Melodious

Verse 19

"Val, what are you doing?"

Maine's jaw dropped as Valeen blindly shoved all her clothes in her suitcase, moving with such speed that Maine was barely able to follow her movements.

"Hindi ba halata? Nag-eempake! Wala nang kasalang magaganap!"

"Val, calm down--"

"I AM FUCKING CALM NICOMAINE!"

Napaatras si Maine sa bulyaw ni Valeen. Nang mapansin ang bakas ng takot sa mukha ng kaibigan, napabuntong-hininga si Valeen at napaupo sa kama. Nanatili itong nakayuko at nakatitig sa sahig. "I'm sorry. But, just... Can you please leave me alone for a second? I just need time to compose myself."

"Okay," mahinang sagot ni Maine. "Tell me whenever you're ready. I'm right here for you, Val. Clear?"

"Crystal." Valeen smiled weakly at her and Maine returned it with a soft smile of her own, exiting the room and letting the door close with a soft thud.

Once out she heard something fall, and then the sound of someone wailing out loud. Valeen never was the one who liked letting others see her cry, and Maine respected that. So all she can do was wait for it to fade out and let Valeen take out her feelings.

Maine looked up when she heard rushed footsteps and saw Jerald and RJ running towards her. Immediately she straightened up, using her body to block Valeen's room. The latter's wails hasn't died down.

"Anong nangyayari?" Tanong ni Jerald, na napatingin nang muling marinig ang mga iyak ni Valeen. Kakatukin na sana niya ang pinto pero itinaas ni Maine ang kamay niya para pigilan ito. "Hayaan mo lang si Val. Hindi pa siya pwede makausap sa ngayon."

"Maine."

"Jerald," Maine returned his glare with equal ferocity. "Nakapag-usap na kayo ni Valeen. Ngayon, hayaan mo siya mapag-isa kasi kailangan niya mag-isip-isip. You, mister, are coming with me."

She began pulling him by the ear, and Jerald yelped in pain, forced to follow the lady's footsteps. Agad tumabi si RJ para mapadaan sila, at sumunod din nang magsimula nang magsisigaw si Jerald. "A-aray! Ahhh! Menggay naman easy-han mo lang, kamukha ko lang si Papi pero hin-- AHH!"

"Maine, saan kayo pupunta?" Tanong ni RJ, na ang tanging nagawa lang ay kaawaan si Jerald.

"Mag-uusap," she replied curtly. "Dito ka muna. When Valeen gets out of her room, malamang gutom yun kaya siguraduhin mong may pagkain. Don't let the others disturb her. Text me kapag lumabas na si Valeen. Kakausapin ko lang ng masinsinan 'tong best friend mo."

"Ha? Teka, sasama na lang ako kuha lang ako ng--"

"Wag na! Mamaya may makakilala pa sa'yo at dumugin ka ng fans mo dito," Maine snapped at him, and then a 180-degree attitude change happened and her face softened. "Please, RJ?"

"Alright, fine."

"PAPS NAMAN EH NADALA KA KAAGAD NG-- AWW! NICOMAINE DEI!"

"Manahimik ka, Napoles. RJ, we're going."

"Text me where you're going, okay?"

Pero hindi na rin narinig ni Maine ang huling habilin ni RJ at dire-diretsong lumabas kasama si Jerald, na patuloy pa ring nagsisisigaw.

***

Maine dined with a pouting Jerald.

Nakasimangot ito habang hinihimas ang namumulang tenga. They were in a woodhouse eatery walking distance from the resort and with a perfect view of the beach. It was sunset already, medyo pagabi na. After awhile, inihain na sa harapan nila ang sisig na in-order ni Maine, at dalawang bote ng malamig na beer. At the sight of alcohol Jerald perked up, curiously glancing at Maine. "Lalasingin mo ba ko para malaman kung anong pinag-usapan ni Valeen?"