Chapter NINE
A Friendly Neighborhood
A/N: Thank you once again for your warm welcome (back) to me. Sorry but I can only post an update for MaMS because updates are made to be short, unlike in PBMLW where it is usually long. Just wanted to post something for all of you before the weekend ends.
I will go back to all previous comments including requests and emails later.
Tenchu! MwahHugs!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Previously in Chapter EIGHT
“Thank you to Angelo, I had the opportunity to talk to you. Again Maya, thank you…it was a great evening.” In another swift move, Richard leaned forward and kissed Maya on the cheek. “Goodnight” he said, then walked to his car.
“Goodnight.” Maya quickly replied and added “Ingat sa byahe ha, gabi na, delikado sa daan.”
“Silly. Sige na pasok ka na.”
“Okay bye. Salamat na rin sa manga.”
“About that, remember the man who helped me? Siya si Tatang ni Manang ng fruit stand.”
**********
Continuation…
Richard went home that night very happy and contended. Not only was he able to unload the guilt inside him caused by the several untoward incidents between him and Maya, but also because he was certain, that he has found new friendship with her. What is more, he was also able to openly share that part of his past which lightened his heart.
Richard woke up early the next morning, excited of what the day has to offer. Manang Fe immediately noticed the joy radiating in his face.
“Ricardo? Bakit ang aga mo naman, Sabado ngayon eh, magtratrabaho ka na naman? Ginabi ka pa naman ng uwi.”
“Opo eh,hindi na ho pwede i-delay ang client meeting ko, kasi bilang na po ang araw para ma-sampa ang affidavit sa korte, kung hindi ma-te-technical kami, hindi na siya pwede tumistigo, ikakatalo ng kaso.”
“Ganon ba? Gahol na pala sa oras at nagmamadali ka na naman, eh bakit naka ngisi ka pa?”
“Po?”
“Baka hindi mo alam, iyang ngiti sa mukha mo, nakakangawit tignan. Mukhang masaya ang gising mo, kahit ginabi ka na sa pag-uwi.” Manang Fe bluntly informed Richard.
Richard explained the reason why it’s a good morning for him. “Manang, gumaan lang po ang pakiramdam, marami po kasing nabunot na tinik sa dibdib. I have unloaded some excess baggage.”
Manang Fe was just so happy to see her ward that way. “Mabuti naman kung ganuon. Mas gwapo ka pag ganyang nakangiti ka. Dapat ka atang maki-kape lagi sa kapit-bahay at nakakagaan ng loob ang kape duon.”
“Manang…” was all Richard could say, sounding a bit embarrassed.
But Manang Fe went further. “Aba’y dalas dalasan mo ang pangangapit-bahay imbes na panay ka trabaho kahit Sabado pati Linggo, ang bilis makatanda nyan. Pati si Abby, hindi mo na tuloy nakakasama. Katulad nyan, aalis ka ngayon, pano si Abby, umaasa yun na mamamasyal kayo mamaya.”
Richard momentarily felt guilty but got relieved with the idea from the statement of his nanny. “Don’t worry Manang, maaga po ako mangangapit-bahay today, isasama ko pa si Abby. I’m sure she’ll be very happy. Remember the girl in school that she is always talking about? Si Sunshine and her very nice mommy? Sunshine is Maya’s daughter.”
Manang Fe felt very happy but at the same time disheartened. She likes Maya and was hoping that there was something more to what she saw last night. Maya happens to be the first woman Richard brought to his house since his wife died. Added to that, she is the niece of Angelo, Richard’s best friend. “Si Sunshine? Kapit bahay lang pala natin sila? At si Maya pala yung mommy niya, nakakatuwa naman. Sigurado matutuwa si Abby. Masaya ako at magkapit-bahay lang pala tayo.”
Richard noticed the conflicting statement and facial expression of Manang Fe. “Manang, I know you like her, but yes, she has Sunshine and she is still legally married to the father. Just between the two of us, Manang, matagal na po sila hiwalay pero in the process na po ang annulment.”
“Bakit naman?” Manang Fe asked so Richard explained to her the private side of Maya.
Manang Fe felt sorry for Maya. “Ikamusta mo nalang ako sa kanya mamaya. Paki sabi na inaasahan ko ang pangako nya sa akin kagabi.”
In the meantime, a few streets from the mansion atop the hill, Maya has just finished with her breakfast. Drinking coffee from her cup, Maya was reminded of the night’s events and can’t help but smile.
