Before We Begin

how they began again

I added a few more to this part of the story compared to the version in quillsbrushes.maichard.net which was limited by the 2K word cap.

Anyway, here you go. 😊

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"I feel so stupid!" She gritted her teeth, her fist clenched as she tried to hold back hot, angry tears threatening to escape. She kept berating herself as she walked across the parking lot that she didn't hear her name being called until she reached her car. "Umasa ka talagang single sya pag nagkita kayo ulit? Well, guest what? Mali ka na naman, Meng!" She muttered as she kicked the hood of her car.

"Maine?" She heard the familiar voice calling her name from behind her. She froze from her spot, her eyes wide in recognition.

"Shit. RJ?" She muttered under her breath, still facing the source of the voice. She contemplated on running to her car and driving away but the need for her to know the truth prevailed.

"Maine. Thank god." He said, momentarily touching her elbow to inform her of his presence before finally resting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath from running after her.

When she turned around, there he was smiling shyly at her, albeit panting. "Wow, RJ. Nakuha mo pang ngumiti? Umalis ka na, baka makita ka pa dito ng girlfriend mong buntis." She gently shoved his shoulders and started her walking to her car. She didn't see the confused look on his face that was quickly replaced with a silly grin.

He quickly grabbed her hand and gently pulled her towards him until their faces were a few inches apart. "Maine, sandali lang. Let me ex--" He whispered, his warm breath tickling her nose. She kept her eyes trained on his chest instead of meeting his gaze.

"RJ, ano ba? Your very pregnant girlfriend is inside. Just go back to her and let me go o gusto mo pang ako ang magsabi sa kanya ng ginawa mong panloloko sa kanya?" She warned, pushing him away.

"Maine, makinig ka saken. That very pregnant girlfriend you were talking about? That's Riza. My sister. My younger sister."

"What? Your sister? I swear RJ kung ginagago mo lang ako, sisipain ko yang itlog mo." She threatened, gritting her teeth, trying her best to hide the smile blooming on her lips.

"Uy, wag naman." He pleaded, covering his jewels with both hands as he walked back to her. "Kapatid ko nga kasi. Uy, ngumingiti na syaaa." He teased, poking her side.

"RJ, isa. Sige mangasar ka pa! Tigilan mo ko. You still owe me an explanation." Her voice trailing, her heartbeat quickening as he took her hand and led her to the hood of her car.

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His renewed hope, he explained to her everything: how he had to leave early the next day after their kiss because his sister- who was then on her first trimester of pregnancy and is about to give birth within the next two weeks-called him in panic because of pain on her lower abdomen and spotting and that he had to travel back to Manila immediately to attend to her, that his brother in law who was then on a business trip, asked him to look after his wife.

"I know I should have told you before I left pero sobrang takot ko na baka kung anong mangyari sa pamangkin ko kaya the moment I got a call from her, I just grabbed by stuff and go. I'm really sorry."

"I'm sorry too." She looked at him apologetically and gently laid her hand over his chest. "Napalakas ata yung tulak ko sayo kanina sa sobrang galit ko."

He smiled, the tips of his ears blushing as he covered her hand with his and looked at her like he finally found everything he didn't know he has been searching for all his life.

His explanation shedding light to every question she had since the day he disappeared, they leaned against the hood of her car and finally talked about how they've been the last six months until RJ's sister called, looking for him.

They walked together, hands intertwined, back into the supermarket, RJ finally introducing Maine to his sister and his unborn nephew.

After their introductions, RJ leaned in to Rizza's ear, never letting Maine's hand go and said, "Si Maine lang ang gusto kong maging Tita ni Nathan."

To Maine's surprise, Riza pulled her into a hug as she squealed in glee. Maine looked at her in confusion but smiled at Riza nonetheless then looked at RJ for answers. RJ only winked at her, beaming, squeezing her hand in assurance.

The rest, after that, was their beginning.

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A/N:

This is where the story is supposed to end but I'm thinking of adding a few more chapters. What do you think? 😅