Next To Me

26. High Way/Bed(?)

It's been a week since Maine started working as a junior writer and content researcher for the company. She was giddy and excited so she always wake up early and go to work one hour earlier before her shift. Aside from being excited going to work, she wouldnt want to get caught in traffic and wouldn't want to get a memo because of tardiness.

Since RJ don't get to see her on mornings because she leaves earlier than him, he insisted to Maine that he drive her going home. He would go to her office and wait for her at the parking lot. Maine refused at first because her workplace is much farther than RJ's but found it convenient because it saves her from fare expenses and they get to spend time together during the drive. They found traffic less annoying in each other's company, catching up on about their day's event. Sometimes, they would drive-thru a fast food chain or stop by a restaurant to grab dinner. They're happy that they get to bond more outside the confines of their apartment. Discovering more about each other when it comes to meeting other people.

"Kumusta naman ang trabaho, so far?" RJ asked during a drive going home. They just had dinner at a food park near the area. Maine was looking outside at the window as they pass thru led light displays along the road.

"Okay naman. Masaya. Actually, madami akong natututunan kahit medyo madami yung tarabaho. Pero kailangan ko lang siguro masanay. Nakakatuwa nga kasi tinutulungan ako ng mga team mates ko." she answered still facing the window.

"Buti naman okay sa'yo yung mga kaopisina mo. May mga friends ka na?"

"Well okay naman sila. Tinuturuan nila ako pag meron akong hindi alam, tsaka ginaguide sa workaround sa office. Kasabay ko din sila nagla-lunch tsaka bumili ng pagkain. Masaya kasama tsaka puro kalokohan. Nakakatuwa yung buong team."

"Ilan kayo sa team niyo?"

"Mga walo ata. Di ko pa masyadong kilala yung iba e."

"Ilan ang boys at girls?" RJ asked still facing the road in front of him.

Maine finally faced his direction and momentarily raised a brow. She paused a while before finally answering, "Limang boys at tatlo kaming girls." She waited for his reaction.

She didn't got any aside from the creased forehead that has just appeared on his face. He looked like he was thinking of something to say. She just shook her head in amusement and smirked at him.

"Hay naku, RJ. Dun as limang yun, tatlo ang beki. Yung dalawa yung hindi ko pa masyadong kilala. Kaya wag ka na mag-alala diyan ok?"

"Bakit, wala naman akong sinasabi a."

"Tss. Kahit wala kang sinasabi kitang kita sa mukha mo o." she poked his forehead then his currently missing dimple. "Tsaka yung lakas ng buntung hininga mo pagkasabi ko na beki yung tatlo? Para kang natanggalan ng tinik sa dibdib e. Mukha ka palang constipated pag worried ka noh? Hahahaha!"

"Naku, napag-tripan nanaman niya ako. Tsaka, masama bang magworry kung puro lalaki ang ka-team mo? Siyempre natural lang sakin yun. Buti nalang beki pala yung tatlo. Yung dalawa, wag mo na kilalanin."

"Grabe ka naman! Mga ka-team ko yun, siyempre makikilala ko yun sa ayaw at sa gusto ko."

"Eh...nag-aalala lang ako sa'yo."

"Hah! Edi umamin ka din. Hahaha!" she teased him some more and poked his arms repeatedly. "Yiii, worried. Worried. Hahaha!"

"Maine! Wag kang makulit nagda-drive ako!"

"Hahaha! Ang cute mo Tisoy!"

"Hay naku! Humanda ka sakin pagdating sa bahay. Lagot ka sakin."

"Ay pagod na ako. Pagdating sa bahay matutulog na ako e." she kept laughing at him knowing she got the upper hand this time.

"Pwes, di kita patutulugin! Humanda ka talaga sakin mamaya."

"Hoy ano yang binabalak mo ha? Isusumbong kita kay Nanay kala mo."

"As if. Kampi kaya sakin si Nanay." he grinned although he was still thinking of a way to one up her.

"Pinanindigan mo talaga na Nanay ang tawag mo sa nanay ko ha."

"Ganun din yun balang araw." he said winking at her. Maine rolled her eyes at him but with a smile on her lips.

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Turned out his revenge that night was a pillow fight and tickle wrestling. Maine scored the pillow fight since RJ  wouldn't really throw hard at her, worried she might get hurt or something.

His favorite was the tickle wrestling though, he got Maine clamped inside his arms and legs on the floor and tickled her non-stop on her sides and neck. She had to beg him to stop because her face and stomach were aching already from too much laughing. Her pleading went to almost crying, with tears all over her face from too much laughing then eventually from pleading.

When RJ finally stopped tickling her, he still didn't let go of her from his arms  and legs even if Maine was hitting him from what he did. He wiped her tear stricken face and just hugged her from her back and settled his head on her shoulder. Somehow, it became his favorite position and he loved her perfect slender shoulders.

"RJ, tama na. Uuwi na ko. May pasok pa bukas o. Kailangan ko na matulog." She pleaded.

"Hm? Ano yun? Di kita maintindihan."

"RJ naman e. Bitawan mo na ko please?"

"Ayaw. Parusa mo yan. Ang lakas mo mang-asar  kanina e." he tightened his hold on her even more.

Maine remained quiet and just let RJ. She sported a pout on her face though, thinking that after a while he will get tired too and would finally let go of her. She really felt tired and wanted to sleep already.

Thinking about sleep, she didn't notice that her eyes slowly closed and her head leaned on his chest all on their own. Her mind wandered. There was something inviting about him. His smell and his toned chest make for a perfect bed on a tiring day full of work. His big arms were just the perfect kind to snuggle with. His muscles were firm but his skin was soft outside, like a marshmallow turned pillow. She gathered one of hia arms with eyes closed and hugged it to her chest. The other one already firm on her back cradling her. His warm breath grazing her ear and cheek sends a different kind of ticklish feeling. She thought he might have even kissed her cheek for a bit.

His voice, when whispering, was the most soothing to hear. He sounded like an angel lulling her to sleep. She wanted to let go of her self and fully give in to sleep.

She couldn't properly make out what was he saying to her ear in a low, husky voice. His voice just pulled her deeper into slumber.

"Maine? Maine, tulog ka na ba?"

"Menggay... Menggay ko."

"Menggay, my love."

"Lipat tayo sa kama. Buhatin na kita ha?"

She could be dreaming. He called her Love and he's taking her to bed. He moved and then she felt cold sheets around her, blanket wrapping around her body. She eventually missed his arms that warmed her a while ago so she called out for him. This is only a dream so why not make the most out of it, right? She called out once again and then felt the bed dip beside her. He was mumbling something but she couldn't understand what was he saying. She shrugged and opened the blanket to invite him inside and right after, the arms that she missed were back around her. She snuggled closer to his chest and her arms went around his torso, feeling more of his warmth that sent her to the finality of her slumber.

That was the most wonderful and comforting feeling she ever felt ever since and she wouldn't want to wake up from that dream anytime soon.

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Filler lang muna. Good night, guys! 💑