My Heart Is Yours

Chapter 44

"Where did Jerald say they were?" Martin asked Valeen as they left the theatre after watching the movie.

When the movie was about to end, Jerald had been sending Valeen a series of text messages that claimed to be urgent. He texted their location and said that they need to hurry. Martin was curious since Jerald never mentioned the reason why they needed to be at this pub called "Gian Carlos". All he said in his texts to Valeen was that they needed to hurry or they will miss something surprising.

The group was a bit shock to find themselves in front of a small pub that seemed to be full. Tom was outside waiting for them.

"Guys," he called. "Hurry! You're missing a lot! Maine, this will be such a treat for you."

They entered the pub and was welcomed by the strumming of a guitar in an amazingly silent room, although there were patches of people singing along softly. The uncanny sensation at the back of her neck was back, she knew then that Richard was in the room somewhere. Maine caught the melody and was shocked to recognize the song and the voice of the person singing it.

                 ...In the darkness, your light shines bright

                Down at Central Park

                When the city starts to sleep...

Maine turned to the stage to see Richard playing the guitar and singing the song she had always thought was made by Alden. She stared at him, shocked to see him on the stage singing a song that was meant for her. Abbie pulled her to their table when she didn't move from where she stood. Once seated, Maine continued to stare, unable to take her eyes off him. He looked comfortable up there, playing a song that he seemed to have played several times in front of an audience.

                ...Remember that I’ll be there

                Always by your side

                Never leaving you behind...

The song ended and everyone clapped. There was a group that kept yelling for more. Maine somehow felt a sense of pride when she heard the crowd cheered.

"That was actually his fourth song," Sam reported as they continued to clap and cheer. "That last song was a crowd favourite. They kept yelling 'Central Park' until finally, the Captain obliged. He said that it was written for someone special so long ago. Whoever that was is very lucky. The song was beautiful."

"Ricardo," a big jolly looking man called from the bar. "One more song if you please."

When the cheers died down, Maine noticed that Richard, with eyebrows furrowed, was looking around the room searching for something...or someone. She knew that he was searching for her. He must have felt the uncanny sensation that she was feeling too. It was really lucky that Jerald chose the table in the corner so they wouldn't be easily seen. She tried to keep low, bowing her head so he wouldn't notice her. It also helped that the pub was dimly lit, that it was hard to see the back from the stage.

"Ricardo?" The bartender called again.

Richard turned to the man and smiled. He said, "sorry, Gian Carlo. Yes, I do have one more song to play."

Without any other introduction or fanfare, he started strumming again. His eyes were closed and started singing.

                Out of balance

                Swaying every which way

                This act, I can’t retain

                The storm inside me

                Has been raging

                Distorted dreams

                Kept me awake at night

                I need you

                My burden is heavy

                I can’t do this on my own

                Your eyes I see

                Your voice I hear

                They quench my thirst

                The desert that is my heart

                I have no direction

                I search for answers

                I’m slowly breaking down

                I need you

                My burden is heavy

                I can’t do this on my own

                Finally I am unchained

                The locks are gone

                Because you’re here

                I can feel once more

                I step out into the sun

                Arms spread wide

                I am flying...

All throughout the song, Maine was mesmerized. She couldn't take her eyes off Richard as he sang. She remembered that the lyrics were in his notebook. She found it near the end. So it must be a fairly new composition as the pub's clientele were silent, some of them tapping their fingers on the table to the beat. Some bobbed their heads slowly. While there were others in tears, touched by the meaning of the song. She peeked at her companions and saw Martin wiping his eyes discreetly, while Jerald and Sam were bobbing their heads to the slow beat. She saw some of the girls sighing as they stared at Richard with admiration. Raqz whispered to her how lucky she was, which Maine just smiled for an answer.

While Maine watched Richard perform, everything fell into place, the reason why Alden only played through the two-way radio. When he played, the sound was far away like the song was coming from a radio or a CD player. And then there were his excuses. He kept telling her that he lent his guitar to a friend, or he needed to restring it. Or how he kept veering away from the conversation whenever she wanted him to sing.

Now she figured out why Alden never sang to her when they were together. It was Richard who was singing for her all the time. It had always been Richard who played songs for her when she wasn't feeling well. It was Richard who sang to her when she was unconscious at the hospital. It was always Richard. Her RJ.

She was startled by her claim. But she couldn't deny it. She didn't even think that she wanted to deny it. He was her RJ.

Her heart beat fast as he finished the song. The feeling that she had awhile ago was back. She couldn't explain the feeling. But she knew she was happy, yet scared at the same time. She placed a hand on her chest near her heart.

'Is this what you want to tell me, Alden?' She thought as she kept her eyes on Richard. A smile never leaving her face.

-oo-

When Richard's song ended, he stood up with a flourish and bowed down to an audience so captivated that they gave him a standing ovation. The crowd continued to cheer, asking for an encore. But Richard shook his head, telling them that he didn't have any more songs to play.

