FLIPSIDE: A series of AD | MD one-shots

Smitten

Photo credit: @bankingonkismet (Twitter) 

I wanted to write a little OS because there is so much fluff and rainbows in the MaiChard universe today. Let me know what you think (skienat_pex on Twitter) :)

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"Are you sure it's okay if I stay here for a while?" It was a Sunday afternoon and Alden had just finished with his live show on GMA. He had not seen Maine in almost a week since he was out of town doing shows and promos and signings, so he decided the minute the end credits rolled that he would pay her a quick visit at home, before heading out to another gig in a city hours away from Metro Manila.

And it wasn't as if it was an easy task. He had to first tell Mama Ten of his secret little plan, who would then have to contact his driver to bring Alden's Sta. Fe to the studio. That has been the case for these quick little visits to Maine – Alden will drive on his own to Maine's condo using a different car – one that fans know nothing about, while his driver will be bringing the Sta. Fe with Mama Ten in tow. A little diversion, a decoy he has masterfully planned to keep their little dates safe, without hundreds of eyes prying on their every move.

After coordinating with Mama Ten, he would then call up Maine's Tatay or Nanay to ask permission, and on the off-chance that they won't answer their phones, he'd turn to Kuya Nico, Ate Nikki or Colleen, and Dean. He made sure to cover all bases, especially with her family.

He knows it's still a long road ahead, so making it right even at the start is something he's determined to do. And while he doesn't know it, Maine thinks he's doing a pretty good job.

Today, it was Nanay who approved, even suggesting to Alden that he drive her to her shoot before he heads to his gig. He almost threw his phone in the air after ending the call – it was the first time Nanay gave him that much freedom and trust.

So here he is, finally inside her condo, seated comfortably on her living room couch scrolling through his Instagram feed.

"Of course RJ, Nanay already texted me that you were passing by. Sorry, I literally just woke up when I read her text. Let me make myself presentable." Maine shouted from her bedroom and Alden can hear her shuffling about, cabinet doors and drawers being opened and closed.

"Sorry ha, biglaan."

And just as RJ was about to say a multitude of reasons as to why he didn't tell her of his visit sooner, he felt her lips graze his cheek.

"Hello nga pala," she whispered to his ear as she puts her cheek next to his. This was not the first time she did this, but his heart almost always wants to jump from his chest each time she does.

He replied with a kiss on her other cheek and searched for her hand. "Wag mo nga ko ginugulat ng ganyan Meng, baka di ako makapagpigil."

Maine giggled and ruffled his hair, and then walked over to sit next to him, his hand leading the way. Her hair was surprisingly a bit wavy today, and she wore a loose ALDUB shirt and pajama shorts.

Clearly she had just woken up, but Alden didn't mind.

He then went on to tell him about his day, how he woke up at 5 in the morning because his trainer was making him suffer for not working out and gaining a bit of fat, how he had to rush for final rehearsals for a dance prod just minutes before the show started, how he almost fell asleep during commercials, with many in the audience taking photos and quick videos of his head nodding off.

And she sat there next to him, her head on his shoulder, yet tilted up to watch his mouth move with every word, memorizing the way his forehead would crinkle or his eyes would disappear with every shift of mood his story would tell. In the moments he caught her staring, he would stare right back, drowning in the gaze her brown eyes offered to him.

Then Maine told him of her dream last night, where she found herself back home in Bulacan, sipping hot cocoa, sitting on the dining table with her entire family present. And then their front door came tumbling down via a man in military uniform, holding a bazooka, yelling at them to run to the tank as the zombies were coming.

She told the story with much gusto that Alden couldn't help but laugh.

"Why are you laughing? I was scared kaya! Hello, zombie apocalypse!" She playfully shoved him to show her disappointment, to which he replied with another kiss on the hand.

"You have the weirdest dreams talaga." He then leaned in and wrapped his arms around her, and it took all of her strength not to melt in his embrace. He felt that and hugged her even tighter.

"Wait lang, hindi ka pa daw kumakain sabi ni Mama Ten!" She suddenly bolted out of his embrace and stood in front of him. "I'll whip up meryenda. Teka, sit there. Diyan ka lang."

Before he could object, she ran to the kitchen and began opening cabinets. He could hear pots and pans being moved, so he stood up and followed her there.

"RJ, pasta you want? I can make you Italian style...Hoy, what did I tell you, dun ka lang sa living room!"

"Eh I want to help. Nakakahiya naman sayo, naging tambayan na nga condo mo, paglulutuan mo pa ko." RJ pulled out a chair from the dining table and began playing with the centerpiece vase filled with yellow carnations he had delivered the day before.

She turned to him and said, "Sige, bahala ka diyan." Maine then went back to the kitchen counter and opened a pack of pasta noodles, and then setting it aside.

She took out tomato paste and a can of tomatoes from the cabinet, tiptoeing just to reach the two ingredients. He watched her shirt slowly inched its way up her back, showing a little bit of her porcelain skin.

She then filled a small pot with water, and set it atop the electric stove.

Alden regained his senses and asked if Meng needed any help. He wasn't that much of a cook, but he knew a thing or two about holding a knife and pan.

"No, ako na. Help me drain the pasta later."

"Okay, ikaw bahala chef." Alden moved to the chair closest to the kitchen area as Maine began to cut the onions and garlic. "RJ, there's a hair tie on the dining table near the vase, paabot naman please? Gulo ng buhok ko di pa pala ako nagsusuklay."

RJ did as he was told and handed off a black rubber tie. She kissed his cheek to say thanks, and he caught a whiff of a lavender scent, that smell he once casually told her he finds irresistible.

And as soon as he got back to his seat, she turned around and gathered her hair up and tied it in a messy bun, with a few strands escaping the grip of the hair tie. She then wiped her forehead, then the side of her face, and then her neck with the back of her hand, before wiping it off her shirt.

He wanted so much for his hand to do that, his fingers trailing the lines and curves of her face, telling her with each touch how beautiful she was and how mesmerized he is every single time.

Whether she was in a fully made face and posing in the most exquisite dresses and gowns, or in the state she was in now, in normal house clothes cooking a simple pasta dish, he feels exactly the same. His heart aflutter and stomach filled with butterflies, his mind fast-forwarding to years ahead, this exact scene with a few additions: a ring on both of their fingers and little children running around.

And before his imagination could take him to places he hasn't even gone to, he was snapped back to the present by Maine tapping on the dining table.

"Uy, ano yang ngiting yan?"

"Ha? Wala uy, binabantayan ko lang yung kumukulong tubig."

Maine chuckled and kissed his forehead, as Alden placed his hands on her neck.

"Paki-drain na muna ng noodles RJ, bago mo ko pagnasaan ulit."

And Alden did as he was told, except maybe for that last part.