"Chard?"
What's he doing here?
"I heard from Jane about what happened. Your vertigo's been more erratic nowadays." She could feel his concern for her. Richard has always been a caring guy. For all their 4 years of being together, he was always there for her whenever she got sick and made sure she is well-taken cared of.
Opening her eyes made her see his genuine love for her.
"As a friend..." she remembered him saying. It doesn't sting as much as before, but a pinch still remains. She did love him. Not as much as ahe thought she had, but she loved this guy. 4 years is not a joke of a relationship.
"I loved you." Mara couldn't help but shed tears while saying those words to her ex-boyfriend. She meant it.
Richard himself had teary-eyes as he looked at her and held her hands. "Me too." And without saying a word, Richard hugged her tight. He cried hard while telling her sorry.
Mara can feel that it's an apology of guilt. But not one that is asking to take him back.
She just realized then that she has already forgiven him. That she has already accepted that Richard is no longer a part of her life. That it has all ended.
Her tears started pouring as well as she hugged him back while she was still on her back.
"It's okay."
They stayed like that for a long time. Richard first broke the embrace. His eyes were red, so was his nose, and his whole face.
"I'm sorry, Mara."
"I accept your apology."
"Thank you." then he smiled bashfully. "Actually, I have something else to say to you."
Mara can feel her breathing stop with that. Cheating was and him breaking up with her via text is one thing. But if he says he did something more, she may tale back the--
"I am gay."
That stopped her dead.
That was unexpected.
Richard's eyes were focused on her reaction. She feels that he is gauging her reaction. Her dumb brain is no longer functioning well.
"So, that's why we never did it?" Yes. That's the first thought out of her mind.
Richard seems to be surprised as well. But nodded as a confirmation.
"That's why we share the same shampoo all the time even of it's floral scent?"
A nod from Richard. "I always make sure it's mu favorite brand because you have bad choices."
"That's why you always never wanted to see me naked?"
A nod again. "Also because I respect you as a woman."
Mara is speechless. But she is not angry.
"But why did you say Mary Ann from when we broke up?"
Richard looked sheepish now. "I was afraid you might see it as an excuse to just break up with you. So... that's why I said Mary Ann, instead of Marion."
She needed to massage her temple because she can feel a headache coming. It's all too much for Mara to digest.
"I didn't want you to see me differently."
Sadness. She felt that.
Richard's beautiful face was what she saw when she opened her eyes. She can't feel angry for this guy. Her love for him may be different from his, but they were friends. And it tramps her feelings of hurt.
"I love you, Chard. And what you did won't change that." That drew his attention back to her. His eyes grew wide when he saw her sitting up and then opening her arms for an embrace? "I can not stay angry at you. Come here."
They hugged for a very long time. Forgiveness and acceptance from Mara. Relief and thankful from Richard.
When they broke the hug, Mara couldn't help ask one more question.
"Why did you confess to me."
Richard's playful smile came out with a toothy grin. "Because I needed a girlfriend to turn me into a man, and I felt like you needed a boyfriend to make you girlier. I guess it didn't work either way for us."
Their laugh rang out loud after that.
***************************************************
Mara texted Jane that she will be going home with Richard after they talked for hours in the clinic. They decided to eat out before going home. They decided to go Chinese today so they picked a Chinese restaurant.
After talking and eating and enjoying each others' company, Richard drove her home.
"Thank you for your understanding, Mara."
Her heart softened at his stories about his struggles. He did not have it easy, but she is now happy for him being open about it now.
"I am happy for you and my love for you as your longest friend won in the end."
She kissed him one last time, on the cheek of course, before getting off the car and waving goodbye as he drove away.
What a mind-blowing day! "I think I need sleep after all that."
The house looked lively from the outside. Her mother's laughter rang clear from the front door. Her mother is always abroad due to her job as a researcher, that's why Mara has thought it a waste to move when the house is mostly hers.
It seems that her mon has just arrived from her month-long trip to France. She knows she may need to leave in 2 weeks for the Japan.
"Mom?" She called from the living room. "You should have texted or called me to pick you up at the airport."
"I did call you!" her voice was from the kitchen. "You didn't answer. Jane said you were in the clinic that time so I just had Mark pick me up."
Mara did see Mark along with her mom at the kitchen table eating dinner when she got there. Mark's mom was also there. She took each parent's hands for a "mano", a sign of respect for the elderly in the Philippines where the kids take their parents' or relatives hands to their foreheads.
"Come and eat with us." Her mother said while trying to get up to get a plate for her.
"No, it's okay mom. I already had dinner with Richard. We had Chinese today." She sat down though beside Mark since the older ladies were sitting together on one side.
"I see." Mark's mother, Lia quipped. "Richard is one specimen of a guy. He's a keeper, Mara."
She does not have any idea though.
Mara just offered a smile to that. Mark was quite though. Quietly looking at her. He may be waiting for her to break the news to her mother. That would be another day's topic for them but not with Mark and his mother.
"Oh, mom. Can we go to the doctor together tomorrow? I've been having more vertigo episodes for the past two weeks that it's starting to be a little irritating." It is making it hard for her to focus on her studies since it just comes and goes anytime ot wants. "Is it okay?"
Her mother is a looking a bit worried. "Sure. Are you okay?"
"Yes, dear. Are you doing well?" Aunt Lia added. "I remember when you were younger, you tend to cry out whenever you have episodes. You even lose consciouness at times."
She appreciates her worry. "None that my medicine couldn't handle. An additional check-up won't hirt though."
Both ladies sighed with relief. Not the guy beside her though. She could feel his stare. She just didn't care. She then said her goodnights to the ladies and then left for her room. She then took an evening bath and then dried her hair.
Beep!
A message from Mark is showing on the screen.
'U ate wid d guy after dat?'
I hate short cuts, especially for texts.
'Yes.'
She kept it short while walking to her bed. She wanted to tyoe more but she noticed something dark dripped on phone screen. And another one. Until there were three drops on it.
She felt that her nose was wet.
Her nose is dripping.
Dripping dark liquid.
Dark red blood.
And then darkness for Mara.