(While Yumeji’s Theme was playing)
His heart was pounding hard when he opened the door. He was greeted with a smile. He never thought that moment would come.
It was half past one in the morning and it was a Sunday.
They went inside his house and stayed in the balcony.
It was the first week of September.
His name is Peter. His friends knew him as a devoted and passionate person.
He was very excited and nervous. Every time their eyes would meet, he would respond to it with a smile.
Richard, on the other hand, is known to be caring and sweet in his own ways.
They shared stories, laughed at each other’s jokes, and flirted in between. He wanted to hold his hand, feel his skin closer to him – but every time he moves closer, a creeping feeling takes over.
Around three in the morning, they decided to end the night.
As they walked out of his house, Richard following very close behind him, he stopped. “Am I going to see you again?” Peter asked. Richard stepped closer to him and answered, “Why not?”
His heart was pounding hard again. He turned and faced him, and gave him a smile. They were just staring at each other. For a moment, it seemed like a scene lifted from a movie.
Peter’s face moved closer to Richard. Their lips met. Without saying a word or moving a muscle, they kissed. It was a slow kiss. It was a long and passionate.
He removed Richard’s glasses. Maybe, to better see his face. Then, they kissed again.
They first met when Peter attended a gathering with his old friends. He was running late and had to leave to early. He felt a bit uncomfortable when he arrived. A few minutes passed, he asked if anyone from the group smokes. Richard, who was with one of his fiends, responded, “I do.”
They went out of the café. He introduced himself to Richard as he puffed on his cigarette. Their initial meeting was brief, but he knew he wanted to know him more. After two sticks and uncomfortable stares from his friends, he asked for his number. They went back inside. After a quick group photo, he left.
Present time. The following evening came. Peter messaged Richard. He can still feel his kiss. It was a memorable one, he said.
Richard arrived at his place half past 12 in the morning.
They went straight to his room and picked up where they left off.
The kiss was longer than the previous night. It felt like it was more passionate, has more meaning, Peter recalled.
They went all the way. They both wanted it to happen. It was intense.
“We might get used to this,” Richard whispered. Peter responded with a kiss.
For a moment, they were just staring at each other, still in bed and naked. He wanted to capture all the details of his face in his mind.
The night ended with Peter giving Richard a tight hug. Richard leaned forward and gave him a kiss.
Peter waited for Richard for five years.
Ever since Richard moved to New Jersey, they consistently exchanged Skype and Viber messages. They, sort of, continued where they left off when they first met.
On Wednesday, Peter went to his house. He gave him a small cake. Maybe it was just an excuse to see him.
Then on Thursday, Edward went to Peter’s house. They stayed in the balcony again. Peter opened a bottle of rosé and a small pack of truffle cheese.
The Script was playing on his phone. He was surprised that the he also knew the words. After a sip and a slice, he noticed they were unconsciously singing together.
And then the strings of Yumeji’s Theme started. Peter walked towards Richard. He took his hand and pulled him closer to his body. Slowly they danced together.
Everything was in slow motion. The music seemed endless. He held his body tighter and laid his head on his chest. It was euphoric.
It was a poignant moment for Peter. He was not sure if Richard felt the same. But he knew what happened was not a knee-jerk reaction.
Richard was scheduled to go back to New Jersey the following week. It was a bittersweet moment for him. He missed his family and friends in Manila, but he needed to go back to fix his citizenship application.
They had not seen each other for several days. Richard and his family went to Davao. But they continued to message each other.
When Richard got back, he stayed home because he felt sickly. Probably he was too tired after the trip.
They were supposed to meet the following night, Richard’s last night in Manila. But Richard’s friends surprised him with a party.
Peter did not reply to his messages.
The following morning, hours before Richard’s flight, Peter received a message.
“I’m on my way to the airport now.”
Peter replied: “Take care.” Then he sent another message, “I’m annoyed because we did not get to see each other before you leave.”
“I guess, I’m not sure, it is better that way. At least we won’t be thinking too much,” Richard answered back.
He was mad. He was sad. He was pissed off.
Richard has been in a relationship with his partner for three years now. Peter is also in a serious relationship with his longtime partner.
Maybe, what happened, they just picked up where they left off when they first met.
“Take care all the time. And always smile,” Richard messaged Peter.
Peter replied, “Yakap :(“
Theirs is not (yet) a love story. At least not the type you were hoping it to be.
But it was something real.
