Melodious

Verse 4

Maine felt like her heart stopped. Anong ginagawa niya diyan? Bakit siya nandiyan?

"Looking good, Alden," Mr. Clavio chuckled, faking a nudge.

"Salamat po, tay. Mana sa inyo."

"Nako!"

Laughter ensued. Mr. Clavio straightened up, turning to the audience. "Mga igan kung naalala po natin, nagsimula si Alden sa singing contest, kaya lang hindi siya pinalad na manalo noon. Tapos, dito siya unang nagguest after may producer na nagdecide na tulungan siya."

Nagflash sa screen ang isang picture ni Alden na nakatayo sa stage, hawak ang luma niyang gitara. The heart sticker that she placed on that guitar was still there; and she tried very hard to not think about what that meant.

"Well, Alden, looking back, anong feeling na kahit hindi ka nanalo sa contest na 'yun, heto ka ngayon, one of the most sought after artists here in the Philippines?"

"Masaya po," ngiti ng binata. "At syempre thankful, sa Diyos, sa family ko, tsaka sa mga taong walang sawang sumuporta sa akin. I couldn't have done it without you guys."

"Of course," ngingiti-ngiti at tatango-tango ang interviewer. "Dito na tayo sa part na tinatanong ng lahat, Alden."

Nagsitilian ang lahat. Mr. Clavio turned to them, amusement clear on his face. "Ah, konting katahimikan lang po."

Ilang segundo bago nanahimik ang audience. Alden was still smiling, but there was a hint of anxiety that showed for a split-second.

"Mr. Alden Richards, are you dating anybody right now?"

Nagbalik ang tilian. Hindi nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ni Alden habang pinapanood and audience. Nang humupa ang hiyawan, Alden turned to the interviewer. "Tay, ito lang po masasabi ko diyan."

Humarap siya sa camera, flashing a bedimpled coy smile that had Noreen gasping behind Maine. "That's for you to find out."

And why would I be interested in your love life, aber? Maine mentally retorted.

"Lugi tayo kay Alden sa mga ganyang sagutan niya eh."

A screaming chorus of agreement echoed through the studio. Ang aga-aga pa may energy na agad sila, grabe.

"Ito na lang, 'Den. Sino, o ano, ang main reason at main inspiration mo sa pagsulat ng kanta?"

"Main reason at main inspiration po?" Pag-uulit ni Alden, at sa anggulo pang iyon para siyang diretsong nakatingin sa camera, kay Maine, na parang nang-aasar pa siya. The lady bit back a curse.

"Palagi ko naman pong sinasabi na ang mommy ko ang inspirasyon ko sa lahat ng ginagawa ko. Ito po yung pangarap niya na tinutupad ko."

Napatango si Mr. Clavio. Sandaling nanahimik. "So, wala ka talagang girlfriend?"

"Tay naman eh," napakamot si Alden sa batok niya at natawa nang magtilian na naman ang audience. "Yung totoo po ba?"

"Aba, oo naman. Para saan pa 'tong interview kung hindi totoo."

"Ah... may hinihintay po kasi ako eh," natahimik ang audience sa sagot ng singer. Yumuko si Alden na parang nahihiya at kitang-kita mo ang pamumula ng tenga niya.

That was RJ right there.

Hindi pwedeng magkamali si Maine.

"Ah, hinihintay," the host prolonged the syllables, teasing his guest. "Anong message mo sa hinihintay mong 'yan?"

The camera focused on him again. "Um, if you're watching, which I seriously doubt. Alam kong mahilig kang matulog so I doubt gising ka na... ano... just know that I'm here, waiting for you to come back."

Too shady. Bakas sa mukha ni Mr. Clavio ang pagtataka. "Alden, bumalik ka dito at pag-uusapan natin yang Come Back Girl mo, ha? Pinapamadali na ko eh oh."

He pointed at something beyond the cameras, which made Alden laugh. And the public figure was back, and RJ was gone again.

"I-promote mo na itong album mo."

"Ah yes," itinaas ni Alden ang kopya ng kanyang album. Sa cover, madilim ang background at nakatalikod siya. Meron lang parang ilaw na galing sa gilid, shedding some light on half of his body. "Available na po ang Metanoia in all music and recording stores nationwide. Please like the Golden Records Official Page for announcements for shipping."

"Thank you, Alden. Thank you for coming," nag-shake hands ulit ang dalawa. "At siyempre hindi ka pwedeng umalis nang hindi mo kami kinakantahan. Mga igan, wag kayong aalis, magbabalik pa po ang Unang Hirit!"

Alden climbed up a small stage on set. When he started singing, his voice turned serious, as did his face.

Oooh.
Babe hold me tight
Hold me tight
Let me feel your skin against my skin
Your lips against my lips

Let me take you to--

"Ate Meng? 'Te Meng!" It took a few seconds before Maine realized someone was talking to her. Tumingin siya kay Noreen na nag-aalalang nakatingin sa kanya. "Bakit ka po umiiyak? Okay ka lang?"

"Huh?" Maine swiped at her eye and stared at her traitorous tears, laughing at herself for crying. "Oo, okay lang ako. Ang init nung noodles, di ko napansin. Tsaka napuwing din ako. Asar, di ba?"

"Eh pano ate, titig na titig ka kay Alden mah beybeh. May balak ka atang tunawin eh. Ang gwapo 'no? Sabi sa'yo eh," giggled Noreen. "Kaya lang parang ang ikli naman ng interv-- ate, sigurado kang okay ka lang?"

"Oo naman. Sige lang, kwento ka lang diyan."

"Sure?" Noreen was eyeing her suspiciously. "Kanina nung nakatingin ka kay Alden parang ang laki ng galit mo sa kanya. Baka naman ex mo siya na malaki ang kasalanan sa'yo?"

Maine opened her mouth to reply but Noreen already burst out laughing. "Okay, that was just silly."

"Yeah," Maine smiled, staring at her untouched food. "It is."

Alden Richards. Richards. Richard.

Just know that I'm here, waiting for you to come back.

A bitter smile crossed Maine's lips as she stood and brought the bowl to the kitchen. Whatever, RJ. Whatever.