She chuckled and downed a mouthful of wine. "Hello, Alden. Nag-culinary ako ng dalawang taon na di ko ginusto. Sayang yun. I wanted so badly to go to film school, pero I wasted my parents' money on culinary school. Sana lang if I were braver..." She drew a long breath. "Sana if I were braver, I would've fought for what I wanted, but I guess...alam mo na. Young and stupid, parang ikaw."
"OK lang yan," Alden reassured. "At least may fallback ka if pagod ka na sa pag-aartista. Ako nga eh, di ko tinapos ang college."
"But you have so much now, Alden. Nag-woworry ka pa rin ba sa degree na iyan?"
Alden pursed his lips. His lack of a formal college degree was a sensitive topic that he really did not discuss with anyone easily. "It's...it's still important for me, Meng. And for my dad. That's also a pretty big regret for me, not finishing college. But life had other plans."
"Well, maraming online options now for busy people, if you want to go back. Tapos tulungan pa kita mag-study," she offered.
"Meng, jusko. Pag ikaw ang kasama ko, walang study-study ang mangyayari!" he joked as he playfully tickled her waist. She writhed as his hands travelled down her back, touching that sweet spot that sent her into a fit of giggles.
"Oy, honor student kaya ako, no! Kaya super support ako diyan sa dream na iyan," she added proudly..
"Naks," he smiled as she snuggled back into the crook of his neck. "Sarap naman mag-aral pag may supportive girlfriend," he teased.
She playfully hit his chest. "Assuming ka."
"Sagutin mo na kasi ako."
"Baba na ako, good night," she joked.
"Sorry na. By the way, it's your turn to answer. Biggest regret mo."
Maine looked up the sky thoughtfully, considering her answer. "Well," she began, " I don't know my biggest regret. I mean, andami kong regrets. Maybe you could let me think about it? Andami kong pagpipilian, eh," she said wistfully. "Maybe one of these days, masasagot kita ng tama. But let me think about it tonight."
"OK. Meng, new question. Biggest thing you ever did for love?"
Maine furrowed her brow. "Hmmm. I guess it would have to be...shopping for my ex. Grabe, sa Christmas, buong savings ko sa college, ginastos ko for him. Nag shopping ako ng jacket, shirts, jeans, shoes, ties...lahat! Lahat, lahat!"
"Whoa. Tapos?"
"Tapos, he broke up with me mga three days after Christmas. Pero nabigay ko na yung wardrobe showcase niya, ha! Kapal!" Maine shook her head at the memory. "Tapos nakita siya ng mga friends ko na nag-da-date, and guess kung ano suot niya?"
"Yung mga binigay mo?"
"Correct. From head to toe. Friend ko pa yung pinopormahan niya. Ugh." Maine snorted.
"More wine?" Alden teased.
Maine laughed. "Please."
"All out ka pala magmahal," Alden remarked as he filled her glass
"Diyos ko, Alden. Mahal magmahal."
"Don't worry, Meng," he stated matter-of-factly as he drew her closer. "This time, ako ang magbibigay sa iyo ng katakot-takot na wardrobe collection. Basta you wear them with me."
"Naks. Of course."
"Pwede din you wear nothing with me."
She playfully thumped him on the chest. "Ang manyak mo, alam mo yun?"
"Oo alam ko iyon," Alden joked.
Two hours, an empty bottle of wine, and a number of shooting stars counted later, Alden sighed and realized he was going to have to go home soon. He didn't want to. He needed to find a way to stay with Maine when an idea occurred to him.
"Sige, Meng, last round. Baba na tayo after this. Ask me."
"OK, Alden. Truth or dare?"
"Dare," he offered gleefully.
Maine sat up, surprised.
"Dare. Dare me, Meng."
"Oy, sure ka?"
"Yes."
"OK...um...." Maine looked around to find something for him to do. "I don't know....wait, ha."
"I'll prove to you na gagawin ko ang lahat ng gusto mo," he teased.
