They are lonely souls who wanted an escape. Even for a moment. Even for just the night. After several drinks and hours of catching up, here they are again lounging inside the car like the way they used to.
"Are you happy?" He asked.
"Of course," she replied with a smile. She looked at him incredulously. In her mind, she thought what kind of question was that. She was trying to stifle a laugh when he asked another question.
"Are you happy... with him?" She could feel the gravity in his voice when he said that. She repeated the question in her head.
Two words... Just two words and they made all the difference. Is she happy? She could say yes. ...With him? Now, she got no answer for that.
Her smile faded and she fell quiet. Amidst the silence that ensued, only the sound of the raindrops outside could be heard. She looked into his eyes and she could see his piercing gaze lingering on her.
"You didn't answer my question and don't tell me silence means yes, because looking at you now, it clearly doesn't."
She averted her eyes away from him and focused her attention to the marks left by the rain on the car window. And just like how the rain falls steadily outside, tears began streaming down her face.
She hated it. She hated how much he knew her very well. She hated how easy he could see through her. And she hated how... it was the same for her too. They knew each other like the back of their hand and she knew it was inevitable that they are about to commit a mistake tonight.
"This isn't right, Den. We both have someone else. Let's stop this while we can." She got out of the car and ran away, never minding if she would be drenched under the pouring rain.
"Maine!" Alden called out and chased after her. He grabbed her by the wrist and made her face him. He cupped her face and looked straight in her eyes. Face to face, she saw her own feelings reflected in his eyes... the desperate longing, the tenderness, and the pain.
"This is wrong..."
Alden shook his head. "You know what's wrong? It is fooling ourselves about what we really feel."
"We are just both sad right now, Den! Maybe we are just searching for some comfort. Please don't be mistaken!"
"Who are you trying to convince?!" By this time, both are drenched in rain and tears. Alden pulled her closer until their foreheads touch each other. "It has always been you, Maine and I know it's the same for you. Can we go back the way we used to be?"
"Exactly, Den! That's how we are! A 'used-to-be'!" With all her might, she pushed Alden away from her. "A once-upon-a-time that has already ended." She began to walk away when Alden pulled and hugged her tight from the back, his head buried on the crook of her neck.
"Convince me. Tell me you don't want to be with me," he muttered on her damp skin.
"I... I...don't want to be with you," she breathlessly said.
"Not convinced." He grabbed her shoulders to make her face him again before enclosing her in a tight embrace. "Tell me... you don't love me."
Alden, just let go. Don't make this difficult for me.
"Den please..." Maine begged, trying to get away from him, her small hands pounding against his chest
"Tell me."
With all the strength she could muster, she took a step back and tried her best to keep a straight face so that she could say those words.
"I... don't love you."
"Why do I see hesitation in those eyes? Say it again."
"ALDEN!!! PLEASE!!!" She screamed in frustration at him. Her heart and mind were in turmoil right now, torn between choosing what she think was right and what she feel was right.
"Say you don't love me and mean it. That's all you have to do! MEAN IT!"
"I CAN'T! Okay, I CAN'T!!!" She cried out loud.
In that snap of the moment, under the heavy pouring rain, Alden tugged her by the waist and pulled her for one mind-shattering kiss. With that, Maine broke her resolve and just gave in to those emotions that she had been holding back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and relish on the feeling of his soft lips on hers again.
That's when they realize how much they miss this. How much they miss each other. How much is the love that they have wasted and lost before but has been found again. Like a barren desert that finally had their miraculous rain.
They did not mind the cold from the damp clothes sticking to their bodies as they let themselves drown into a heated passionate kiss, their tongues dancing in familiar rhythm as they try to quench their thirst for each other. As their bodies stood close to each other with warm hands caressing any skin they could reach, all they cared about now was just the two of them.
Beneath the rain and as they gazed at each other, they let their troubles be drowned and themselves be carried away... lost in this stolen moment.
Tonight, they will be reckless. Tonight, they're gonna be selfish. Tonight will be their night...
...when no one else matters but...
"Ikaw. Ako. Tayong dalawa."
