Once and Again

Chapter Nine

"Maine, let me explain."

She stands on her doorway, eyes barely open. "What are you talking about?"

"The tweet. It's not true. Wala akong girlfriend."

"Huh?"

Rj explained all the tweets that morning confirming his "relationship" with yet another star he was linked with years ago. The message was already deleted and the issue clarified, but the fans were mad – fans of his loveteam with Patty and fans of his romance with "Mystery Girl" Maine.

"Rj. I had a late night because we did the store inventory and finished at 4am. I honestly don't care if they tweet that they saw you kissing your boyfriend."

"What?" He frowned, not understanding.

"I KNOW it's not true. If I had any doubt, I would ask you directly."

Relieved, Rj smiled. "Talaga?"

"Yes, now can I sleep? I have to be up in a few hours because I still need to write a blog entry for one of my endorsers."

"Okay. Daan nalang ako sa store tonight."

That night, she couldn't help but ask, "Do you love your job?"

"Huh? San naman nanggaling yang question na yan?"

"Just asking. Kasi you told me before na showbiz is your Mom's dream naman."

Rj thought about it. "I've learned to love it na din, siguro kasi I find that I'm good at it. I was never the most athletic or musically inclined, so the fact that I do well here... I like it na. I love what I'm doing."

She nodded.

"Bakit mo nga natanong?"

"Wala naman. It just seems to be such a superficial world and you never know who your friends really are. Like what happened kanina, why would someone even say that and cause you and the other girl to be hated so much? Someone who you work with regularly; someone who's supposed to be looking out for you. I just don't get it."

He looked at her, trying to read her expression. "Do you think you'd ever get used to it?"

Maine smirked. "Me? No. But I'm not in that business. As long as you're okay with it, then I'm fine with it."

"But Meng, they're talking about you na din."

"The thing is, with me, I can trust people around me. It sucks when they say things about my family, who they know nothing about, but otherwise, I can handle myself in social media. "

"Habang tumatagal I've learned na din to read people and I have a small group who I trust with my life. Kaya ko sarili ko dito, don't worry, okay? So, okay lang tayo?"

She smiled. "Okay na okay. Ewan ko ba sayo bakit nagpanic ka pa kanina." She then remembered, "Oo nga pala. My friends have a get together in Boracay in six weeks pa naman. They've invited you. Punta ka naman, please?"

He agreed and promised to make arrangements.

***

Worked has picked up for Rj. He had mall shows, endorsement shoots, out-of-town appearances, guestings that he had to tape for, a movie shoot and many other interviews or press conferences in between.

He was finally getting everything he had dreamed of and Maine could not be happier for him.

She was starting to miss him though.

For her birthday, he gave her a weekend trip to Hong Kong, however he had to take a later flight in and an earlier flight out because he had commitments.

She asked him if they could make one vlog episode together and he agreed, but he's had to reschedule it a number of times and to date that episode is still pending.

But he still kept their Thursday dates.

He strolls in the store to have their weekly dinner, he hasn't had time to drop by more often in the past few weeks. "Hi! Let's eat na? I have to go back pa to the shoot. Hindi pa kami tapos."

Fifteen minutes later, he was leaving. "Text me pag-uwi mo ha?"

"Rj, don't forget Boracay ha? Three weeks nalang yun."

He promised.

Due to changes in his schedule, he couldn't make the same flight going to and from the island with Maine and her friends. Still, he was coming with and Maine was happy about that.

She also was preparing a special dinner for them. She had asked Riza to send over some of the photos Rj used during their first date at the family garden. Then, she requested the staff of the hotel to prepare a dinner by the beach for her and Rj. The set-up very similar to that first date.

She was taking a chance on him. Again.

Rj arrived and they had a full day of island-hoping, snorkeling, and jet-skiing. They also spent time hanging out on the beach with Maine's friends.

At around six in the evening, Maine told everyone they should freshen up. This was the signal to her friends who knew her dinner plans for Rj, so they agreed.

When they got to her hotel room, Rj said, "Maine, aalis na ako. I have to get back to Manila tonight."

"What? Pero di ba plan natin to spend a few days here?"

He explained the schedule issues. 

"But, Rj..."

"Sorry, Maine. I'll see you in Manila, okay?"

"I gave you enough time naman to keep your schedule free, bakit –" But she cut off her thoughts.

She watched him pack the few things he brought and then she realized that this was why he only brought such a small bag with him. He wasn't staying for the entire trip. He stayed for barely 8 hours.

Maine had to admit that it was a good 8 hours, but she couldn't help but feel disappointed at the turn of events.

"O, alis na ako ha?" Rj bid.

She nodded. As she escorted him to the door, she asked, "It's always going to be me or work, isn't it?"

"Maine? What do you mean?"

"And the choice will always be work, won't it?"

"Maine, anong ibig mo sabihin?"

For a few seconds, they just stared at each other, until finally Maine said,"Male-late ka na sa flight mo. Sige na."

Rj hesitated. He didn't feel good about this but he was also anxious to get to the airport because he couldn't miss that flight. There were people already at the location of the shoot, waiting for him."Let's talk about it when you get back, okay?"

"Actually, I need a break. Don't come by nalang muna. Ingat pauwi."

And Maine shut the door.