I have no excuse. I just have a brain fart, writer's block or whatever you call it. I lost my mojo. 

Ang totoo? Nawalan na ako ng ganang ituloy ito kasi sa title pa lang hinusgahan na ang maging ending ng story ko. Anyways, kung babasahin nyo salamat, okay lang, kung hindi, ay bahala kayo sa buhay nyo. Hindi niyo naman ako binabayaran para magsulat para may mabasa kayo.

Isinusulat ko ito kasi gusto ko at outlet ko sa nakakapagod na buhay sa ibang bansa na malayo sa lahat. Oo nga at kasama ko ang pamilya ko dito, hindi ko naman kasama ang iba kong kaibigan. Kaya you have no right to tell me what to write on my story and how to write my story. 

Sabi nga ni Jolina Magdangal at Marvin Agustin.

"Kung ayaw mo, wag mo!"

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"Okay ka lang?"

The night almost ended in disaster but somehow was quickly diverted into a romantic evening between the two of them. They both woke up this morning with so much love to each other that you can actually say...

"Who cares. They love each other. Period."

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It's been a three week, almost a month, since the reunion night and that heated moment in the kitchen. Everything seems like back to normal. She gotten sweeter to him. She gotten so close to him. Alden doesn't know, in a way, how to handle it or react to her being this way. He's not use to her being touchy and making the first move most of the time but he was pushing it to the side, because the truth of the matter is, he likes what she does, he likes what he's seeing and feeling. He loves the new Maine but at the same time afraid. Afraid that she might just blow up any moment now or just disappear again and never be seen at all.

You see, when there's a typhoon, tornado or tsunami, there was the calmness in the waters and in the winds. Animals around are not making any peep. Everything is quiet. Everything is is calm except Alden. He, in some way, is in fear that there will be a storm brewing up ahead. He needs to know. He functions well enough that his focus are split in million ways. He couldn't think straight. He couldn't sit still.

He called Allyn the past weekend to ask for help. She herself doesn't know what is going on because Maine is always smiling and being the same old her. She doesn't give out a vibe where you could actually think that there is something brewing. Ivy said the same thing. He even spoke to Trish, Maine's bestfriend, and Ginny (Jing), Maine's cousin, and they said the same thing. He then spoke to Joyce. She may have mentioned something but it wasn't anything for Joyce to be alarmed about, but for Alden, it's a cue for him to be more cautious. Call him guilty or whatever, but that's exactly how he feels.

Alden had learned that girls do talk about their partners, significant others, fiance, husband or boyfriend quite often. He learned that girls compare notes just like men and he finds it cute, adorable even. He had learned that women do talk about sex in a very casual way but with utmost passion and respect. They talk about it with so much love. It was a door that was opened to him to the new world, the world of women.

He had found out, too, just by talking to Joyce, that there were phrases that women use or says to a situation and was understood by men as is but in reality, women's reality, it meant differently. It could mean the opposite of what was she really trying to say. Like when you ask you girl if she's alright? or is everything okay? She would possibly response. "Yeah. I'm fine." Or "I'm feeling great." or "Dont worry, Im okay. I am just tired." What she meant by it is; "I am not fine." Or "I feel like crap." Or "Leave me alone." or "I am about to blow up, do something." These mean she's about to strangle you. She's at the verge of breaking down. She is angry but she wants you to figure it out on your own and she wants you to see it, all of it, the big picture, without being told. Without explaining it you. Troy nodded in agreement with what Joyce said.

Upon learning all these things, it gave him the fear of his lifetime. Now, things are on his mind. What if she's not reply okay? What if she's really on the verge of breaking down? What if she's about to blow up? What if.... Too many what if's are still left unasked. It really bothers him. He started to dissect and give different meaning to every response he hears from Maine. He would worry about every little thing. He would ask her over and over if she is okay or not. If she's sure she's fine. If everything is alright. If her day went well. He would get so worried and worked up every moment she's quiet. With all these going on, he started seeing a rift on their relationship. Mind you and always remember, he is a businessman. He think things through before acting on it. He plans his strategies carefully. He lays out card on the business table meticulously.

Week after week their friends sees all that is going on. They feel that there's something more to the situations than their eyes could see. Than what Alden and Maine led on. They'll see that  Maine will get annoyed because Alden seems to not understand that she needs to be left alone sometimes. They'll see that Alden is so worked up with whatever situation they have that he gets annoyed because Maine is upset at him. Tony and Ivy, not of their friends, is an outsider looking inside, had seen the rift getting bigger and bigger and getting the best of Alden and Maine. And it is problem that they both are willing to take on to help both of them see what is really going on. Tony and Ivy pretty much have an idea of what is happening. Tony being around both of them since college in different ways, know both of them really well, and Ivy being a very kin observer, she had gotten too close to Maine, somewhat figured her out. (If you haven't read book 1, Arranged Marriage? Destined?, I suggest you read it first. Thank you.)

