SPIN

Prologue

They sat facing each other.

Here at a restaurant that had just closed for the night, where they used to go during better times, Alden and Maine met up for a long overdue talk.

They're both staring at the table, hands to themselves, back straight – neither knowing how to start. Finally, Alden took the initiative.

"For what it's worth, I tried to get us out of the project."

Maine stared at him, then nodded. "I know. I heard."

"But, we still had one movie under our contract and network management and the fans begged for one last project. Farewell movie."

She nodded again, choosing not to verbally respond.

He took out a brown paper bag and handed it to her. "These are some of your stuff pala, you left sa house or sa cars ko."

She took it and handed him a box. "Ito naman yung sa'yo."

They looked into the bag and the box and gave each other a bittersweet smile.

Two months ago, they decided to call it quits, personally and professionally, after being together as a love team for three years and in a relationship for two.

Alden was still jealous of Miggy, who was still a good friend of hers and would often be on their group trips; and, after all this time, felt like her friends still wanted him for her. Maine was tired of Alden never being available for random beach or road trips she loved so much because of the work he was taking on. They often fought, but would work things out. In the end, it was not like the movies where there was a big fight or some major conflict they couldn't resolve, it was just one day they realized they were spending more time apart than together, and they found that they seemed happier on those moments not spent with each other.

On their second anniversary as a couple, where they had dinner at a hotel they frequented so they could get much needed privacy, Maine spoke up and asked him, "Happy ka pa ba?"

He nodded and automatically answered, "Oo. Happy."

"I mean, are you still happy... with us?"

He stopped eating and looked at her. "I – uh – I think so."

She smirked.

"Ikaw?"

"I'm not sure anymore, Rj." She sighed. "Maybe we need some space to reassess."

"Yes, that would be good."

And that was that.

He didn't take her home that night and for the first time in almost three years, neither initiated a call to check if the other got home safe. They were done.

And they were relieved.

Looking forward to new beginnings that they both wanted, but at the same time confused as to why it didn't feel right. It was something they wanted and needed, so why did something seem amiss? Neither pondered too much on that thought, dismissing it as just an adjustment they needed to do now that they had separated.

The following day, when they broke the news, people clamored to get their side on things and to appease everyone, they released a joint statement saying it was a mutual decision and they remain friends, happy for where their lives would take them next. They were smiling as they faced the cameras and showed no animosity, wishing each other well.

Neither acknowledging that once the breakup had settled in, they had both shed tears, every night before they slept.

Facing each other now, just when they had started to heal was difficult, but had to be done as they would be shooting another movie in Italy soon.

"Kamusta ka na?" He asked, searching her face for... something. He was still not used to Maine barely looking at him or looking at him differently now – no spark in her eyes, no fondness in her gaze.

"Okay na okay, we just got back from a beach trip ulit. Kami nila Jan. Wala si Miggy. I mean... Ummm.. Yun, galing beach."

He smiled. "Kahit naman nandun si Miggy, wala naman akong right mag-react."

"Oo nga pala. You? How have you been?"

"Good. Busy, alam mo naman."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"Not really... Interest lang siguro. You?"

"I've entertained ligaw, hanggang dun muna."

Silence again – both not acknowledging how their news bothered each other.

Maine spoke this time to break the impasse. "Do you ever wonder what if iba yung mga naging decisions natin in life, if magkikita pa din tayo?"

"Huh?"

"Sometimes kasi I think about how small that chance was that we would meet again on July 16, but parang all that we needed for that to happen happened and 'we' happened. But, what if it didn't? What if we never entered showbiz? What if we were with other people? What if I didn't come back and stayed in New York – a place in the US you've NEVER been to? Do you ever think like that?"

"Almost never. Ikaw naman yung mahilig mag-ponder nang ganyang thoughts."

"But, what if nga 'no?" She persisted.  "Sige na, indulge me! Isip tayong scenarios!" Maine's eyes were light with life for the first time that night. Just then, his phone rang and her happiness visibly dropped. "You have to go. Sorry, busy ka nga pala."

Alden checked his caller ID. Mama Ten. He looked at her, starting to fix her things to leave – he placed a hand on his arm to stop her. "Hi Ma, mauna na kayo umuwi, sa van nalang kayo, paki iwan nung Jaguar. Mag-uusap pa kami ni Maine."

She gave him a grateful smile.

"Okay, Maine Mendoza. I'll indulge you sa pauso mo. What's our first scenario?"