Firsts

IX. Turn

Maine knew that Rj was still upset but didn't want to let it affect her too much, they were, after all, not a couple. She spent the day with numerous client consultations and fittings and was able to keep her mind off him until they planned to meet up that night.

"Maine?"

"Hi, Mama Ten. Napatawag ka?"

"Pasensya na ha? Nakaabala ba?"

"Hindi naman po. Kaaalis lang nung isang client ko. Bakit ho?"

"Kailangan kasi namin ng isa pa sanang stylist for Riza, hindi kasi ma-accomodate nung stylist ni Rj dahil marami silang client na tutulungan that night. Itatanong lang sana namin kung pwede ka?" Mama Ten gave her the date and time.

After checking her calendar, "Okay naman po ako, Mama Ten. Pero wala po akong style team ha? Okay lang po ba?"

"Oo naman."

"Sige ho. May hair and makeup artist na ba for Riza? Or gusto niyo po ihanap ko siya?"

"Naku, yun nga Maine, baka may kilala ka?"

"Okay po. Ako na bahala. Thank you po sa work, Mama Ten. Umm, Ma, kasama niyo po ba si Rj?"

"Wala na. Umalis na." Maine could detect a hint of a smile in his voice. "Susunduin ka na daw. Iniwan na nga ako dito, kay Sam na ako magpapahatid."

She checked her watch and realized it was 8pm. She started closing up so that she'd be ready when Rj arrives. Another half hour later, the door chimes sounded and Rj walks in. "Hi." He greets quietly, cups her face and gives her a sweet, lingering kiss, which he ended by rubbing his nose with hers. "Let's go?"

"You look tired. We can postpone naman para makapahinga ka na tonight."

"No," he protested, keeping her in their hug and burying his face on the crook of her neck. "I want to be with you tonight."

She nodded. "Sige, ako nalang mag-drive hanggang sa condo ko so you can rest a bit."

He looked thankful.

They arrived close to 9pm. Maine insisted that Rj rest a little more on the couch while she prepared the table for their take-out dinner and called him over only when everything was set. 

She also placed their Jar in the middle. 

"I'll pick?" She asked when they were eating.

He nodded. "Pick one of mine ha? We chose yours the last time."

"Question, did you even put in any sexy-time requests here?"

He blushed but didn't answer.

"YOU DID?"

"Basta."

She was enjoying his discomfort. "Parang Fifty shades ba?"

He blushed again.

"OH. MY. GOD. Hindi nga? Where is it?" She kept tipping the jar to try to find it.

"Huy! Walang ganyan. Basta pag nakuha mo nalang. Dali na, choose na."

She laughed again. "Nakakatawa yung pagka-shy mo. Arte." She took one of his, unrolled it and read it out loud. "Horror Movie Night."

"YES!" He exclaimed. "Let's find one. Ano bang gusto mo? Rent tayo sa iTunes? NetFlix? Ano?"

"Nakalimutan mo na bang duwag ako sa ganyan?"

"Nope."

"So, sinadya mo 'to?"

"Yup."

She narrowed her eyes at him. 

"Oops, bawal mag-protest! We agreed that we'd do whatever we picked for the day so bawal umatras."