Tony knows that Maine will go and see Phil and Chad almost every Friday. Alden doesn't know anything about it. He had seen them not only once but a few times. He had confronted her, asked her if Alden knew that she's seeing Phil and Chad and few times, just Chad. He reasoning was, "He would not understand."

Ivy knows that Alden goes out on some lunches without Maine to meet up with Kelly. She knows because Kelly comes by and invites Alden for lunch. She had reminded Kelly about Maine and she'll just smile and would just tap her shoulder and that annoyed the day light out of Ivy. He confronted Alden a few times about going on some lunches with Kelly, his response would be, "She would not understand."

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Last Friday of the month. The group decided to meet up for a laid back get together which they always do at Slinkee's.

"Hey, Alric, do you think Jon is here today, if he is, may we ask him for a permanent VIP lounge where we can meet all the every last Friday of the month?" Tony asked. They've been sitting at a booth by the stage. It was okay most of the time, but sometimes they don't like it too loud.

"Let me ask Grudge. Jon hasn't been here for a while since he got married and he's always with his mysterious friends." Alric said nonchalantly.

"Wait, What?!" Sam tapped Alric's shoulder. "Jon is married?" He continued.

"Yeah, he did. Quite a while ago. They're expecting already." Tony smiled meaningfully.

"I would want to say a smart remarks but I'll be nice this time. Hahaha!" Tony said instead.

"May nagkamali?" This is Sam. He would say what's on his mind.

"Yeah. Mr, Bustamante's only daughter." Alric replied.

"You mean..... Busty? His Lon time crush? That girl from....." Tony wasn't able to finish what he's trying to say, Dam interrupted.

"Yes, Tony. The one and only." Sam said wiggling his brows. They all laughed as they wait for the waiter to come around for their order.

"Hi, guys." Maine greeted them with a that toothy smile of her.

"Finally! I thought I will be calling for a rescue team to get both of you." Ivy joked. They all laughed but Ivy could sense that something is not right. She can see in Alden's eyes, even when he is smiling this wide, she knew that something just came about and it wasn't good at all.

"Hey, babe, can me and the girls have our own booth. I feel like we need to talk things out among us." Ginny, who was also feeling and seeing that something is not right, asked Alric. Alden and Maine may not know it yet but their friends and family are seeing the hidden awkwardness and feeling the built up storm coming their way. The question is when? How? They need to prepare themselves for it. The only way is to be on standby and be ready to send a rescue team or send a relief goods team and helped out the two.

"Yeah, sure.Tony had asked me the same earlier." Alric whispered to her.

"Sir Alric, Sir Jon is in his office with Ma'am Sheri." Grudge came back with a waiter. "He's leaving in a few but hoping to come back later tonight." Grudge continued. Grudge is the new manager of Slinkee's.

"Ma'am Sheri?" Allyn retorted. Grudge looked at her like she's out of her mind.

"Yeah. Ma'am Sheri, Sir Jon's wife." He simply answered.

"Wow. He is really married." Allyn say again. "Kuya, is she the one that he had a crush on since... Oh, God knows when?" She turned to her brother.

"Yes, Princess, the one and the same." Alric simply answered.

"Wow. Finally." Everyone turned around and saw Alden with a grin. "What?" He asked, looking at everyone in front of him.

"Nothing." Alric responded. "Grudge, will you find us a place where our ladies be in one room and us in one. We are going to have girl's and boy's night out separately but in the same place. How was that guys." Everyone nodded. Alric saw a glimpsed of a heavy sigh from Alden but he pushed it to the side.

"No problem sir. We can do that." Grudge gleefully said. "Oh, Sir Jon wanted to say his apologies not to be out here right now, He will be leaving pretty soon. Buntis kasi si Ma'am Sheri." He added on.

"No worries." Tony answered.

"Sir, we got a room for the ladies. Please follow me." The waiter walked ahead of the ladies.

"Try to make him talk." Ivy whispered to Tony as she hugged him and followed the waiter.

"Babe, he's all yours." Ginny whispered as she stood in front of Alric. "We'll figure out Maine." She added as she bent down and kissed him.

"We'll do." He said as he kissed her.

"Trish, Maine, let's go." Ginny called out.

"Maine?" Alden called out quietly but Maine heard it. She turn around and look at him in the eye. She saw a blank facial expression but pain screaming out of his eyes. She came back and kissed him on the lips.

"I'll see you later. Don't drink too much." She gently rob his face with her palm. "I love you." It was the coldest 'I love you' Alden have ever heard coming from her. He closed his eyes tight and let out a deep heavy sigh.

"I love you, too." Maine looked at him feeling a sharp pain in her heart. It was the most painful 'I love you, too' she have ever heard from him from the time they've been together. She had seen him in pain with what they went through, heard him say things in a painful way but this? This is different.

