(Present time. Continuation of Part 1)
- Rj -
I kept on checking my fone if Menggay replied to my last text message. I sent her a message reminding her to lock her doors. But didnt got an answer.
" Hay, baka tulog na. Pinagod mo ba ang Mommy Maine mo anak?"
I ask my son who is sleeping peacefully in his car seat.
Yyo and Maine got along well, laging nagpiprisinta si Maine to babysit Yyo whenever she have free time. She would also visit him often in Nuvali.
Maine, she has been a big help. She stood by her promise to always be there for me and Yyo. It is not easy to get back to what we used to be but we manage. We are close more than ever and I am glad that we did.
What we have now is not deeper than before thou. Well, atleast for me. But I can see and appreciate her extra effort for me and Yyo. I can see how she had grown for the past few months. But it hasnt even a year yet, and I am not ready to entertain this feeling that go deeper as days past.
Maingat kong tinabihan si Yyo at niyakap. Matutulog na sana ako ng tumunog ang fone ko.
Agad ko iyong tinignan at baka sumagot si Maine.
Its her.
Txt convo.
Maine:
Hi! nakauwi na kayo? naglock na ako! dumating si Dean eh, nagmamaktol, hindi daw inabutan si Yyo.
Rj:
Nakauwi na. Tulog na tulog si Yyo eh. Sayang, miss na din ni Yyo si. Tito Dean!
Maine:
Bukas isasama mo si Yyo?
Rj:
Oo. 😊 Bulaga lang naman ako bukas eh. Magce-celebrate ng 8th monthsary nya si Yyo bukas, pwede ka ba?
Maine:
Talaga? Saan? badtrip, may shoot ako.
Rj:
😅 di bale, habol ka nalang?
Maine:
Sure, kung kakayanin.
Rj:
Kaya yaaaaann..
Maine:
Ewan ko sayo! Alam mo namang ang hirap mag project sa camera.
Rj:
😂 Goodnight! Wag kana sumimangot dyan!
Maine:
Goodnight! Kiss mo ko kay Yyo.
Maine didnt make it to EB today. Maaga daw nagstart ang shoot dahil may isa pang nakisingit sa sched nya ng hapon.
It was funny how Yyo the usually goofy and happy baby is not in the mood today. He refuse everyone who attemp to get him from me and his Yaya.
We left shortly after EB, kinita namin si Rizza sa mall malapit sa Main branch ng Concha's where we will celebrate Yyo's monthsary.
I havent posted a picture of Yyo to internet and had my lawyer arrange a security restraining order that no one from the press nor any individual can post a picture of my son's face for public consumption.
So at 8th months, only few people know how Yyo look like. And I dont entertain a fan selfie with Yyo.
" Papunta na daw sila Dad, sinundo lang si Angel sa school. Oh, bat sambakol yang mukha ng Yyo namin?"
Rizza tried to get Yyo but he just push her away.
" Wow, arte na po ni Beshy."
" Kanina pa sya wala sa mood eh, pacheck up ko kaya?"
" Ang OA! nagta-tantrums lang yan. Mamaya okay na yan."
" Hay, oh nabili mo na ba ang kailangan mo?"
" Oo, pero daan muna tayo sa blk 513, im craving!!!"
When we entered BLK 513 and fell in line, Yyo suddenly perk up from my shoulder and said,
" Amy!"
Making me and Rizza turn our heads where Yyo is looking.
It was Maine seated on the corner side, with him.
Narinig yata nya si Yyo kasi nakita ko syang tumayo at lumapit samin.
Yyo bounch up and down on my arm and lift his little arms to Maine.
" Hi, Baby!"
She took Yyo from me and kiss his cheek which made Yyo giggle.
Rizza: Yyo, may date yata si Mommy Maine. Bawal third wheel.
I can here a hint of sarcasm on Rizza.
Maine: Hindi po nagde-date si Mommy Maine..
Maine said in a small voice, pretending it was Yyo talking.
Rj: Tapos na shoot?
Maine: Last one nalang. Paalis na din ako, I just have to the talk to him.
Rj: Hmm.. Come Yyo?
Yyo: Amy??
Maine: I'll see you later Yyo..
I took Yyo from Maine but he held on to Maine's hair.
Rj: Yyo, no.
Yyo: Amy!!!!!
Yyo scream, making everyone inside the shop turn to us. Alarming me, Maine and Rizza because some are discreetly taking photos.
Rizza: I think we need to go. Because, bashers are coming in.. 3-2-1..
And as if on que, mine and Maine's fone started beeping.
🤦♀️🤦♂️🤦♀️
-----------
It was 8pm when Maine arrive at Concha's. My family had gone home to Nuvali, Yyo and I are staying at my Pad tonight.
" Sorry late, here gift. Happy 8th Month, Yyo!"
" Thanks! nag abala ka pa, kain ka muna."
I led her to the corner table where I had her food prepared.
We talk while she eats, Yyo is quietly sucking his facipier.
" Wala sa mood si Yyo."
" Sobra, kaninang umaga pa ito eh. Pero nung nakita ka nya kanina, ngumiti naman."
" Nagalit nga yata sa kasama ko eh.. 😅"
" Speaking of.."
" I just cleared things out with him. Baka makisali ka nanaman sa mga judgemental."
I dont know why, but something heavy was lifted of my chest when she said that.
" Maine.."
" Hmmm?"
Hinatid namin sya dito sa condo nya at hindi kami makaalis dahil kapit na kapit nanaman si Yyo sa kanya.
" What are we?"
" Hindi ba dapat ako ang nagtatanong nyan?"
" I.. --"
" Rj, Im just here. You dont have to rush yourself. Wala pa ngang isang taon eh. Hayaan mong ako naman ung maghintay."
" What if you got tired of waiting? Im still in the process of healing and I dont want to rush myself because, if I would give US a chance, I want to be fair to you. Gusto ko buo ako. I wont deny it Maine, and I appreciate all your effort to adjust for me and Yyo, for making time for us."
" I love you, Rj."
She absentmindedly said, which made me look at her, she's staring at Yyo.
" Maine.."
" You dont have to answer me Rj, I lost you once, and Im not going to let that happen again. Im here to stay for you and Yyo, no matter how long I have to wait, I will wait."
