Drum Beats

Seventh Beat

"Hi," he gave her a buss on the cheek when she arrived at their meeting place.

Maine sat in front of him. "So? What are we gonna do today?"

"Well, we're gonna have lunch," Maine nodded while taking a dip from her coffee, "..with my parents."

She choked on her coffee. "I'm sorry—what?!"

"Well, I kinda told them about you, and it's the first time I've told them about a girl...and they're excited."

What the fuck have I gotten myself into? She thought.

"Uhm, Maine? Are you okay?"

"Bakit parang nagmamadali ka?"

"I—I'm sorry. Is this too much for you?"

Hell yeah it is.

"I can cancel if you want—"

If you do you're gonna have to tell them the reason why, she thought. I can't let that happen.

"Where are they?"

"—And we can—what?"

"Where are they?" Maine repeated.

"In Tagaytay. We have a restaurant there." He responded.

Wow. He has lot more in him than I thought.

On their way to Tagaytay, Maine recieved a phone call from J.

"Yes, J?"

J? Sino si J? He asked himself.

"I'm on my way to Tagaytay now, actually."

He listened.

"Calm down, Juanita. Geez. I'll be home by 9. I promise. I'll see you later. Bye."

"Juanita?" he asked when she ended the call.

"She's my friend. The vocalist? That was her." he nodded in response.

He was looking straight to the road when he felt a hand on his leg.

"You look really hot when you get jealous," Maine said sexily.

Let's just say...they were 10 minutes late.

Maine fixed herself before getting out of the car when they arrived in Tagaytay.

"What if they don't like me?" She wasn't even pretending anymore.

"They'll love you, Maine. Don't worry about it."

They walked to the restaurant.

"Kuya RJ!" they heard a voice of a little girl.

"Hi Riley," he hugged the little girl when she reached them. "How are you?"

"I'm good Kuya. Thank you for asking," Riley replied before noticing the girl standing behind RJ.

"Who's that, Kuya?" Riley pointed at Maine.

Richard stood up and put his hand around her waist. "Ri, this is Ate Maine. Maine, this is Riley, my little sister," he introduced.

Maine stooped down to Riley's level and smiled. "Hi Riley. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Ate Maine," Riley smiled sweetly. "Are you Kuya RJ's girlfriend?"

Shit what do I tell her? Maine thought.

"Ri, where's Mama and Papa?" he interrupted.

The little girl pointed at a table. His parents were waiting for them.