!” It sounded like old times. Both of them thought, remembering their many food trips.

The waiter smiled at them, liking the couple. Mukha silang mag-boyfriend, he thought. He guided them towards the buffet station after asking what they would like to drink. They both ordered mango shakes.

Maya and Richard opted to try have most of the appetizers that appeal to their palates – from gambas al ajillo, champignon al ajillo, croquetas de pollo, pate and others,  then the sopa de calabaza to the main course – mainly Paella Valenciana, to a host of other delicious dishes that had their tummies groaning in protest after. But still, they found a space for desserts, and a cup of coffee each, in their tummies.

In between courses, they chatted about food they like very much, and restaurants in the city that offers the best food. Richard remarked that a lot has changed since the last time he was home.

“Really, how long have you been away?” Maya asked while eating her dessert. “The last time I saw you was the end of the first semester, when you took me and Doris to the Batangas Port, remember.”

“Maya, yes I remember that. How can I forget! That was my last image of you.” Richard said, gazing at Maya meaningfully. “I left the Philippines several days after I took you to Batangas, and that was not by choice, Maya. I haven’t been in the Philippines these past ten years. I only moved back here more three months ago, mainly because of Abby and also because I want to settle here for good.”

Maya was surprised at the same time, her heart started beating faster, realising that her moment of truth is coming. Her questions will finally be answered!

“Why? What happened, Ricky? Why did you leave abruptly? Hindi mo nga natapos ang course me sa PUS. Graduating ka pa naman noon?” Maya asked softly, looking at him with so many questions in her eyes. “Tell me, please.” She half-pleaded, not being able to stop herself from doing so.

“Maya, I know that it was bad that I didn’t even let you know. That I left without saying goodbye. I really, really, really wanted to. If I had a choice, I would have.  But I felt at that time that the only option left for me was to disappear without a trace or without letting people know where I went. Not even Ryan knew, initially. I only contacted him last year. You see, my father insisted that I shouldn’t let anyone know, including you, that we were leaving the country and where we were going. After what had happened to my mother and Grace, I didn’t question his order. On hindsight, I should have questioned why he specifically mentioned you. I never knew why.

You see, Maya”….Richard started telling her, when his phone rang. He checked and   saw that it is from Manang Fe. “Maya, please excuse me. Si Manang Fe, tumatawag. Baka may emergency kay Abby.”

Maya inclined her head to indicate that Richard should answer his phone first. She heard him asked Manang Fe what’s wrong, then he asked his old nanny  to give the phone to Abby. Maya heard him assuring Abby that they will go out together that coming Saturday. He was smiling indulgently and Maya can see how much he loves his daughter.

Richard was still smiling when he ended the call. “That was Abby in the end, reminding me that I promised to take her to an amusement park this Saturday. Ewan ko ba kung anong naisipan, nangulit kay Manang na tawagan ako! Ito kasi ang first time na hindi ko siya nasundo. I thought it would be a good time also na masanay na siya na si Joma ang sumusundo sa kanya. She is comfortable now with Joma and kasama naman si Manang Fe.”

Maya smiled at that as Lance is also like that with Doris. Once Doris had promised something to Lance, she better make good of it as he never forgets. Maya told Richard about it and Richard said, Abby is like that too.

“So, where were we?” Richard asked Maya as he took a sip of his coffee. He took a deep breath and continued, “We left for Beijing in the middle of the night – Mama, Papa, Grace and I, midway through our semestral vacation, abruptly, and in secret because Papa was already paranoid and so shook up with what happened by then. You see Maya, Mama and Grace were kidnapped the day after I took you to the Pier.”

“Oh my God, Ricky!” Maya exclaimed. She never thought that something terrible might have happened to Richard also when he just left.

“Yes, it was a very difficult time for our family. As it has been with yours, di ba, since it was also around this time that your sister died.” Richard said.

“Yes, it was.” Maya said, suddenly feeling very emotional. She can’t just imagine what Richard and his father went through  a that time, their loved ones at the mercy of a kidnap for ransom group.

