This is part 2/2 for the story "Birthday 'Surprise'".
Hindi na po bitin ang ending nito, promise!
Again, this will be my last fanfic for 1-2 weeks' time. Sad to say, I have to go back to work tomorrow and I might not have the energy to write except on the weekends.
If you have suggestions, comments on the story or for me, you know the drill.
AlDub you all! Happy New Year ulit! 😘
_____________________________
"Are you breaking up with me?" Rj asked.
"No! Of course not! I meant, this is my problem to handle," Maine answered while trying not to be too obvious to the other people around them.
Maine continued - "Kinausap 'niya' ako kanina. She said I need to tone down yung expressions ko with you. No more touches that can be seen on cam unless it is in the script. I was too touchy daw during the parade and naba-blind item na daw tayo." She was looking frustrated at this point and a few tears escaped her eyes.
"So, bottomline here is: Kailangan kong maging artista. Gosh, I love this job, but the strain it puts on us makes me question if it's worth it all!" Maine was angrily wiping at her tears.
Rj reached for Maine's hand, stood in front of her then said, "Babe, sabi ko naman sayo, ikaw at ako, ako at ikaw, tayong dalawa di ba? I love you and you know that. Tulungan tayo dito. Kakampi mo ako."
"I know pero nakakainis lang dahil ang dami na ngang bawal off-cam, pati ba naman sa on-cam dadagdagan pa lalo? I feel like I'm 12, not 20." Inis na sagot ni Maine. "Ikaw, hindi ka ba naiinis?"
"Of course naiinis din ako! I waited 5 years for you to come into my life. Then nandito ka na pero mas mahigpit pa sa parents natin yung 'iba'." Rj stood up and held Maine's face in his hands. "But I understand because this is a business. And what keeps me going is the fact na kasama kita. Hanggang magkasama tayo, 'Walang makakapigil saten at wala silang pake!'"
Maine couldn't help but laugh at Rj's antics. "Ikaw talaga, ang funny mo - funnyRA sa dramatic moments ko." Maine placed her hands over Rj's. "But thank you, really. I'm feeling a little bit better because of this."
"A little bit lang? Sige, sayawan kita ng 'Twikilay,' sandali." Rj was starting to dance his signature "Twikilay"-kembot moves when Maine stopped him while trying not to laugh.
"Huy! Ano ba! Makita ka nila dyan! Sige na, i'm feeling a whole lot better tumigil ka lang dyan!" Maine couldn't hold in her laughter anymore.
"Ayan, napatawa ko na ang bibi girl ko. Ang ganda-ganda mo talaga pag tumatawa. Bawal sad, dapat laging happy." Rj said while touching Maine's hair. "Punta ako mamaya sa inyo ha? Okay lang?"
"O akala ko me dinner ka with Aldenatics? Tapos may dinner ka pa with your High School friends?" Maine asked.
"Kaya kong gawan ng paraan yan. Wala ka pa bang bilib sa akin? Basta, i'll be there tonight." Rj looked around to make sure no one was within hearing distance. "Wala pa yung birthday kiss ko (waggling eyebrows) and I aim to collect."
"Sira ka talaga! Kasama ko si Dean mamaya, so good luck sayo!"
"Sus! Yun lang, maliit na bagay (kilay moves pa more)!"
"Alden, Maine, pa-picture daw sila with you!" Mama Ten called out to them.
"O sya, let's go. May event pa ako so I have to leave in 10 minutes. I'll see you sa condo later."
"Later, baby." Rj answered with a naughty smile which Maine responded to with an eye roll and a smile.
----- Aldenatics birthday dinner for Alden
"Nate, I need a favor." Rj approached Nate.
"Hulaan ko. Para kay Maine, noh? Basta happy ka, no problem."
"Oo, punta kasi ako sa condo nila mamaya, but I need a cover story. Patulong naman o."
"Kung yung sa Osaka nga nagawan namin ng paraan e, eto pa na dito lang sa Pilipinas? Keribels yan!"
"Ano bang magandang plano?" Rj asked.
"Okay, sige, ganito gagawin natin..." Then Nate and Rj discussed the details of the 'plan'.
----- At Maine's condo
"Dean, pabukas ng pinto. Baka si Alden na yan! Mag-aayos lang ako sandali."
"Mag-aayos pa, e gandang-ganda na sa iyo yun, by default," Dean said while rolling his eyes. He then muttered quietly, "Di ko nga maintindihan kung bakit."
"Huy narinig ko yun! Basta papasukin mo na lang si Rj if ever sya na nga!"
A few minutes passed and when Maine went out, only Alden was on the couch with no Dean in sight.
"Hi Babe! Asan si Dean? And anong cover ang ginamit mo to get here?"
"Hello Babe! May pinabili lang ako. Para we can celebrate later. Upo ka muna dito then ikukuwento ko yung iba." Rj answered while patting the sofa.
"Hmmm, 'kwento' na pala tawag dun ngayon." She then sat down beside Rj and gave him a quick kiss.
"Hay sarap, katabi ko na ang baby ko. Sarap yakapin tlga," Rj gave a contented sigh. He hugged Maine for a few minutes before continuing his story.
"So nandun ako sa Aldenatics na party, then I asked Nate if they can cover for me. Alam mo naman yung mga yun, pag love ko, love din nila.
Ayun, maglalabas daw sila ng pic later na kunwari kasama ko pa din sila para walang maghanap sa akin."
"Ang suwerte mo talaga sa kanila. And syempre biased ako so swerte din sila talaga kasi napakaloyal mo sa lahat ng nagmamahal sayo. At swerte din ako, kasi, alam mo na yun."
"Ay ang daya! Kunwari hindi ko alam kung ano yun. Sabihin mo sakin ngayon please? Plith, plith, plith?"
"Ang kulit mo talaga! Sure ka wala kang ADHD? Kulit mo e! Pasalamat ka love kita at birthday mo kaya makinig ka kasi di ko na uulitin." Maine took a deep breath then started.
"This is a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning which perfectly defines how I feel for you:
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
Rj had tears in his eyes afterwards. He couldn't contain how he felt and embraced Maine tightly before kissing her. It was passionate, caring, and comforting all at once. His kiss contained all the words and emotions that he couldn't fully express.
They finally separated but kept their foreheads touching while they caught their breaths.
"I love you so much! More than words can say," Rj stated passionately.
"Ditto," said Maine.
*doorbell rings*
"That must be Dean already. Can you answer the door while I fix my lipstick? And remove the traces of lipstick on your mouth! I'll be back quick!" Maine said as she ran back to her room.
On the way to the door, Rj couldn't help but smile. He looked upwards and said thanks to the Lord for bringing Maine into his life.
"Thank you, Lord for this wonderful gift. Best. Birthday. Ever."