Stranded (An AlDub Fanfic)

Stranded

November 9, Starbucks Coffee, Bonifacio Global City

Richard Faulkerson Jr., also known to the rest of us as Alden Richards, couldn't sit still. He already had a couple of Café Lattes and he was on the verge of getting a third. He was outside, shivering at the cool breeze, trying not to jump at any sight of a brunette and slightly skinny woman walking past him. This was getting ridiculous. He shouldn't be this jumpy about meeting her again. It's just her. And it was him in the first place who requested for this meeting. But how long was it since he last saw her? 10? 15 years? Maybe even longer? He did not really remember anymore.

He didn't know how he was going to react at all when he sees her. But he returned to the Philippines because he realized he really needed her after all. After everything that happened. After everything that he went through, they went through. After the movies, the teleseryes, the endorsements, being in Eat Bulaga together, being together for REAL. Even after years and years of not getting in touch.

It was his decision, back then. To leave. But he had his reasons. They might not understand it. Everyone might not understand it. His family might not understand it. She might not understand it, although he thought she would. But he needed to. He was getting tired of it all. He was getting claustrophobic of everything. He needed to breathe. To have a fall back.

He was staring at the park that was across the coffee shop not really seeing it as he took a sip of his latte. He didn't notice when someone sat across from him.

"Penny for your thoughts."

He almost spitted out his coffee. He didn't know if hearing her voice was the sweetest thing on earth he heard or if it was a curse that she was really finally there in front of him.

"Maine!" he exclaimed. "Grabe ka, ginulat mo naman ako."

She smiled half-heartedly and looked at him, observing him. "What's the reason for this, Alden?"

He flinched a little when she called him Alden. It was usually Richard or RJ when they were alone, when there were no cameras around and it was just the two of them, just like now. This just goes to show that he really hurt her deeply if she didn't want to call him by his real name.

He didn't reply immediately. He couldn't. He just stared at her for a full minute, savoring the sight of her. She changed a whole lot, physically speaking. Well, 10 years is a long time. Or wait - was it 15? But when he looked at her eyes, he knew that his old Nicomaine was still the same. Wait. His Nicomaine?

Maine sighed and closed her eyes. "Kung hindi ka rin naman magsasalita, then I'll just leave." She started to rise from the table when Alden quickly grabbed her arm.

"Sandali lang naman, Maine," he said. "Please. Sit back down." Maine sat down, looking warily at him. Alden rubbed his neck and his left ear and combed his hand through his hair, a nervous gesture. He was starting to get so nervous. He looked back at her and saw her staring at him. "Hindi ka pa rin talaga nagbago ano? You always want to be direct to the point."

Maine cocked her head to one side and looked expectantly at him. "I don't have time for games, Alden. You wanted to meet kaya ako nandito. I expect answers. Explanations. Kaya mo rin naman ako tinawagan diba? After all these years?" she said, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Alden took a deep breath. "I just - I - well, I just wanted to see you. Ayun na nga - para mag-explain tsaka ano -- ayun."

"I just want to know why, Richard. That's all. Why?" whispered Maine, eyes downcast, tears threatening to fall. Alden looked up all of a sudden at Maine when he heard her speak his real name. He saw hurt and anger in her eyes. And was that regret?