“In the beginning, my father wanted to cooperate with the police, despite the fact that the kidnappers warned him not to. However, they seemed to have known his every move. When he talked to his general friend, they knew and they threatened to kill my mother and Grace. What broke my father and made him give in to the kidnappers was when he heard my mother and sister crying in the background. They didn’t know that the kidnappers were talking to Papa. He imagined all sorts things, what were they being subjected to. He bowed to their demand and paid the huge ransom they were asking. The same evening that Mama and Grace were released, we left for China. My father has started working on it as soon as he had learned that my mother and sister have been kidnapped. He only informed me when we were about to leave.”

“Ricky, I wish I was there for you.” Maya whispered, putting her hand on top of Richard’s to comfort him somehow. “Thank you for telling me this. I appreciate it. I did wonder what happened to you kasi bigla ka na lang nawala.”

“Maya, I wish I was there for you too. If there is one thing I wished I was able to do then, it was being able to say goodbye to you at least no matter how hard it was.” Richard replied, putting his hand on top of Maya’s. “Mama and Grace were not harm physically, but they suffered emotional abuse and mental torture  in the hands of their kidnappers. But still they lived, and recovered from their ordeal, though in Mama’s case, it took a long time. She had nightmares and was depressed for more than a year. The first couple of years, she was afraid of crowds and people she does not know very well.”

“The same thing happened with Nanay, Ricky when Ate Cris died. She just went into a world of her own. Kaya nga hindi na ako nakabalik noong second semester. I had to take care of her, as well as handle the return of my sister’s body to the Philippines and the funeral services.” Maya said. “Noong gumaling na si Nanay, when she snapped out of her depression, noon pa lang ulit ako bumalik ng Maynila. Nakita ko nga na sarado na ang bahay niyo. Sinabi rin naman sa akin ni Doris.”

“Oh, Maya! You handled all of that alone!” Richard felt for Maya. It must have been very difficult for a 17-year-old girl to take. Tapos, added to that, she must have wondered why I just disappeared from her life, just like that. “Maya I’m so sorry for not saying goodbye. I wish I was there to share your burden.”

“Thank you Ricky, bayaan mo na iyon. It was in the past na. Di ba sabi nga, what does not kill you, makes you stronger. Minsan pala, kapag dumarating ang ganoon sa buhay natin, kapag nandoon na, nakakayanan. Sabi nga, God will not give you something which you cannot surpassed. It made me a stronger person. Kaya ko na lahat after what happened that semestral break.” Maya said eloquently. What she left out was that – that Richard’s disappearance also contributed to her sadness and the feeling of extreme loneliness at that difficult time in her life, but knowing what he went through that same period, she doesn’t want to burden him with it by telling him about it pa. Besides, it was already part of the past.

“Doris and her dad naman were there for me. Parang kapamilya na rin kasi ang turing nila sa akin. I can never thank them enough. I wish there was someone there for you, too Ricky. Kumusta na pala ang parents mo, si Grace?”

“Okay naman na sila. After a while, naging okay na rin si Mama. Si Grace naman medyo matatag kasi siya. Mas madali siyang nakarekober kaysa kay Mama. Though, noong una, she had nightmares too and would just wake up in the middle of the night, screaming. Sa China na niya tinapos ang pag-aaral niya. Papa was never the same, hirap pa rin siyang magtiwala hanggang ngayon. Pero parang ganoon na rin naman siya before we left. Iniintindi ko na lang.” Richard added, then he noticed the time. “Shall we get going? Almost 2PM na pala!”

“Errr, yes!” Maya literally forgot the present, as they talked about the past! “Naku, oo nga pala, we have a meeting pa.”

“No worries, Maya”, Richard smiled at Maya. “We have enough time. Baka lang ma-traffic tayo pabalik.”

While they were waiting for their bill, they would sometime gaze at each other in silent understanding, then smiling, as if they were both seeing the rainbow after experiencing the rains that touched both their young lives.

On the way back to LAS, they chatted about their college days. With Richard telling Maya how he managed to finish his studies in China and the work he did for his father’s company there. Though, he didn’t mention to her about how Abby came to be. But Maya does not mind. For sure, Richard will tell her about it when he is ready. The good thing is they managed to clear the past, sort of, and they are in the process of bridging it to the present. Where it would lead, she does not know yet.