Maine felt a pull from behind her. She looked over to see Patty smiling at her. She nodded and turned back to Alden. Kissed him again.

"I'll see you later, Love." Is all she could say to him and left.

Alden pulled a controlled breath. He is not liking the calm and not caring Maine a t all. He'd rather have the old Maine. The one that is not afraid to speak her mind but shy enough to hurt anyone purposely. The one that does not lie nor hide things away, but who is he to tell her that when he himself was hiding something from her. When he himself is not understanding her. But what good it is right now to them when he felt that Maine is not who she was anymore. His life is a mess.

He is known to be the toughest and youngest business magnate of his time but when it comes to Maine, he is the worst. He couldn't think straight. Couldn't make a clear plan. Couldn't win over her. Maine is a business, she would be the type of business that no matter how he get himself prepared for her, he will never be.

Let's see what the girls are doing.

"Maine, is everything okay?" Patty asked as Ivy and Allyn are finishing with their orders.

"Yeah. I'm fine." She said smiling. "Why wouldn't I?" She looked at everyone. All eyes are on her waiting for more from her.

"You tell me, Menggay." Patty said with her arms across her chest and raised eyebrow. "I've known you since we were young and I know when you are not okay, and right now? I know you're not. Something is going on that you are not telling us." Patty sounds so upset. Maine knows that it is only time, she will get chewed up by her.

"Pat, it is nothing really." She said it like she's shrugging the dirt of off her shoulder.

"Maisie Daine Mendoza, with the picture I am seeing right now, you are not fine. You are far away from being fine. You are just like a volcano waiting to erupt ny moment now." Ivy said with a little bit more push than Patricia.

"Ate Ivy is right. We are just observing you and Kuya Alden, and we see that something is not right. Something is off." Allyn said in a 'maarte' way but she does make sense.

"Maine, I may not be as good as Ivy and Patty here but I know Alden as I know you. I am your cousin and Alden is my childhood friend. I know he is always stressing on something and it concerns me but I am more concern about you." Ginny said.

"Sorry ladies, I'm late. We got stuck in traffic." Joyce walked in as she was also invited for a girls night out and the guys invited Troy. "What's happening, Ms. M, Ms. J?" She added sensing the thickness in the air.

Allyn did the "Explain Express" and it was done and understood in a matter of three minutes. Joyce nodded.

"I knew it!" She suddenly expressed. Everyone looked in unison towards Joyce.

"What do you mean?" Ivy asked.

"What are you saying?" Ginny asked.

"What did you say?" Patricia asked. All three ladies spoke almost the same time.

"Joyce, what do you mean by "I knew it"?" Maine asked. All attention is now on Joyce. Total attention. Allyn just looked. She seemed annoyed and frustrated at the same. This is her brother they are talking about.

"He came to the shop about three weeks ago. He was really worried about Ms. Maine." She explained.

"Worried about me how? What is he worried about me?" Patty and /ivy looked at her like she's clueless. Well, the truth of the matter is she is really clueless.

"Joyce, what did Kuya exactly ask you?" Allyn asked. Joyce felt a lump on her throat. Is she in big trouble?

"Wait, Allyn. Let her sit down for a minute." Ginny tried to stop her. She knows Allyn. She may not be mad at the moment but it could easily escalate to a full blown argument, then she'll end up saying something hurtful then regret later.

"But Ate Jing....." She was cut off by Ginny's hand up in front of her face. She didn't like it but she also knows Ginny. She may have the calmest look at the moment but will change quickly if she didn't get what she wants.

"Oaky. Let's all sit down and talk this things over." She sat down first and get one San mig light and pass it down. They may have ordered virgin drinks but she changed it the last minute before the waiter left.

"San Mig Light? Are we planning to get drunk?" Ivy asked in surprise. They haven't done this before. "Coz if we are, I want you to know that I can't." She added. Everyone stared at her and she kind of understood what she was saying. She cleared her throat. "No. Not yet. At least. The boys are in the other room and you know they will be drinking. Who's going to drive Tony and the others home?" They all looked at each other and giggled. Nodding their heads and agreeing with her. The mood changed a bit. It lightened up the ambience.

"Okay. So, where are we going to start with the issue?" Patty asked. Even if she is struggling with the situation. With Alden and Maine's situation.

"Ms. M, I think, if you may, Mr. A is struggling with the fact that you haven't said anything about what had happen." Joyce uttered. She knew what happen at the reunion. Maine and Jing told her.

"Cous, I, myself, is also wondering why you just pushed that issue to the side and never discussed it with him. Kahit kami, hindi mo kinausap." Jing pointed out. She's right. She never discussed it with any of them. She just pushed it to the side like it was yesterday's trash and never looked back.

