RJ spent the next couple of days fixing his messy life. He counted all the money he got from working as a pool boy and a gardener for the Mendoza's and realized that it's already more than enough for him to buy a motorcycle. He also participated in the early enrollment so he can be a student next semester. The young guy is determined to get his life back in order and he won't stop at nothing to achieve that.
"Pareng Soyti! Ba, mukhang naka-ayos ngayon ah ... san ka punta?" Bogs asked him.
"Ah, bibili lang ng yelo." he answered.
"Sarado sila."
"Bugok, naniwala ka naman. Sa mall, may bibilhin lang." RJ said, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Okay na ba kayo nung mga dati mong amo?" his friend asked.
"Oo naman." RJ replied with a smile on his face. A few minutes later, he got into his friend's tricycle and they left. Bogs dropped him off at a nearby jeepney terminal. RJ paid for his trip and quickly boarded another one that will take him to the mall.
---
"So, free na kayo ngayon?" Teresa asked Maine after she told him everything that took place recently. The young girl smiled but moved her head from side to side.
"Nope."
"Why? Edi ba okay na si Niknik sa inyo?"
"Yup, but Mom has conditions remember? Gusto niyang makita na Tisoy na serious. She wants to see development ... a progress in him ... a drive to make things better." Maine answered before she took a sip of her hot coffee.
"Oh, okay. Maganda naman yun pala. Wait, he'll go here di ba?"
"Yep." Maine replied with a smile on her face. She then looked around to see if RJ's nearby. After not being able to spot him, she decided to call.
"Uy, asan ka na?" she asked.
"Malapit na. Ikaw naman na-miss mo ako agad." he answered.
"Ay wow, ang kapal. Teresa's waiting for us, she wants to talk to you daw."
"Yung english speakining mong best friend? Oh my gahd, dapat sinabi mo para nag-practice ako. Ang sikip pa man din ng suot ko ngayon, mabilis akong pawisan niyan." RJ said and Maine giggled a bit.
"Baliw ka talaga ... ang cute mo eh no?" she asked.
"Aba, siyempre. Si Richard R. Faulkerson Jr. kaya 'to ng Barangay Puting Itim." he said proudly. Maine smiled and just told him to meet them at Starbucks.
"Oh sige sige."
"Bye."
"Wait! Yun lang" RJ asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Wala bang I love you o I miss you o I can't wait to see TJ again ... yung mga yun ba?" he asked and she rolled her eyes as if he can see her.
"Ewan ko sa'yo." Maine told him and ended the call. She then looked at Teresa and saw her smiling.
"What?" she asked.
"Naka-sumpong yata kalandian ni Tisoy?" she asked.
"Sinabi mo pa."
---
RJ quickly saw Maine and Teresa inside Starbucks. He took a deep breath, quickly fixed the wrinkes on his polo and approached them.
"Hello." he greeted and they both smiled at him.