“Maya, thank you for this very wonderful lunch.” Richard said softly after he had park the car at his usual spot in front of the LAS building. “Magaan na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon.”

“Me too, Ricky! I really appreciate you telling me what happened to you. For years, I would think about you from time to time.” Maya admitted candidly, getting what Richard was trying to convey, and at the same time, telling him that he was never out of her mind.

“I was the same, Maya. I never forgot you, you know, and what we had then.” With that statement that left Maya’s heart galloping like a pack of wild horses, he went out of the car to open the door for her.

Richard opened the passenger door to assist Maya out. He held out his hand for her to take. She did. He kept holding her hand as they entered the building. It surely felt like old times.

Chapter 4 

2015

Maya was packing her things, having finished and survived her first day of work at RRMA, when her mobile phone rang. She jumped a bit, thinking it might be Richard. Meeting him that morning unsettled her. She can’t get him out of her mind. It was a good thing she had a light load in the afternoon, mostly orientation and discussion on work loads. Ryan did the orientation in the beginning, however, one of the clients assigned to him called and requested for a meeting. Sonny Martinez, a senior associate took over. Maya is thankful to Sonny for the detailed walk through she received from him. He is also a very nice guy, albeit on the serious side. He told Maya to ask him if there is something she would like to know and he would be there to help her anytime.

Maya checked the screen of her phone and saw Doris’ name. She does not know whether she felt disappointed or relieved to find out that it was not Richard. But come to think of it, she mused, why would he call her all of a sudden, if it is not work-related and she just started with his account, and they just met again that morning. “Hello Doris! Napatawag ka!” She greeted her best friend.

“Maya girl, I know you have just been through your first day of work and must be very tired, but I need a super, super favor, please. I’m in a bind. I need to be at an event this evening, kaso hanggang ngayon, wala pa si Lea, hindi pa bumabalik. Hindi na yata babalik iyon. Walang magbabantay kay Lance. Hindi ko naman pwedeng hindi puntahan itong event kasi kasama ito sa next issue namin. Deadline na. Hindi ko naman pwedeng isama si Lance doon.” Doris said, a note of desperation in her voice. “Saka, alam mo naman pati na hindi ko rin basta-basta maiiwan si Lance sa kung sino lang na hindi niya kilala or hindi siya kabisado. Pasensya ka na talaga BFF.”

“O sige, ako na ang bahala sa inaanak ko. Don’t worry na. Mahihintay mo ba ako? Pauwi na rin na ako. What time mo ba kailangang umalis?” Maya offered, knowing that Doris is requesting if she could watch Lance for her. She had babysat for Lance before so she knows the drill. She is glad to help Doris and she loves Lance like he is her son. He is a sweet, little boy, a very special angel.

“Maya, BFF, super thank you talaga ha.” Doris said, thinking once again that Maya is really the best friend a girl could have. “Before 8PM sana. O kumusta nga pala ang first day of work mo? Hindi man lang muna pala kita natanong kung kumusta ang unang araw mo bilang lawyer! Hilo na talaga ako. Bakit naman kasi itong si Lea, nakisabay pa. Maayos naman ang usapan namin.”

“Walang anuman iyon, Doris, para ka namang others. Basta, ikaw, anytime!” Then she paused and thought for a bit on what she would like to tell her BFF about her day. Nah, meeting Richard again is not something she can tell her best friend now, knowing that it would require at least a long serious session between friends to discuss that. “Okay naman ang first day of work ko. I will tell you about it when I see you.”

“Okay. I will expect that ha.” Doris replied. “Can you stay the night pala kasi baka gabihin ako ng husto? Dito ka na lang matulog?”

“Hmmm, I’m not sure, kasi wala akong damit na pang-office. Kapag umuwi pa ako sa bahay ko, baka hindi ka na umabot diyan sa event na pupuntahan mo. Ganito na lang, I will pick up Lance and he can just stay the night with me. Then bago ako pumasok bukas sa work, idadaan ko na siya sa school niya. On my way naman. Di ba the last time your magazine sent you to an event like that, inabot ng madaling-araw. Saka mag-i-interview ka pa ng mga guest diyan di ba?” Maya suggested, as without a yaya, she knew that Doris needed all the help she could get.

