What Becomes Of Us (An Anthology)

I Loved Her First - 4

Richt

After the talk I had with Tim that morning, I knew I had to do something. I may have known for a long time now but needed someone to finally tell me the obvious. I was a jerk, an absolutely stupid jerk to ever let Maia go and to let my pride stop me from fixing things between us. I thought I was doing the right thing and I stood by it even after realizing that I was wrong because of my god damned stupid pride.

That evening, I bought her favorite flowers and got a basket of fruits and trays of food for her family. I stopped by her favorite ramen place to grab some take out for Maia. I have gathered all my courage, flushed whatever doubts I ever had down the drain and decided to drive to her home and try to talk things out.

If I had to beg for just a minute to speak with her I would. I was ready to receive the hate her family must have on me. I was willing to do anything just to win her back.

I stopped as soon as I stepped into the restaurant and saw Maia with Caleb. They looked like they were having a very serious conversation. He was looking directly at her and holding her hand. I clenched my fist and took a deep breath, trying to stop my wretched temper from storming in there and punching that guy in the face.

Hindi ko alam kung ano talagang intensyon mong mokong ka but I know you won't get my girl. Over my dead body. Not my Maia.

I slowly walked towards them. You know to casually say "Hi" or something, I really wasn't sure why but my feet seemed to drag themselves to Maia's direction on their own.

Kalmahan mo lang, Richt. Don't make her more angry than she already is.

I stood right behind Maia but they were too busy to notice me. I was about to speak when I heard her tell him. "I don't want to lose you too."

Shit! That's it. As soon as I heard those words, I snapped.

"Maia!" I called through gritted teeth. I was trying to stay calm, I swear I was, but a voice in my head was already screaming and my heart was leaping out of my chest in rage.

I removed his grip on her and grabbed Maia's hand. I walked as fast as I could out of that place with only one thing on my mind: Take my girl as far away from that bastard as possible.

"Richt!" A familiar male voice called when we got outside.

I turned and found Dave, Maia's brother walking towards us. We treated each other like real brothers. That was why the anger I saw in his eyes and the way he said my name, just my name without “Kuya”, hit me like an icy wisp of air. It was enough to calm me down and realize that I was gripping Maia's wrist a little too tight and that one of her shoes was almost off from following me.

"Dave..."

"Let go of my sister. You’re hurting her." He angrily demanded.

I loosened my hold but did not let go, instead I slipped my hand into her palm and held it firmly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Mag-uusap lang sana kami."

He looked at me from head to toe, making a decision. Maia nodded at her brother to tell him she was okay.

"Kausapin mo. Wag mong kaladkarin. Ate, andito lang ako." He said.

"Thank you, Dave. Sorry." I answered and walked with Maia to a quieter side of the restaurant.

"What the hell do you want?!" She yelled as she pulled her hand away, staring at me with eyes burning with spite.

"Ikaw? Ito ba talaga ang gusto mo? Siya na ba ang ipapalit mo sa akin?" I asked, the anger and pain evident in my voice though I tried very hard not to raise my voice at her.

She raised her eyebrow at me. "Ano naman sayo ngayon? Bakit? Nasasaktan ka? Nagagalit ka? Nagseselos ka? Well News Flash, Mr. Richt Adams, we're not together anymore. We broke up. Oh, wait. YOU broke up with me months ago. Kaya you have no right to drag me out here for this talk." She said.

"Maia, alam kong wala akong karapatan. Alam kong di ko to dapat ginagawa pero tangina. Mahal kita, Maia. Mahal kita at nasasaktan ako. Nagagalit ako. Nagseselos and I'm frustrated because you won't talk to me."

"Well, tangina rin. Whose fault was that?" She asked bitterly.

"I thought I was doing the right thing. I was doing it for you. Ayaw na kitang saktan."

"Bullshit! You did it for me? Ayaw mo akong saktan? Well, Congratulations. You can't hurt me now more than you already have because you crushed me when you turned your back at me and walked out the door, you broke me every time you ignored my calls and messages for weeks after we broke up, you shattered me with each day I waited for you to call or text or come back home me." She painfully spoke while directly gazing into my eyes, words heavy with spite, tears streaming down her face. "You killed me when you decided not to fight anymore and just throw everything away."

"Maia... I... " I started as I stepped closer to her and reached out.

She stepped back. "No. You don't get to do this, Richt. You don't get to act like you're the victim here."

Something about the way she called my name coldly without any trace of affection stabbed through my heart.

"Maia, I love you. I’m sorry. Please believe me." I pleaded.

"No, you don’t, because if you love me, you would have thought twice before making that scene that caused so much hate on me. You would have defended me by now instead of keeping quiet. You would have fought on with me. You would have never given up on us."

"Alam ko. Alam ko na ngayon. Inaamin kong maling-mali ako pero I am not giving up on us. Kaya nandito ako ngayon. Kaya nakikiusap ako ngayon. Please, Maia, give us a second chance. Please... Don't you love me anymore?" I pleaded as I reached out and held her hand tightly, my tear-filled eyes gazing deeply into hers.

She looked down, evading my last question, sighed and looked back at me. "You know what? You should have said those words months ago." She said coldly as she twisted her hand away from mine and walked away.

I wept, defeated but determined to go on. I wept as I watched her run into her brother's arms and cry. I wept as I saw them get in his car and drive away.

"I won't give up, Maia. I'll fix this. I'll fix us because I know that by not answering my question, you still love me too."