My Heart Is Yours

Chapter 46

After both their tears subsided and they have composed themselves, they laughed at their predicament. When the laughter subsided as well, Maine asked, "so when I was in the hospital, you've been singing to me?"

He nodded and added, "whenever you were unconscious. Our parents were worried what your reaction would be if you see a healthy 'Rich' in your room. It might have affected your heart, and you weren't doing so well back then. But Tita Mary Anne said that you usually relaxed whenever you hear me play, even if you were unconscious at the time. So they let me see you when you were asleep and heavily sedated."

"I've always loved to hear you play," she said. "Ever since that first time you played for me. Why did you sing, 'Every Time I See You' that night?"

"That was purely coincidental," he replied. "Fra Lippo Lippi was playing in my player. I choose random CDs to wake me up. So when Rich asked for me to play something for you, that song was the first thing that came into mind. I know the song by heart so it wasn't hard to play that for you."

He stood up and picked up the guitar that he placed on the couch awhile ago. He also took his notebook out and passed it to Maine.

"Pick a song," Richard said as he sat back down on the edge of the bed, facing her.

Maine looked down at the notebook that was handed to her. She tentatively opened the notebook and remembered the first time she saw it. She blushed at the memory. But she kept it to herself and flipped through the pages. She stopped at the one titled "Undone".

"I wrote that when you were in the hospital," he explained. "I tried to imagine what you might have been feeling."

He started strumming and sang. Maine just watched and listened as he played. His eyes were closed, feeling the music. He poured his heart into his music. Maine remembered the melody of the song and with Richard playing it at that moment for her, she felt her heart flutter from hearing him sing. It had always calmed her down whenever he sang for her. His music always made her relax. She smiled and placed a hand to her chest, feeling at peace.

Richard played two more songs that she picked from the notebook. He gave a brief background on why he wrote it and what it was about, and Maine enjoyed the mini concert immensely. She felt so special, hearing the songs he wrote for her.

When she picked the last song though, Richard hesitated.

"I can't play that yet," he said with a bit of regret in his voice. "The song's for Rich. I want to play it to him first before I let other people hear it. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she replied with a smile.

"But I can play you this," he pointed to the song that she remembered didn't have a title and chords when she first saw it. But now it was titled "All That I'm Asking For". "It's a song that popped in my head that night Jerald spiked your drink."

He started to play once more. Then he began to sing. The song was slow and he sang softly, almost like a whisper. All throughout the song, he kept his eyes on her. A small smile played on his lips whenever he paused before he started with the next part. He poured out his emotions into that song, as he tried to let her know how he felt.

Maine was in tears when Richard finished singing. Richard reached out and wiped the tears that fell down her face.

"That was beautiful," she said with a smile.

"You're beautiful," he stated. He placed the guitar carefully on the floor. He reached out and took her hands in his, clutching it tightly. Whenever he held her, it just felt good. It felt right.

He looked at their hands and a small smile appeared on his lips once more.

"Maine," he started. "I know you've only met me. And you've just started to get to know me. But I've known you as long as Rich had."

He looked up and stared straight into her brown orbs, "I'd liked you eversince, Maine. I like you very much. That small window that Rich allowed me before just made me admire you so much. You're beautiful, strong, determined, and here you are living your dream. You're amazing!"

He kept his gaze on her, never breaking eye contact. There was suddenly a lump on his throat that he tried to clear before he continued, "I'm not saying this to pressure you or anything. I won't push too much. I don't want to overwhelm you. I just want you to know that I'll wait. As long as it takes. Until you're ready. But whatever happens I'll be here, no matter what. I'll stay as long as you’ll have me."

Maine smiled and reached out to caress his cheek. She replied, "thank you for always being there. And for giving me this space. I'll get there, RJ. Just don't stop waiting for me, please."

"I won't," Richard remarked. "I promise."

-oo-

"So, what else don't I know about the Faulkerson twins?"

The evening wore on with Richard and Maine swapping stories non-stop. Both of them were dressed for the night, with Maine wearing one of Richard's shirts that fell mid-thigh. Their team have not returned yet and Ardee had not been answering Maine's calls or texts.

"What else don't you know?" Richard remarked. Both of them were leaning back on the headboard, pillows propped behind them, and the blanket covered them both up to their waist. "Rich and I almost loved the same things. We love the same books, the same movies and TV shows. We even liked the same girl."

He smirked as he said the last part and looked pointedly at Maine, which earned him a playful whack on the head by a pillow that Maine had been hugging. Richard laughed as he saw a blush formed on her face.

He continued when the laughter subsided, "although we both like the same books, I read more than Rich. He played video games as a pastime rather than read. While I bring a book wherever I go, he’d have his portable console with him all the time. It annoyed him that I don’t wear glasses with the amount of reading I do while he couldn’t see anything without them.