“Really, BFF. Naku, maraming salamat talaga. Buti na lang parang pangalawang nanay ka na talaga nitong bebe boy ko. May hahabulin pa nga akong deadline pagkauwi ko. Medyo lamayan ito. Babawi na lang ako sa iyo.” Doris said. “Tama ka naman doon. I will miss Lance pero alam ko naman in good hands siya sa iyo. I will just pick him up from his school tomorrow. Then I will just take him to an amusement park para makabawi rin sa kanya sa weekend.

“Naku, Doris Flores, anong bawi-bawi pa. Wala ito. Ako nga itong malaki ang utang na loob sa inyo ng Dad mo. Para na rin naman kitang tunay na sister and pamangkin ang turing ko diyan kay Lance, di lang inaanak.” Maya said. “O siya, see you in an hour.”

Maya is very grateful for Doris’s friendship. Doris was there for her when her sister died and the difficult times she had afterwards. She also supported her in her law schooling, so was her father. Father and daughter encouraged her to forge on when she felt like giving up.  Instead of being a lawyer like Maya, Doris now works as a writer in lifestyle magazine. During their second year in college, Doris decided to tell her father what she would really like to be, and that was be a writer in a fashion or lifestyle magazine and not a lawyer like him. Her father relented and allowed her to choose her career from then on.

Doris got pregnant while working as an editorial assistant in a fashion magazine after she and Maya graduated from college. Her boyfriend was a photographer who also worked at the same publishing company. They got married and moved to his house, leaving Maya in Mirasol Street. However, after more three years of marriage and Lance’s condition, they separated. Joseph Miranda told Doris she and Lance can have the house they were living in, but that was all she can get from him. He told her he fell in love with another girl and he can’t live knowing his son is ‘damaged’, according to him! By this, Joseph meant in his narrow-mindedness, Lance having autism. Doris told him she does not need him in their lives if that would be his attitude. Her son is better off without a father. Since then, she had been a single mother. Maya helped her from time to time, taking care of Lance when his nanny is on vacation or on day-off.

By the time, too, that Doris and Maya finished college, their old apartment where Doris used to check on Richard while he was passing by, and where Maya and Richard spent so many happy times, was no more. The owner had the place demolished. He built an apartment building as a replacement. He offered a unit to Maya and Doris at a discounted rent as they were among his long-time tenants before. Until now, Maya lives in Mirasol Street.

However, in all the time Maya had been living there, nothing was heard of the Lim family who used to live there. Though, from time to time, Maya would see someone taking care of the house. But the caretakers kept to themselves. One afternoon, curiosity and the longing to find answers got the best of Maya, she decided to use her budding journalism skills and interviewed the caretakers, sort of, but they got close-mouthed when she started asking about Richard. In the beginning, there was also a rumor that floated around that the whole family just packed their bags in the middle of the night, and migrated to China, but no one can confirm it.

“Maya are you going home now?” James asked when he saw Maya packing away her things.  James would like to spend more time with her. He is drawn to his new colleague. He enjoyed the lunch they had together, even if Maya avoided discussing personal stuffs. “May dala ka bang car? Sabay ka na sa akin kung wala.” He offered.

“Naku, thank you very much, James.” Maya said, as while she likes the good-looking lawyer, she feels like keeping a distance from him. Parang bilis kasi niyang maging familiar samantalang bagong kilala pa lang sila. “Pero, hindi pa kasi ako uuwi. I will meet a friend pa eh. Magta-taxi na lang ako.”

“Well, I can also just drop off where you will meet him.” James persisted. “Saan ba iyon?”

“Naku, huwag na talaga, I need to do something.” Maya insisted, not correcting James that the friend is a ‘she’ and not a ‘he’.

“O sige na nga, next time ha. With dinner, please.” James asked.