Doris noticed the grin on Maya’s face and felt a little excited remembering the sight of Richard last night. “Ma’am, ang gwapo pala ng tatay ni Abby! Tapos, kapit-bahay lang pala natin sila!”
Maya almost choked but calmly put down her cup. “Ay naku Doris, ako man nagulat kagabi nung tinuro nya yung bahay nya. Akala ko, nagbibiro lang na dito rin sa subdivision nakatira. Nagkataon pa na best friend ni Tito Angelo.”
“At ang gwapo talaga niya Ma’am!”
Maya could only agree with her trusted help. “Ay Doris, sabi ko nga sa kanya kagabi, wala atang pangit na kaibigan si Tito Angelo.”
“Naku! Sigurado matutuwa ang alaga ko pag nalaman nyang si Ate Abby nya, kapit bahay lang natin.”
Again, Maya could only agree with her trusted help. “Siguradong sigurado yan. Bihis lang muna ako tapos gagawa na ako sa kwarto mo. Ikaw na muna bahala sa almusal ni Sunshine, para tuloy tuloy na yung tinatapos ko sa kwarto mo at magamit mo na.”
Doris is thankful she grew up with Maya’s family. “Excited na nga po ako eh. Ma’am maraming salamat ha.”
A little before 11:00 o’clock in the morning, Doris was in the kitchen and heard the bell ring. She went outside to check and was pleasantly surprised. “Ay, Sir Richard! Abby! Pasok po kayo.”
“Hello po Ate Doris! Si Sunshine at si Tita Maya po?”
“Nandiyan sa loob, halina po kayo. Naku magugulat at matutuwa ang alaga ko!” Doris answered while walking them to the front door.
Richard introduced Abby’s nanny. “Doris, Si Lea nga pala, nag aalaga kay Abby.”
Doris was glad to meet a new friend. “Hi Lea!”
Lea was glad to see that Doris is friendly. “Hi Doris!”
“Upo muna po kayo. Tawagin ko lang po sina Ma’am. Teka, sino ba unahin ko tawagin? Nasa taas kasi si Sunshine at nasa baba naman si Ma’am.”
“Si Sunshine po!” Abby immediately answered.
“Doris, si Sunshine na muna. By the way, may dala kaming spaghetti and garlic bread.” Richard handed over the food package to Doris.
“Wow! Favorites ni Sunshine!” Doris exclaimed.
“Ako rin po Ate Doris!” Abby happily declared.
“Doris, saan nga si Maya? May ibibilin sana ako eh.” Richard looked around.
Doris walked to the kitchen counter and placed the package on top of the microwave. “Ay Sir, nasa baba po, sa kwarto ko, may inaayos po kasi duon si Ma’am. Tawagin ko po agad, akyat lang po muna ako saglit kay Sunshine.” Doris began her steps.
Richard dismissed the idea and volunteered to do it instead. “Pwede bang puntahan ko na lang siya duon? Nagmamadali kasi ako eh, para maka akyat kayo kay Sunshine nila Abby.”
Doris looked at Richard, thinking if she should allow it. Since he is Sir Angelo’s best friend, she trusted him. “Ay sige po Sir. Baba na lang po kayo diyan, yung pinto po sa kaliwa. Akyat naman tayo Abby, Lea! Naku masusurpresa alaga ko!”
Richard immediately took the few steps down and saw a slightly opened door to the left. He heard some noise and so he knocked on the door a few times. After a few more attempts at knocking without response, Richard decides to push the door a little and saw at eye level, a pair of feet clad in Doc Marten’s boots. When he looked up, she saw the gorgeous legs of Maya, who is standing on a collapsible stainless ladder placed against the wall. She looked sexy hot while drilling a hole on the wall wearing a body hugging white sando and loose maong short jumpsuit with hair carelessly clumped.
Richard quietly watched Maya in awe, as she drilled some more holes on the wall and thereafter screwed some metal parts of a curtain rod, forgetting that he has to be somewhere soon. When she finally stopped the electric drill, Richard knocked on the opened door again.
Maya was naturally surprised to see the smiling Richard inside her house at that time of the day. “Atty. Lim!”
Richard chuckled at the formality and approached Maya. “Good morning too, Atty. dela Rosa!”
Maya also chuckled at the realization. “Nagulat naman kasi ako sa iyo. May Court hearing ka? Sabado? Teka, pano ka napunta dito, Richard?”
Richard can’t help but get distracted at the sight of her bare legs. “Doris guided me kasi umakyat sila kay Sunshine sa taas.”
