Melodious

Refrain 6

Recap:

Maine and Valeen were eating at McDonald's when RJ arrived, his friends following thereafter. Maine and RJ had agreed to be friends, nonetheless.

***

"Welcome to the Faulkerson household."

Maine shyly entered the gate, following RJ who had gone to a side and kneeled down to pet a golden retriever. "This is Globie. Globie, meet Maine, my best friend."

"Wag mong hayaang marinig ka ng kahit isa sa Kupal Four. Magtatampo yun sa'yo," she joked, referring to RJ's four other friends which Valeen baptized as 'Kupal Four'. Mainly it was because of Jerald, who couldn't for the life of him stop teasing her, but didn't include RJ in the equation since "nirerespeto ko ang boypren ni Menggay"

And that remark earned her a good whack to the head.

It has been a little more over a month since they became friends and she had already escalated to the rank of best friend. Kung ganoon lang din kabilis tumaas ang grades niya, natuwa pa sana siya.

"Okay, she's my best girl friend—"

Maine spluttered.

"—girl best friend." RJ stood and pulled Maine over, chuckling at how nervous she was. "Hindi siya nangangagat, promise. She's safe."

"She? Globie's a girl?"

"I was referring to you."

At the sudden implication of his words Maine pushed him off, but RJ was laughing and who was she kidding? She loved hearing him laugh like that. Reaching out a hand to pet the dog, Globie reluctantly sniffed her and afterwards licked her palm, Maine letting out a strangled "Eep!" which made RJ laugh.

"Oh, Tisoy, nandito ka na pala!"

They both looked up, and RJ grinned as he walked towards his father and kissed his hand. "Dad!/Faulkerdad!"

"Faulkerdad?" Richard Faulkerson Sr. amusedly asked, and Maine slightly pinked. RJ guffawed at her reaction.

"Sorry po... umm Tito. Good afternoon po," Maine greeted politely, slightly bowing her head in respect.

"Wag na, wag na. Parang mas gusto ko yung Faulkerdad," he winked at Maine, who smiled up at him in embarrassment, and then turned to RJ. "Di mo naman sinabing ngayon mo pala dadalhin girlfriend mo?"

"Dad!/Po?"

Mr. Faulkerson barked out a laugh so hard RJ sent an embarrassed glance at Maine and mouthed "sorry", and then rolled his eyes at his father. "Dad, di naman masyadong nakakatawa. Ang OA niyo po."

"Yung itsura mo kasi! Hahahaha!"

"Si Lola po?"

"Bumisita sa mga pinsan mo, bukas na daw uuwi. Tuloy na kayo sa loob. Ria!"

Tumuloy na silang tatlo sa loob ng bahay kung saan agad na bumungad ang sala. Agad na napatayo si Ria nang makita kung sino ang kasama ng ama at tumakbo para mayakap ang kaibigan ng kuya niya. "Ate Maaaaaaine!"

"Faulkersis!" Maine squealed excitedly, hugging her back. At least she was familiar with Ria, na na-meet niya na sa school dati. Nag-aaral din kasi ito sa parehong paaralan nina Maine at RJ, only a year younger than Maine academically, kahit kung tutuusin ay magkasing-edad lang sila.

"Wow ha, ako kasi yung kapatid mo eh."

Ria stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Baho mo, maligo ka na. Mahiya ka naman kay Ate Maine."

"Ang galing manlait ang liit liit naman."

"Liit lang! Liit-liit unano na 'yun!"

"Sa harap pa talaga kayo ng bisita nag-aaway," sita ng ama nila. "Ria, lakad at bumili ka muna ng meryenda kay Aling Pacing. Tsaka ng juice na rin siguro. Nang may mapakain tayo sa bisita."