To Infinity and Beyond

Who's jealous?

"Uy," he said, patting her left shoulder. "Pansinin mo na 'ko, please?"

She shot him a look, noticing his pouted lips and crumpled forehead. She faced him but still refused to say a word.

"Can you at least tell me what made you upset?" Worry can be read through his eyes.

She sighed. And a flashback came to mind...

She was walking towards the room where the staff gathered. Eat Bulaga has just finished and before packing up, they all decided to have some merienda at a convenience store nearby.

"Maine, we got you some food na. Come here and sit," one of the make up artists called her. She joyfully did as told. The food was good and the company made it even better.

"Uy, Maine, balita ko nag-meet daw si Julie and Alden sa recording studio. Diba may past sila? Anong say mo?" One of the camera men said.

She knew exactly what reaction they were looking for.

She could feel numerous pairs of eyes focusing on her.

"Uhm.." she thought for a second and said, "Ngayon ko lang po nabalitaan yan. At wala naman po sigurong masama dun, baka good friends pa rin po sila." She swore she applied all the things she learned from her acting workshops just to keep a straight face.

They've been in a love team for months and they got closer off cam, too. They talk almost every day and even eat snacks together during breaks. She knows for sure that she likes him. A lot. Her day is never complete without a smile from Alden.

Unfortunately, though, Alden never showed any signs of having anything special for her. Whatever gesture he did that seemed sweet, he also did to others. For these, she swore never to expect to avoid disappointments.

Although she indirectly said she didn't care about Alden and Julie meeting again, God knows she got jealous upon hearing the news. Julie and Alden together. She used to be the apple of his eyes. There used to be something special between them.

Everytime Alden comes to mind, she can't help imagining Julie and him chatting and laughing together. This brings strange feelings to her stomach. She hates it.

If she saw Alden, she might just feel worse so she has decided to ignore him for as long as she can.

And now they're in this situation. Alden has been trying to lighten up her mood for the past 20 minutes and she's not giving in.

"Maine naman, oh. O sige, hint na lang." He begged.

She shook her head. "Wala to. Balik ka na nga dun."

"Eh wala naman akong kakulitan dun. Gusto mo kantahan kita? May bago akong nirecord kanina sa studio. Ikaw unang makakarinig!" He said with bright eyes. His smile so wide it's hard not to stare.

Control, Maine. Smile lang yan. She reminded herself.

She shook her head again but stronger this time. Then she turned her back on him.

"Ayoko nga! Studio, studio. Palibhasa may kinita kang babae dun." she whispered.

Out of annoyance, she stuck her earphones in both ears and played a song at a high volume.

Alden heard what she said. He moved to face her again and was greeted by the rolling of her eyes.

"Maine," he called. She just kept looking at him. Eyes not blinking.

He took a sheet of paper and a sharpie and started writing. "Selos ka ba?" It says.

Her response was another rolling of eyes.

"Kala mo gusto ko pa si Julie?" He wrote again. She tried so hard not to give any reaction, but she found herself avoiding his eyes.

He was still smiling which made her more upset. He gestured for her to remove her earphones but she shook her head.

He chuckled and wrote a short message on the paper.

"Okay, then just read my lips."

I love you. He smiled.

She blinked. Eyes wide open.

I love you. He repeated, chuckling to himself.

What? She said, not hearing even herself because of the loud music in her ears.

I. Love. You.

And he looked down, still chuckling. She quickly removed her earphones, saying, "Anong sabi mo?"

He just shrugged and said, "Ayoko nga ulitin. Ikaw kasi ayaw mo 'ko pakinggan eh."

"Sorry na! Pakiulit, please?"

He faced her with a childish grin. "Pa kiss muna."

He pouted his lips, which she was quick to cover with her left hand. 

"Grabe kiss agad. Sabihin mo na, dali."

She was looking at him as if her life depended on his next words.

Alden lifted one hand and pinched her chin. "I had no idea na selosa ka pala," he tried to suppress a smile from coming out.

"Ako, selosa? Di ah."

"So okay lang sayo na magkita at magusap kami ni Julie any time?"

"Kung gusto mo. Buhay mo yan, eh."

Maine avoided his eyes again and shook her face free of Alden's touch.

"Kainis," she whispered.

"Alam mo ikaw, ang hilig mo bumulong. Bat di mo sabihin ng diretso?"

She tried to grab her earphones, but he took it faster.

"Don't you want to hear what I said earlier?" He teased.

"Kanina ko pa pinapaulit, ayaw mo naman." She said, still avoiding his gaze.

He cupped her face, forcing her to look straight at him, and then leaned closer. Her face turned red, eyes round with surprise.

His face turned serious. He took a deep breath, and..

I. Love. You.

Okay? I love you. There, I said it. Twice pa. I have no idea what you really feel about me, but I'll take my chances and say it to you right now. I'm clueless as to when and how my feelings developed, but I just know that you are very special to me, Maine.

He sighed.

Heck, even netizens got me busted every single time I stare at you. How can you not know? I mean, --"

He was cut off by Maine's facial reaction. She was pursing her lips as if trying to contain laughter.

"Bakit ka natatawa?" he asked, feeling slightly offended. "I was pouring my heart out to you, uy. Mukha ba kong nagjojoke?"

She slightly shook her head and said, "Ang daldal mo kasi. Three words lang naman hinihintay ko, eh."

"I love you. Ayan, three times na ako umamin." Tumikhim siya, tila nilalakasan ang loob.

"Ikaw ba... Anong feeling mo? Do you feel the same way?"

She gave him a sweet smile and put one hand near her mouth as if she's about to whisper something to him. Almost instantly, Alden moved closer to her. When he did, he was surprised at Maine's next actions.

She quickly dropped her hand and closed the gap between them and kissed his lips.