Once and Again

Chapter Four

"Ate April!"

His cousin ran to the kitchen. "Anong nangyari? Okay ka lang? Nasan ang sunog?"

Rj chuckled. "Uy, gusto maging komedyante. Walang sunog. Gusto ko lang tikman mo yung soup na gawa ko for Maine."

April hit him in the head. "Yung takot ko akala ko may nangyaring masama. Bastos ka."

"Dali na. Ito o. Masarap ba?"

"Oo, okay naman. Teka, bakit mo siya pinagluluto ng soup?"

He told her of his conversation with Maine the night before and that she had allowed him a chance, albeit a very small one. April smiled at him. For the first time in years, she saw a spark in her cousin's eyes.

"Good, then. Pero, bakit soup lang yan. Samahan mo ng bread and juice... Hmm ano pa ba? Bili ka muna kaya ng flowers? Bilis! I'll pack this up para prepared lahat when you get back."

***

Buzz!

"Good morning, Ma'am. May bisita po kayo dito sa lobby, paaakyatin ko po ba?"

Maine agreed when she was informed who it was. Minutes later, Rj was standing in front of her door. "Good morning! Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, a little, pero masakit pa ulo ko. Why are you here so early?"

"Dun lang ako nagstay sa condo naming ni Ate April – mga 5 mins away lang from here. Tsaka pala may dala akong soup for you," he handed the items over.

"Thank you. Hindi na kita mapapasok, I really want to rest pa kasi."

"No worries, I have to go na din kasi may show pa ako. Pero, okay lang ba if daan ako tonight? Or puntahan kita sa store kung papasok ka?"

"I'll text you nalang, okay?"

***

"Paps, okay ka lang ba?"

Rj looked up from his phone and saw his friend, Sam YG, hovering over him. "Oo, okay lang ako, bakit?"

"Iba yung saya mo lately eh. Tsaka, ano ba yan? Yung blog na 'yan na naman binabasa mo?"

"Kasi naghahanap ako ng tips!" Rj gamely answered. He had already told Sam about Maine before and now he updated Sam with all that has happened in the past week.

"Eh, Paps pano yan? Maraming nagiging fans ngayon dahil... Di ba tinutukso kayo ni..."

"Iba na naman yung fans ngayon, di ba? Tsaka basta... Hindi ko sasayangin yung chance ko, Paps."

One of the guests that day came up to them. "Uy ang cute naman niyang girl. Yan yung sikat online di ba? Ano name niya ulit?" Derrick asked.

Rj didn't answer but he was trying to veer his screen away from the newcomer's gaze. Sam replied, "Maine."

"Patingin." Derrick asked again.

Rj didn't acquiesce. "Wala na, close na yung app. Tara tawag na tayo ni Direk."

Much to his delight, he and his current potential love team would be shooting an episode for a weekend show and the location was near Maine's store. It was Friday so she would be there.

The shoot ended early so they strolled in the store at around 9pm. Maine was working on the side, while Kat was at the counter. "Hi, Sir Alden!" She greeted. Maine turned at this, but quickly frowned and turned back.