Quickies

Ma

the next segment required him to rush to the barangay, so quickly after the opening prod and spiels, he changed into his driver-character costume and drove to where the kalye squad was located.

soon as he was cleared to park, he got out and searched for her, eager for their first on-screen skit together after more than four months. he was excited, who wouldn't? sure, they already had screentime together since the year started, but doing their skits together always gave him a high. it was acting yet it was sincere when it comes to both of them, and he missed doing it with her. off camera was a different story, because though a storm rattled them some months back, they have pretty much overcome that hurdle, and everyone around them were breathing a lot normally now.

he almost stumbled as he made his way to the tent.

"oist, tisoy."
"ay, kuya jose! late na ko?"
"hindi naman pero lagot ka."
"hala. bakit na naman?!"
"ayan. tanungin mo yung naka-busangot dun. naku naku naku ka, boy dulas ka na naman!"

he was a mix of excitement and fear now, for even if his kuya jose makes jokes about them during the show, he is always wise with words of advise for their relationship, so when he says "lagot ka", he's sure to listen.

he saw her sitting in her favorite chair, pillow on her lap, scrolling through her phone. he could see she was serious, and as he took a deep breath and a step towards her, she looked up and she smiled. he exhaled.

"hi ma-"
"ANONG MA?!? AYAN KA NA NAMAN, NADUDULAS KA NA NAMAN SA MGA PINAGSASABI MO EH, INULIT MO PA! NABASA MO NA BA ANG MGA TWEETS? HA?! HA?! MABUBUKING NA NAMAN TAYO EH!!! ILANG ULIT KO NAMAN NANG PINAKITA SA YO NA ANG TAMANG TAWAG IS JO-WA-PAO-MENG! MENG! HINDI MA!!!"

he had to sit down, cowering, as she hovered above him, her hands on her waist. he smiled inspite of her high-pitched voice, obviously mad at him for his yet another boo-boo earlier. he loved it when her eyes, her lovely doe-eyes, seem to be ablaze with emotion (granted it was anger right now). she will always be the most beautiful woman to him, in whatever facial expression or emotion she is donning at the moment.

she moved away from him, arms now folded, still fuming mad. he stood up and reached for her.

"huwag mo ko hawakan!"
"ma...sorry na..."
"hindi mo ako madadaan sa ganyan mo..."
"hindi ko naman sinasadya...sorry na, ma..."
"tigilan mo ko..."
"sorry na nga kasi ma...'lika na, hug na lang kita..."
"..."
"ngingiti na yan...ma...mahal..."
"eee....galit pa din ako sa yo!"

he took her in his arms, thankful that she didn't move away. though she didn't hug him back, she tucked her face into his biceps, her favorite place, that's why he always adds extra time at the gym. she softened and gradually wrapped her arms around his waist. he kissed her head.

"sorry na mahal."
"sinabi ko na kasi sa yo dati na jowapaomeng kami dito eh. yun yung alam ng fans."
"eh bakit ba, tama pa din naman yung jowapao-ma..."
"ayan ka na naman..."
"jowapao-MA...as in MA-INE..MINE. kasi you're mine. hihihi."
"..."
"huy...hindi benta?"
"huwag mong isend sa barangay jokers yan ha."