13

Hello, can we be friends?

Maine was 13 when she met Richard. He was 2 years older, and a junior who aimlessly walked and found Maine near the grade school building alcove, reading her book  and waiting for her sundo to pick her up.

"Pwede bang umupo dito?" Richard asked.

"Bakit? me sign ba na bawal?" Maine replied, eyes focused on her book. Then looks up. Uy teka, cute tong si kuya. "Joke lang po" and flashes him a peace sign and her megawatt sign.

"Makulit ka din ano. I'm Richard ,by the way." Richard stretches out his hand.

"Ay ang pormal mo naman, Kuya. I'm Maine. " She shakes his hand. "Are you waiting for your sister or brother ba? Ako na lang kasi naiwan dito."

"Wala akong kapatid eh. Naglakad lakad lang ako at biglang inabot ko na lang tong grade school building, senti ng konti." Richard says.

"Wala din akong kapatid! So baka pwede ikaw na lang kuya-kuyahan ko, tutal wala ka ding sister." Maine smiles sweetly.

"Okay! I mean, I never had anyone offer, so why not? "

"Ako din wala din nag offer maging kuya ko, so ayaw mo nun, special tayo sa isa't isa."

"teka ilang taon ka lang ba ? 11? "

"Ay grabe ka Kuya, 13 naman. eh Ikaw ba?"

"15. 3rd yr na po. Bakit naman andito ka sa me grade school building? " He asks.

"Tahimik dito, mas makaka-focus ako sa novel na binabasa ko."

Maine then looks at him . Shet, me dimples sya. Ang cute nya.  "So junior ka na, me geometry na yan di ba? kinakabahan ako dyan, Kuya! Weakness ko kasi."

"Ok lang yan, ang ok nga sa math is me definite na sagot. Me scientific way to get to it. "

"Zzzzzz...Inaantok ako sa pinagsasabi mo. hahaha! Pero sige kung ok lang eh di turuan mo ako pag pasok ko ng high school ha."

"Deal. Teka gotta go na , nag txt na ang sundo ko. See you around, Maine." Richard smiles warmly to a smitten Maine.

/

They see each other around a few times around campus and would strike conversation with one another.  Most of the time, it would be during after school when they wait for their parents or drivers to pick them up. Maine's friends found it cute that she had an adopted Kuya, who was good looking to boot. She would laugh it off but in reality she did not want to share him. Richard enjoyed talking to her , as it turns out they liked watching the same tv shows and movies, and music and he finds Maine sweet and interesting for someone who is 2 years younger.

"Kuya Richard, Wag mo akong pabayaan ha?" , Maine asked.

"Oo naman." Richard said. He ruffled Maine's hair.

"At Kuya, pakilala mo ako sa mga cute na boys."

"Huy bawal ka mag boys, masyado ka pang bata. Mag aral ka na muna! "

She pretends not to hear him. "Basta, ayaw ko ng mga bad boys. Gusto ko mabait, matalino, ok din kung magaling mag basketball.  tsaka para cool kami ng mga friends ko. Me kilala agad na upperclassman. "

"Asa ka pa, Maine. Mag aral ka muna!" Richard says with finality.

Hmp, kj lang din. Totohanan na umastang Kuya, she thinks as Maine rolls her eyes.

Author's note:

I really don't know why I am doing this, but this story has been in my mind for awhile. So please be gentle, first time ko mag multi chapter chorva at kinakabahan ako. 😅

Not proofread. Mistakes are my own. Pasensya na po. 😊

Pic credit to papixure_ne @ IG