May 8, 2011, 10:24 pm

Alden's remaining months in the Philippines were spent with ironing things out before he left for Chicago and of course, with his girlfriend - Divina. He called Maine one Sunday, cancelling their dinner that she slaved for hours in the kitchen because Divina wanted to drive up to Tagaytay instead. "You understand, right? I just want to spend time as much as I could with her before I leave." And like the good best friend that she was, she understood.

"You know I love you Pre, right?" Alden said right after chugging down their 3rd tequila shot. They were at the bar of the club Divina rented for the night of his despedida. It was Alden's last week in the country.

You do?" she smiled at him, beaming at the sound of those words coming out of his mouth. Surprised, she dropped the slice of lemon she was holding. "I--I love you too. Mahal na mahal." She was tipsy but she still heard him clearly and whether he meant he loved her as his best friend or something more, she didn't care. She just wanted to let him know what she felt, once and for all.

"Wait. Uh... What? Mahal mo ko?" Alden stammered, suddenly sobered up at what he heard.

"Oo matagal na. Don't ask me kung kailan but I just woke up one day and I do." But she knew. She knew exactly when she fell in love with Alden. It was a year ago at Chloe's birthday party. It was 11pm when she called him because her dad fainted and had to rush him to the ER. Alden left the party and followed them to the hospital immediately. And that was it. Maine found herself looking at him, seeing him in a whole new light, seeing him as someone who would drop everything just to be with her.

"Why? Why would you?" his voice tinged with confusion. His eyes, though, betrayed him. Maine saw a flicker of what seemed like joy in his eyes but it was all too suddenly replaced with disbelief.

"I have watched you go through all these women all these years and you always, always compare them to me. I'm your standard, diba? You always say na sana ako na lang ang ang girlfriend mo. Bakit di na nga lang ako?" she blurted out, realizing that she might have just embarrassed herself in front of the bartender who pretended to be busy pouring tequila shots for the other guests.

"I-I'm sorry Maine. Look, I love you, you know that. But I don't think we'll work out if tayong dalawa and I don't want to ruin our friendship because I'm sure I'll be the one to mess it up. You know how shitty I am right?" He wasn't exactly the type of man one would be introduce to her parents but she knew that and she loved him anyway.

"Mahal kita, Alden. Sa tingin mo, di ko tatangapin lahat yun? Matagal ko nang tinanggap," she hiccupped, trying to catch the bartender's eye for another drink.

"You're my best friend, Maine. And I don't want to take that risk. You're important to me. I don't want to live my life without you just because I messed us up. I don't think I'll survive losing you," he explained, clasping her hand that was resting on the bar.

Then Maine saw Divina walking towards them and she stiffened.

"Hi Babe. What are you guys talking about?" Divina greeted Alden warmly but did not acknowledge Maine. She had always felt that Divina never liked her.

"Nothing, Babe," he replied, suddenly removing his hand from Maine's and standing up. He knew it was going to be another big fight if he kept on talking with Maine. "Tara, puntahan na natin sina Sam."

"Let's go, Babe."

"Let's talk later, Maine?" he addressed her one more time.

"Sure," she said trying her best to remain nonchalant while her heart broke into pieces. Alden and Divina were already walking away when Divina looked back at her and rolled her eyes at Maine.

The handsome be-dimpled bartender was discreetly observing them while he pretended to busy himself at the bar. He placed a shot of tequila in front of her and winked. "Band aid para sa pusong sugatan. On me."

Maine thanked him and took the shot straight to her mouth with a shaking hand. She was trying to hold back her tears to no avail. A few had already escaped her eyes, trailing down her cheeks.

"Di iniiyakan yang mga lalaking ganyan," the bartender told her. He reached a hand towards her to shake. "I'm RJ, by the way."