Running with Scissors

Five

Flashback
A few days before the execution of Plan B

After Bulaga, Alden and Maine are summoned to meet with Mr T at a nearby restaurant. The bomb was dropped that day. It's final, AlDub's loveteam will be dissolved. It will exist only in Kalyeserye.

Maine told Mr T she will be happy doing just Bulaga. No more movies or TS. She doesn't want to be paired with anyone, she gave Alden a reassuring hug. Comforting him. They are both heartbroken.

When they reached Alden's car. They just sat there for a few minutes, just staring ahead. The shock of the news is just sinking in. Maine let out a shaky sigh which turned into a gulp. She started crying quietly.

GMA & APT have been feuding for a few months now, their loveteam directly in the line of fire. They both know they can come up with a solution about their situation but they don't know how to comfort their fans who will be devastated by this news. Alden quickly wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead.

"Sshhh, don't cry, mahal. It will be okay, we will find a way through this. Trust me. Please wag ka nang umiyak."

"I just can't imagine how many people we will let down. The fans will be so devastated. Haka-haka pa nga lang sobrang lungkot na nila. I thought our job is to make people happy?"

"Well, business pa rin kasi 'to. I know they'd never do this kung walang gulo between our managements."

He grabbed the steering wheel with both his hands and leaned his head on it, giving a frustrated sigh. On the way to Maine's home in Bulacan, they passed by a deserted but open chapel and decided to go in.

With their hands clasped firmly together, they prayed for guidance and strength in this difficult time of their lives.

He stopped in front of Maine's home, it was past midnight so he said he won't come in so as not to bother anyone at this hour. Maine worriedly and repeatedly ask him if he's okay.

As she went inside her room, she noticed Alden's car still stalled outside her house, engine running. She got her phone and rang him.

"Mahal, ayos ka lang ba? Dito ka na lang matulog, please? I don't want you to drive alone in your condition."

"Baba ka, Meng. Please?"

So she hurriedly made her way outside again. Locking the gate behind her and returned to his car. Without saying anything, they both hugged really tight and fresh tears began to flow again.

"Di ko alam anong gagawin ko, Meng. I can protect both of us from this but what about the fans? Pano sila? Kanina pa ko nag-iisip ng solution but I can't think of any!"

"Love, you're tired. Pahinga muna tayo then we think about it. May bukas pa, ok? Kaya natin 'to."

"Please be with me tonight, Meng. Ayoko mag-isa, please?"

"Ha? San tayo pupunta?"

"Anywhere, I just want to be with you."

They decided to go to a friend's beach house in Subic since it's just a short drive there. Maine insisted she drives so Alden can take a nap. He looks exhausted.

He is the proverbial "masa" masandal tulog. Which is fortunate dahil he's always on the go, medyo workaholic. Maine kasi takes too long to fall asleep, so medyo inggit sya kay Alden in the sleeping department.

She steals glances every now and then at his sleeping figure beside her. Hustisya naman, kahit tulog ang gwapo pa rin! She smiled and gushed, hustisya naman, dis oras na ng gabi kinikilig pa rin?

It's probably creepy but she loves to watch him sleep. As in! He looks like a baby when he's sleeping, not a care in the world. But when he's up, minsan pasan nya ang daigdig, Maine can read the struggle in his eyes. Kung pwede lang buhatin nya for him.

She found the beach house through Waze, after parking, she leaned over to him, still sleeping soundly. Aww, ayaw nyang gisingin kasi ansarap ng tulog nya kaso di naman nya kayang buhatin sya papasok.

She nuzzled his neck, hugging him tight. Tulog pa rin. She kissed his cheek, his nose then his pouty lips. He stirred.

"Mahal, we're here."

He pulled her again and kissed her, eyes still close.

"Sarap!"

"Huy! Pasok na tayo para makatulog na, may work pa tayo bukas. Sarap ba tulog mo?"

"Oo naman, andito ka eh. You are my peace kaya sarap ng tulog ko."

"Keme!" And she laughed. Her first for that day.