Meraki* (MaiChard Fanfic)

Chapter 9 - Ikaw ang Aking Mahal

19 December 2015

Dear Menggay,

Were you surprised? I'm sorry. I was caught off guard. To be honest, I wasn't expecting that question from Bossing Vic. I didn't want to lie and say words that I didn't mean so I said the truth. It was the perfect chance to prove to you that I wasn't just another actor trying to prolong his stardom by starting a relationship with his love team. It was the perfect chance to show that I am obviously so in love with you that I no longer cared about the fact that we were supposed to be acting.

I know that you would rather hear me say it to you in private, away from the prying eyes of the public. I know that you would rather savor the moment alone (or hopefully with me). I know that you would have cracked a joke or two to ease the tension (effectively erasing the conversation). I know that you would rather hear it in a special place that we only know about so we can talk properly. But I couldn't help myself.

All these years, I unknowingly waited for a woman who is unapologetically herself, defying the norm in showbiz business. I unknowingly waited for a woman with a thousand faces, any of which can make me smile widely. I unknowingly waited for a woman who couldn't speak out loud (though she can effectively voice out her opinions) until she met me on screen. What else could I do? I'm helpless against you.

I'm guessing that you're asking now why I'm in love with you or why I fell in love with you. It's easy. I love you because you're you. You never seem to act when you're around me. You make me look forward to seeing you (even if it's just on screen). You're not afraid to tell me your thoughts. You're not afraid to talk about anything under the sun whenever you're with me. But, most of all, you're not afraid to be with someone like me...an actor who tried so hard in his many years in showbiz to be himself.

You might have noticed that I always seem to initiate the conversation, asking you about a lot of things and spending a lot of time with you (regardless of how busy I am). I know that we're already together and we've had a lot of heart to heart talks. But I still want you to feel more comfortable whenever you're with me. I want you to feel like you really belong wherever we go as long as we're together. I know that I'm getting quite sappy but please let allow me to continue. I'll be back to my usual payb-year-old self soon enough.

I couldn't think of any other way to say this...you literally changed my life. I was about to give up when we met. I've said (numerous times) that my projects and endorsements had dried up before you came along. I remember telling God that maybe this is a way of telling me that I'm not really made for this profession that I learned to love. Or that I should pursue something else. But you proved me wrong. You proved everyone wrong.

I really think that you're amazing. I know now that you're quite pessimistic (because of your blog) so I'm making an effort to make you realize that a lot of people (especially me) believe that you are a phenomenal star. Don't argue with me on this. I feel like you still have a lot more to give and to offer. Just...learn to believe in yourself more, okay?

If you're reading this, you can imagine me crying my heart out (like I used to do in teleseryes and when I sang God Gave Me You before our first date). I wouldn't even deny it because it's the truth. I really want to tell you more in this letter...but I'll save it for the next time we see each other.

I don't know if I'll ever have the courage to send this to you though I'll still constantly try to put in words what I feel about you. Maybe I can give this in the future? On our anniversary or perhaps on our wedding day? I know I'm getting ahead of myself...but I think I'm almost one hundred percent sure that you're the one.

You gave me something that no one else (besides God) is capable of giving - you gave me hope.

And because of that, I'm never letting you go.

Yours,

RJ

***

19 December 2016

"Nak, andiyan ka na pala!" Mama Ten said, relief evident in her voice. "Kanina pa ako tumatawag pero hindi ka naman sumasagot."

"Bakit, 'Ma? May kailangan ka ba?" His voice was dull, but he didn't care. They were supposed to go home a few minutes ago but he chose to stay inside his dressing room. He was hiding from Maine because he felt like he made a mistake in saying that he loved her in front of an audience during Kalyseserye. Hay, RJ. Aamin ka na nga lang, dun pa talaga sa segment na aktingan lang.

"Ha? Kanina pa dapat tayo umuwi! Kanina pa ako aligagang kakahanap sa iyo." Mama Ten's voice was reedy with disapproval. "Buti na lang at wala kang naka-schedule na shoot ngayon, kung hindi, patay tayo."

Alden turned to Mama Ten. "Pwede mamaya na? Parang ayoko pang umalis dito."

"Bakit naman? Halos wala ng tao dito. Mga crew na lang ata ang natira. Hindi ka pa ba pagod?"

Alden sighed. "Okay lang kung mauna ka. Pwede naman bumalik si Kuya dito mamaya."

"Anong sinasabi mo diyan? Magpapaiwan ka dito? Umayos ka nga! Isusumbong kita kay Meng," Mama Ten said teasingly, unaware of Alden's predicament.

"Ma naman...'wag mo ng idamay si Menggay dito," Alden said before forcing himself to smile. "Gusto ko lang talagang mag-isip muna. Tahimik kasi dito..."

Mama Ten inclined her head. "Ano ba kasing nangyari? Bigla ka na lang umalis sa stage kanina. Hindi ka man lang ata nagpaalam kay Meng."

His heart thudded to a stop in his breast. "Hindi ko kaya, 'Ma. Baka kung ano sabihin niya tapos hindi ko kayanin."

"Ano bang sinasabi mo diyan? May problema ba kayo? Okay naman kayo kanina ah."

"Ma kasi, bigla kong nasabi na mahal ko siya."

"Oh? Anong masama dun? Hindi ba dapat matuwa siya na mahal mo siya? Girlfriend mo siya, susmaryosep ka," Mama Ten said.

"Hindi ko kasi nasabi sa kanya ng personal. Sinabi ko na lang bigla sa harap ng maraming tao," Alden whispered. "Baka isipin niya na nagbibiro lang ako o 'di kaya parte ng script."

Mama Ten rolled her eyes and wrinkled her nose. "Kalokohan mo talagang bata ka. Alam mo, simple lang iyan eh. Bakit hindi mo kaya kausapin? HIndi naman niya malalaman na totoo kung hindi mo sasabihin 'di ba?"

Alden tensed, suddenly realizing Mama Ten's logic. I need to talk to her. How else would she realize that my feelings are genuine and that I really love her? I have to make her understand what's going on.

After a while, Alden spoke again. "Ma, hindi pa naman siguro huli ang lahat no? Bibigyan pa naman niya ako siguro ng pagkakataon na magpaliwanag?"

"Minsan, hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro ka ba o ano. Syempre naman! 'Maryosep. Wala pang tatlong oras ang nakakalipas! Bakit hindi mo pa siya kausapin?"

"Grabe ka, 'Ma! Kita mong may problema na nga ako eh..."

"Hindi naman talaga problema iyan," Mama Ten snapped. "Ginagawa mo lang problema."

When Alden said nothing, Mama Ten continued. "Kausapin mo na iyang si Meng. Kung hindi, susunugin ko lahat ng mga printed photos niya na hingi ko pa kay Direk Pat. Bahala ka..."

Alden's eyes widened in fear. "Hoy! Kakausapin ko naman siya. Humuhugot lang ako ng lakas ng loob."

Suddenly, Mama Ten slapped his arm. "Umayos ka nga. Anong hugot hugot. Gawin mo na ngayon! Baka kung ano pa isipin nun. Tara na sa kotse at pupuntahan natin siya!"

Ibang klase rin itong si RJ. Kailangan talaga minsan binibigwasan para kumilos. Pero, teka lang...mahal niya si Meng? Dapat siguro magpahanda na ako ng gown ko. Matagal rin magpatahi no!

***

A/N: Can I just say that I'm really happy that you're taking the time to read Meraki? I still have 7 letters to write so kapit lang! :)