Can't Go Back Now

Can't Go Back Now 4

She then felt his hand. It all happened in an instant.

For her, the feeling was incomprehensible. How is it even possible to feel your body shiver and hear your own heartbeat all at the same time? How does she even begin to explain how she was feeling when she is sure that there's not even a word that can perfectly suffice every hinge of emotion she has at that very moment. It clearly is just impossible.

For him on the other hand, it came more like an instinct. He merely just gave in to the need to touch her, to re-assure her in whatever way of his presence. He may not totally grasped what it is that she is most worried about, but he wants to make certain that she knows someone is there for her, no buts...no if's.

His grip tightened as soon as he realized that she wasn't at all complaining. He felt comfortable all of a sudden. It sure felt like he can do this the entire night. It was relieving, even liberating to some extent.

For Maine's part, it was unnerving to not have everybody else's attention on them. Needless to say, this "quiet time" with him is precious, so precious that she didn't even want to let go.

Their "moment" however was thwarted the moment Bossing Vic went onstage, taking the microphone with him not long after.

Slowly, both walked and went their different directions. Alden joined Ryan and Sam on the venue's right end while Meng joined the show's other female hosts near the small stage setup for the evening.

Ruby joked in an almost deciphered tone that the red wine might have done something with her cheeks, pointing how it has now visibly turned pinkish red. Meng just smiled shrugging off the very idea, it surely is a blundering situation, one that she knows she needs to escape as fast as she possibly can.

"For 36 years, this is family for me," Bossing started emotionally.

"Isang pamilya...isang barkada na patuloy na lumalaki sa pagdaan ng panahon..." he continued to everyone's cheers and delight.

"Tonight is a celebration, not only of Eat Bulaga's success but also of our friendship. A friendship na nabuo at napagtibay all these years, hindi naman lingid sa inyong lahat na ako'y papasok muli sa isang panibagong yugto sa aking buhay. Mapagbiro talaga ang tadhana eh...na-realize ko na ang pagmamahal, it can happen at a time when you least expect it to, ang importante lang naman eh, kaya mong panindigan...kaya mong ipaglaban, no matter what the circumstances are, kahit mahirap pa. You don't give up on love, especially when you know it's worth it. And ako, hindi ako takot, kasi I have you guys...dito sa atin, walang iwanan!"

Everyone clapped, as if lauding in approval of Bossing's words and sentiments. Sure, the bond that perpetually binds this group together is one for the books.

Unknown to everyone, Alden never took his eyes off Maine the whole time Bossing was doing his speech. It was like Vic took out the words from him. But as proverbial as it may sound, he knew it is still a long way for them. He knew he would be doing himself a favor if and when he decides to wait. Now more than ever, he knows they are worth it, she is worth it.

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The people around them started standing up in pairs as Vic and Pauleen initiated the idea and began dancing, luring the rest to do just that.

Sam gently shouldered Alden's side, the latter then gave Sam a curious look. He was sure that Sam was up to something.

"Ako?," Alden asked swiftly, his face devoid of any emotion.

"Well, it is your chance na, it's presenting itself already so might as well grab it," Sam answered winking an eye at him.

"Ano bang problema?," Ryan interfered trying to fish off answers right from Alden's mouth.

"Hindi ko din alam, siguro I just want to keep everything low key...para na rin kay Meng," Alden replied as he zips from his glass anew.

"Ahh seryoso!," the two guys said in chorus.

"You want to dance?," without entertaining any second thoughts, he pressed the Send button, his eyes remains glued at her.

"Ikaw? Gusto mo?" she replies.

"Depende sa'yo..."

"Okay lang ako, yayain mo na sila oh, it's perfectly okay with me."

"Sinong sila?"

"Bastaaaa...kasi parang naiihi na ko sa kaba dito, then gusto mo pa ko pagsayawin?"

Alden laughed, loving every bit of this spontaneous side of her.

"Huy Alden, ano yan ha?" Ryan asked wondering why the gentleman beside him was reduced to laughter all of a sudden.

"Wala, kuya Ry...wala," he assured.

"Ayaw mo talaga? Sayang ganda mo pa naman tonight"

"Tonight lang ba?"

"Uyy Menggay, may dessert pa dun ah," Allan remarked wondering what Maine was intermittently amused about.

Allan casually walked away joining Ruby and company not long after.

"Ohh bakit?!" Ruby mumbled noticing the curious look on Allan's face.

"Si Menggay, ayun bigla biglang tumatawa," Allan quipped.

"Teka, teka tignan mo yun...yung isa din dun oh pangiti-ngiti."

The two just smiled letting their eyes do the talking this time around.

Soon, a VST & Co. original started playing in the background.

Ipagpatawad mo
Aking kapangahasan
Binibini ko, sana'y maintindihan
Alam kong kailan lang tayo
Nagkatagpo, ngunit para lang
Sa'yo
Ayaw nang lumayo
Ipagpatawad mo
Ako ma'y naguguluhan

The whole place was silenced when Alden stood up and began walking towards Maine's direction. It all seemed like everything was happening too fast.

But for Maine, everything started moving in slow motion.

Her heart began skipping a beat the moment he reached for her hand. His grip was strong. It was demanding.

With their hands intertwined, the two walked stopping right at the venue's center keeping the rest in awe, even speechless at some point.

Alden wrapped both of Maine's hands around his neck. His hands then carefully went around her waist. It was obvious that his nerves were now getting the better of him.

'Di ka masisi na ako ay pagtakhan
'di na dapat ako pagtiwalaan
Alam kong kailan lang tayo nagkatagpo
Ngunit para lang sa 'yo, ayaw nang lumayo
Ipagpatawad mo, minahal kita agad

"Di ba sabi ko sa'yo, ayoko sumayaw...," Meng quipped concealing her tension in a smile.

"No, I would never let this night end, nang di man lang kita maisayaw," he softly declared.

Meng's lips curved with a smile. In her heart, a silent wish has been made.

Pwede bang huwag nang matapos ang gabing ito?

☺☺☺