Meraki* (MaiChard Fanfic)

Chapter 7 - Ikaw Nga

23 October 2015

Dear Meng,

Finally. Finally, I will be able to hold you in my arms. Finally, I will able to say how grateful I am. Finally, I will be able to tell you how much I'm looking forward to spending more time with you. Finally, I will tell you...how I feel. Or, at least, I hope so.

When Ma'am Jenny told me about Tamang Panahon, I was ecstatic. I knew at that moment that it will be one of the highlights of our role as AlDub. While it is admittedly a gift for our fans, I want you to know that it is more than that for me. Something special will happen that day. Something I never even realized that I was waiting for.

The truth is, I never thought that you'd come in the picture. I had it all planned out. I was going to work hard to be a successful actor so I can help my family. Finding love had always been my least priority. At least, until I met you. I guess you could say that everything changed when I saw you smile. I realized that there was something more to life. That I deserve to be happy. That I don't have to be just content with my life.

I was at the lowest point of my life when you crept into my life. Like a quiet storm, you slowly changed everything. Years ago, if someone told me that I would be this happy, I would have laughed and said that it would happen if God permits it. I didn't want to keep my hopes up because I wasn't sure if God will deem me worthy of someone who will bring me life. And, this is embarrassing, but I sincerely hope that it's you.

You might find this weird but I see myself with you. I see ourselves holding each other's hand. Not just in front of the maddening crowd, but also when we are stripped of the glitz and glamour. I feel like it's the most natural thing in the world. I don't want to let go of your hand or leave you behind. It's quite perplexing.

Right from the beginning, I knew that this was supposed to be a job. A sort of once in a lifetime opportunity that accidently happened. It was supposed to be just an act. I was the experienced (yet struggling) actor, while you were the dubmash queen who charmed the whole world. We were supposed to play our part and steal the hearts of Filipinos. Instead, something else happened. You stole my attention... and my heart.

I don't know how it happened exactly. All I know is that this is a risk worth taking. I know I've said this before (in another letter that I wrote), but I just couldn't find the courage to actually tell you how I feel. I'm sorry. I feel like I still have much to do before I can convince you that this isn't just pretend. I hope I can do that when we finally meet each other without barriers and restrictions.

When Tamang Panahon happens, I also hope that I can tell you some of the wishes I've been keeping close to my heart. I hope that we can be stronger together. I hope that we can get through whatever life throws our way. I hope that in the next few months (or even years), I can still say that we are very blessed to have found each other. I hope that in the years to come, we will still be able to reap the benefits of our hard work and unwavering faith in God. I know that we're blessed with a lot of things because we've done our part to do good in our own little way.

But, above all else, I hope I'll be able to get to know better Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza. And, if you'd let me, I think I want to know you for the rest of our lives.

No matter what your decision is, please remember that I am more than willing to wait - no matter how long it takes.

Yours,

RJ

***

24 October 2015

Ryan Agoncillo was on his way out of the Philippine Arena when he saw Alden Richards sitting on one of the scattered chairs backstage. He was staring into nothing, deep in thought.