SPIN

Six

"Meng! It's snowing!"

Alden called to her in the adjoining room. "Tara, labas tayo."

They were dressed in record time and got out while it was still snowing. It was still quiet, which added to the magic of the undisturbed snow on the rooftop, tree branches, cars and everything they could see.

"Lamiiiiiigggggg," he said, teeth already chattering. "Pasok na tayo?"

"Buti sumama ka sakin dito. Thank you ha?"

"Welcome."

"Bakit nga ba?"

"Huh?"

"Bakit ka sumama?"

Alden shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe to understand what went wrong with us? Malay mo ito pala yung kelangan ko para makapag-move on na talaga."

Maine started tearing up. "Ganun ba? So, naimagine mo na what it would be like if we don't end up together?"

Alden looked away. "Yes."

The next thing he knew, he was hit with a clump of snow and Maine was walking away.

***

Breakfast was a quiet affair, Maine not speaking to him and looking like she would cry anytime.

As soon as she was done, she attempted to lock herself in her room but Alden was quick enough to block the door. "Mag-usap tayo. Ilang araw pa tayo dito o, wag mo sabihin iiwasan mo lang ako."

She stomped to her bed and started wiping her cheeks. It was the only time he realized that she was already crying.

"What's wrong?"

Silence.

"Bakit mo ba gustong pumunta dito with me? Hindi ba para maghanap ng closure?"

Maine nodded. "Yes, but I guess... I thought we could fix it. Make new memories because we've always loved it here."

Alden didn't know what to say. He wanted it too, but what if they fail again? Can he handle another split from her?

"Minsan iniisip ko sana hindi nalang ako bumalik from New York. Hindi kita mami-meet. Hindi sana ako nasasaktan ngayon. Pero ganun yata talaga."

He stared at her tear stained face. "May chance ka ba dati to stay in the States?"

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"Uwian na! Tara na!" Janeeva called to her roommates/ co-workers at the Sagamore. Everyone started preparing to leave except for Maine.

"Una na kayo. Kakausapin daw ako ni Chef Paul so mamaya pa ako uuwi."

"Okay, ingat. Text mo nalang kami."

Maine spent the next hour cleaning up in the kitchen and re-arranging the pantry while waiting to be called by their head chef. Finally, she was asked to go to his office.

"Ms. Mendoza, have a seat."

She did as asked, fiddling with her thumbs. Gahd, anong kasalanan ko? Nasobrahan ba yung asin nung omelette?

"Ms. Mendoza," Chef Paul started. " Unfortunately, I don't see a lot of potential on your hors' d' oeuvres and entrées."