"Maybe when I come back next time," he said as he went off the stage to the bar. There he was met by Gian Carlo with a mug of warm cider. The next performer was already on the stage, getting ready to perform.

"Next time, bring your la fidanzata," said Gian Carlo.

"I don't have a girlfriend," he replied as he sipped his cider. But his mind darted to Maine at the mention of a significant other.

"Well, she will be soon," Gian Carlo remarked with conviction. "Any girl would want you for writing songs about her. She would be crazy not to keep you."

Richard just shook his head and laughed. He suddenly wondered where Maine and his flight team were having dinner. Then he felt it again, that uncanny sensation at the back of his neck. He felt it while he was singing the end part of "Central Park" but the dim pub prevented him from seeing his audience. He suddenly worried if Maine was indeed there. What would she have thought of his performance? For sure she would have remembered the first original song he sang to her. She'd thought it was Alden singing that time. Would she eventually put two and two together? How would she feel about it?

He looked about the pub once more and he finally spotted them at a corner table, ordering dinner.

"Maine?" He muttered as he saw Maine at the very corner. Gian Carlo noticed him looking at the group.

But he saw her stand and whispered to Martin. It looked like Martin was trying to stop her, but finally relented. He saw Maine waved to the others and headed out the pub.

"Maine!" Richard shouted as he suddenly stood. With a quick wave to Gian Carlo, he rushed off the pub and went after her. He no longer heard the cheers of the crowd and Gian Carlo's shout of encouragement.

-oo-

Maine's head was reeling from this new discovery. Everything has now fallen into place but although she felt happy, she was also confused.

Why didn't Richard tell her? Was that the secret he wanted to keep from her?

She wondered about it that she had stopped paying attention to the group. She saw Richard approached the bar and the bartender – who was apparently the owner, Gian Carlo – patted him on the shoulder and gave him a mug of a hot beverage. They chatted a bit and she saw him laugh. She smiled as she saw how happy he was. The gleam in his eyes was evident. She wondered how she can keep that smile on him all the time.

Maine suddenly felt tired. It was a full day and with everything that she had found out, she just felt overwhelmed. She stood and went over to Martin, telling him that she would just go back to their hotel.

"Aren't you going to have dinner?" Martin asked, concern etched in his voice.

"I'm not really hungry, Martin," she replied. "I'll just grab a sandwich at a deli."

"If you're sure," Martin said, still a bit concerned.

"Yes," she answered. "You guys enjoy the rest of the night."

With a wave to the rest of the team, she headed out the door of the pub. She didn't know that Richard saw her leave and called out. She didn't hear the crowd cheered for the guy who came running after her, and the hoots and shouts of encouragement that came from their team.

-oo-

Richard rushed out the door and checked the sidewalks for Maine. He spotted her walking back towards their hotel.

"Maine!" He called and came running after her.

Maine was once again at odds with herself whether to stop or keep walking. She wanted answers but she also didn't know if she was ready for those answers. Her heart thudded in her chest when Richard suddenly grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Hey," he said with a smile. "What's the rush?"

"Nothing," she replied. "I was just really tired. I was heading back to the hotel."

Richard suddenly frowned and began to worry. He reached out and felt her forehead.

"Are you sure you're just tired?" He said. "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"No," she answered. "I don't feel like eating yet. I was just planning to get a sandwich at that deli we passed by."

"Hold that thought," Richard remarked as he fished out his phone and called someone.

Maine heard him speak in Italian and was amazed how knowledgeable he was of the language. He ended the call and five minutes later, the owner of the pub came out with a brown paper bag in his hands. Richard raised his arm to get his attention.

"Grazie, Gian Carlo," he said as the man handed him the paper bag.

"Prego, Ricardo," Gian Carlo replied and looked at Maine with a smile.

Richard reached out and wrapped an arm on Maine's shoulders and said, "Gian Carlo, this is Maine. Maine, Gian Carlo. He's the owner of the pub."

Maine reached out to shake his hand but the older man brought her hand to his lips. She felt Richard grip on her shoulder tighten and discreetly pulled her away. Gian Carlo noticed this and laughed. He let go of Maine's hand and smiled at her once more.

"I see that you have indeed found her, Ricardo," he said, noting how possessive his arm was draped over Maine's shoulder. He then turned to her and added, "he is lucky to have you as his Muse. Do not let him go. Or you will regret it, mio caro. Now off with the both of you. Make good music together."

Maine just smiled as she didn't know how to respond. Gian Carlo turned and headed back to his pub, leaving Maine and Richard alone once more. Richard's arm didn't leave her shoulder but his grip had loosened since the pub owner left. She found it comforting and unconsciously leaned her head to his shoulder.

"You are tired," Richard said as worry crept in his voice. "Come on. Let's get you back to the hotel. I know you have so many questions."