Melodious

Encore

"Kamusta lovelife?"

Alden Richards laughed at the question. "Hindi po ba kayo nagsasawa sa tanong na 'yan?"

His interviewer chuckled alongside him, but he refused to let go of the question. They were currently live on National TV, Alden looking like his usual charming self. "Well, sa huling interview mo regarding the matter, ang sabi mo may hinihintay ka."

"Oo nga po," Alden was still smiling obviously happy and unminding of the screams from the audience.

"So? Nakita mo na ba siya?"

"Opo," ngumiti siya nang nakakaloko. "Pagkatapos ng mahabang taon ng paghihintay, bumalik na siya sa'kin. So I guess totoo 'yung kasabihang good things come to those who wait."

"Baka naman pwedeng sabihin mo sa amin kung sino?"

"Hindi pa po pwede eh," hindi pa rin nawawala yung nakakalokong ngiti niya. "Pero sasabihin ko rin po... sa tamang panahon."

"Wait, just to be clear ah. Official na bang masasabing Alden Richards is now unavailable off the market?"

"Opo," he laughed. The crowed aaw-ed and ooh-ed, and the interview seemed to have caught Alden's contagious no-eye, ear-splitting grin. "Naks naman! So anong masasabi mo sa special someone mo ngayon?"

"Um... ano..." he smiled shyly at the camera. "Hi, love."

The audience shrieked, giddy for the unknown girl that their idol holds dear to his heart.

"I love you so much, and um... wait for me, okay? See you."

"Aww," the interviewer cooed, joining the audience who were in a rage. "So now, invite everyone naman for your upcoming world tour."

"Ayun po, iniimbitahan ko po ang lahat..."

***

"Ang harot mo," was Maine's first greeting for him when he entered her car, which was parked right beside his van.

RJ moved to kiss her cheek, grinning at the sight of her. She was wearing his plaid shirt and leggings, hair up in a messy bun and shades over her eyes.

"Harot agad? Sabi ko lang naman I love you."

"On live national television."

"Well, get used to it, because hindi ako magsasawang sabihin 'yun sa'yo, TV or not," RJ grinned at her. "And ikaw na lang naman ang hinihintay ko para ipakilala sa mundo."

"Maybe I should," Maine said thoughtfully, and then scowled. "Para tigil-tigilan na nila kaka-pair up nila sa'yo kung kani-kanino. Pag ako nakarinig pa ng pangalan ng ba—"

"Oh, oh, ilong mo lumalaki na naman butas," he took her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Ang possessive naman ng misis ko."

Maine reddened and took her hand back, using it to hit him. "HOY! Hindi mo pa nga ako misis eh!"

"Doon din punta 'non," he laughed, and then he turned serious. "Sina Valeen ba nahatid mo sa airport?"

"Yes. Magkaaway pa sila ni Jerald before boarding. Pero knowing those two, malamang bati na 'yun bago pa mag-land ang eroplano."

"Wow. Sumama talaga si Jerald?"

"Oo naman. Moral support daw eh. Sasama nga rin sana ako para masapak ko rin 'yung Ja-q na 'yun, kaya lang balita ko may ibang tao daw na nangangailangan ng moral support ko," she shot a casual glance at RJ, who grinned at her suggestion. "Talaga? Sino ba siya at bakit siya kailangan pagkaabalahan ng girlfriend ko?"

She rolled her eyes at him as she started the car. "Hindi mo talaga kakilala?"

"Hmm... gwapo ba 'yan?"

"Hindi."

He spluttered and looked at her incredulously, and though she was highly concentrated on her driving she guffawed.

"Hindi pala gwapo ah..."

"Bakit? Uy teka alam ko 'yang ganyang ting-- RJ! Nagdadrive ako, ano ba?"

"Ano?" He laughed. "Wala akong ginagawa!"

"Ugh WAG MO KASI AKONG TIGNAN ano ba!"

"But I'm looking at the most beautiful view the world can offer. Can you blame me if I want to stare at you all day long?"

"Shut it, you," Maine blushed, racking her head to think of another topic. "You excited for your world tour?"

"Of course," he smiled. Hay salamat, tinantanan niya rin. "Imagine the views we'll be seeing. Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Dubai, Canada..."

"I know," Maine seemed equally thrilled, glancing at him with a huge smile. "Buti na lang talaga na-approve na 'yung world tour mo 'no?"

"Siyempre naman, galing ng composer ko eh," he smirked at her, snatching her hand and clasping their fingers together. "And Patring's behind-the-scenes video really helped."

"Ah, about that. Thank you nga din daw pala; it really impressed her professor."

"Nah, she called the shots. Nakakuha na nga ako ng bagong contract for a new album eh. They're planning to make it a behind-the-mask type, gaya nung video."

"Really? Eh anong sabi mo?"

"Asa silang papayag ako," his eyes turned serious. "After this world tour, I'm thinking of getting out of their company. I don't want to compromise myself in that kind of position again."

"But..."

"But what?"

"What about your dream?"

"Marami namang ibang recording company diyan. Preferably one where I have a say in things. Pero ngayon, I'd like to work on my other dream first."

Maine pulled the car to a stop at the red light. When she faced RJ, he was grinning widely, staring at her with an intensity that knocked her breath out that she barely got her words out. "What dream?"

Heart-melting grin aside, RJ kissed her hand. "Ang makasama ka habang buhay. At magsisimula 'yun sa world tour. Imagine all the alone time I'd get you... All to myself."

And that somehow should've scared Maine, but it didn't. She just laughed, turning back to the road, looking forward to their future.

This time, together.