"Nandito na tayo..." Kuya Jose said as he parked the car. They were in a small street a few short blocks away from the place where Rj goes for therapy. The houses were small and close to each other and there were many people in the street. Kids ran and played in the streets and would only scamper to the sides when tricycles and occasional bigger vehicles passed by. Kuya Jose pointed to a small house with a sari-sari store in front. There were 2 people seated on the benches of the store front.
"Ano pong sa kanila?" The woman behind the store's grills asked Kuya Jose and Rj when they peeped in.
"Ah...magandang araw po...."
"Magandang araw naman..."
"....ahhh si Maine po?..... Siya po si Rj yung anak ng boss ni Maine...." Kuya Jose bent his head towards Rj who was behind him.
"Ahh...ganun ho ba?....Ay! Sir! Good morning po!"
"Good morning po....si Maine?" Rj spoke.
"Ahh ehh nasa loob.... sandali lang po...."
Before Rj could react, Maine's mom left the store and entered the house through the curtain behind her.
A long while later, a younger girl came out and invited Rj to come inside the house. Kuya Jose opted to stay outside.
"Upo ka....lalabas na si Ate Meng....gusto mong juice?" the girl spoke
"Ahh...hindi na....th....thank you...." Rj replied.
The interior of the house was sparsely decorated but it was clean and organized. Maine's diplomas, awards and medals were on one wall along with some framed photos.
"Lalabas na sya...." Maine's mom said as she went out one of the doors nearby.
Rj immediately stood up when Maine came out from the door a few minutes after her mom. She was in jogging pants, socks, and a very thick jacket. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and her eyes were puffy.
"O Rj...what are you doing here?" Maine said as she came out from the door.
"You're sick....what happened?"
"I think I have the flu..." She said as they sat on the sofa.
"How many days have you had a temperature?" He asked. He put up his hand to touch her but hesitated at first. She nodded and he continued.
"Yeow! You're hot! Are you sure you're feeling okay?" He said as he put his hand on her neck then her forehead.
"I'm actually feeling cold...." she said as she pulled her jacket tighter around her.
Without thinking, he wrapped his arm around her and started rubbing her back. He felt her shudder. He pulled her closer to him.
The younger girl who brought Rj inside the house passed by. "Uhmm...pwedeng humingi ng kumot?" Rj asked.
The girl gave him a blanket which he wrapped Maine with. He made Maine lay down on the sofa. He stood up and went to the store to talk to Maine's mom. A few minutes later, he scooped Maine from the sofa and brought her to the car.
"Kuya....emergency...."
