Private sessions (completed)

old house

"Where are we going?"

"...."

Rj hardly spoke a word since picking Maine up from her condo. The last thing he said before driving was that he had a surprise planned.

Maine loved surprises. She loved giving them and especially loved receiving them, too. She kept on asking Rj what he planned or where they were going but he just smiled and kept on driving. He would only "speak" when the chorus of a song playing from Maine's phone would come on.

They were driving south so Maine thought that maybe he was taking her to Concha's, his restaurant in Tagaytay. They made a pitstop at a gas station along SLEX. They bought coffee and headed their merry way.

Before pulling out of the parking area, Rj turned to Maine. "Turn around" he said.

She turned around and faced the window, he put a blindfold on her and slowly turned her back to lean on her seat and put on her seatbelt.

"Rj....ano to?"

"Basta...." he assured her, patting her thigh.

To keep her calm, Rj made small talk and continued singing, mostly at the top his lungs which brought both of them to puddles of giggles due to misheard lyrics and being out of tune.

The car stopped.

"Jay?...." Maine said as she felt his car door close. She could hear muffled sounds of a gate being opened.

Then, the door opened again and moved up a ramp slightly then stopped. The engine was also put off. The car door opened again but a few seconds later, Maine's door was opened.

"....halika na, Love...." Rj said as he helped Maine out of the car.

Rj carefully guided Maine on some steps up to a door. He opened the door and brought her to the center of a room. The room felt big and empty. Maine could hear footsteps and could only see her feet and shadows if they were close enough.

"Tatanggalin ko na yung blindfold....but keep your eyes closed muna...."

"R...."

"Shhh..."

"Bakit?"

"Basta...keep them closed...."

"Creepy na to...."

"....hindi ito creepy....promise...." Rj said as he unknotted the blindfold and kissed Maine on the cheek.

Rj stood behind Maine and hugged her from the back. "Now, slowly open your eyes..."

Maine slowly opened her eyes. When she regained focus, she scanned the room. It was a bit unfamiliar but at the same time, she felt comfortable.

"Where are we?"

"Welcome home, Love...." Rj smiled and kissed Maine on her temple.

"Home?" Maine slightly turned her head and met Rj's lips.

"Yes....home...."

"But you know...."

"I know....this is my home....well, yung luma naming house...."

"Tara!" Rj lets go of his embrace and takes Maine's hand. He intertwines his fingers with hers.

He leads her upstairs. They walk to the end of the hall and Rj pushes the door open.

She sees a bed, a couch, study desk, stuff in plastic bins and a door ("Maybe that's the bathroom.." she thinks).

"...this is my room...." Rj said as he pulled her in and closed the door. He sat on the bed and removed his shoes. He then patted the mattress beside him, inviting her to the bed.