RJ took a deep breath before he sat on the garden bench. A tear escaped his eyes and it fell down the side of his face. Today is the last day he will work for the Mendoza's. He did not want his time here to end but the situation got the best of him.
After he heard the sound of Nicole's car pulling up on the driveway, RJ wiped his tears away and stood up. He took his bag and walked towards her.
"Hi, Tisoy!" she greeted. RJ smiled and asked if they can talk. Nicole agreed and followed him back to the garden.
"Anong gusto mong pag-usapan?" Nicole asked him.
"Niknik, nag-resign na ako."
"Hah?" she replied. Judging by the tone of her voice, RJ knew she's genuinely surprised.
"May .... kailangan na kasi ni Mama ng tulong sa bahay. Di ko naman na mapag-sasabay yun tsaka ito." he said, feeling a bit better because of his alibi.
"Pero pupunta ka naman sa Debut di ba?" she asked.
"OF course, pupunta ako dun."
"Sigurado kang yun yung dahilan ng pag-alis mo?" she asked. RJ's heart dropped, a part of him started thinking that Nicole knows the entire truth after all.
"Oo naman." he replied. Suddenly, Nicole hugged him. RJ felt too bad and so he hugged her back.
"Ang daya mo naman eh. Mawawalan ng inspiration si Mamsie niyan. Wala ng pan de sal." she teased and RJ chuckled. A few more minutes later, Nicole said her goodbye and they parted ways. RJ let out a sight and left the mansion.
---
Maine spent the past half an hour crying and blaming herself for the stupid mistake she and RJ committed. After she saw him leave the mansion, she quickly took her phone and called him.
"Sigurado ka na bang aalis ka? Eto na ba yun?" she asked.
"Kailangan kong gawin 'to. Para sa akin at para sa iyo."
"Tisoy ... baka naman nagkakamali ka lang. Maybe we can still fix this." she said, not sure anymore if she wants him to go anywhere else.
"Maine ... buong buhay ko ... hindi ako naging sigurado sa maraming bagay, sa'yo lang." he said. Her heart fluttered because of what he said and that made it harder for her to let him go.
"I'm sorry."
"Para san?"
"Sa lahat ng nagawa ko sa'yo Tisoy. I'm the one who's at fault here. Hinayaan ko na may mangyari sa atin. Pinabayaan kong may mabuo kahit wala naman dapat." she answered, feeling her own heart break a little more.
"Hindi mo kasalanan yun. Ginusto natin 'to. Sige na, uuwi na ako." he uttered.
"Sige, bye."
"Bye."
--
RJ woke up early the next day, his body clock is still the same. He got out of his bed and started stretching both his arms and legs. After he went out of his room, the young guy quickly saw his mom's concerned look.
"Ma naman, okay lang ako." he said even though her mouth is still shut.
"Sigurado ka?" she asked.
"Opo."
RJ's mom then hugged him tightly. He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Naku ... yung baby carabao ko broken hearted. Anong gusto mo ... pag-luto kita?" she asked before she pinched RJ's squishy cheeks.
"Okay naman ako Ma ... don't worry."
"At marunong ka nang mag-english. Proud ako sa'yo Tisoy." she said and he just smiled.
"Oh sige na magsuot ka na ng damit mo baka pang-pantasyan ka na naman ng mga kapit bahay natin."
"Sige po." he answered and ran back to his room. RJ then put his shirt on and went out again to wash his face and eat breakfast.
Later that morning, the young guy went out for a walk. He's more than keen on doing everything that can prevent his mind from thinking about Maine or Nicole.
"Pareng Soyti!" that familiar voice quickly made him smile.
"Bogs!" he said.
"Oh bakit wala ka sa mansion ngayon?" his friend asked.
"Eh mejo complicated kasi eh."
"Ganun ba? Nga pala ... may pa-audtion yung Starstruck dun sa kabilang bayan." Bogs told him. RJ grunted and rolled his eyes.
"Takte naman, ayokong mag-artista uy."
"Bakit ayaw mo? Pwede ka dun brad, malaking pera dun."
"Eh wala naman akong talent eh." RJ replied.
"Para namang ang daming artistang may talent eh no?" Bogs asked and he laughed a bit. RJ then fixed his shirt and looked around.
"Kung porn star pa pare, pwede." he whispered.
"Gago." Bogs replied and they both laughed.
--
Maine took a deep breath before she joined her mother and sister on the dining table. She sat on her chair and saw their sad faces.
"It's not even 8:00 am yet and you're both sad already?" she asked.
"Parang gusto ko kasing kumain ng tinapay. Di ako sanay ng walang pan de sal na nakikita eh." her mother replied and Maine giggled a bit.
"Mommy talaga."
"Ate, what happened between you and RJ?" Nicole suddenly asked.
"What do you mean?" Maine asked back, already getting nervous.
"I think may problema si Tisoy. Sinungitan mo ba siya nung wala ako? Nag-away ba kayo?"
Mane looked at her mom and saw her concerned reaction. The young girl gulped and once again faced her sister.
"Kami? No, not at all."
"Ganun ba? kawawa naman kasi siya."
"Gusto mong puntahan natin?" Maine offered, hoping to divert Nicole's thoughts.
"Okay lang ba?"
"I'm sure okay lang sa kaniya yun. He has a crush on you Niknik, matutuwa yun." she lied. Nicole smiled and quickly accepted the offer.
"Punta tayo bukas."
---
Later that night, RJ decided to call Maine to ask how she's doing. In order for her mother not to hear the conversation, he locked himself inside his room.
"Sus, you missed me already? wow." Maine said right away.
"Oo ... miss na kita."
"Ih ... gabi na, wag mo akong pakiligin." she replied and he giggled like a little kid.
"How are you Tisoy?" she then asked in a serious tone. The smile on his face faded, RJ took a depe breath before he answered her question.
"Okay naman, ikaw?"
"I don't know ... I feel guilty na."
"Sabihin na natin?" he asked.
"Natatakot akong mawala yung kapatid sakin eh."
"Ako din naman." he uttered. RJ then put his socks on and threw himself on top of the bed.
"Maybe we can tomorrow? Pag-usapan natin kung anong gagawin?"
"Sige."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight ... wait! may sasabihin nga pala ako."
"Ano yun?" Maine asked.
"I don't think nasabi ko na sa'yo to. But I love you Maine, I love you so much."
--
ohhh RJ said the "L" word. What will happen next? stay tuned :) x
