Rhyme & Rhythm : A One - Shot Collection

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Mama Ten showed Alden the articles-- and was he glad that he did, because what he read sent his blood to boil, but he wasn't a priority; Maine was.

Maine who wasn't answering any of his texts since last night. And neither was she answering his calls.

Hindi naman niya agad mapuntahan because he had some commitments to attend to, and the Kalyeserye Sweetheart accompanied their fans to visit a Home for the Aged. At least, that's what Dean told him. (See? Hindi na nga si Meng ang nagsasabi kung saan ang lakad niya.)

But still, wala namang problema nung huli silang nag-usap... sa pagkakatanda niya. Nagyaya kasi 'yung mga kaibigan niya na mag-bar, and though Alden really wasn't the bar type of guy, sumama na rin siya kasi matagal niya nang hindi nakikita 'yung mga kaibigan niyang 'yun, at mukhang kakailanganin nila ng designated driver. Iba rin sila malasing.

So naturally, nagpaalam siya kay Meng. Over a text. Maine replied with a, "sure. Ikaw naman 'yan eh. Have fun." So he assumed that everything was fine.

Coincidentally, nandoon din sa bar na 'yun si Julie. Of course, being the civil co-worker he was, they had a little chat, but the girl was obviously drunk. It came to a point that she was so wasted that he, being the natural gentleman that he was, ended up driving her home. Buti na lang hindi rin nag-inom 'yung isa niyang kaibigan para maihatid 'yung iba nilang kasama. Because it seemed like the girl was alone and she needed help.

Of course, cameras caught them.

Of course, issues blew up.

And of course, articles were published.

Mostly, malayo sa katotohanan, like usual. Yung iba, tutumpak na sana. Kaya lang hindi pa rin eh. Alden wasn't sure if that was the reason Maine wasn't answering any of his calls or texts.

"Paps, minsan nakakalimutan kong limang taon ka nga palang walang jowa," Jerald told him, after Alden explained his situation (with lots of hand gestures and frustrated movements). "Kapag sinabi ng babae na 'have fun', ibig sabihin nun 'abort mission, abort mission'!"

"Pareho na kayong magsalita ni Sam."

"Pareho din naman kaming pogi," ngisi ni Jerald, na nakakuha ng isang batok na agad din naman nitong naiwasan. "Pero seryoso, sigurado ka bang wala kang nakalimutan?"

"Wala ng--"

Meron. Meron siyang nakalimutan.

Celebration ng monthsary nila. Not the KS monthsary, but the monthsary of being together. Oo nga pala! May concert siya the next week, tapos fully loaded din ang schedule ni Meng, kaya they decided to celebrate their monthsary a week early. And Alden forgot that. It was supposed to be date night. It was law to never forget date night. No wonder Maine was ignoring him.

Alden cursed, which made Jerald flinch. Alden rarely curses anyway. Pano niya ngayon aayusin 'to? Kailangan nila makapag-usap ni Maine before he leaves the country, or else...

"'Den, kasama pala si Jake sa Home for the Aged Visit?"

"Ha?" His head snapped towards his friend's direction, who was scrolling through his Twitter timeline. "Oh. Picture."

Jake Ejercito @unoemilio

Nakita ko ulit si klasmeyt. Hi klasmeyt. 👋👋😊😊 pic.twitter.com/1048291...

Maine was beaming up at the camera, her hair in a top-bun, to battle the heat he guessed, wearing an off-shoulder blue top. Jerald may have noticed the way Alden's eyes darkened, because he added, "Pero coincidence lang din na magkasama sila. Charity ata ng pamilya ni Jake 'yung Home for the Aged eh."