Maya thanked him again politely but did not commit to the dinner. She just told him that they should play it by ear as she just started and she is not yet sure of her entire workload. They parted ways at the ground floor of the building. Luckily, she found a taxi promptly. She made it to Doris’s house in time. Mother and son were waiting for her, with Lance bags packed. He was very happy to be staying with his Ninang Maya for the night, and playing games on her iPad. Doris has been meaning to get him one as his speech therapist said there are apps which Lance can play with and help his speech and communication skills development. Doris promised herself that she will do it as soon as she straighten out her yaya problem. She really believed Lea when she promised her fervently that she will return. Maya had already asked Doris before the apps that are appropriate for Lance and downloaded those.

“Be a good boy to your Ninang.” Doris told her little boy as she gave him a big hug and several kisses which had Lance giggling. He nodded and soon after, Maya and Lance left the house.

Half an hour later, Maya and Lance arrived at her apartment. She let him used her iPad while making a meal for him and herself. Amazing how easy it was for him to learn new app. He can figure out by himself how things work. He is a very bright boy. Having fed him an hour later, Maya got Lance ready for bed. Doris had established a routine with him and she would like to stick with it. Bedtime for Lance is at 9PM. Lance knew the routine so he went to bed without a fuss.

Lance was long asleep beside Maya but she was unable to sleep, still thinking about Richard and them meeting again. She still feel something for him. That much she admits to herself. See, she is still this affected when they met again. However, she knows that nothing will come out of it. Nothing had come out of it ten years ago, then the more that nothing will come out of it now that he is married.

Maya woke up from a restless sleep when her alarm went off at five o’clock in the morning. She dreamt of Richard. Maybe because he was her last thought before she finally fell asleep. She dreamed that she and Richard met several years after he ‘disappeared’ from her life and the first thing she asked was why did he leave without a goodbye. It was not the first time Maya dreamt like that. She had several variations of this dream.

She get Lance ready for school. He is studying at a progressive school near where she lives. The school takes in special needs children and integrate them into the regular classroom. The children with special needs are supervised by shadow teachers or shadow aides, individually. Lance’s shadow teacher was waiting for him at the entrance of the school when they arrived.

“Good morning Lance.” Teacher Genevieve greeted Lance, making eye contact with him. “How are you today?”

Lance greeted hs teacher and then told her that he played with his Ninang’s iPad.

“Good morning also to you Atty. Maya.” Gen greeted Maya. They have known each other for quite a while as they were Lance’s secondary caregivers. “Nasaan po si Mommy Doris?”

“Naku, may kailangang tapusin last night na deadline. Nag-offer na ako na idaan si Lance dito sa school. Siya na lang ang magpi-pick sa kanya.” Maya replied. “Speaking of which, I need to get going na rin Teacher Gen, doon kasi ako mag-o-office sa client namin na malapit lang din naman dito. Baka ma-late na ako.”

“Sige, Atty. ako na ang bahala dito kay Lance.” Lance’s teacher assured Maya. “Mag-start na rin naman ang class nila. Kung ma-delay naman si Mommy, pwede siyang makipaglaro sa mga classmate niya na naghihintay din ng sundo.”

“Thanks a lot, Teacher Gen. Basta kung may problema, please text Doris or me.” Maya told the nice teacher, then to Lance, she said, “Lance, Ninang Maya is going now. Mommy will pick you up, okay.” The little boy solemnly nodded, but gave Maya a spontaneous kiss and hug, which touches her a lot.

When Maya rose up again, her peripheral vision caught a guy holding the hand of a little girl about the same age as Lance. She slowly looked that way and gasped in surprise. “Hello, Richard!”

“Hello, Maya.” Richard greeted Maya with a polite smile. He is still trying to recover from seeing Maya here and trying to process the fact that Maya is apparently married and now has a kid. But she was introduced as Atty. Dela Rosa if he remembers correctly.

Before the two of them could talk some more, Lance excitedly blurted, “Abby, Abby, you are here!”

“Hello Lance.” The little girl, who was clinging to Richard greeted Lance with a big smile, then let go of Richard’s hand to hug the little boy.

“Hello Mr. Lim.” Teacher Gen greeted Richard. Then explained to a surprised Maya and Richard that the kids are very good friends. “Fast friends po iyang sina Lance and Abby since she started here. Inseparable ang dalawang iyan. Nakakatuwa nga.”