“Our taste for music also varied. While I could listen to anything, he prefers alternative and pop rock. He was the more analytic between the both of us. He came in handy with Math and Science. I had a knack for languages and the arts. He's the health buff. I eat anything edible served to me. But then that was our parents' fault. Dad can't cook, so until I was able to learn myself, we had take out. Rich got lucky with that. Mom is an amazing cook."

"You're right," she remarked. "Your mom is an amazing cook. Better than my mom. But don't tell her that, okay?"

"Tita Mary Anne makes very good paella," he said with a smile. "I remembered that she sent some to us one evening. I really enjoyed that."

"What about you?" Maine inquired and she turned to face him. She leaned one side of her head on the headboard as she continued, all focus was on him, "you said you learned how to cook. What dishes do you know?"

"I could make a mean spaghetti and meatballs," Richard replied proudly. "And a decent chicken-pork adobo. Other times, I had survived following a recipe and the food would turn out decent. My roommates back in LA could attest to that."

He saw Maine stifled a yawn, and her eyes began to droop. He checked the time and saw that it was already 11pm.

"Ardee still hasn't replied or called back?" He asked as he reached for his own phone to text Martin.

"No," she replied. "I think her phone died. What could be keeping them?"

"Well," he said. "My room is at the far end, so we may not have heard them come back. Just text Ardee that you'd be sleeping here so she wouldn't worry."

Maine raised an eyebrow in question and only then did Richard realized what he had just said.

"We have a buddy system," he explained quickly. His cheeks turned a bit pinkish. "Your buddy should know where you are, especially at this time when you're not with the group."

"Who's your buddy?"

"Who else?" He remarked with a smirk. "Martin."

"I'll text Ardee that I won't be sleeping in our room tonight," she stated. "And that I am safe."

Maine added the last statement with a smile. Richard smiled back and suddenly left the bed, pillow on one hand as he headed for the couch.

"Where are you going?"

"Couch."

"The bed is big enough for the both of us, RJ," Maine said as Richard started to settle on the couch. He had his jacket in hand, intending to use it as a blanket.

"I'm fine, Maine," Richard said. "Go get some sleep."

"But this is your room," Maine argued. "If anything, I should be the one sleeping on the couch."

"What kind of guy would I be if I let you sleep on the couch?"

Maine sighed loudly and gathered the blanket on the bed. Richard watched with eyebrows furrowed as she left the bed, blanket on hand and headed towards him.

"Scootch over," she stated.

"Why?"

"We're sharing the blanket," she replied. "Your jacket barely covers you and the couch is big enough for the both of us. So move."

"Maine – "

"We either share the couch or share the bed," she continued cutting him off. "That's your only option, Captain."

He just looked at her. Lost for words at what to say.

"What?" She said with one eyebrow raised in question. "Are you afraid that I might steal your virtue?"

"Oh how you test my willpower, Maine," Richard sighed and got off the couch. He stood up and grabbed Maine's hand and directed her back to the bed. They got settled and laid down on their side, facing each other.

"Happy?" Richard asked.

"Very," Maine replied with a smile. She snuggled underneath the covers. Richard was just watching her, looking amused.

"We could put a pillow between us if you feel that I might steal your innocence, RJ," she giggled.

Richard barked a laugh and replied, "I am anything but innocent, Maine."

To prove his point, he gave her a look that showed only too well how much his willpower was cracking. He looked at her lips, and wondered once more what it would taste like? Would she even respond if he kissed her? Would he be able to stop if she did?

Maine's heart was hammering on her chest. The look Richard was sending her was so full of desire that all he had to do was lean forward and kiss her. And with the look that he was giving her, she knew she wouldn't resist. She wondered how it would feel like to be kissed by him?

Richard knew he only had so much self control left. So he tried to think of something else before he wouldn't be able to stop himself anymore.

"I know I said I'll take you to a bookstore tomorrow," Richard suddenly said, dissipating any tension that was between them. "But would it be okay if we changed plans?"

"What do you have in mind?" She asked. There was a hint of disappointment on her voice.

"I want to take you to Rome," he replied.

Maine's eyes widen in surprise. She suddenly smiled brightly at the prospect of going to another part of Italy.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," Richard affirmed. "Is it okay with you? We'll make a day out of it. There's a train that leaves here in Milan at 8am and it only takes about two hours to get there with that train. We can reach the Vatican in time for the 1130am mass and then we'll go around."

"Thank you, RJ!" Maine exclaimed. Her eyes danced with excitement at the idea of seeing Rome.

"Try to get some sleep," he said. "We'll have a full day ahead of us."

"Can I ask for one more song?" She asked.

"What song?"

"Central Park," she replied. "I only got to hear the end part back at the pub."

Richard smiled and replied, "I thought you'd never ask."

He stood and took the guitar from the table. He came back, sat at the edge of the bed and began to sing the song that was solely meant for her.