Truth Or Dare

Part 1

FICTION. KATHANG-ISIP.

DUBAI, 7:45 p.m.

"At pagbalik mo," the voice on the other line purred, "Chill lang tayo. I'll prepare something for you."

Alden let out a sigh as he stared across the beautiful Dubai nightscape outside his hotel window. No words could describe how much he had begun missing Maine from the very moment his plane left Manila. He had been in Dubai for three days, and all that time, numerous guestings, appearances, and rehearsals  made it difficult for the both of them to find time to speak to each other. He was grateful to finally hear her voice tonight, even for only a few precious minutes before his concert would begin.

"Meng, if I could just...if I could just fly home, right now. As in RIGHT NOW," he repeated with all the frustration of a young man denied. "God, sobrang miss kita, Meng."

His heart felt like it was going to burst. He had not recalled being this clingy in any of his relationships, and it took both of them by surprise. The last time he had seen Maine was last Monday, where she had been rushed to the hospital for abdominal pains four days ago. He couldn't see her at the hospital as he had a flight out the same day. She had texted him that she was alright and that it wasn't anything serious, but that did little to stop him from worrying. All he wanted right now was just to go home and be with her. He would even pay for a ticket to fly back to Manila just to watch her sleep.

I'm losing my mind, he thought ruefully.

"I miss you, too." Maine's responded in her warm, velvety voice. "One more day, and you'll be home," she reassured. "But for now, you have to get ready na. May shooting din kami dito nila Kuya Wally para sa Lenten special, so darating na ang driver any moment now."

He took a deep breath. "Pasensya ka na Meng ha, naglalambing lang ako. Super miss na kasi kita. Baka makalimutan ko lahat ng lyrics  mamaya," he worried.

"You'll do fine," she laughed. "Basta, when you come back, go straight to the top floor ng condo ko, sa may poolside. Good luck mamaya."

"Meeeeng," he groaned in frustration. "Dapat andito ka. Dapat andiyan ako. Meng, hintayin mo ako, ha?"

"Alden, ang drama mo," Maine laughed. "We'll  just chill when you get back, para maka-rest ka ng tama, OK? Gotta go na."

"Kiss naman diyan."

"OK. Mmmmwah."

"Oh, my God," he murmured.

"Huh?"

"My God, Meng, kinikilig ako," Alden laughed. "Sorry. Alam ko na di mo pa ako sinasagot or anything, pero...iba ka. Iba ka sa akin."

"Naks naman. Special ka naman din sa akin, eh. We'll get there soon enough. Anyway, please perform well mamaya."

"Of course."

"Viber lang if you need anything from me."

"You. I need you. Here." He could no longer hide his desperation. He tossed and turned every night, thinking of her, counting the hours when he would see her again.

"Don't worry, I'll be here when you get back," she reassured. "Gotta go. Andito na ang driver. And um... by the way," her voice dropped to a whisper, "I really miss you, too."

Hearing her say it felt like having the wind knocked out of him. He leaned against the window for support and smiled.

"Wow," he whispered.

"Bye, Alden!" Maine chirped.  "See you soon, ok? Gotta go." Then the line went quiet.

He put the phone down and stared out the window as more planes crossed the night sky.

"Bye, love."

======

MANILA, 8:25 pm.

The elevator dinged and slid open. Alden stepped out alone into the cold night air, unsure where to go. Save for the glowing underwater pool lamps, there were no other lights in the rooftop area. The moon cast a greyish-blue hue on the empty lounge chairs surrounding the pool. There was no one around. He looked up and saw the night sky glisten with stars.
Then out of the blue, a familiar voice called out.

"Alden."

CONTINUE to part 2.