Borrowed Time (completed)

18. reconcile

Meng whimpered when a wave of pain woke her. Rj shushed her and pulled her closer to him, making her rest her head on his shoulder. He had laid beside her when he saw how she scrunched her face.

"...massage..."

"Huh?"

"Palu-paluin mo yung likod ko...sa may bewang..." Meng said.

Rj gently tapped her lower back.

"...lakasan mo..."

"Baka masaktan kita..."

"No...sige na, palu-paluin mo..."

Rj hesitantly slapped Meng's back. "Ganito?"

"Hmm..." Meng said as she adjusted her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Better now?" Rj asked after a few minutes. He felt Meng's body relax in his embrace.

"Yes...salamat...I'm happy you're well na...you're back..."

"Me too...ang tagal din nung dalawang linggong yun..."

"Hmm...so wait, yung condo is now yours? Hindi ka nalang dun tumuloy the first time?"

"I didn't know about the unit until I was in the hospital. Papa had bought the unit for Mama in the hopes na magkaayos sana sila ni Ninong. He got the unit a few months after Ninong moved in. Sabi ni Papa, he thought that he and Mama could use the unit when they come to the city. Anyway, when Ninong went to Papa to tell him about me, naalala ni Papa na may unit pala kami sa same building. The last renter vacated the place over a year ago and wala na nag-rent after. Ninong knew about the unit so he suggested it to Papa. While nagpapagaling ako sa hacienda, Yaya Beth and Ninong cleaned and fixed the unit."

"...kaya pala madalas kong makita yung Yaya Beth mo..."

"Yes. I asked her to look out for you. Sya ang nagdala nung mga notes at food for you...from me..."

"...Romeo and Juliet..."

"Huh?" Rj said, looking down at Meng.

"Si Nurse ang bridge nina Romeo at Juliet kasi ayaw ng pamilya nila sa isa't isa."

"Ah talaga? Di ko matandaan..."

"Oo. Kahit na ma-drama sya madalas, lahat gagawin nya para kay Juliet kasi alam nyang nagmamahalan yung dalawa..."

"I see..."

"...okay na ba ang Mama mo at si Tito Sam?"

"Ata...bakit?"

"Wala lang. I mean, okay na okay si Tito Rico at si Tito Sam. They get along quite well..."

"Walang issue si Papa kay Ninong. He never meddled in their affairs. Para kay Papa, hindi naman sya ginulo or inaway ni Ninong so he has no problem with Ninong. Si Mama lang ang OA...I think si Ninong pa ata ang nag-volunteer na ayusin yung condo e..."

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"Ate?" Sam cautiously approached the table at the restaurant. Seated at a corner table with her back to the main dining area was Rose. Rose turned and stood up. She hugged Sam, "...join me..."