Wally took out a white board and wrote down the name of the challenge. He wrote a 1 to denote that the challenge was completed and that it was equivalent to a point.
"Alright, Alden," he shouted into the camera. He was having a hard time hearing himself also because the people in their location were all shouting and screaming, cheering for Alden. "If you complete my tasks, then you can see Yaya in person finally!"
After this, Alden was pulled by the production assistant, Tricia and the cameraman down the stairs. There was a marked van waiting and he was pushed inside.
Alden felt the cool airconditioned breeze from the vents hit his face. He sagged into his seat, and just wanted to take a nap.
"Hold on, hold on," he heard Tricia. He felt her slapping his face softly. "You have to drink first, you might get dehydrated."
She pulled out a bottle of Gatorade and untwisted the cap. She handed the bottle to him. "This time, try not to pour it all over yourself."
He took it, and greedily swallowed the contents in one gulp.
"Where are we going?" He asked meekly.
"We're going back to the studio where you will rest for a bit before you take a shower," Tricia explained.
"Did you know about this?"
"Yes, and I'm sorry. They had to tell me because I had to be sure you were still camera-ready when you reached the goal."
"I can't feel my legs." The van zipped through traffic making its way back to Broadway.
Maine was writing something on her clipboard of paper. She showed it to the camera.
Are you okay? You were so good! I'm proud of you!
She was hoping that he'd get to see it. She knew he was probably passed out on the way back to the studio. In the off-chance that he were to check videos or recordings of this episode, he would at least know that she was worried for him.
She put the sign down, and returned to her co-hosts.
All three were laughing. She couldn't help but smile. She wasn't happy at what had transpired, she was happy that he was willing to go through such great extent for her, even though she was still unsure as to whether it was for her or their love team.
Alden had already showered and changed to fresh clothes.
Tricia came in hurriedly but stopped and looked at him. "Didn't you wash your face when you showered?"
"Whatever it is you're implying, I did wash my face. It's already clean. Why is there still dirt? Do I have a pimple? Is the color uneven from sun exposure?" Alden started to panic, standing up and staring at his face in the mirror.
Tricia smiled, "No, I'm sorry. I just thought there was still make up on you. Your cheeks had a little rosy glow to them."
Alden stopped. "Yeah, you're right. I am a bit pink today. Must be sunburn."
Tricia turned around. "Right, it must be sunburn or it could be something else."
The following day, Alden was scheduled to fly for an evening show in Bicol. He was also to return that evening to Manila. The network didn't want to spare his missing a day, as the ratings had gone through the roof. People seemed to be aware of his hectic schedule.
And by people, Lola Nidora was also aware of his trip, and had requested for some pasalubong, goodies from Bicol.
Of course, as the script demanded, in order to impress an influential person in Maine's life, he had to give in to the demands.
"Alden!" Lola Nidora shrieked onto the microphone. Could you bring home pili nut treats from Bicol?"
Of course he could not say no, he had to build up points with the matronly Nidora. He nodded and agreed to bring back pili nuts.
They shot scenes from right after he landed. He supposed the writers wanted it to appear that he flew just to purchase the nuts for Maine and Wally. The people manning the stores near the airport where quite surprised at seeing him buying from their store. It wasn't everyday that a guy they see on television appears right in front of them.
After shooting the scenes, he went on to his guesting. In between his appearances, he wondered what it'd be like if he were on tour with Maine. They had such chemistry on screen, they had so much fun. Would that chemistry easily translate to real life?
Like how would it feel like to be seated next to her on red-eye flights? How would it feel like to experience the first breeze of dawn once you're walking along the tarmac on the way to the terminal, whilst walking behind her? How nice would it feel, perhaps, to get excited over seeing a new place, and to look right at her seated beside him in the van? With her smiling, constantly, ethereally smiling, making him laugh, making him feel that life can be simple still - that even though his was full of responsibilities, with her in his world, he had a sense of freedom that he could not find elsewhere.
On the way back to the airport, he made sure that he had everything that was asked of him. He would have wanted to stay a little bit longer and see the sights, but without anyone to share this with, he realized he wanted nothing more than to get back to Metro Manila so that he could see Maine tomorrow, even if it were just on screen.