What's It All About, Maine?

Part Three

"Hi Maine!", she heard someone greeted her from behind. She looked... Si Alden.

"Pauwi ka na, Maine? Sorry kanina ha. Nakaharang ako sa hallway. Kulit kasi nila ---..." Alden stopped after he saw Maine's scratches and bruises on her elbows. "Hala! Kanina ba 'to?! Nagpunta ka na ng clinic?!"
He tried to lightly grab her arm.

Natahimik si Maine. Ay... Confirmed. Kilala nga siya ni Alden.

"Oo eh. Pero ok lang yan. Kasalanan ko naman.", She said shyly without, again, looking at him.

"Halika, punta muna tayo sa clinic uy." Alden offered trying to catch Maine's eyes but to no avail, she tried to avoid his gaze.

"Ah. Huwag na. Pauwi na rin naman na ako, baka mahirapan ako makasakay pag ginabi pa ako."

"Alden."

"Huh?" Maine looked at him kinda puzzled.

"Alden ang pangalan ko." He smiled. Finally! Eye contact, he thought.

"Ah. Oo. Alam ko!" Maine chuckled. "Sige uwi na ako. See you na lang tomorrow ha." She's trying vey hard not to blush.

"Pauwi na rin ako eh. Pasabay na lang, mamaya pa uwian ng ibang tropa eh."

Maine didn't say anything. They just walked side by side along the covered pathways to the gate of the campus, without both of them uttering any words.

When they reached the jeepney stop, Maine stood on the sidewalk to wait for her ride. While Alden just stood beside her with both of his hands inside his pants' side pockets, looking the other way. Maine looked at him intently, trying not to get caught.

"Ang tangkad. Ang puti, maputi pa yata sa akin to. Bagay sa kanya ang polo nya... Ang bango. Ang gwapo. Gwapo talaga. Wala ba talaga itong girlfriend pa?!", she thought. When she realized what she's doing, she almost laughed at herself.

"Hi Alden!"

Some girls inside the jeepney that went passed them, squealed when they saw him. Fourth year students.

"Oh, may space pa!" They said, then moved to show him the seat.

He just waved, nodded and smiled back to acknowledge them then he look the other way again. When I looked back at the girls inside the jeepney, they were sort of disappointed. One of them looked at me, questioning my existence beside Alden. I got the point, I stepped backwards, just a few steps away from Alden.

Of which he noticed.

"Anong sasakyan mo, Maine?"

He didn't try to come near her.

"Cubao. Ikaw?"

"Pasig."

"Pasig? Eh bakit dito ka? Di ba dapat sa kabila ka?"

"Pasakayin na muna kita.", he said.

Then he looked away to wait for her ride. When finally Maine's ride is coming, he signaled the jeep to stop. He looked at Maine then he made way for her to pass. Maine just smiled and made her way up to the Jeep's doorway. While entering the jeep, Alden softly said to her,

"Ingat ka, Maine."