Perfect For You

Ka-ibig-an

A few days after her encounter with Julie Ann, Maine couldn't help but feel as bothered as she did when they first met each other at the loft. The latter mentally slapped herself for being so weak around Alden's "girlfriend" and for allowing what she wanted, to happen. 

Maine tried to distract herself, in order to forget that the encounter actually happened. She watched as many FRIENDS episodes as she could, treated herself to a scrumptious meal at a high-end restaurant, but still. As soon as she got home, it was Julie Ann's words that filled her mind and it was so close to driving her crazy. 

"I'm telling you to watch over Alden. Not to fall in love with him." 

That line kept playing in Maine's head like a broken record. It haunted her in the morning, and it also did, during the night and Maine just wanted to escape, to forget for a while, which was why she was thankful for her scheduled trip to the orphanage with Aunt Irma. 

Alden was supposed to come with them, but he hadn't come home to the loft he shared with Maine on the night before their trip, so the latter assumed that something more important came up. 

"Mas mabuti nalang 'yun." Maine thought, as she stared at the tall buildings that passed her by on the way to the orphanage. "Parang hindi pa kasi ako handang ikwento sa kanya ang mga nangyari nung wala siya." She added.

As soon as Aunt Irma and Maine arrived at the orphanage, they were welcomed by the hospitable staff, as well as the children. They were even holding a banner that read, "Welcome to St. Therese, Ate Maine!" and it touched the latter's heart a lot. 

"Sister Francesca, thank you so much for warmly welcoming my niece, Maine. She's still a bit speechless now, but she'll let out her talkative side once she's settled." Aunt Irma smiled. "Actually, Alden was supposed to come with us, but he just finished attending a culinary convention the other day, so he couldn't make it."

"Irma, what are you talking about?" Sr. Francesca laughed. "Alden spent the night here. Yesterday, he had a soccer tournament with the boys and taught the girls how to make.. what do you call that delicacy again.. leche flan?"

Aunt Irma and Maine exchanged smiles at each other. 

"Oh, I see." The former nodded. "Well I'm glad we're all here. Maine is going to teach everyone how to bake gooey, chocolate brownies and I'm sure the kids will enjoy it." She added.

"I can't wait!" Sr. Francesca beamed. 

As everyone got inside the orphanage, Aunt Irma instructed Maine to prepare everything that she needed for the baking session. The latter nodded in reply and hurriedly went to the communal kitchen. 

Just as Maine was about to enter the room, she was surprised to see Alden already there, but he wasn't pre-occupied with kitchen utensils and ingredients. He was busy feeding a 2 year old boy.

"Here comes the airplane, here comes the airplane!" Alden said, with matching "airplane sounds".  

The little boy's eyes sparkled as he followed the airplane spoon. When it had successfully landed in his mouth, he giggled adorably and Alden cheered him on. 

"Yes! Great job, Max!" The latter said, gently pinching the little boy's puffy cheek.

As Alden and Max shared what seemed to be a father and son moment, Maine couldn't help but look on. She loved kids. She loved kids so much, but unfortunately, Jake didn't. 

Having kids was not in his future plans for the both of them and it saddened her so much, knowing that she's always wanted to have kids of her own.