The First Daughter

16

Maine had prepared her luggage for her trip to Singapore. She was hoping that Alden would be there to take her to the airport. It was an early morning flight with the whole Singapore delegation, but no sign of Alden. She didn't find her in any of the back-up cars or the advanced party at the airport. Is something wrong? Is he on leave? The thoughts entered her mind and suddenly she was worried why Alden wasn't on duty today knowing this was a very important trip.

She rode her van, while her mom rode a different similar van and she was thinking whether or not send him a text. She fishes out for her phone and composes a text.

Hi, Alden! Is everything okay? You're not on duty today? She immediately erases this.

Hi, Alden. Haven't seen you in a while. Are you okay? She erases this again.

Hi, Alden! Aren't you coming to Singapore? Another erased text.

Feeling resigned she just lets it be, and puts back her phone in her purse. As they arrived at the airport, they immediately boarded the chartered plane they were going to take to Singapore. Still, she looked for Alden among the guests who were boarding the plane. This time, she fishes for her phone again, and takes the courage to send him a text before she leaves.

Heading to Singapore with mom! Sayang wala ka! I thought you would be assigned. She clicks send, and immediately puts her phone on flight mode. 

He was assigned as part of the advanced security team in Singapore. Once the plane landed, he was positioned at the bottom of the exit stairs of the plane. First to get off the plane was the President followed by Maine. He greets her as soon as she reached the bottom of the plane. "Maine."

"Alden," she takes his hand and smiles at him as he leads  her up to the SUV that was waiting for her. Maine was quite happy to see him in Singapore after a whole morning of looking for him. Alden looked thinner, and his growing facial hair was something Maine noticed, and she couldn't help but hide her burning cheeks.

"You look well," Alden tells her before she rides the car he was assigned to drive. Due to the short notice that Maine was also coming, adjustments had to be made, and an extra vehicle was needed for security precaution. Since Alden was also part of the advanced party, he was also assigned to drive the extra vehicle. "How have you been?"

"Ito, no one nagging me to stop doing things I shouldn't be doing. No one bugging me to eat on time or even take my inhaler with me. No one getting mad at me for the stupid things I say," she said teasingly. "Quite a vacation, actually." Alden's face hasn't changed and Maine wasn't sure if he knew she meant it as a joke. He just kept his eyes on the road and didn't say a word. "Joke, Alden. Of course, I've been okay. I'm actually mad at you, you know."

Alden gives her a questioning look. "Bakit naman?"

"I don't know, I thought when I had you reassigned, you would at least check up on me once in a while. Eh wala..." Her tone was in a passive-aggressive manner, but she just meant to tease him. "Umasa ako. Akala ko ba friends tayo? Friends check up on each other, you know?"

Alden sighed by the fact that  everyday he was so tempted to check up on how she's been. He was so used to the routine of taking care of her, that he looks for her everyday even if being assigned to the President was already stressful on its own. The past month, he would hope that he would at least see Maine and get to catch up with her, but he was also afraid that he might be 'suffocating' her again. He chose to give her the space she asked for, and just focused on his responsibilities. 

"Uy joke lang! Ikaw you take everything I say too seriously!" 

"Three weeks ago, you had lunch with Elisse because she called you up so you invited her to the house. Two saturdays ago, you went to Pool Club with Maisie and your friends because birthday ni Anica. Last Monday you submitted your application in Ateneo. Last Wednesday you watched a movie with Tristan, your gay best friend visiting you from the States. Last Thursday you went to a town fiesta to judge a beauty competition. Last Friday you had lunch doon sa restaurant ni Manang Lydia, then shopping, then you had a dinner with a magazine who is going to feature you. Saturday, you went home drunk after a night out again with Maisie, Cara, and Anica that Major Reyes had to carry you up. Anything I missed?"