(Photocredit : Screen grab from Maine Mendoza's Snapchat Update)

It was their second monthsary in a few days. RJ knew how creative Maine was with planning surprises. On their first monthsary, he didn't expect to see her because she was with her family celebrating the holidays in Japan. They had a few glorious days together before she left, promoting their movie in Cebu and Davao, and riding the MMFF Movie Float through Manila. But she arrived a day after their real monthsary, a Thursday, which happened to be their reel weeksary.

It was a crazy, hectic day for them both; he was busy with rehearsals for the GMA 2016 New Year Countdown, while she had just arrived in Manila mid-afternoon. Minutes before his song number, she surprised him by showing up, albeit hidden in the open parking area. She smiled gleefully at his surprise, not expecting to be with her at that moment. They were together throughout the countdown, the sweetest New Year celebration he ever experienced. By the time he sang, it was raining but he didn't care, he was happy.

This time, he wanted to outdo her; he also had a few tricks of his own. It would be a challenge with their tight schedules but for the first time in his career, he was going to defy his schedule to make time for her. It was one of her concerns when they talked about their special relationship.

Dubbing duties were finally over. Maine was a bit sorry that work on the movie was done. She had a blast doing the movie, working with Ms. Ai-Ai and Bossing was a once in a lifetime experience. Alden was the most supportive and gentle partner she could ever ask for. It was amazing how fast things fell into place for both of them, not only professionally, but personally as well. Alden made time for her, respected her desire for him to get to know her family better. Twice he already spent time with her family in Bulacan, impressing even her father, who initially doubted his intentions.

Her phone buzzed, signaling a call from Alden. She picked up at the third ring.

"Den, what's up?"

"I'm done with my shoot, how 'bout you?"

"Done with dubbing too."

"Where you headed?"

"Condo. We have EB tomorrow so I'll just spend the night here than go all the way to Bulacan."

"Ok, I'm almost there. I'll take you home."

"But my driver—" Click. The line went dead. "Is here." She finished belatedly. Collecting her things, she went down to the parking area and instructed the driver to head home. Alden's van was entering the compound as she finished talking to her driver. He got down and pulled open the passenger door for her, bussing her on the cheek.

They were quiet throughout the drive, mostly due to fatigue. But their minds were busy thinking. Maine wondered why Alden didn't just go home and grab some sleep. Alden was busy rehearsing in his mind what he wanted for days to say to Maine, hoping the right words got out so he wouldn't mess it all up.

They finally got to Maine's condo. It was a small building with just five floors, with a driveway that goes all the way to the rooftop for parking of the top floor tenants. APT Entertainment, the company that handles Maine, purchased the whole fifth level for its talents to use when necessary. Currently, they provided one of the units for Maine, to allow her more time to rest rather than having her drive all the way to and from Bulacan after working late.

Alden switched off the engine and disengaged his seatbelt, then turned to Maine to help her with hers. Maine looked at him questioningly.

"Maine," Alden began, clearing his throat nervously. "I guess you're wondering what's up."

"Is something bothering you, Den?"

"First off, you can call me RJ. That's how friends and family call me. Second, shooting's over, I know we'll still see each other in EB and commercial shoots, but I want you to know, I'll miss being with you everyday."

"Yes, I liked working with you. Thanks for all the help, you made it easier for me to adjust. But we'll still have time together, diba? There's Cebu and Davao, the MMFF Parade, and taping for EB Holiday episodes." She was smiling as she said this. Although exhausted, Maine still looked so pretty. Her doe eyes looked at his, and RJ had to summon all his willpower to control himself from throwing caution to the wind and just kiss her.

"You wanna come in? You look tired, kumain ka na ba? I can heat up some food, come." She stepped out of the car before he could open the door for her, giving him no choice but to follow. The condo was just the right size, surprisingly homey. There was an inviting 3-seater couch with an artsy weaved blanket that he was sure was Maine's, and the large pillow with his image on it given by a fan. It tickled him that she actually used the pillow, imagining her sleeping while hugging it close to her.

"I'm not hungry, hey c'mon. Just want to talk." He pulled her by the hand and led her to the couch. Her hand was cold and clammy, just like his.

"Maine, you'll be going on a holiday with your family soon. Ngayon pa lang may sepanx na ko—" He was interrupted by her laughter. "Grabe siya, pinagtawanan ako, nagmomoment ako eh."

She reached out to cup his face. "Sorry na, sorry na. Kasi ang lungkot mo eh, as if di na ko babalik. So now you'll feel what I felt when you were gone. Hashtag Japanpamore." She laughed again, but it was an awkward laugh.

"Sige, what exactly did you feel when I was in Japan? We never talked about that." He was thankful for the good opening of what he wanted to tell her.

"Huh? Kaw naman....Of course I missed you. Nasanay na kong nakikita ka araw-araw kahit splitscreen lang."

"Missed me how?"

"Anong how? Diba kahit anong nakasanayan pag biglang nabago nakakamiss?"

"Ganon lang?"

"Den, uhm, RJ, san ba papunta ito? " She saw how uncomfortable he was and decided to cut him some slack. "Ok, no more jokes. I really missed you. I missed working with you, seeing your face on the monitors. Nagweeksary nga, na-miss ko whatever surprise you had for me, tapos ang bibigat pa ng eksena that day kasi yun yung nalaman ko na ang tutuong lola ko si Isadora. Bumalik ka pero ako naman yung umalis kaya yung sunod na weeksary ako naman yung wala."