"Um, OK. Wait, let me think," Maine hesitated as she looked around for things he could do.
"Dare me to jump in the pool."
"What? No!"
"Dare me, Meng. Come on."
"Alden!"
"Fine. I dare myself." He stood up and removed his grey shirt and socks, tossing them on the next empty chair. Now clad in only his dark denim jeans, he sauntered towards the deepest end of the pool. Maine could only shake her head in shock. "Grabe, ang hot mo, Bae" she called out, laughing.
"Shhhh, wag kang maingay!" Alden replied from the other end of the pool. He wrapped his arms around himself as he shivered in the night air. He dipped his foot to test the waters. "Whoa! Ang lamig!"
"Mapapamura ka ba?" She laughed. "Baka maririnig ko na ang first F-word sa buong buhay mo."
Alden shook his head. "Never," he called out in defiance. Then there was a big splash. Maine stood up from the lounge, not believing what she had seen. He really did it, she thought in awe. He cannonballed into the freezing pool.
"Whoa, ang lamig," he sputtered as he surfaced. He swam towards Maine and placed his elbows on the edge nearest to her.
"Oh, my God. Ang hot mo pala," she teased.
"Halika nga," he gestured.
"No, thank you. Dito lang ako."
Alden pulled off his weak, puppy-dog expression. "Meng, favor naman. Kunin mo lang rosary ko. Nabasa, eh," he asked as he removed his wooden rosary bracelet from his wrist.
She still sat on the lounge, shaking her head with a smile.
"Meng, seryoso. Masisira 'to. Please, kunin mo na. I won't do anything," he promised with a serious look on his face.
Maine remained unmoved, arching an eyebrow.
"Please, Meng?," he begged as he offered his rosary to her. "Please?"
She rolled her eyes and stood up. "Fine."
She gingerly walked toward the side of the pool and reached out to receive the rosary. In a flash, Alden gripped her wrist and before she knew it, she too was underwater.
She kicked the pool floor and propelled herself upwards. She burst through the surface, looking for Alden with every intention of smacking him. Yet seconds passed, and she hadn't see him.
Suddenly, a hand touched her thigh. She shrieked. Alden came up to the surface, laughing loudly.
"Bwisit ka!" she exclaimed as she smacked him playfully on his shoulders. He responded by slapping more water in her direction.
"Tang*ina, Alden. I will kill you. I will kill you," she threatened as she shivered by the edge of the pool. He swam up behind her with a wide grin.
"Dare pa more," he joked, pressing his body against hers underwater.
Her teeth chattered as she treaded water. "Alden, p*tangina, akyat na ako. Ang lamig." She knew Alden never liked her cursing, but right now, she was soaked and cold and did not care anymore.
Suddenly she felt him grab her waist underwater, and felt him spin her around to face him. Before she could utter another curse word, his mouth grazed hers as his arms pulled her closer to his body.
Just as Alden was about to kiss her, they suddenly heard a loud thunk coming from the elevator area.
One of the doors had been opened.
"Sh*t," Maine muttered under her breath. They both froze in the pool.
"Ano yon?" Alden whispered.
"Sh*t, nagpalit na ata ng shift yung guard. We have to go," Maine commanded. They both swam hurriedly to the pool staircase and gathered the wine, food, and glasses. Alden grabbed his sweater and shoes and bolted behind Maine.
"Daan tayo sa service elevator," she pointed breathlessly.
After a few seconds, the staff elevator opened behind them. As soon as the doors parted, they tumbled into the elevator, sopping wet, barefoot, and still laughing. Maine punched her floor number."Oh my God, Alden," Maine gasped between breaths as the elevators begat to descend. "Kung nakita tayo, patay ako sa board ng condo." Alden kept laughing and looked at her. "Halika nga," he asked as he pulled her closer to him, fully determined to finish the kiss that was rudely interrupted earlier. But before he could, the elevator dinged and opened again. Alden groaned in frustration. Not my night, he thought.
CONTINUE TO PART 5