"Maine...love....uwi ka muna sa bahay....shower ka na rin muna dun...."
"Uhh...are you sure?"
"Yes. Natawagan ko na si Lola....she's waiting for you"
"Nakakahiya naman..."
"Don't be....they're waiting for you na....pauwi na rin ako.....I'll see you in a bit..."
Rj, although amused at how excited Maine was trying out the 'sack and field' game at the barangay, became even more concerned when he saw how sweaty she'd become during the 'sugod bahay' segment of jfa. She had not been doing this task for some time now and the summer's heat was becoming too intense. Maine, who was usually quiet and uncomplaining, mentioned to him before, that she was not feeling very well due to the heat.
He left the studios after the show and drove straight home. He was looking forward to resting since they'd been taping for their teleserye almost daily for several weeks. He missed his home; his family.
The dogs started barking as soon as they felt his presence near the house. They became even more restless and noisy as soon as they saw him enter the gate. Rj had not seen Maine's van outside his house so he was wondering if she did come.
He played with the dogs for a little while until his Lola Linda came out.
"J....andito ka na pala....kumain ka na?"
"Mano po....yes, po....sa studio....si Maine po?" Rj stood up and greeted his Lola.
"Oo...nasa taas....kanina pa sya dumating...."
"Ah ok....sige po 'La....akyat po muna ako...."
"Sige....anong gusto mong merienda?"
"Hmm....turon at gulaman, 'La!"
"Okay...."
"Thank you, 'La" Rj side embraces and kisses Lola Linda before going inside the house.
Rj slowly makes his way up to his bedroom. He had barely gotten home earlier when he had to leave again for work. Their last taping schedule ended at 3am and he got home by almost 5am and barely had time to sleep. He slowly opened the door and felt the cool air of his airconditioning against his skin. The room was dark. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and he saw a figure curled up on his laz-e-boy in the corner of the room. Maine was sleeping in a fetal position. He went to her and slowly nudged her shoulder.
"Maine....Love...."
Maine slowly stirred and smiled at him after recognizing his voice.
"Bakit dito ka natulog....may bed naman o...."
She just smiled and stretched a little. "Nakakahiya...." she spoke softly.
"Haay..." Rj said as he tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her on her cheek.
"....baba muna tayo....may merienda si Lola..."
Maine yawns and stretches. She stands up and reaches for her hairbrush in her bag which is right next to the laz-e-boy she is sitting on and fixes her hair. Rj takes her hand and together, they walk downstairs to the dining area.
Rj's Lolo and Lola, and his little sister, Angel, are all having merienda. Maine goes around to the elderly and greets them with a kiss.
"Good afternoon po."
"Good afternoon. Rj....kunan mo ng plate si Maine....Maine, dito ka na umupo sa tabi ko..."
"Thank you po" Maine sits beside the matriarch and they chat while eating.
After a while, Rj, who had been watching the two women chatting, drops his fork on his plate, making a loud crashing sound.
"Oh iho, bakit?" Lola Linda looks at Rj. His eyes are puffy and watery. Lola knows the long taping hours are taking it's toll on Rj's body so she suggests that the two take a nap first. She's supervising dinner – Rj's favorite sinigang.
"Sige na....magpahinga muna kayo....papatawag ko nalang kayo pag handa na yung dinner mamaya...Maine, dito ka rin mag-dinner....."
"Thank you po" Rj and Maine excuse themselves from the table and retreat to Rj's room.
Rj jumps on his bed as Maine pauses when they enter the room.
"Come na..." Rj says as he bounces on the mattress and makes room for Maine.
"Are you sure?"
"Oo naman....come na....I know you're sleepy din...."
She slowly lies down and goes under the comforter. Rj puts his arm around her and she lays her head on his bicep. She turns on her side with he face buried in his armpit.
"Bakit ba laging gusto mo dyan?" He chuckles as he looks down on her, planting a kiss on her head.
She doesn't answer. He feels her slow, steady breath on his skin. He closes his eyes and they "meet" in dreamland.
