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Both Maine and Rj went to mass in their village chapel with their respective families. When they were still "strangers" to each other, they would attend mass at different times. When they became a couple, Rj was able to convince his family to go to the Sunday morning mass instead. They usually sat in the same area with either of the families in the pew infront or behind the other. Today, Maine's family arrived ahead so Rj and his family sat behind them.
"....uh Tita....may I bring my dad and sisters to the dinner tonight?" Rj asked Tita MaryAnn as they left the church after mass.
"....sure, sure!....." Tita MaryAnn replied.
"Thank you po. The four of us will be there are 6:30...."
"...ok, see you at 6:30...." Tita MaryAnn smiled at Rj.
"Niki, Coleen....kasama ni Rj yung Daddy nya at mga kapatid niya mamayang gabi...." Tita MaryAnn informed her girls.
"Okay po..." Ate Niki replied.
Maine's family's Sunday routine was to have lunch out after mass. They usually went around the mall after eating. This social activity, they thought, could help Maine gain confidence and expose her to a "normal" life. As a young child and at the beginning of her condition, little Maine would cry and scream when she was told that they would go on family outings. Soon, the family learned that if she was given advanced notice of their plans, she would be more open and positive to the activity. Much later on, she "opened up" to them more and began signing, although a little discreetly, to them, in order to communicate. Now, Sunday lunch to afternoon outings became a regular routine so Maine was 'prepared'.
When they got home in the early afternoon, everyone chipped in to prepare for the dinner. Maine's task was to prepare the ingredients of the dishes her Nanay was going to prepare. Tonight's menu included pasta, roast chicken, and salad.
When Rj's mom was alive, she would cook their Sunday family lunch and the whole family would gather and spend the day at home. It was a time for them to do more things together like watch videos or play games. As the kids got older, Sunday games were replaced by quiet time where they'd all sit in the living room together, each one concentrating on their books or doing homework. Now that Mommy was no longer with them, Rj's dad still kept the tradition of having everyone home for lunch. Ate Virgie, their long-time helper, cooked for the family. This afternoon, Rj settled himself in the kitchen and baked up a storm – 2 cakes, pastries and some cookies.
"....Dad, I already told Tita MaryAnn na kasama kayo nina Riza sa dinner tonight...."
"Huh? Di ba nakakahiya? Ikaw lang ang ininvite tapos kasama kami...."
"Di naman po siguro....I told her na....she's expecting us tonight...."
