Adventures

Future

ALDEN

Ever since the Aldub phenomenon had taken the entire Philippines (and even the world) by storm, so many blessings have come my way. Endorsements, pictorials, interviews. Everyday, I find myself signing more deals, doing more gigs, and of despite the fatigue building up from time to time, I was still so grateful for all  these blessings because I prayed for it to happen.

This had been five years in the making, which is why even if I was feeling "under the weather" lately, I chose not to give in to my body's needs because I felt like I owed my fans everything, most especially my presence. I mean, in the first place, I wouldn't be experiencing all this without them, so I continued to push myself to the limits. Well, that was until I had collapsed backstage while doing Eat Bulaga, and that's when I realized that I wasn't Superman.. that Alden Richards can only do so much.

"Kailangan mo na talagang magpahinga." I remember Mama Ten telling me when I had awakened at the hospital after being completely knocked out at EB.

"Kasalanan ko naman kasi kung bakit pa humantong sa ganito." He added. "Alam ko na ngang hindi maganda ang pakiramdam mo, pero pinag-EB pa rin kita."

"Ma," I said, reaching for his hand. "Hindi mo kasalanan ang lahat ng 'to. Kung meron mang dapat sisihin na hinimatay ako, ako 'yun. Pwede naman kasi akong mag-absent, pero mas pinili ko pa ring pumunta kasi masaya ako 'pag nage-EB ako eh at siyempre.."

"Nandun si Maine." Mama Ten continued, to which I responded with a faint laugh. "Hay nako talagang batang 'to oh." He added.

"Speaking of Maine, nung nalaman niyang hinimatay ka, gustong sumugod sa Broadway para lang maalagaan ka, pero pinigilan siya ni Miss Jenny. Baka kung ano kasi ang isipin ng mga fans dahil isang gap lang kayong lumabas. Alam mo naman yang mga fans niyo, lakas maka-SOCO, baka kung ano pa ang isipin."

"Pero kamusta na siya?" I asked, feeling guilty about the stress I had brought to my girlfriend. Nag-promise kasi akong aalagaan ko ang sarili ko, tapos ito pa ang mangyayari.

"Alam ba niyang nandito ako? Asan ba ako? I mean, ano bang pangalan ng ospital kung saan ako naka-confine?"

"Sandali lang. Ba't ba ang dami mong tanong? Pwede bang magpahinga ka muna bago mo isipin ang iba. Jusko naman, Rj. Buti na nga't nagising ka pa sa pagkakahimatay mo." Mama Ten said. I knew he was just worried about me, and I couldn't really blame him for feeling that way. He was more than just my personal assistant after all. He was already a member of my family.

"Sorry na, ma. Ayoko lang kasing mag-alala si Maine sa 'kin. I just want to assure her that I'm okay."

"Sa kalagayan mong 'yan, hindi ako kumbinsidong okay ka." Mama Ten said. "Huwag kang mag-alala. Alam na ni Maine kung nasaan ka at bibisita siya mamayang gabi kaya pwede ba, Rj, magpahinga ka na."

After the fainting incident, my team had become more careful with accepting projects. If they felt like it was too much for me, they'd turn it down, no matter how big the offer was.

Miss Carlites, my manager, told me that at the end of the day, it was still my health that mattered. Not the projects I did, nor the money I earned, which was why she had freed up an entire week just for me to rest and rejuvenate.

I couldn't be any more thankful to my entire team for I had been needing this so bad. I just had one more wish, though.

"Sana kasama si Maine."