Lost in Tokyo

Ju Shi

"Hi, Best!!" Alden kisses my cheek as he enters my dressing room. We have been doing promo for our new teleserye, and it's going to be a packed week for us.

"Uy!" I greeted him back, with my eyes closed while the make up artist works on my eyes.

We caught up like two friends who haven't seen each other. Truth be told, we've pretty clingy since Tokyo, because Alden has been my support system in showbiz lately and we both have our secrets that only we can talk about to one another.

"Maine, dinner kami ni Pierre mamaya. Sama ka?"

"Sige, after taping?" I ask nonchalantly.

"Baka before. Early dinner ganon? Nandito ba si RJ?" He asks.

I fish out for my phone checking if Richard was available. "Oo, but he's with my dad. May site visit."

Alden starts to laugh. "Best! Ikaw lang ata kilala ko na kahati sa relasyon yung tatay niya."

"Sira ka! Hintayin ko reply. Sabihan kita, pero if ever third wheel nalang ako sa inyo. Hehe."

Since my schedule has been jampacked and crazy, I took a leave from Eat Bulaga for four months to finish shooting, post-production, and promo. So here we are, back here in EB just to do promo then off to taping again. I haven't seen Richard in a month since Maldives either. So we're stuck to Facetiming and phone calls. He's been in Manila for two days, but I still haven't seen him. He's been busy with the groundbreaking of the oil plant with my dad, while I couldn't just get myself to free up some time.

We were interrupted by the floor director, "Meng! Alden! Ready na in 5 minutes."

"Okay po," Alden responds for the both of us.

"Let's go?" I take his hand, and then we walk out to the crowd hand in hand.

Unbeknownst to me, I spot familiar faces in the audience. First I spot my dad, and then I spot Richard watching me go all sweet promoting my next teleserye with Alden. We start of with a song, and Alden, who sings better than me takes the lead, with me just singing back up and a few lines from the verses and chorus.

He whispers in my ear, "Uy, kinikilig. Wag ka."

I let go from the embrace, and my smile a bit wider from blushing and the kilig. Then my eyes meet Richard's, and he winks at me. I begin to feel conscious because of the pair of eyes watching me from the second row. The songs end, and the hosts start to ask us questions.

"Uy, grabe. Sobrang kilig ko sa inyo," Bea, one of the hosts, adlibbed.

"Oo nga, grabe kayong dalawa! Welcome back to Eat Bulaga, Alden and Maine." Tricia countered.

"It's so good to be back again to first home," I answer back. "Syempre, super busy ngayon and grateful for all the projects lined up. I hope suportahan din ng dabarkads ang bagong teleserye namin ni Alden."

***

"Hi beautiful!" He puts his fingers on my sides, causing me to squirm because of how ticklish I am.

"Ay pusa!" I exclaim. Of course, being in public, as much as possible, I am advised not to cuss. Something I've been working on since I had a potty mouth growing up, since Coleen and I would cuss at each other even to our parents' dismay. I turn around and find Richard laughing at my expression. Alden was also giggling too much. These two boys will be the death of me. "Richard!!!" I slapped his arm. "What are you and tatay doing here?"

"Our site visit ended early, and I wanted to see you in action, if you know what I mean. I texted Alden, and he told me your schedule, so here we are. Surprise!"

I gave Alden a look, and he put his hands up as if telling me he had nothing to do with it. Tatay couldn't be bothered talking to Tito, Vic, and Joey. They've grown to become friends over the years of going to the studio and watching me live. Tatay has colleagues and acquaintances who are also friends and acquaintances of theirs, so it became a guy thing for them to hang out after the show.

Alden approaches Richard, "Bro, come with us? Pierre and I are having early dinner before taping, and I was inviting Maine to come as well."

Richard nods at Alden. "Sure! Let me just ask Tito if we're done for the day."

Richard goes to my dad, while I resume on taking pictures with some of the fans, and signing some magazines. Alden, on the other hand, was answering an interview with 24 oras. It wasn't long until he approaches me again. "Maine, Tito said we're done for today. I brought a car, maybe you can ride with me instead? I'll drop you and Alden at your taping after?"

Alden agreed and we were set to go, until he called out, "Wait, I'll follow. I forgot something in the dressing room. Maine, Richard, una na kayo."

Richard leads me to the front seat of his car. Alden follows afterwards taking a seat in the back seat. Both of us instruct our drivers and team to just go straight to our set location, while we drive to a french restaurant Pierre chose.

My phone rings, and it's Direk Jen calling. Why is she calling? Our shoot doesn't start until 8 PM.

"Hello?"

"Maine!"

"Yes po?"

"Ano ka ba? Sumasabog yung twitter, kung sino daw kasama mo sa kotse? Maine naman, kailangan natin ng good publicity and we need to sell you and Alden as a love team. Ngayon ka pa ba gagawa ng ganitong problema? It's good that Richard is back but please be cautious of your actions."

"Direk, kasama ko po si Alden sa kotse?"

"Well, the pictures don't lie, and the fans and haters will choose what they want to see."

"Kasama ko po si Alden ngayon. May dinner po kami kasama ni Richard."

Alden gestured for me to pass the phone, and I oblige to his request.

"Direk! Alden po... Opo, it's my fault po talaga. Ako nag imbita mag early dinner out kami. Bumalik po kasi ako sa dressing room tapos pinauna ko sila Maine. Opo, ako na po gagawa ng paraan."

We took a group photo using Alden's phone and he posted it on social media just to calm the situation down. He captioned it, "Great company, great food, and even greater girl :)" In just a few minutes, twitter blew up with our fans and haters having the debates of their lives.

I squeeze Richard's hand to apologize for what happened. He squeezes mine back assuring me that he understands everything. Pierre just laughs it off and Alden just shakes his head. The things we do for showbusiness and love. If there's anything, I'm thankful I have found the perfect match in Richard and Alden who would go out on a limb for me.