SPIN

Four

"Si Rj ang kasama mo sa Japan? Akala ko ba break na kayo?"

Nanay was bugging Maine while the latter was packing. "Opo. Nay, di ba nagpaalam yung tao sa inyo ni Tatay? Pumayag kayo. Bakit ngayon parang gulat kayo?"

"Kelan pa kayo nagka balikan?"

"Hindi nga po kami nagbalikan. Mag-u-usap lang po."

"Hindi kayo pwedeng mag-usap dito sa bahay?"

"Nay, pagbigyan niyo na po kami. Baka ito yung kailangan naming closure."

"Closure lang, sa Japan pa."

Meanwhile, Alden was facing a similar inquiry from his dad. "Hindi kayo pero isang linggo kayong magkasama sa Japan?"

"Hiwalay kami ng kwarto, Dad."

"Pero magkasama pa din kayo."

"Maguusap po."

"Tapatin mo nga ako, mahal mo pa ba?"

Alden sat down. "I'm not sure kung malalampasan namin lahat nung naging issues. Kaya gusto ko rin siya makasama para makapag-usap kami na kami lang."

"You didn't answer my question, anak. Mahal mo pa ba?"

***

They met up at the airport the following day. Thankfully, no pictures got out but some tweets circulated that they were seen at the airport and at the same check in counter.

As soon as they were settled on the plane, Alden asked, "You up for talking or pahinga muna tayo?"

"Talk." She whispered, leaning on her seat so she was facing him. "Ikaw naman. Since you started this third party arc, how about you? What if you were with someone when you met me?"

He brushed some strands away from her face. "Sino naman? Wala naman akong nililigawan before we met."

"Hindi mo naging crush si Patring?"

"Nagandahan, pero hindi yung para ligawan."

Maine seemed to be struggling to find a good position to rest. So, as he did when they were still together, he pulled up the arm rest in between them and offered his shoulder.

She sighed happily.

"So, sino? Si Julie?"

"Susmaryosep. Ito kwento ng what if na yan - kahit walang Maine Mendoza, Alden & Julie will be colleagues."

"Hoy. You don't get off that easily. You asked me to create a scenario on Miggy, you make one about Julie. Start with... Ah, di ba nung kakastart lang nung SPS they were trying to revive your love team?"

"Yes, then AlDub happened. I chose this one and management agreed because we were making more news. End of story!"

Maine settled into the crook of his neck. "What if management decided to push through with you and her? Tapos ipupull out ka sa EB para hindi na matuloy yung team up natin?"

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"Alden, hanggang end of September ka nalang sa Bulaga."