Start / Stop

Game Changer Part 2

Alden arrives at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. He doesn't care that he got in at past one in the morning, after furiously shuffling through the airport terminal and securing a plane ticket on the spot. He sends a message to Coleen, who tells him that Ate Niki and Maine have gotten in 3 hours prior, and probably asleep now, and what room they were in, and that she will see if Ate Niki will reply to her. He profusely thanks her.

He procures his room key at the front desk, armed with the reservation code Coleen texted to him earlier. Walking to his room, Alden realizes that he has not properly talked to Maine in over a day, apart from their very short phone call. That short conversation - the 10 seconds it took, changed the course of his day. No, the course of his life.

Alden sits on his bed, rubs his hands over his weary face. He is physically exhausted, but his mind is on alert, his heart heavy with fear of the unknown. They have never gone this long without speaking. Maine usually gets angry and he would try to make suyo , and most of the time he wins her over. But this time, it's different. Maine has never cut him off . This is making him anxious.

His thoughts are interrupted with a text from Coleen, saying Ate Niki is a bit surprised he followed and yes, Maine does not know, and you can try to see if she'll talk to you, no guarantees. Alden's heart beats fast, not sure if she will like that he is there. Baka lalo syang magalit na di ko sinunod ang gusto nya, na next weekend na kami magkita, he thought.

Alden closes his eyes, and says a little prayer, before he shakes off his anxiety. Walking out of his room and into the waiting elevators , he proceeds to the 16th floor. 1632 is where they are. It is already 2:20am. He knocks softly at their door.

Ate Niki answers, and raises her eyebrows to him, giving him a silent acknowledgment. "Meng, lalabas lang ako saglit."

"Eh alas dos na Ate, Bakit ka pa lalabas? Me kelangan..."  Maine stops, eye widening then her expression hardens.

Ate Niki slips out . "Five minutes lang, me bilhin lang sa 7-11 sa tapat", as she hurries to the waiting elevators. Good luck, Ate Niki whispers to him.

"Why are you here?" , Maine asks calmly. Alden winces at the way she said it : there was no warmth in it, just like her letter to him was signed off with her name, and no "Love" or "xoxo".

"Pwede bang pumasok so we can talk?"

"But what for? I said to wait and meet at Botega Marina, sa Sunday na yun."

"I am sorry, I know you said to wait for Sunday, but it is too long. Maine, hindi ba pwede pumasok? "

Maine laughs bitterly, "Wow ha, too long pala yun. At hindi pala pwede na ikaw yung nag aantay ano, ako lang pala dapat."  Eyes narrowed, Maine holds the door, no sign of her letting him in. "Go back to your room, Alden, there is no point of having this conversation. It's past 2am, and I am tired." She tries to close the door, but he plants his right foot, effectively leaving it open.

"I am so sorry" , Alden whispers, " I am so sorry for neglecting you, neglecting us. I just realized how stupid I have been, and there is no excuse...."

"Alden, I am sorry too. But I do not want to talk to you right now. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tayo naguusap ngayon, kung kelangan ako ang nag ask ng space. Space since sanay na sanay na naman ako since ako lang naman lagi ang nag aantay sa iyo. Ayoko mag skandalo at makagising ng kapitbahay, so pwedeng bumalik ka na sa room mo, at patulugin mo na lang kami ni Ate Niki, who I am sure will be back very soon. Okay? Maine pushes the door hard, startling Alden, as the door closes to his face.

"Sorry, Tisoy" , Ate Niki says,who apparently hears her sister's diatribe. "Just let her sleep, and maybe when she wakes up, baka she won't be as mad. Pagod na din kasi sya. At ikaw , magpahinga ka na din." Ate Niki smiles softly at him, as she enters their room .

"Shit" Alden swears inwardly. Never has he seen her this angry at him.

He now knows this trip is a make it or break it trip about their relationship. And Alden can only hope this would end well for him.

***

A/N:

Not proof-read at all. All errors are mine.