AN: HAPPY 1K ADN! I read a comment po, and thank you for sharing me your thoughts. Tragic po talaga ang concept ko, pero very soon po. Sana. Maayos ko na po to. Thank you po!
"Love, okay ka lang ba talaga? Pwede ka naman mag-leave eh." RJ told her.
"Magagalit ang Daddy. Kahit anak nya ko, kailangan ko parin mag-trabaho. We need to be professional around the office." Maine answered.
"But... May lagnat ka o." He said.
"Love, lagnat lang yan. Okay lang ako." She repeated.
"Love... Wag ka ng makulit please... Paano kung lumala pa yan? Paano na?" He asked.
Maine had no choice but to agree with him. She didn't go to work, and he decided to stay with her.
"Hello? Dad?"
"Nicomaine, where are you? We need you here right now."
"Dad, I'm sick. Sorry... I can work from home."
"No. Okay lang. Just get some rest then go to work when you're feeling better. Is RJ there with you?"
"Yes. He is."
"Let me talk to him."
Maine gave the phone to her boyfriend and listened to their conversation.
"Hello po, tito?"
"RJ, take care of Maine. Stay with her until she's feeling better."
"Opo, tito. Makaka-asa po kayo."
"Thank you, RJ."
RJ gave the phone back to her.
"Nicomaine, take care of yourself. Bye."
"Bye, Daddy."
********
"Thea, the surgery was sucessful. Do you have any plans after this?" The surgeon asked.
"Doc, I'm planning to go back to the Philippines. I left my husband there..." She said.
"Well, goodluck then. I'll be going." He said as he left the ladies.
"I booked the earliest flight to Manila." Tiana said all of a sudden.
"So when are we leaving?" Thea asked.
"Next week." Tiana answered.
"Good."
********
"Akala ko ba may sakit ka?" Barbie asked.
"Syempre di ko palalampasin to kung libre diba? Okay na ko. Kamusta kayo?" Maine asked as she sat down in front of Barbie. They we're meeting up with them this night. RJ didn't want Maine to come and wanted her to rest instead, but she insisted. And no matter what convincing he does, she always wins.
They met up at Starbucks. Barbie was with her boyfriend, Jak, as usual. And RJ brought Maine with him. They settled on a corner and talked about stuff.
"Eto. Okay lang..." She answered.
"Sure? Bat parang... may gusto ka bang sabihin, Barbs?" She asked.
"Ano lang kasi... Pwede ka ba maging maid of honor ko sa kasal?" She innocently asked.
"Kasal?! Kelan?" Maine was surprised by Barbie's announcement. She didn't expect that at this early age of hers, she will be getting married.
"Sa May na, Maine." Jak happily said.
"Oh my... Congrats! Grabe. Pero sure na ba kayo dyan? I mean, ang babata nyo pa. Malay nyo, may dumating pang iba..." Maine said.
"Sure na sure na. Handa naman akong harapin ang mga dadating na pagsubok dahil kasama ko sya. At... ayaw ko na tong pakawalan. Sobrang mahal ko na eh." Jak said as he gave Barbie a kiss on the side of her head.
"Aray!" RJ exclaimed.
"Pre, ano nangyare sayo?" Jak asked.
"Nakagat ako ng langgam. Ang sweet nyo kasi! Pero, congrats ah. Best man ako, Jak, alam mo na yan..." RJ said as he placed his arm around Maine and placed his right foot on his other leg.
"Oo na. Pag nagka-anak kami ni mahal, kayo ninong at ninang ah." Jak continued.
********
May 20 2018 - Jak and Barbie's wedding.
"Congrats guys!" The couple said.
"Thanks! Alam nyo na kung sino susunod ah..." Barbie said.
"Baka matagal-tagal pa."
"Grabe. Wag masyadong matagal ah. Aabangan namin yan. Tsaka, papakawalan mo pa ba?" Jak joked. RJ laughed.
"Jak, Barbs, mauna na kami. May kailangan pang asikasuhin si Maine. But again, congrats to the both of you." RJ said as he patted Jak's back and gave Barbie a kiss on her both cheeks as a sign of respect.
RJ and Maine hopped into their car and drove back to the condominium. Maine had her period today, and as usual, she had the worst cramps.
"Love, kain ka muna nito o. Bago ka uminom ng gamot." RJ said as he gave Maine a bowl of ice cream. Maine was sitted on their sofa as she watched a movie. They plan to have a movie marathon tonight.
********
RJ's mind was distrubed by what Jak said earlier at the wedding. So he decided to take Maine on a date the next day. He took her to Palawan and told her that it was just a short vacation for them. One night, he told her that he was taking her on a date. He took her to a romantic restaurant beside their hotel.
She wore a simple dress, and only added a small amount of make-up to perfect the look. They both went the main floor as they finished dressing up. They walked hand-in-hand towards the hotel, but when they reached the door, he covered her eyes with her hands. She held them and asked what's going on.
"It's a surprise, my love." He whispered as he guided her towards their table. When they reached it, she was surprised. She covered her mouth and turned to RJ to hug him.
"Thank you, Love." She said as she gave him a kiss. They both sat on their seats and ordered. A few moments later, romantic music was played. Their dinner was served and they ate and talked for a while.
After eating, he asked her for a dance. She agreed and they started to dance slowly.
"God, you're amazing, Love." She said as they continued to dance. He leaned in until he reached her ear.
"I have another surprise." He whispered. He held her hand and thanked the band. He ran with her to the beach and they both took off their shoes and slippers. They walked slowly at the shore, and talked.
"Teka, ano ba yung surprise?" She asked.
"Eto." He pulled out a velvet box from his pocket and gave it to her.
"Ano to?" She asked.
He knelt down and took the box from her hands.
"Nicomaine, I know we we're just starting. I know this feels wrong. But I want you to know that I'm always here for you, and I'm ready to spend my life with you. I loved you not because you showed me something new, because you showed me how to love again after everything that has happend. And because you make me happy. I understand if you won't accept my proposal now, I know we're rushing things but... I don't want to let you go no more. So Maine... Nicomaine Dei Mendoza, will you marry me?"
