Adventures

01.02.16

At around 3 in the afternoon today, Alden's birthday celebration on Eat Bulaga had just finished. 

Some of his fans were allowed access backstage, so he and I had a little photo op with them as we signed their shirts, different pieces of paper and anything else we could write on. 

I couldn't help but smile as I realized just how many people loved and adored him. I mean, just look at him. What's not to like about Alden Richards? He's handsome, kind, hardworking, God-fearing, a total gentleman.. Nako, I can go on and on and on. 

He deserved all the blessings he was receiving right now, and I couldn't be any happier to be by his side to witness all of this. 

"Grabe siyaaa." I teased, as he walked towards me, his hands full of birthday gifts from fans. I stood up from the couch in one of the dressing rooms to help him out. 

"Ikaw talaga." He laughed, putting them down gently on one of the tables. "Once a year lang naman ang birthday ko. Pagbigyan mo na."

I shook my head and smiled as I glanced at the gift tags. There were gifts from the Aldenatics, the Official Aldub l Maiden Nation, MaiDen Heaven and tons of other fan clubs. I was touched to see that the Mainenatics had given him a present. I was so glad that they loved him, just as much as I did. 

While I was busy looking at the gift tags, I was surprised to feel his breath on the back of my neck as he slowly wrapped his arms around my waist. I smiled as I realized that he was giving me a back hug.

"Ang aga pa. Ba't naglalambing ka na?" I asked. 

"Bakit? Hindi ba pwede?" 

I could feel him smiling. 

"Siyempre naman pwede." I said. "Baka kasi makita tayo ng daddy mo. Nahihiya ako."

His gentle laugh sent chills down my spine. He just had that effect on me, you know. Kahit sa simpleng tawa o ngiti, parang napapakaba niya ako.. but in a good way. 'Di ko ma-explain, basta ganun. Ang gulo mo, Nicomaine.

"Boto naman 'yun sa'yo, kaya walang problema." Alden assured me. 

I sighed in relief as I touched his left cheek with one of my hands. 

"Love, thank you talaga ha." He said. "Pinabilib mo talaga ako sa lahat ng effort mo today. Mula sa pagkanta hanggang sa pag-bake ng cake. Na-appreciate ko talaga ang lahat ng 'yun." He added.

"Di nga ako maka-get over sa sinabi mong hindi ka pa nakakapag-bake ng cake para sa mga magulang, kapatid at pati sa ex-boyfriend mo. Ako pa talaga ang unang una."

I laughed. 

Though I graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts, cooking was never really my thing. I didn't want to think that I forced myself into it, though I absolutely knew that I did, but for Alden's birthday, I decided to "go back to my roots" as some people would say, and challenge myself to actually apply everything I had learned in those four years of being a Culinary Arts major. 

Kaya tadaaaaa. Nagawa ko ang Mainebow Cake.

"Alam mo namang hindi ako ganun kagaling magluto." I said. "Pero para sa'yo, I went out of my comfort zone kasi.. you're worth it."

"Aba." Alden smiled as he broke off the back hug. 

As soon as he was facing me, he gently caressed my face, something he always did out of the blue or whenever he was feeling very affectionate. I closed my eyes as I felt his soft hands on the side of my face.

"Alam mo, ito na talaga ang best birthday ever." Alden said. "Hindi lang dahil sa mga surprises o sa mga taong nagmamahal sa 'kin, kundi dahil ito ang first birthday na kasama kita.. na kasama ko ang babaeng alam kong mamahalin ko ngayon, bukas at magpakailanman."

"Ikaw ha.. Nagme-Mel Tiangco ka na ngayon." I joked, trying to distract myself from being emotional. 

He laughed in reply. 

"Ikaw talaga." Alden said. "Makinig ka nga muna." 

I smiled, nodding my head like a child listening attentively to her teacher. 

"Pero seryoso ako sa sinabi ko. Ito na talaga ang best birthday ever dahil nandito ka. Nandito ang pinakamamahal ko." 

I blushed. Alden was always so fond of professing his love for me, and I couldn't find it in myself to complain. I was one very happy girl in his arms and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Di ko na talaga alam kung anung sasabihin ko. Parang ako yung speechless eh." I smiled. "Pero seryoso din ako sa sinabi ko kanina. Na talagang iba 'to.. kung ano man ang meron tayo.. dahil akalain mo, sa dami dami ng tao dito sa Pilipinas, tayo pa talaga ang pinagtagpo ng Diyos." 

Alden's eyes were starting to get watery, and so did mine. 

"Alam mo, Tisoy.." I couldn't stop the tears from falling. This was the first time that I was this emotional in front of Alden. Usually, nagpipigil pa ako, pero iba 'to eh. 

"Ngayon lang ako nagmahal ng sobra sobra." I said. "Alagaan mo ang puso ko ha? You know how fragile I am."

Alden managed to smile though, he too, was shedding a lot of tears. He wiped my tears with his hands and kissed me on the forehead. 

"Kahit itaga mo pa sa bato, hinding hindi kita sasaktan, Maine. I love you too much to hurt you." He said. "Why would I hurt the love of my life? The future mother of my children?"

I instantly hit his arm in reply. 

"Ikaw talaga." I laughed as I started wiping his tears away as well. 

"Pero seryoso talaga ako sa'yo, Maine. There's no turning back now." 

I looked at him for a while, mesmerized at this beautiful human being that was standing right in front of me. This beautiful human being that loved me and completed me in every single way. 

I couldn't help but think about what good I had done in my entire life to deserve someone like this? 

"Yes, there really is no turning back now." I affirmed, moving closer to plant a gentle kiss on his lips. 

 Alden is definitely more than I could ever ask for, and one thing's for sure.. I am never letting him go.