Maybe, Tomorrow

14: Punchlines

Maine and RJ found themselves outside the club, him embracing her from her back tight while the full moon with its star friends are watching them from afar.

"RJ? Kailan ka pupunta sa Islamorada?" she asked.

"You mean tayo? Depende sa schedule mo. Willing to wait naman ako." He answered and chuckled.

Nakatanggap si RJ ng palo sa braso dahil sa kanyang sagot.

"Seryoso na kasi, kailan na?"

"Seryoso ako, tayong dalawa talaga ang pupunta dun. Ayaw mo ba makita si Lola?" tanong ni RJ at nilingon si Maine.

"Gusto... eh pero, di ba papaiwan ka na dun?" she asked back.

RJ chuckled and tapped her nose lightly.

"Ang cute mo 'no? sinong nagsabi sayo na magpapaiwan ako doon na hindi kita kasama? Nope, not gonna happen, mahal."

Kumalas si Maine sa pagkakayakap at humarap ng tuluyan kay RJ. She crossed her arms on her chest and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you asking me to quit? RJ, I can't leave my job and stay in Islamorada. I worked hard to get to where I am right now. Hindi ko basta maiiwanan yun. RJ naman... did you plan this also?" Maine asked.

RJ laughed and shook his head, then pulled her towards him to hug her.

"I'm not asking you to do anything. I know you love your job kaya hahayaan kitang gawin ang gusto mong gawin. I'm not putting a collar around your neck, mahal. I'm not going to do that. Pero... can I ask you a favor?"

"Nako, ayan na naman tayo sa mga favor mo Jay! Diyan tayo nalilintikan eh!"

Hindi na naman naiwasan ni RJ na matawa nang malakas na kinainis lalo ni Maine. She knows that the moment he persists, she's going to give in. It's like she's made that way; it's her default settings. As much as possible, she doesn't want to give him the impression that she's still as weak as before when it comes to his favors.

"Can you give me one week of undivided time and attention in Islamorada? One week lang, mahal. Isang linggong akin ka lang, pagkatapos ay babalik tayo agad dito sa Tampa for your work. Promise." He asked and pouted.

Maine sighed.

"Pero kaka-leave ko lang, RJ. Baka hindi na ako payagan..." She reasoned out.

"Eh diba close naman kayo ng boss mo? Maybe pwede mo ipa-suyo sa Lucas na yun o di kaya si Belle muna sumalo ng work mo. Mahal, 5 week days plus 4 week ends lang. Please?"

"Ha? Teka, bakit 4 week ends? Hindi ba sabi mo one week lang? Bakit naging 9?"

"Eh dalawang weekend syempre. Aalis tayo ng Saturday morning tapos babalik tayo Sunday morning the next week. Please think about it, minsan lang naman. Knowing you, ang dami mo ng naipon na leave credits kasi hindi ka naman pala-absent. Ang sipag-sipag mo kaya." Bola ni RJ sa asawa. 

Eto na nga, nagkanda-leche leche na!

"Dinadaan mo ako sa bola ano? Hoy, hindi porket nagkabalikan na tayo eh nakalimot na ako ha! Baka inaakala mo, ganon-ganon nalang yun." Sabi ni Maine at pinitik ang ilong ni RJ.

"I know, mahal. I didn't expect it to be this easy either but thank you for trying again. That's all I want right now... for us to try again. Dahan-dahan lang, hanggang sa makuha natin ang tamang timpla." Tugon ni RJ sa asawa.

They shared a comfortable silence kahit may nakakatakas parin na tugtog mula sa loob ng club kapag may mga lumalabas para manigarilyo. Tumingin si Maine kay RJ ng bahagya at napangiti.