Next To Me

15. Maine's Dining Table

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Maine's laugh can be heard throuout the second floor. RJ is almost worried she might wake the neighbors, even if they are at the other end of their floor.

"Huy, grabe ka naman makatawa."

She looks at him and then laugh again, hysterically. She's already clutching at her stomach which is starting to ache. Her other hand is slapping the table, and then laugh again.

"Maine... Huy, Maine! Para ka nang hinihika sa kakatawa. Tama na yan." He's almost worried at her health. "Susko, pwede palang makapatay ang sobrang pagtawa."

She's almost out of breath when she stopped. She's wiping her tears from too much laughing.

"Ano? Ok ka na?"

She looks at him and started laughing again. This time a more softer one and almost a chuckle.

"Maine naman e."

"Sorry... Di ko talaga mapigilan.. Hahahaha!"

"Kung pagtatawanan mo lang ako buong gabi, uuwi na ko." He stood up and made way for the door. Maine caught him in his arm as he passed by her side.

"Ito naman tampo agad. Sorry na. Peace na please?" She gave him a peace sign and an obscure grade 2 smile showing only her front teeth.

"Sige, suko na ko sa kakyutan mo."

"Hehe. Upo ka na ulit dyan. Actually, naalala ko nga yung mukha mo nung araw na yun. Palang pula ka para kang najejebs. Hahahaha!"

"Hay, pwede ba kalimutan na natin yun. At tsaka dahil dun, kala ko di mo na ko kakausapin e. E iba naman pala pagaakala mo."

"So kaya ba hindi mo din ako kinakausap non?"

"Di naman sa ganun. Gusto ko naman nga magexplain sa'yo kaya lang nawalan na ko ng chance. Sa umaga tulog ka pa. Sa gabi pag-uwi ko tulog ka na din. Tapos naunahan mo pa ko sa text. Nakakahiya tuloy sa'yo."

"Okay na nga yun diba? May pa-flower ka pa. Sobrang naappreciate  ko kaya yun."

"Di ka pa talaga nakareceive ng flower kahit kelan?" 

"Hindi pa nga."

"So special yung binigay ko sa'yo?"

"Uh Oo. Special. Ikaw ha.."

"Heh. Masaya lang ako naappreciate mo yun.

Maine, since wala namang pasok bukas, gusto mo manood muna tayo ng movie? Maaga pa naman before bed time."

"Hay! Yaan sana balak ko nung nag-grocery tayo! Aayain sana kita mag-movie marathon. E kaso nga di ka na bumalik. Bumili pa naman ako ng pop corn nun o. Tapos ang dami ko pang nadownload na movie."

"E sorry naman. Eto na nga, babawi na."