FLIPSIDE: A series of AD | MD one-shots

Like Old Times

Photo credit: Eat Bulaga Facebook page

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It was a rainy Thursday afternoon and Maine found herself walking around familiar hallways. Her feet lead her to a spot she's seen and been in quite a few times before. 

She was at the Broadway studio, at the area just beyond the entrance gates, right up the flights of stairs. The brown bench was in its same spot, right in the middle of the fake gazebo, surrounded by standees of familiar people.

She walks over and runs her hand over the wooden slabs, with each touch bringing back a few wonderful memories in her mind. She finally sits down at the far end, crosses her legs and leans back. 

"Di parin nila tinatanggal yan," says a familiar voice. Maine turns to the side and sees Alden leaning on one of the gazebo's posts, his hand lingering on the fake flower vines creeping around it.

"I guess some things never change?" Alden's face sported his famous bedimpled grin as he began to walk to where she was. He took the space next to her and extended one arm behind, letting it rest on top of the bench. Maine slouched and leaned back, making Alden feel her bare neck. 

"Even after all this time 'noh? I mean look at this bench. It needs a fresh coat of paint!" Maine relaxed even more and lay down comfortably on Alden's arm. "So much history in this place, mostly on your side though."

"The best ones were with you Meng, always with you." Then, they began naming one memory after another --- the day he devoured four cupcakes even if he was on a strict diet at the time, that afternoon he hugged her standee from behind as she watched from miles away, the day they turned that very gazebo into the love lock bridge in Paris and every afternoon they would have Kalyeserye lunches and dates, talking about the most random of things as the cameras were rolling.

They both shared a hearty laugh, with Alden's eyes disappearing and Maine throwing her head back in a fit of giggles. She then reaches for his hand and holds it tight, while looking down on her feet. 

"It was fun while it lasted diba? So much fun."

"You know you could've stayed right?"

She squeezed his hand, a habit he knows is her way to show him that it's okay, she's okay, that things are okay.

"I know. But you know I had other things --- more important things to take care of. I love our love team, AlDub, and always will. But some things were of priority back then."

Before Alden could say anything, a young 20-something girl with red hair started running towards their direction. She was holding a clipboard and her eyes looked like they could use a bit of a nap.

"Maine, this is Lynn, the new FD."

"It's nice to meet you, Lynn." Maine stretches her hand and Lynn quickly holds it, and shakes it up and down for a few good seconds.

"Sobrang fan ang big sister ko!!! She's going to be so jealous of me...wait sorry, they're calling you in for make-up na daw po. Sir Alden, you need to run a few lines and rehearse a bit. Meron daw pong small dance prod." 

"Ah, no problem Lynn." Maine stood up and stretched her arms for a bit. "I guess it's okay I'm wearing this, yeah?" She motioned to her denim polo and black skinny jeans. 

"Oo naman po. Tara na po. Sir Alden?"

"Sabi sayo Lynn, Alden na lang."

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Five more minutes of spiels before they come out from behind the  door, at least that's what Lynn said before she scurried to the other side of the backstage area. Maine could hear the screams  from the other side, people clapping and screaming Bossing's name still as he welcomed the crowds of people visiting from different parts of the world. 

Maine had her hands in her pockets, her weight on the right side of her body as she allowed her left foot to tap repeatedly to the ground. Alden notices this and puts his hands on Maine's shoulders. She turns around to face him and she takes in deep breaths, one heavy one after another. 

"There, all better?" Alden asks as they're now handed microphones by Lynn.

"It's been a while. I wonder if it'll still be the same."

"Sus, parang dati lang Meng. You don't have to worry so much. You'll be fine." He then moves to her side and picks up her right hand, putting his palm against hers first, before he slowly entwines his fingers with hers. 

And Maine's lips curved into a smile. His hands always felt like home, and now she didn't feel like she was in an unfamiliar territory about to face a live, screaming audience.

"Sir Alden, Ma'am Maine, in 10 po mag-oopen na ang doors. Ready na po."

"Here we go, RJ."

"Just like old times, Meng."

Maraming surpresa ang hatid ng Eat Bulaga ngayong araw! 

Handa na ba kayo sa unang pasabog? Syempre, ngayong 50th anniversary ng programa, hindi pwedeng mawala ang isa sa pinakaminahal na tambalan na nagsimula dito mismo sa Eat Bulaga. Mga dabarkads, isang masigabong palakpakan naman diyan, para sa AlDub!

Maine and Alden step out and the screaming commenced. Maine couldn't really see the many faces in front of her as the lights were too bright for her eyes. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, her hands and knees were shaking. But Alden was holding on to her, just like he did almost 15 years ago every chance he got on stage. 

They walked to the center and Maine, already easing up to the situation began waving. She started beaming like a little girl, every once in a while leaning on to Alden as they walked around to say hi to fans young and old. 

Maine turns around to see the row of new hosts and some familiar faces she's always loved. And before she can even run to them to say hi, a booming voice began to echo in the studio.

Welcome back, Maine Faulkerson!