What's It All About, Maine?

Part Five

"Cubao.", he politely answered. Maine's not sure if Alden knew the girls personally.

"Pasig ang way mo di ba?! Papunta ka ng Cubao? We're also heading there. Showing na sa Gateway ang Star Wars, wanna join us? By the way, classmates tayo sa Works of Rizal."

"Ah ok."

"Aw... He's saying yes to them?" Maine rolled her eyes.

"Hindi. Gabi na eh. May sasamahan lang ako.", he said while quickly glancing at Maine, na literally nasa labas na yata ng jeep ang ulo para di sagabal sa mga nag-uusap. The two girls got the hint then looked at Maine, who was looking outside the window. Eventually the two girls kept quiet and talked to each other.

After about 5 minutes, Maine took out her wallet, but Alden lightly tapped her.

"Bayad na."

"Thank you. Pwedeng magtanong? Anong gagawin mo sa Cubao? Malayo sa inyo.", Maine whispered to Alden.

Alden waited for her eyes intently and when he finally caught her gaze...

"Ihahatid kita. Ok lang ba, Maine?" Alden whispered back.

"Paano?! Ok ka lang?! Hindi ako taga Cubao lang ha!"

"Alam ko. Taga Fairview ka, magba-bus pa tayo pagdating ng Cubao."

"Why all of a sudden?! Teka! Gabi ka na makakauwi nun Alden. Huwag na! Ok lang ako."

"Ah ok sige. Sorry. Shoot! I should have asked first." He shyly whispered, while rubbing his nape.

"Uhmm... Next time na lang Alden. Kapag maaga ang uwian ko ha? Gabi na din kasi. Baka mapagalitan ka ng nanay mo.", Maine laughed. Alden's face lightened up.

"Ok sige. Pasakayin na lang kita ng bus pa-Fairview, ok lang?"

"Ok lang. Ikaw bahala. Salamat."

When they reached Cubao, Alden and Maine patiently waited for her bus at EDSA. Maine couldn't help but ask,

"Bakit Alden? Hindi ka busy, no? Wala kang magawa? Pag ako pinagtitripan mo lang---"

"Uy! Di naman. Matagal ko na kaya gustong gawin to."

"Ang magpunta ng Cubao?"

"Hahaha! Hindi. Ang ihatid ka."

Alden said softly then smiled and winked. But bowed his head. Parang biglang nahiya sa nasabi nya, at the same time, nakahinga ng maluwag. Finally.

*****

The following day at the campus, Maine arrived a little early than the usual. Her major subject is her first class, Architectural Design. She went inside the empty room. She finally had the time to think of what happened last night. Hinatid siya talaga ni Alden sa Cubao?! Di kaya pinagtitripan siya? Bakit naman all of a sudden! Pansin kaya niya na crush siya ni Maine noon pa? Naku... Malaman ko lang na pinagtitripan nya ako!

She's been like that for maybe a few minutes when someone peeked through the door and went inside the room.

"Uy! Ang aga ah. Good morning." Alden greeted, his fresh and light perfume occupied the room. He pulled a chair beside Maine's drafting table.

"Good morning Alden. What time did you finally get home? Salamat sa paghatid kagabi. Trip mo."

"Trip?! Uy di nga ah. Siguro mga 10 ako nakauwi. Ikaw what time ka nakauwi at nakatulog?"

"Mga ganun ding oras ako nakauwi. Had to do some reviews for my schematic plans and concept. Kaya gabi na nakatulog. Oy! Pake mo sa pagtulog ko..." Maine gave Alden a light nudge.

"Bakit? Ako di yata nakatulog ---"

But before Maine could utter a reply some of her classmates arrived and noticed the couple chatting... The girls were shocked to see Maine with Alden.

Alden got up and bid her goodbye. Sabay lingon sa mga classmates ni Meng at ngumiti.

While on his way out...

"Maine! Mamaya pasabay ulit sa pag-uwi ha."

"Sssshh! Tumigil ka. Pasig ka, Fairview ako."

"Haha! Eh ano ngayon?" And he quickly get out of her room.

Maine received lots of teasing after that.

That was Maine and Alden's daily routine for 4 months as friends. It was November 24 when Maine finally said yes to Alden to be officially his girlfriend.

While they're dining out.
"Maine... Pwedeng magtanong?"

But during that period, both were adjusting their time due to conflict of schedules. Especially now that Alden is graduating, most of the time, Maine would wait for Alden.

******

Graduation day for Alden came.

And during the ceremony something happened. The whisperings on the venue near Maine was undeniable. It madr her turn her head left and right...

There on her right side, walking, as if in slowmo, while looking at Alden, who's at the stage that time, the smiling and ever clueless but clad with fitting red dress, Judie.