“Really, Teacher Genevieve, that’s good to know!” Richard said. “I’m glad that Abby has made friends already. I thought she would have a hard time due to the drastic changes she had experienced recently.”

“Naku, for a child like Abby na very affectionate, madali lang po siyang magka-friends. In fact, hindi lang si Lance ang naging friends niya kaagad, pero parang si Lance po yata ang best friend niya talaga.” Teacher Gen said with a big smile. “Sige po, magsisimula na ang class. Ako na rin po ang magsasama kay Abby sa shadow teacher niya.” She offered.

“Thank you, Teacher Genevieve.” Richard simply said, then he talked to the little girl. “Abby, sweetie, si Teacher Genevieve na ang bahala sa iyo ha. Daddy will just pick you up later.” He gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek. The little girl hugged him and whispered “I love you, Daddy” to him. Richard felt like there is a big lump in his throat, hearing his daughter being able to do this now. He told Abby that he loves her too. Then he composed himself and looked at Maya again. “Maya, are you going to LAS na?” He asked her.

Genevieve heard Richard’s question and it was her turned to be surprised that the two know each other that well. Maya saw her expression and felt the need to enlighten the teacher a bit.

“Teacher Gen, si Richard iyong client na pupuntahan ko.” Maya simply said. “Iwan ko na si Lance sa iyo ha. Thank you.”

“No worries, Atty. Maya, ako na ang bahala sa kanila ni Abby.” Teacher Genevieve took hold of the kids’ hands and waved at Richard and Maya.

“Maya, papunta na rin ako ng LAS, sumabay ka na lang sa akin.” Richard offered.

Maya’s heart skipped a beat at his offer. She and Richard in a car again after all the years that had passed by. However, she can’t very well decline as she is, indeed, going to his office. “Sure, Richard. Thank you very much.” She said in what she hoped was a steady voice.

Richard opened the passenger door of a dark blue BMW parked outside the gate of the school for Maya to get in. “Thank you, Richard.” Maya said with a smile. Richard smiled back at her before closing the door.

In the first several minutes after they have both fastened their seatbelts and the car was merging into the early morning traffic, they were both silent as if one is waiting for the other to speak first. Both of them realized that they are alone the car. The first time Richard offered her a ride came rushing back to Maya. Ah, what a sweet time it was, she mused. Richard was also remembering that day, Maya standing at that street corner, looking so lovely.

It was Richard who broke the silence. “Matagal na bang pumapasok si Lance sa Little Angels Center?”

“Yes, several years na rin. Doris found the school through a friend who also has a child with special needs.” Maya replied. “She is happy for the recommendation as Lance is thriving in this school. Mababait lahat ng teachers and they care for the kids talaga.”

“Doris?” Richard asked, surprised that it was Doris who decided on the school for Maya’s child.

“Yes, you remember Doris, my best friend? Siya ang mommy ni Lance.” Maya explained, puzzled at Richard’s question and reaction. Then she realized why. “Oh, you thought….”

Richard smiled sheepishly at Maya. “Yes, I thought Lance is your child.”

Maya smiled back. “I’m his godmother. May emergency kasi si Doris sa work kaya I took care of Lance. Sinundo ko siya sa bahay nila kagabi, then ako na ang naghatid sa school bago ako pumasok sa LAS.”

“I see.” Richard said simply. “That was very nice of you.”

“You know me and Doris, we go a long, long way back! “Maya said, then asked him about Abby. “How about Abby, how long have she been going to this school? Kasi parang hindi ko siya nakikita rito before, though medyo matagal na akong hindi napunta rito noong nagre-review ako.”

“Simula pa lang ng bumalik kami sa Pilipinas, siguro mga three months na.” Richard replied as he navigated the road going to his company’s headquarters. “I was glad to have found a good school for her, in Little Angels. It was recommended to me by Abby’s developmental pediatrician.”

“She is a child with special needs too?” Maya asked, surprised. She also noticed Richard using ‘I’ and ‘me’ when he was referring to the decisions made for Abby’s care, as if he is alone in caring for her.

