The Bridesmaid [MaiChard AU]

Lounging

Maine
RJ tells her in excruciating detail what happened and how they got to his suite in the hotel where both their friends’ weddings took place last night. He patiently answers her questions, too.

After she finishes eating, they move to the living room at RJ’s request, what with her just wearing his white undershirt and their balcony looking over the hotel pool just below. She appreciates how much of a gentleman he is, even more cementing the fact that all RJ did to her last night was undress her and inevitably get a glimpse of her body as he did so. She cringes at the thought as they walk side by side toward the couch.

“Oh dear god. Nakakahiya. So nakita mo stretchmarks ko?” She gasps, cupping her face with her hands.

“What stretchmarks? Anong-- Wala kaya! I -- I mean, I didn’t stare long enough so I wouldn’t know but I’m sure wala.” He explains before belatedly realizing he is giving himself away.

She gasps loudly. “Oh my god.” She takes a throw pillow and covers her face. “You’ve already seen more of me than what my ex-boyfriend ever will.”

He chuckles and tries to pry away the pillow from her hands. “Ano ba kasi kinakahiya mo?”

She lets him take it away from her and looks at him with confusion.

“Duh. Kung nakita mo lang yung date nya kagabi, pinagpalit ako ng ex kong tukmol sa babaeng kasing laki ng ramen bowl yung boobs kasi ang liit nung saken. Why am I even telling you this?” She exclaims, tries to yank the pillow from RJ but RJ throws it on the floor instead. Why she feels comfortable to tell him these things, she doesn’t know.

“You’re sexy, alright.” He pauses, his ears now fiery red. “I’m sorry,” He says when he sees her eyes widen. “I can’t find a better word to describe what I saw.” His voice lowers, his eyes intently gazing at her that her cheeks flush from embarrassment.

She feels him gingerly move closer to her until he is just a few inches from her, her eyes wide as his face inches dangerously closer to hers. She frantically stands up, hitting her head with his quite hard, both holding their foreheads in pain. “Ouch, Sorry, sorry. Ok ka lang?” She asks worriedly as she sits back down.

“Ok lang ako. Ikaw? Patingin nga?” He moves one hand to the back of her head and the other on her forehead checking for bumps, his fingers carefully surveying the expanse of it. She had to close her eyes and hold her breath because his face is literally just an inch away from hers, his warm breath fanning her cheeks and she is panicking because she has never been this close to a stranger and not feel the urge to run away.

Meng, kumalma ka.  She silently repeated. Paano? Eh ang lapit ng gwapong to sa mukha ko!

***
RJ
He wraps in a table napkin the remaining ice cubes from their breakfast room service and gently lays it over her bump, his hand on the back of her neck for support as he does so while Maine sits on the couch and holding on to his wrist, hissing from the cold. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s my fault. Yung bukol mo?” She asks, her eyes full of concern.

Walang akong bukol sa taas pero sa baba… “Ah, eh wala naman eh. I’m ok. Ano na nga ulit piangkukuwentuhan natin?” He asks, hoping to ease the tension.

“Ah eh. You pretty much already painted me a very vivid picture of how I embarrassed myself gloriously in front of a total stranger so I think we’re good.” She chuckles.

“No, you did not. I still think you’re beautiful kahit nakita na kitang tumatawag ng uwak.” He quips. He earns a light slap on his cheek for that.

They find themselves laughing like kids after, effectively dispelling the awkwardness between them much to RJ’s relief. He definitely likes sober Maine than the drunk and sleeping version of her because sober (and finally relaxed Maine) is funny and has such a contagious laughter he could make it his life’s mission to tease her just to hear her laugh.