Meraki* (MaiChard Fanfic)

Chapter 4 - The Closer I Get To You

13 September 2015

Dear RJ (I already chose my nickname for you, 'wag kang ano!),

Gaano ka close ang gusto mo? Iyung one foot or one centimeter lang ang layo? Gusto mo ba iyung halos magkapalit na tayo ng mukha? Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, ang gusto ko iyung sobrang close. As in close na close talaga. Parang iyung nagbungguan tayo kahapon. Joke lang po, Lola! Haha Sorry, I'm just messing around because I really don't know what I should say. Kalyeserye has gotten under my skin and it is literally all I could ever think about.

It has been hours since we last saw each other and I still...I still can't explain what I felt when we saw each other yesterday. All I know is that...it's really different. I don't want to think about it (because it's already three o'clock in the morning) but I can't help myself. This is the first time I have ever felt like this. But, then again, I haven't met a lot of actors in person so I wouldn't know. Baka malakas lang talaga ang dating mo! Naks.

Anyway, I want to focus on the good stuff! I can think about what I just said later... I can't believe that we finally saw each other face to face (and in such a short distance too) yesterday. Woot! Woot! We waited ages for this. I swear, ramdam ko talaga iyung anxiety and impatience emanating (big word!) from the two of us. Ilang linggo naman kasi talaga tayong hindi pinagtatagpo ni Lola! I sometimes wonder if she really is my real grandmother with the way she is acting or if she really is just like that. 

Now, there are plenty of things I want to tell you. First and foremost concerns your smile. Did you know that I was almost struck dumb when my blindfold was removed? We were supposed to be acting but your smile...your smile was something else. That's why I only gave a shy smile (oo na, pabebe na ako)  in response. I really think it's funny that we couldn't even help ourselves from having a little moment in the middle of a scene on live television. I wonder how we'll fare if we ever go to places like Cebu or Davao or go out of the country?

Second, to be honest, there were many times that I had to stop myself from begging Direk Pat or any of the EB staff to let me meet you. Eventually, I agreed to wait for the right timing to the so-called magic and mystery between us. So, hindi ko na talaga sinubukan. As much as I want to, I don't want anyone to bear the brunt if I decided to take that course of action. Maghihintay na lang ako.

Oh, and I've been thinking of editing videos (of our weekesaries or monthsaries) because I have been feeling this urge to do so for some quite some time. I'm not really sure though. My skills are quite rusty and it seems unrealistic when I think about it. I barely have time to sleep and I still need to review a number of endorsement offers for the next few months so I can't slack off (even if I want to). So, for now, I'll just write random pieces and study it thoroughly.  

I can't think of anything else to say but thank you. Thank you for staying. Thank you for listening to my unspoken plea. Thank you for not giving up and making it a priority to wait for me. I honestly didn't expect any of this to happen to me. So, I'm really glad that I met you. Ang drama ko! Baka pwede na kitang sabayan. Joke lang. Asa naman 'di ba? Haha

So that's it! I just really wanted to write another letter for you. Just to let you know, I've written a few more but over the past several days (daming time kunyari). I know I should give it to you so these wouldn't be a waste or anything but, tsaka na kapag malakas na ang loob ko. Hindi ko kasi sigurado kung magugustuhan mo ang mga pinagsasabi ko.

Oh, here's a secret: I really really wanted to hug you (sorry, feeling close lang pero I think we both needed it) when we stood in front of each other while blindfolded. Maybe I can do that next time? If not, kebs lang din. I'll just be here waiting for the right time for our bone-crushing hug. 

Anyway, kapit lang ah? Mahaba pa ang lalakbayan natin.

- Maine

***

14 September 2015

"Meng."

"Meng," Wally repeated.

"Huy, Meng! Kanina ka pa hinahanap nina Direk Pat!" said Wally, placing his hand on Maine shoulders  and determinedly shaking her.

After a while, Maine arouse from her slumber. "Whaaat? Is there anything you need?" she said, yawning into her hand.

"Ano ka ba, kanina ka pa hinanap ni Direk Pat," he repeated. "Anong oras ka ba natulog at parang pagod na pagod ka? May lakad ka ba kagabi?"

"Ha? Hindi, wala naman po. Hindi lang po ako makatulog, Kuya Wally."

"Hmm," he said with a small smile.

After a while, he spoke again.

"Meng...bago ka pala sumunod kay Direk Pat, okay lang ba na magtanong muna ako?"

She smiled brightly. "Oo naman po, Kuya Wally! Ano po bang tanong niyo?"

"Ano kasi...kamusta ka na? Nagka-usap na ba kayo ni Alden? O hindi pa rin?"

"Hindi pa rin po eh. Hindi ko na rin kinulit si Ma'am Jen kasi bawal pa nga kaming magkita talaga."

Wally nodded in response. "Pero nakakausap mo ba siya sa text o tawag man lang?"

Maine blushed while she shook her head. "Hindi pa po eh. Sana nga, maka-usap ko na rin siya. Dami ko na talagang balak sabihin sa kanya."

"Nako, I'm sure, marami rin iyung gustong sabihin sa iyo. Balita ko nga..."

Maine's eyes widened and she leaned forward. "Ano pong balita niyo, Kuya Wally?"

"Hindi na. Baka magalit itong si Tisoy sa akin! Sasabihin ko na lang sa Tamang Panahon," he said, imitating his character Lola Nidora.

"Ehhhhh. Kuya naman! Sabihin mo na please! Hindi naman ako magsasalita eh. Sige na naman oh."

"Baka nga magalit si Alden..."

"Ako bahala sa iyo, Kuya! Malakas ako dun. Joke! Sabihin niyo na lang na ako nag namilit sa inyo kapag nabuking ka."

Wally sighed. "Sige na nga! Basta walang lalabas dito ah? Ayokong magalit si Tisoy sa akin!"

Maine nodded enthusiastically. She knew that it was wrong but she was quite...hungry for any information about Alden, particularly who he really is behind the screens. He was a puzzle that she intends to crack.

"Wala naman kasi talaga ito..." Wally started.

Maine raised one of her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.

"Nag-text lang kasi siya kaninang umaga sa akin."

"Anong sabi niya? Kuya, pa-suspense ka naman eh! Para kang busina sa Kalyeserye!"

Wally bursted out laughing. "Alam mo, may future ka talaga sa ganitong trabaho. Malayo ang mararating mo dahil pati ako natatawa sa iyo."

"Hala kuya, nambola ka pa! Ano na kasi iyung kay Alden?"

"Ito na nga. Nagtanong lang naman sa akin kung kamusta ka tapos nagbilin na bantayan ka...uy! Bakit ka namumula?"

"Hindi ah! Ang init lang dito sa loob ng tent, Kuya Wally! Teka, lalabas na pala ako. Mamaya na tayo mag-usap ulit," she said, running off to the exit.

Wally just watched her leave. He knew that neither of them were ready. He knew that it would really take time for them to work out their issues. He also knew that whatever's between them is something...special or even magical.

Halatang halata na sa kilos nila. Their eyes would light up when they see each other and a smile would immediately adorn their faces. Ito na ba ang sinasabi nilang itinakda ng tadhana?

"Kaso itong si Meng, kailangan talagang hatakin ni Tisoy," he muttered to himself. "Buti na lang mukhang matiyaga itong si Alden..."

***

Author's Note:

#Happy1stMAINEniversary everyone! Thanks for continuing to read Meraki. :)