Lights, Camera and Alden Richards ➣ AlDub/MaiChard

three

MAY 2016

Maine was seven when she met Jacob dela Rosa. 

The Mendoza family had just moved in from Bulacan to the metro because of Teodoro's job. Young Maine did not like the idea of moving away from home. She didn't have many friends from their neighborhood nor the school she attended with Coleen and Dean but she didn't want to leave. She loved their home in Bulacan and how she had already memorized the small village they lived in, even if she was only seven. And what about school? She didn't want to transfer. She didn't like all of the people at school—no, screw that. She didn't like being surrounded by people unless it was her friend Tiffany or her teacher Mae. 

The first day of their move, her mom Mary Ann, told her to check out her new room. But she did not want to. Why did she have to sleep in one room alone? She wanted to be roommates with Coleen, just like they were in their home in Bulacan. She wanted to go back to Bulacan.

Instead of throwing a fit, she went outside. She didn't like being outside that much. That's why it took her long enough to familiarize herself with the small village they lived in back in Bulacan. How was she supposed to memorize the roads now that they were in a new place? 

She sat on the side walk, just in front of their house. The house they moved in was a lot bigger than their home in Bulacan. There were more rooms and a bigger living room with a bigger television. Her Tatay had a new car but the other car they owned was still working. Her Nanay had finally bought the couch she had always wanted. Living in the metro was different, seven-year old Maine knew that. But she didn't expect the difference to be as huge as this.

"Pst!"

Maine turned to her left when she heard that. Her eyes were squinted, trying to find who it was that called her attention.

"Pst!"

There it is again.

Giggles.

Someone just giggled.

"Hindi ako takot sa mumu, kahit magpakita ka pa sa'kin," Maine bravely stated and stood up, walking towards the bushes. "Boo!" 

The kid who was hiding behind the bushes let out a shriek and fell on his back while Maine laughed. 

"Ako pala yung mumu," she said in between giggles. She walked closer to the boy who had a cap on and offered a hand, exactly how her Kuya Nico taught her if ever she saw someone on the floor. 

The boy looked up with squinted eyes. He rubbed his eyes but Maine was just so bright, it hurt to just look at her face. 

"Come on, take my hand," Maine said. The boy didn't even notice she was offering a hand until she said so. He took her hand and Maine tried her best to pull him up but...

Oompf.

Giggles.

Both of them giggled and Maine rolled over so she was lying on the pavement beside the boy. With their eyes squinted, they got up and helped each other stand—without knocking anyone out this time.

"Kayo yung bagong kapit-bahay namin?" the boy asked. 

"Bahay niyo 'yan?" Maine asked, pointing to the equally large house beside theirs. The boy nodded. "Oo, this is our new... house."

"Bakit parang 'di ka masaya sa new house niyo?" the boy asked. "Ako, I want a new house. Nakakasawang magplay sa garden ni Mommy." Both of them started walking towards the sidewalk, where Maine had originally sat. 

"Gusto ko kasi yung house namin sa Bulacan."

"Bulacan? Saan 'yun?"

"Far far away."