Accomplice Then, My Bride Now (Completed)

ATMBN 7

Lumipas ang sampung araw na di nagparamdam o nagpakita sa kanya si RJ. She remembered the last time they're together, after nila mag breakfast umuwi na sila. There was silence most of the time between them, and that's okay and she understood the silence. They're both preoccupied with whatever they're thinking at that time. Sa case niya, she is still processing all the things and the feelings she has the entire time she is with RJ.

Inihatid siya ni RJ sa bahay nila. Nothing much in that goodbye. Just a hug, and a kiss on the temple and a sincere thank you from him which she accepts with a smile and a short "You're Welcome."

They part ways with certainty that it wasn't the last time that they'll be going to see each other. Her heart is hoping, yet, it's been 10 days and it bothers her somehow and the question that keeps haunting her from time to time is — WHY?

Why does this feel sad? Not seeing him?

Why does this feel weird and annoying at times because this shouldn't be happening?

He was my bestfriend's groom, yet, she doesn't understand why there is this feeling of familiarity and longing for the person whom she shouldn't have caught her attention.

It puzzles her, yet every day it keeps getting clearer—she's falling for the man.

And it's wrong on so many levels.

First, he is my bestfriend's groom.

Second, tho, Rachel didn't reach out to her yet, there is this feeling in her na what if bumalik si Rachel and decides to reconcile with RJ? Saan siya pupulotin?

Third, parang may mali?

Mali na madama niya ito sa panahon na ito.

Mali na aasa siyang merong patutungohan ang nararamdaman niya kasi obviously—RJ isn't ready yet, and worst she knows he is still hurting by what her bestfriend did to him.

But, she can't deny that the one-day she spent with him was so special. I don't know how to describe it, but there is this connection na ngayon lang niya nadama sa isang lalaki. Sure, she got to spend time with RJ before pero hindi ganon ang flow ng usapan. Iba ang araw na yon and she will cherish that day.

Pwede palang mangyari yon? Mahulog ka sa isang tao sa loob ng bente kwatro oras?

Paano nangyari yon?
Paano siya haharap sa bestfriend niya? At lalong lalo na kay Gob now that she is certain na may nararamdaman siya sa binata.

Mabuti nalang din sigurong di na nagpakita sa kanya si RJ, para makapag isip siya at malinawan ang utak niya. Pero parang pinaglalaruan naman siya ng tadhana. Isang gabi nang pauwi na siya sa bahay. Ilang metro pa lang ang sasakyan niya mula sa bahay nila, nakita na niya si RJ sa kabilang side ng gate nila, nakasandal sa kotse nito, habang naghihintay. Her heart went overdrive, ngayon lang niya napagtanto kung gaano niya na miss ang binata.

Nasa tapat na ang kotse niya sa gate nila when she decided to turn-off the engine and went down. Kinakabahan siya pero mas nangunguna ang excitement na nagpakita na sa wakas ang lalaking ito sa kanya.

She was met halfway by RJ.

"Miss Maine." he uttered and opens his arms.

"Gob..." she went inside his arms.

This feels so nice. He kisses her in the temple.

"Namiss naman kita, Miss Maine."

"Kumusta Gob? Ikaw tong di nagpakita sa akin eh. Saang lupalop ka ba ng mundo naroroon?"

"Hahaha, diyan lang sa tabi-tabi, Miss Maine."

"Kanina ka pa ba dito?"

"Mga 30 minutes..."

"Nagtext or tumawag ka man lang sana."

"E, di na kita na surprise. Come on, labas tayo?"

"Change lang ako ng damit?"

"Bakit? You look good naman. Okay na yan Miss Maine."

"Sige, convoy ba tayo?"

"No. My car."

"Okay, Gob, ipasok ko lang sasakyan ko."

—
"Kumain ka na ba, Miss Maine?"

"Hindi pa Gob."

"It's 8pm na, bakit hindi ka pa kumakain?"

"Pauwi naman na ako kanina, saka busog sa office."

"How's work?"

"Same same. Nag eenjoy pa naman."

"Do you want us to eat somewhere? or take out nalang tayo and we will go somewhere."

"Ikaw bahala Gob, Ikaw nagyaya diba?"

"Okay, walang problema, pabor sa akin."

Ano bang pabor sa'yo Gob? Hay, yong puso ko ang saya, bahala na kung saan to patungo.

They ordered their take out from a restaurant along the way. Hinayaan niya itong mag decide kung anong order at kung saan siya dadalhin.

An hour after nandito sila sa isang hilltop facing the city lights. She knew this place. She's been here many times. It's a great place to breathe. May mga tao pero di gaanong madami. May privacy pa din. It's safe to say that yeah, the place is kinda having a romantic and solemn vibe.

"Wait, anong ginagawa mo Gob?" Nagulat siya when all of the sudden RJ, carried her.

"Just making it easy for you, sana pala pinagpalit kita ng maong pants. Your skirt is too short."

"Anong too short? Above the knee lang naman yan ng kunti. Sabi ko sa'yo kanina magpapalit ako, ayaw mo."

"That's fine. Wait, may kukunin lang ako."

Nakaupo siya sa hood ng kotse nito. Umusog siya ng kunti pataas, causing her skirt to hike up a bit in the middle of her legs.

"Here, put this on your lap." He gave her his jacket.

"Thank you, Gob."

"You're welcome. Are you comfortable enough?"

"Yeah. I am. Thanks!"

"Let's eat."

From afar, if someone will watch them, one would think they're a couple. Rj from time to time put food on her mouth, which at first naco-conscious siya but later on she surrendered—CARPE DIEM! Bahala na ang bukas, she will enjoy the now.

When they finish eating, they decided to watch the stars, nakahiga sila sa hood ng kotse, looking at one of the most beautiful creations of God—the night sky.

"Kumusta ka na Gob?" She asked.

"I am good, Miss Maine..."

"Where have you been these past days?" Hindi siya nakatiis na itanong ito.

Her heart jumps when she feels RJ's left hand reaching her right hand. He intertwines their fingers and kiss the back of her hand, and then settles them on his chest. She feels the beating of his heart and her heart doesn't know how to even still for a bit.

"RJ..."  she positioned herself sideward facing RJ.

"Miss Maine..." RJ whispered back and follows through. He faces her as well. His right-hand reaches her face, traces his pointer finger from the side of her forehead, and in a gentle caress moves his hand to her face, nose, and then feather touches her lip. She's dumbfounded, why does this feel so right yet scary?

"What are you doing? What are we doing, RJ?" she asked in a gentle pleading voice.

They stared at each other's eyes, seeing not just how beautifully it shines under the stars at night but beyond that—it bares their hearts and souls—that deep connection that two souls meant will only understand.