After the "CUT!"

Conflicting Feelings

Speechless. That's the state they left the audience after that complex and breathtaking production number. Both of them are not dancers; yes they do dance for their prod numbers every once in a while - but never like this. Never at this level of difficulty. Those lifts and spins are normally reserved for professional dancers. Even the simplest fan knows that. A collective sigh was heard amongst the audience after they executed the routine. It was not perfect, but for their fans' eyes - it was.

There was a moment of silence after they finished their number. Once the audience have gathered their senses, the crowd went wild. They loved it! Who wont? So after the half a second of speechlessness, utter chaos out of excitement followed.

Stunned. Short of saying that the hosts seated in the sofa (and those watching from the backstage) are nothing but stunned. It's not that they ever doubted the talent of this pair - they don't. But never in their wildest dreams did they imagined that they would be able to pull off that routine. But then again, EB  talents is all about pushing beyond their limits (just look at what Patricia and Paolo did for that dabarkads pa more segment). Deathdefying stunts is not really uncommon. Nonetheless, seeing their newest cohosts (and friends) doing those stunts is still a surprise, a pleasant one.

Yes they are stunned. But more than that, like parents or older sibs seeing their brood on stage - slaying it, they are very proud.

Apprehensive. The production number has been planned since the topic of "boojie" was incorporated in the KS plot. The resident EB choreographers have started thinking of routines, how it will fit the theme, etc. They decided to keep it simple , not that they don't trust Maine and Alden. But more because the two don't really have the time to rehearse a simple routine, much less a complicated one. But these two are nothing but professionals. The moment they found out that they would be doing this number on Saturday, they are determined to give the audience maximum entertainment. Hence those complex lifts and whatnots. But they only have a day (or night) to rehearse. The choreographer and their back up dancers are apprehensive on letting them do the stunts. It's already 11pm and they have not yet completed the "lift-twirl" stunt, even once. They're all tired, hungry, and err well tired. Come Saturday morning, the choreogrpaher have already conceptualized a new routine. There will still be lifting but not as difficult - but Alden and Maine are determined and stubborn.

During the prod number itself, the choreographers, FDs, even the dancers all held their breaths and crosses their fingers while sending a silent prayer up above - if they can't do the routine properly, at least knock some sense into those two's heads to just go for the simpler one.

Imagine their suprise and amazement and a feeling more profound than pride, when those two executed it well. Of course there was a moment of doubt and fear. But after the routine, their apprehension was replaced by elation.

Uncertainty. She's not a dancer. She made that clear during her audition for EB. But she have grown a lot since then. From production numbers (in the kalye at that), to joining the Dabarkads pa more, to performing in the Philippine Arena - she's pretty sure that she can wacky dance her way out of dance routines. But this is something different. The level pf difficulty is unlike any other dance routines she ever did. One wrong move and things are bound to get messy.

They were given a simpler routine, but she wanted to challenge herself, see how far she can go. So after a lengthy discussion with her partner (more of arguing from his side and her assuring him that everything will go well), the both decided (with lots of reservations from Richard) to go ahead with the original routine. However barely 2hours before the show they still cannot do the routine perfectly. Actually, minutes before the actual performance she was already tempted to go with the simpler routine. She's not a masochist. She doesn't want to put herself in danger's way.

But one look at Richard, she's sure that he will die first before he let something bad happen to her. So while holding a staring challenge, all her uncertainties evaporated and was replace but an unnerving amount of trust to her fidgenting dance partner.

Terrified. There is no other word to describe what he is feeling right now. If he was a nervous wreck before they started dancing, he was terrified right after. It is weird, he knows, because what he should be feeling is relieved. Relieved that they have successfully completed the routine, relieved that the audience enjoyed it, relieved that it's already done. But as much as he wants to feel relieved, he just can't. He is terrified. Thousands of scenarios keeps running in his mind; what ifs that is driving hin crazy; alternate scenarios that pushed him down on his knees, dragging her with him, holding her to him tighter.

One wrong move, one mistake, one timing error - and it would've been fatal.

"Richard, medyo humihigpit ah. Ano bang iniisip mo?"

Instead of answering, he just hugged her a little bit tighter. He needed this as an assurance that she is ok, she is not hurt, that she is perfectly fine.

"Richard, ok ako. Tapos na yun prod oh. Walang masakit. Huy umayos ka na."

Slowly but surely he started calming down. There are still nagging thoughts, negative thoughts, but he is slowly powering through it. Her warmth, her scent, her calming presence is doing wonders for him. He took one more deep breath, inhaling her sweet scent to reassure his self that she's here with him, in his arms.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to go all clingy and weird on you. It's just that -" he struggled for word, he is carefully thinking how we would explain his self without sounding like a lunatic. "Alam mo naman may pagkapraning ako. Natakot ako sa mga pwedeng mangyare. Paano kung malakas pagkakahila ko sayo at nabalian ka? Paano kung nalaglag kita? Paano kung umiral ang clumsiness ko at sabay tayong bumagsak? Paano-?"

"Shhh puro ka paano. Tapos na, at hindi naman nangyari ang mga what ifs mo. Uulitin ko Richard. Ok ako. Walang masakit. Wala akong bali or whatever. And I trust you. I trust that you will catch me. I trust that you will hold me and not let me down. I trust that you will never intentionally hurt me. I trust you. So please, trust yourself too." She looked him in the eye, conveying all the feeling and emotions she cannot say out loud. At least not yet. "And trust your biceps." she finished by squeezing his biceps, then laying her head on it.

It is a simple gesture. But it meant a lot more to him. He is not terrified anymore. No, that's not what he is feeling anymore. It's different now, terrified has been definitely been replaced by another feeling, a feeling he is very familiar with, that feeling called KILIG.

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A/N: Some thoughts on last Saturday's episode. I wasn't really able to watch it. Just bits and pieces, but omg! That routine. Omg. That is my only reaction while watching it. I still don't think they are a couple, but their level of friendship is just OMG.