“Yes. Abby was diagnosed with autism when she was more than two years old.” Richard said, finding it easy to say things to Maya still, despite the fact that he hadn’t seen her in a long time. They had this kind of thing between them, even ten years ago. “I researched on her condition, then worked on all the early interventions I could do, followed all the recommendations of her devt. pedia.”

“That’s what Doris and I did too. I helped Doris researched rin when Lance was diagnosed, about the same age when Abby was diagnosed. Just like Abby, Lance has autism too.” Maya said. “Pero he is a very bright boy and very affectionate din. Early intervention, you know, occupational therapy, speech therapy, had helped him a lot already.”

“Pareho pala sila ni Abby! Malaki na rin ang naging development ni Abby mula ng ma-diagnose siya. She is a very bright girl din. I thought noong una na baka mahirapan na mag-adjust si Abby sa integrated school kasi new environment and new country, pero mabuti at hindi naman. Dapat nga pasasamahan ko pa siya kay Manang Fe, iyong yaya niya, pero mukhang kaya na niya. Besides, medyo matanda na rin si Manang. Remember I told you before na yaya ko pa siya.” Richard finished with a smile, remembering one of his wonderful chats with Maya over dinner.

“I remember that.” Then Maya asked something before she could stop herself, “So working din ang mom ni Abby like Doris kaya hindi siya nakakasama kay Abby?” Then she realized that medyo personal ang tanong niya. “Oh sorry for asking. Never mind that.” She said, getting red in the face. Baka isipin ni Richard, she was prying.

Richard wa silent for several seconds, then shook his head a bit as if he had made a decision.”Abby’s mom is dead, Maya.” He told her quietly.

Maya was surprised. She was not expecting that answer. She was not expecting that Richard Lim is now a widower in his early 30s. “I’m so sorry for your lost, Richard! It must have been hard on Abby and you, especially for Abby to have lost her mother at a very young age.”

“Thank you, Maya.” Richard said, then he seemed to be lost in thoughts for several seconds. “We are okay now. It happened several years ago.” He simply said, then he shifted the topic. “Ikaw, how are you? I’m glad that you have achieved your dream to be a lawyer. Your Nanay and your Ate Cris must ve very proud of you. Kumusta na sila?”

It was Maya’s turned to look sad and pensive. Richard noticed it. “My mother is very happy when I passed the bar. She lives in Mindoro pa rin. Pinagkakaabalahan niya iyong karinderya niya. She has one na, like iyong pangarap nila ni Ate Cris na maitayo.  For Ate Cris, I’m sure she would have been very happy for me too. She must have celebrated in heaven when I passed.” She finished softly with a catch on her voice.

“Oh, you mean….? Your sister is….?” Richard was shocked to know.

“Yes, Ate Cris is gone, Ricky. Naaksidente siya sa Dubai.” Unconsciously, Maya reverted to Richard’s nickname as she held back memories of that difficult time in her young life. “She died in 2005 after my first semester as a freshman in PUS.”

“Oh, Maya, you mean, she died that semester break!” Richard was a lost for words. He doesn’t know what he felt at that moment, knowing what Maya have gone through that momentous and unforgettable time in their young lives. “I’m so sorry.” He finished, knowing that it is not enough.

“Thank you, Richard. Okay na kami ng Nanay ko. Matagal na rin naming natanggap na wala na si Ate Cris and it is just the two of us now.” Maya said, trying not to take the trip down memory lane. She doesn’t know if she is ready yet to ask all the questions in her head, for her closure. Besides, she noticed that they just stopped at the parking space reserved for Richard in front of a four-story building. “Oh we are here na ba?” She asked, looking around.

“Errr, yes. This is LAS.” Richard replied, still processing what Maya had said and what she didn’t say. “Let’s go in.” Richard got out of the car and opened the door again for Maya. He was gazing at her intently, then he smiled at her and guided her towards the lobby of the building.

Richard would like to have a heart to heart talk with Maya, tell her what happened and why he was not there when she needed him the most. But it was not the right time or moment for it. Work first. But as soon as he gets the opportunity, he would do so. He hopes Maya will hear him out. He wants to get to know Maya again, and see if they can continue what was not meant to be, ten years ago.