Crumbled

Six.

Present.

Same night.

"Hi." He said.

"Hi." She said.

They stood there, two feet away and gazing at each for the last ten seconds before Richard finally decided to break the ice.

"Hindi na ako magha-hi ulit kasi nakakadalawa na tayo." He let out a faint giggle.

Nagjo-joke na sya ngayon. She thought. The Richard Faulkerson Jr she remember would need a miracle just to throw out a joke even as simple as that one.

"Ahhhh.. Hehehe.."

Awkward. Very awkward.

"So, kamusta? Welcome back."

"Ahh, thanks. Okay naman. Ikaw?"

Funny, you asked. It took him five seconds to answer.

"Me? I'm all good." A faint smile plastered on his face, dimples barely showing.

"Ahh, good."

"So, what brings you here?"

"Ano kasi.. Ah, crowded kasi sa loob. Medyo kailangan ko lang ng magpahangin. Nabigla lang siguro ako sa dami ng tao na pinapunta ni Tita Helen. Hindi ko naman alam maghahanda pa pala sya. I thought we'll just have a dinner sa bahay and then --"

"Maine.."

"Ha?"

"I didn't mean here, HERE. I mean, here. In Marilog."

"Oh.. Uhmm.. Ano.. Uhhhh.."

Ten seconds ago she was practically blabberring, explaining him why she's outside because she thought he was asking about it and yet, it only took Richard to give her one touch - barely, actually - and a soft voice saying her name to make her stutter and have a hard time answering the easiest question he could possibly ask.

Wow naman sa poise, Nicomaine.

She lost it even more so when she heard him giggling -- obviously because how panicked she probably looked.

"Wag mo nang sagutin. It's fine. Sorry, I asked." Giving her a sincere smile.

"Hindi, kasi ---"

"Menggay! Tisoy!"

Once again, she was cut off.

Uggghhh!!

"Oh Kenneth, bakit?"

"Tara na sa loob. Nagsialisan na yung ibang bisita. Pwede na tayong mag-inuman."

"Ah talaga?" He turned to Maine, "Halika na sa loob?"

"Sige, mauna na kayo. Susunod ako agad."

"Okay."

"Sunod ka agad, Meng!"

Kenneth and Ric headed back inside the bar while she watched them from behind.

Inhale, exhale, Nicomaine. Umayos ka. Trabaho. Trabaho. Trabaho. GO!

After a few seconds of composing herself, she heaved a deep sigh, confidently walked back inside the bar.

"Eto na pala si Maine eh. Hija, mauuna na akong umuwi ha. Sumabay o magpahatid ka na lang sa pinsan mo kapag gusto mo nang umuwi."

"Actually, Tita, I feel really tired already. Pwede na po ba akong sumabay sa inyo?"

"Pinsaaaaan? Makijoin ka muna dito sa amin. Ang tagal naming hinintay na makainuman ka ulit huy." Nico protested.