“Sila? Kasama mo si Abby?” Maya excitedly asked.
“Yes, Abby and her yaya, si Lea. They all went to Sunshine’s room to surprise her.”
“Wow, matutuwa yun at may kalaro na ka edad nya!” Maya said smiling down at Richard.
“Uhm Maya, can you go down for a while, nakakangawit kasi sa leeg eh. I need to ask you something.”
“Sige naman, teka lang ha, pwede pakiabot muna yung rod sa bed?” Maya requested while pointing at the rod that has a pair of curtain panels.
“Why are you doing that yourself in the first place? I can call someone to do this for you.” Richard comfortably asked Maya but handed the rod to her. He accidentally got a peek of Maya’s cleavage when she leaned over to accept it.
“Sus, ang dali lang naman, eto nga halos tapos na. Natagalan lang ng kaunti kasi, it took a while bago nag wear off yung amoy ng wood varnish. Pero I love the smell of it with the newly installed wall paper. Pero yan ang naging challenge ko kasi ang messy.” Maya informed Richard as she secured the rod and fixed the curtain. “Hayan, nakabit na rin, finally!”
Sensing that Maya is about to go down the ladder, Richard rushed to the side and held the ladder to stabilize it while his other hand automatically reached for Maya’s arm. “Are you this independent or you just refuse a man’s help?”
“Uy hindi naman! Nagkataon lang na kaya ko yung pag varnish, paglagay ng wall paper at yang pag drill. Mga electrical takot ako. What is that that you wanted to say? Is there something you left behind last night? Ay yung panyo!”
Richard looked at her in the eyes and wanted to say “My heart and my mind, Maya.” But instead, he just shook his head.
“No, it was not the hanky. I need a favor from you. I know we were just formally introduced last night and ito ako, mang aabuso na agad. Kasi, I have to prepare the judicial affidavit of a vital witness and the trial is already next week. Ngayon lang ang availability ng witness so I have to go.”
“And? You want me to help with the affidavit?”
“It’s a Saturday and Abby was expecting we’ll have bonding time but I have to work.”
“Ahhh, you feel guilty but you have no choice. Kaya ba nandito si Abby?”
“Yes, you’re right. Kinonsenha ako ni Manang Fe. Oh by the way, pinapakamusta ka nya and pinasasabi rin nya na inaasahan daw nya ang pangako mo sa kanya.”
“I keep my promises, she does not have to remind me. Ako na bahala kay Abby. Malilibang yun dito. May kalaro eh, baka hindi ka na hanapin, hahaha!”
“Thank you! I better get going.” Richard let Maya go out of the door first.
“Nagmamadali talaga? I have already cooked lunch, baka gusto mo muna sumabay sa amin. Kumakain ka ba ng sinigang na bangus sa bayabas?” Maya asked.
“I’d love to, its sounds good, but I really have to go now. I can’t be late, my witness is a very busy person and lunch is her only available time.” Richard answered with a little regret in his voice.
“Ahh, okay. What about Abby? Wala bang allergies sa food?” Maya asked to make sure.
“Wala naman, but I don’t think she’ll eat sinigang. Medyo picky eater yung bata eh. But don’t worry, may dala kaming spaghetti. Nagpadala si Manang Fe for everyone.”
“Wow, paborito ni Sunshine!”
“Yeah, I heard. Pareho sila ni Abby.” Richard was now at the front door, about to say his goodbyes, when Abby shouted while going down from the mezzanine.
“Daddy! I’m staying here while you’re in a meeting, right?” Abby was worried that she’ll go with him.
“Yes Abby! Tita Maya said you can stay. I’ll come back for you later.” Richard leaned and kissed Abby’s head. “Promise ni Daddy, babawi next time.”
“Sunshine, si Tito Richard, Abby’s Daddy. He is also Papi’s bestfriend.” Sunshine immediately walked towards Richard.
She took Richard’s hand and did the traditional mano. “Hi po Tito Richard. Thank you for bringing Ate Abby here. We can play together.”
“She’s happy to be here. Next time, ikaw naman punta sa house namin ha.” Richard invited Sunshine.
“Sure po! Basta payag po si mommy.” Sunshine answered and gave Abby a high five.
“Pano, I really have to go, matraffic pa Eastwood sa libis eh. Christmas rush.” Richard said but was now reluctant to leave. Again, he was enjoying Maya’s company but had no choice.
“Sige, ako na bahala kina Abby.” Maya assured him with a smile.
