uncolored (completed)

knowing glances (Morocco day 1)

Finally! After more than 20+ hours of cross-continent travel and more than 2 days of non-contact, they reunite in Casablanca, Morocco; half a world away.

She arrives at just before 9:00am, local time. He is scheduled to arrive in the afternoon. After immigration check and claiming their luggage, they are whisked to their hotel to rest and freshen up. She's excited to see him so she just sits on the sofa in the hotel lobby until it is time to go back to the airport to pick him up.

He arrives as scheduled, in the early afternoon. He's just as excited to see her. It's been several days since they've had physical contact. He takes long strides to meet her at the gate but abruptly stops a few feet away upon remembering cultural rules they have to strictly follow. She smiles at him knowingly. He smiles back. The rest of the welcoming team is there and pleasantries are exchanged.

In the van, he is assigned to sit behind her. But because both are seated at the far end by the window, he discreetly reaches for her hand and they intertwine their fingers, covering their hands with his bag and jacket. He wants to play with her fingers like he comfortably does on regular days but he keeps in mind the customs and traditions of this city. He contents himself with the feel of her soft hands and fingers. She wants to hug him as well; his warm hug makes her feel secure; her head on his chest is home. Now, she just has to be content with his strong hand that she tightly holds on to.

They reach the hotel and are assigned separate rooms. However, their rooms are right next to each other, with an adjoining door. She's with her mom, he's with his team. They still try to make 'contact' but mostly through glances and stares. They've learned to use their eyes.

He throws her a glance as they enter the doors to their rooms. She smiles and nods. They enter their individual rooms and an almost collective gasp can be heard. Each room is beautifully designed in the classic Moroccan theme. They settle in. She gently knocks at the adjoining door as she glances at her Mom who is seated on one of the armchairs by the window. Nanay is carefully studying some reading material about this colorful city. She looks up at Menggay and gently nods.

He opens the door and takes her into a warm embrace. Mama Ten and Leysam move to Leysam's room across the hall. Rj's room had a beautiful view of the ocean so they were there to admire it. But now, the room seemed "crowded". As soon as the door shut, Rj pulled Maine in and locked it.

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too!" she replied as she returned his hug with a tighter embrace.

He leaned in for a kiss and she responded with an open mouth.

"That was a long flight....and I really missed you...." he said as their lips parted.

"I know....I was restless most of the time during my flight....."

"Me too...."

With his arm around her shoulder, they walk to the window and admired the view.

"Ang ganda!" she gasps as she takes in the view of the city.

"Maganda talaga!"He says. But he's not looking out the window. He's looking elsewhere.

"Ikaw talaga...." she senses his stare and pinches his "burger".

"Aray!" He winces in pain but chuckles as well and plants a kiss on her temple. "I wish we could stay longer though...."

"....and go back to Como...." she replies.

"....soon, Babe....soon...."

A gentle knock on the door brings them back to reality.

"Mga anak, pahinga muna kayo. Mamaya daw mag-m-meeting kayo for the shoot. Rj, ikaw na muna bahala dito kay Menggay."

"Yes po, Tita.."

"San kayo pupunta, Nay?"

"Dyan lang sa baba....explore ng konti....sama ko si TenTen at Sam...."

"Okay po....enjoy!"

"Ingat po kayo, Tita...."

"...Salamat....babalik ako maya-maya...."

They close the door again and Rj pulls Maine to the window again. He leans in for another kiss and they kiss more passionately this time. Soon, she is down to her undies and he in his boxers. She walks to his bed and he follows. They spoon and soon, they nap together.

RING.

Maine wakes up. She is enveloped in Rj's embrace so she taps his arm to wake him and answer the call.

"Babe....phone...."

"......"

".....H....hello...." he answers, groggily.

"......." She turns and buries her face into his chest, inhaling his scent.

"...yes po....one hour po....lobby....opo....sige po....bye....."

".....si Ms. Sari?"

"...Oo....one hour daw to prepare then we meet dun sa cafe sa lobby....."

"Okay...." she takes one final whiff and moves to get up from bed.

"....mamaya na...."

"....Love.....kailangan na natin mag-prepare.....gusto ko ring mag-shower muna....."

".....sige na nga...." he moves to stand but is pouting like a five year old.

"...haaay....ang bibi boy ko, o....wag ka na magmaktol...." she says and kisses him on the cheek before going back to her bedroom.

== == == == ==

A/N: Yes, I know bitin....just wait :)