He reached for her hand to pull her closer until they were seated side by side, their arms and legs touching. She rested her head on his shoulder and hugged his arm.

"Maine, ang tagal ko na sa showbiz, kilala mo ko, workaholic ako. Pero ngayon lang nangyari na habang nasa rehearsal ako for my show, challenge magconcentrate. Nasa Japan ako pero ang isip ko nandito sa Manila. Hindi naman kita matawagan or matext man lang kasi bawal. Ang hirap."

"I understand, RJ. Wag mo na isipin yun, tapos na yun."

"Hindi, I need to say this bago ka umalis, while we have this time. Ayoko na maulit yung malayo tayo sa isa't isa tapos nag iisip tayo ng kung ano." He turned to face her.

"Alam ko it's too soon, we don't know each other enough, yun siguro ang sasabihin mo sakin and I respect that. But I want to go with my gut feel. I won't pressure you, I don't know what you feel about me, ang alam ko lang, you complete all my days. I know that I'm falling for you, Maine."

So many emotions crossed her face, she was so transparent. Happiness, surprise, bewilderment and fear.

"I will not say I'm in love with you, because I know you won't believe me." He continued. "Time will show us what we really feel for each other. Hindi naman talaga ganon kabilis yun. But before things get really crazy, I want you to know that I'm committing myself to you, kahit ano pang maging decision mo."

He got something from his pocket. It was a black velvet box. Maine's heart was beating wildly, hoping this wasn't a dream that would cruelly dissipate at its climax. All she could do was stare as RJ opened the box and showed her a simple white gold band with an inscription engraved on the inner side. No date or names, just the infinity sign inscribed clearly on the inner band.

"Meng, this is my commitment. I'm willing to wait, take as much time as you need. You probably haven't gotten over Miggy yet-"

"Wait." She said, stopping him, putting a hand over his lips. "Ako naman magsasalita, ok?" He nodded and gestured for her to go on.

"Unang una, si Miggy was never an issue. I want to assure you, if I hesitated, it wasn't because of him. Tapos na yun, I've come to my senses months ago and realized that I have a tendency to think of the past as though it were better than it actually is. With the blessings I have now, it was easy for me to move on. And those blessings include meeting you."

"From that first moment I saw you watching me on the split screen, you know that I was already attracted to you. When you first said you wanted to meet my family, nagdiwang ang puso ko. Finally, sabi ko, mukhang may pupuntahan ito."

But you've been without a girlfriend for so long, RJ. Sanay ka magtrabaho lang, workaholic ka nga diba? So I thought, how will I fit into your schedule? With all the blessings we're getting, isusugal mo ba lahat yun to have a relationship with me? Pano pag may away tayo, pagpiyestahan tayo ng media, and the fans? Di kaya na-pressure ka lang ng fans para ligawan ako?"

He finally understood her side. Maine was being level-headed and he admired her for it. Not that he didn't know all these things, he thought these over way back when he was in Japan. He appreciated her transparency.

"Maine, I don't have all the answers. I'm not perfect but I know how I feel, and the fans have nothing to do with that. I've been paired with others before, but I've never been pressured to have a relationship with them either, kahit pa gusto ng fans. As for my schedule, I still have a say over it. Is it so hard to believe that I'm willing to turn my life around for you? You still don't know how special you are, do you?"

He stood up, held out his hand and pulled her up. He led her to the mirror in the hallway, positioning her in front of him. "You want to know what I see in that mirror? I see someone who faced so many challenges but managed to remain a good person. That's the person I'm falling for." He hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek.

They stayed that way for a moment. Then, she turned to face him and hugged him. Tears were in her eyes when she disengaged from his arms and faced him.

"RJ, I really like you. Maybe I'm even falling for you. Nakakatakot maghope na pwede maging tayo. Kasi parang ang perfect mo. Mabait, madasalin, talented, pati looks nasayo. Neseyo ne eng lehet, hahaha." She joked inappropriately but he understood. She was like this when things got serious so he played along.

"Hala siya. I-quote ba si Daniel Padilla, crush mo yun eh." She pinched him in his midsection, his burger, as she jokingly referred to once, even though it was almost flat.

"Tekaaaa, makinig ka. You don't know me that well, as you will discover, nega ako sometimes. I don't know if I deserve you. But I want to try to be happy, because you make me happy. Kahit kindat mo lang, napapasaya mo na ko on a bad day."

"Don't say I'm perfect, you still don't know me well enough. Please, accept my commitment. You don't have to wear the ring, I know it will raise questions. But take it, keep it and be assured that you have me, you'll never feel alone again. Ever."

He reached for the velvet box again and opened it. She looked at him and smiled, reached both her hands behind her neck to unclasp her necklace. She got the ring and looped the chain of her necklace through it, the ring beautifully framing the white gold cross on her necklace.

"I will remember this day, RJ. Thank you." They hugged tightly, laughed at each other for being teary-eyed.

"Look, maliwanag na, haha wala tayong tulog." She pointed to the beautiful sunrise.

"Sorry baby." He said, but he looked far from sorry. "Uwi muna ko, ok? See you later."

"RJ, Huuyyy." Maine was snapping her fingers in front of him. "Ang layo ng iniisip ha. Mahal ka rin nun. Lika na tawag na tayo." They were in Broadway, about to do the Dancing in Tandem segment.

He snapped out of his reverie and smiled at her. Two months and counting, he thought. She had no idea what he had planned for her, the best date ever. He got his script and followed her, still smiling.