“Thank you.” With that, Richard smiled back and immediately walked to the gate. By the time he looked back, Maya has just closed the front door. He went inside the car and heaved a sigh.
It was already past 6:00 o’clock in the evening when Richard entered the subdivision’s entrance. He turned left from the main street then was about to turn right to Maya’s street when he noticed that her car was not there. So, he immediately made a U-turn and proceeded to his house instead.
As usual, Manang Fe was the one who welcomed him home. “O, mabuti humabol ka sa hapunan. Masasabayan mo si Abby.”
Without hesitation, Richard asked immediately. “She’s home already? How? I’m supposed to pick her up now.”
“Hinatid na rito nila Maya kanina lang, mga alas-5:00 pasado. Nakilala ko na rin si Sunshine at si Doris. Pero hindi nagtagal, kasi may lakad si Maya, ayaw naman nyang iwan si Abby sa kanila na wala siya.”
Richard was not informed of the arrangement Maya made and wondered why. “She did not tell me earlier. Ang traffic po kasi eh.”
Manang Fe told him why. “Christmas season kaya ang tindi ng traffic. Yan ang sinabi ni Maya kanina. Kaya nga napilitan umalis ng maaga para hindi ma-late sa dinner nya nagyong alas-8:00. Hindi ka na raw sinabihan sa pag hatid rito para hindi ka na ma abala at mag-alala pa.”
“Nakakahiya, I did not know may lakad pala siya. Ang traffic talaga kasi eh.”
“Huwag ka ng magmukmok, halika na kumain, ng matikman mo ang sinigang na bangus ni Maya. Pinag tirhan kita, napaka sarap. Dahil nagmamadali umalis, nangako na babalikan ako sa pangako nya, at pinagdalhan ako ng luto nya.”
“Si Abby po?” Richard did not hear what Manang Fe just said because he was disappointed with himself. He wanted to take the chance and planned on inviting Maya to his house for dinner to thank her for the help, and realized that it’s not going to happen that soon.
“Pababa na yun. Pinaligo ko. Biruin mo, napakain ni Maya ng bangus at kangkong! Masarap daw, yan ang sabi ni Abby. Masayang masaya at may kalaro. Ayaw na kasi maghiwalay nung dalawang bata. Kaya nangako si Maya na si Sunshine naman ang pupuna rito sa susunod, kaya pumayag na magpahatid si Sunshine sa bahay nila.”
It was already 11:00 o’clock in the evening and Richard still couldn’t get to sleep. He can’t get her out of his mind. They were together same time last night, and thinking about it brought yearning in his heart to be with her again. He would love to hear her voice, but was reluctant to call her because he knew she was still out. He closed his eyes but all he could see is her.
Richard found himself outside Maya’s house, wearing his pajamas. He saw the dim light in Maya’s room that was facing the street. Courageously, he dialled Maya’s number. “Hi! I’m outside your house.”
“Richard?” Maya looked over the window and saw him looking at her. “Wait lang.” He looked bothered so she immediately tied the silk robe around her and went down to open the door for him.
Richard watched from the other side through the steel bars, as Maya unhooked the padlock that secured the service gate. “Gabi na ah, may problema ba? Halika muna sa loob, mahamog dito.” Maya asked him with concern. But before Maya could proceed inside, Richard gently grabbed her shoulder and went a little forward, making Maya lean on the doorway.
Richard moved further forward by leaning his left arm on the doorway above Maya’s head. “I…I can’t get you out of my mind. I missed you, Maya.” As nothing could stop him, he kissed her gently on the lips, prolonging it just that way. He moved away to look at her in the eyes then kissed her once again, this time he played with her lips with his tongue, occasionally sucking it. When he felt her move, he grabbed her waist to pull her closer to him and deepened the kiss. He probed inside with his tongue and Maya finally responded.
Without breaking the kiss, he moved their bodies and pushed the door behind. When he heard a little moan from Maya, he swiftly carried her and sat on the couch, laying her on his lap. Maya felt her heart beating faster with blood rushing everywhere in her body. She felt herself getting wet down there as Richard’s tongue played with hers while she felt his right thumb playing circles just below her left breast.
Maya put her hand on Richard’s nape and toyed with his hair, arousing him more. So, he shifted his face and started kissing Maya on her neck, up to her earlobe, then down to her neckline. Again, a moan of pleasure escaped her mouth. When Richard covered her firm nipple with his mouth and sucked on it gently, Maya arched her body and tightened her grip on his hair.
“Sir Richard?!”
AttyMayiVR 