November 8, 2010, 5:50 pm

Maine was waiting for him in the café they always frequented on weekends. It was quite noisy inside so she stood up and went outside to call Alden when she saw him running towards her. He hugged her with a force that almost caused both of them to stumble so he held onto her waist to keep her steady.

"Whoa! Wait lang kasi!" she exclaimed, laughing at his antics. "Ano ba kasi yun, Pre at excited na excited ka?"

"Dun tayo sa loob dali!" He held her wrist and pulled her back towards the café.
He pulled a chair for her and started to talk about his news even before Maine could fully sit down.

"Finally, Pre! Naapprove na yung petition ni Mama at Daddy for me! May green card na ko. Makakasama ko na sila! I leave in 6 months!" he said passionately.

"Wow! Congratulations! Pero in 6 months na agad? God, I'll miss you." Her initial excited smile turned into a sad one at the thought of being away from him.

"I'll miss you too so we're gonna have to do some serious Skyping."

"Yeah."

"Uy, wag ka na malungkot, Pre. I'll keep in touch. Kakayanin ko ba namang wala ka sa buhay ko?" he assured her and she believed him.

"Tsaka meron pa kong isa pang good news," he continued, grinning so wide - his face almost split.

"Wow, meron pa?"

"Yup! Sa wakas! Chloe finally broke up with me! Parang nabunutan ako ng napakalaking tinik."

"Wow! That's good news indeed!" she replied, her eyes lighting up, hope blooming inside her chest. It was the best news she had heard in so long. As much as she'd like to deny it, she had been waiting for this, for Chloe to finally realize that Alden wasn't the one for her.

Because I'm the girl for him. She thought.

"Well since that's the case, I have something to say." She might as well strike while the iron was hot. "You know how I feel about you right?" she asked tentatively.

"Oo naman! I'm your favorite person in the world, right? And you?" He poked her nose. "You're my best friend. You're my superhero. I don't know how my sanity ever survived Chloe without you." He paused and put his hand on top hers that was on the table. "God, she's crazy! I should have listened to you when you warned me about her. Ang tigas ng ulo ko e. Did you know she threatened to commit suicide again just last week? Ayoko namang maging cargo de conscienca ko sya pag tinotoo nya no?"
Maine listened, relishing the warmth of his hand on hers. "Kung di lang talaga, matagal na kong nakipagbreak sa kanya. God, I hope Divina won't be that crazy because I swear, nakakatrauma kaya."

"Hold up! Hold up!" she stopped him from his raving, one palm up. "Teka sandale. Divina? That girl that Sam introduced you to 3 months ago? That Divina?" Alden nodded eagerly. "Girlfriend mo na sya?" she continued quietly.

"Yup. That Divina. And I hope she'll be as perfect as you are," he replied, smiling his mega-watt smile that had always captivated her.

Perfect. He had always called her that. He would always tell her that she should have been his girlfriend in more than one drunken occasion. Then once he sobered up, it was as if nothing happened.

Well, he seems happy now. There's really no point in telling him how I feel right? He doesn't have to know. Besides, he'll be moving to the Chicago. I'll be easier for me to get over this once he leaves. Best friend mode back on!

"Gago ka, Pre! Pinagsabay mo silang dalawa ni Chloe?" she exclaimed, hitting him on one arm.

"Aray ha. Well, Chloe and I were practically broken up anyway...so..."

"Ang duwag mo no?" It was the only word she can think of to describe him then. "Tangina ka, Faulkerson. Ang gago mo."

"Oo na, duwag na. Tama na, Pre. Masakit pag sayo galing e," he said in a low voice, hurt.

"Kasi naman e. Alalahanin mo, babae din ako. How would you feel if someone like you did to me what you did with Divina and Chloe?"

"Ay, tangina, Pre. Babalatan ko siya ng buhay," he said with conviction, looking at her seriously. "Pero promise, Pre. Last na 'to. And Divina knows about it. I was just waiting for Chloe to break up with me."

"Last na to? Talaga ba?" she asked unbelievingly.

"Oo pre. Feeling ko, si Divina na talaga."

"You said that too about Chloe," she scoffed.

"Basta pre. Sya na talaga. I'm so happy. I've never been this sure of anything," he said, quite dreamily. "Well, other than the fact that I was sure we'll be best friends forever when I first met you three years ago," he continued, bringing his attention back to her.

"Fine, if you're happy. Then I'm happy for you," she shrugged, dismissing the topic.
"At dahil dyan, ilibre mo kong kape. Tsaka cheesecake! Hoops! Wag kang umarte dyan," she said, seeing him rub his nape.

Well, you're happy. That's all that matters. I'm happy for you. At least I'll try to be.