Alden and Maine kept missing each other the following weeks, much to their frustration. Maine was busy because of the wrap up of her semester in school and working out a schedule for the following term that would fit her taping schedule for the new afternoon serye.
Meanwhile, Alden was also completing his scenes for the movie and was starting the preparations for a new primetime soap opera. He was still one of the hottest endorsers so his schedule was filling up with shoots, appearances and mall shows. He had declined a number of out-of-town shows already and his schedule left room for more personal time, but it was far from light.
There were a few nights when they were able to get a quick dinner and watch an episode of a series they were following, but other than that they settled for leaving each other notes, which was left in the mailbox or under their doors, text messages and quick phone calls.
Alden made sure they would get to spend time together before he flew for the Middle East, for a show for the network, so he visited her on set.
"Pare!" Kristoffer greeted. "Napadalaw ka?"
"Oo, Brad. Gusto ko lang makita si Maine."
"Akala ko pa naman ako."
"Gago. Nasaan ba siya?"
"Ayun o!" Kris pointed to a distance where Maine stood with one of her co-stars and they seem to be rehearsing their scene. Just then, the actor leaned in and was puckering up.
"Ano 'to?!"
"May kiss sa scene. Obvious naman."
"HA?!" He yelled.
Kris bellowed. "Joke lang, Pare! Ito naman, kung maka-react para kang boyfriend. Break na kayo, huy! At sa cheeks lang yung kiss."
Maine approached them while they were still whacking each other on the head. "Anong nangyayari dito?"
"Hi Meng!" They greeted. Kris spoke up, "Ito kasing si Tisoy, nagseselos sa kissing scene niyo. Maiwan ko na muna kayo, kami naman yung magrerehearse." Just before he made his exit, he whispered to Alden, "Balikan mo na si Maine, obvious naming patay na patay ka pa sa kanya eh. Tsaka sa lahat ng na-type-an mo, siya lang gusto ko para sa yo."
"Huy ang haba na ng bulong na yan." Maine teased Kris.
Once they were alone, Alden pulled her in for a hug. "Hi. I miss you. Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkikita." He whispered, swaying her.
"Baka may makakita satin."
"Don't care." He snuggled some more and they buried each other's face in the crooks of their necks. "Dinner naman tayo. Kailangan natin mag-usap."
"Rj... yung mga dinner natin delikado..." She whispered.
He groaned, looked at her and rested his forehead on hers.
Lately, during the nights they could get together for dinner, they would be chatting and cuddling and playing with each other's hair, kissing their cheeks. Lingering kisses from the forehead, to the eyes, nose, cheeks, jawline... Inching closer and closer to their lips but not quite getting there.
A few times, Alden had almost blurted out that he wanted to get back together with her, but she didn't deserve that so he held off and would pull away. He felt the frustration from her side as well, so he's been planning to ask her but could never get a time when they were both free.
"Uuwi akong Laguna tonight so I can't see you later." He told her when they had moved and now were alone in his van. He continued to kiss the side of her lips and she did the same.