"I think what happening right now is, Alden has been wanting you to tell him how you feel about it, discussed it with him, so he can tell you how he felt about what happen between him, Kelly and you that night at the reunion. It has been almost a month, and here we are, we haven't heard anything from you." Ivy expressed.

"Maine, we know you, You love to bottle things in and then disappear. Alden may have been thinking that you are leaving him again without expressing yourself. Tapos bigla ka na lang sasabog." Patty said. She understood what they are trying to say, but that's not what she's doing. She was actually facing the situation and dealing with it like a big girl.

"Ate Maine, does Kuya have to worry about you now? Does he need to start panicking?" Allyn's question made Maine looked intently at everyone. She was a bit offended.

"What are you guys trying to say?" She said defiantly. Everyone felt the fang with the words she uttered.

"Meng, please don't think that we are ganging up on you. We just wanted to know where are you coming from, so as Alden. You guys went through a lot in the past. Sayang lang kung hahayaan natin." She feel into a deep thought with what Patty said. She's right. They went through a lot. They broke all rules and defied all odds, she can't let it end this way. Not while she's very sure of him now. Not when he's her end game. But she's also having a little doubt about Alden. What if he's having second thoughts about them.

"I don't understand. I am trying to deal with everything in a way that I think is best for me and Alden. I love him so much, you guys know how much i love him, but lately, he's suffocating me. I can't handle it anymore." She confided. Frustrated and wanting to cry, she just held her head down on the table.

"What is really going on? Kuya, called me a couple of weeks ago, worried and confused. He feared that Ate Maine will just blow up and leave him." Allyn paused. She's thinking if she's going to lay it all out to Maine. She wasn't sure if it would help her brother sort things out. Jing saw the hesitation in her eyes. Her expression says it all.

"Allyn, if you know anything, please say it now. That may help." She encourages her. Hesitation still written on her face. Maine looked at her intently which made Allyn felt more hesitant.

"Come on, Lyn, just say it." Said Ivy. No expression on her face. No emotions. She just looks normal but unbeknownst to them, her heart was pounding so hard, it felt like her rib cage will break.

"All I know is that, Mr. A came to me and ask me how Ms. M is. I told him that she is fine but that doesn't mean that she is really fine. I also told him that sometimes, women says the opposite of how they really feel. He fell into a deep thought. He thanked me and said his goodbye. That was the last time I saw Mr. A visits the kitchen. He would always stay outside, in the lobby. He will wait patiently to Ms. M finishing up in the kitchen." Joyce went on. Maine's face lit up.

"What exactly you told him about women's response?" She asked. She want to make sure if what she's thinking is what really is going on why Alden is acting the he is.

"Well, He said that you would say, "I'm fine." or "I'm okay." or "I'm great.". I told him sometimes, we women tend to just say those words but mean the opposite of it." Joyce picked up the bottle of San Mig Light and drank from it.

"That's it! That is why he's been on my butt. That is why he was acting the way he does." Maine uttered somewhat upset. "Why do have to say it that way Joyce?" She turned to her assistant. She stood up and pointed at her. Joyce was surprised. She never heard Maine raised her voice at her.

"Hey, Maine. You need to calm down a little." Jing said stop her and gently pulled her to sit back down.

"Now I understand why Alden was acting the way did in the past weeks." Ivy murmured. Maine heard it.

"What did you say?" Facing Ivy with furrowed brows and upset eyes.

"I said, "Now I understand why Alden was acting the way did in the past weeks." She repeated herself.

"Why did you say that?" Maine asked.

"Well, if you haven't observed it, your fiance is acting the way he does, asking you 20 questions, cannot focus on things, paranoid as ever, because of that knowledge. Maine, you need to understand. Alden is a businessman, he's a beast when it comes to it. He's intelligent he's the youngest businessman to ever succeeded. But it comes to you...." She paused and stared intently in Maine's eyes. "When it comes to you, he's flat out dumb. He can not think straight. He failed to attend because he was afraid that you will just leave and go somewhere where he couldn't find you." Ivy discloses the part where Ayaw pa niyang ipaalam. That was a multimillion dollar contract." She added on. Not throwing guilt trip or anything, she just felt like it's time for Maine to know the effect of her not speaking her mind.

"Meng, In a relationship, we need to be open with our partner. We need to let our partners know how we feel and think. We can not just assume that by not saying anything and keeping a smile in our faces will make it okay. That smile won't cut out for it. We need to openly tell them." Jing explained. "In your ase Meng, you have a very smart fiance. He thinks things first and analyze things if this will make you happy, or that will make you happy. He doesn't think about himself. He doesn't think of what makes him happy, as long as you are, he's happy." Jing's declaration made Maine think f a lot of thing that Alden had sacrificed for her.

"I actually envy you, Ate Maine. You have one of the few man that cross hell and back to give it all including his being. I am not saying this because he is my brother, but what I am seeing right now...." She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the tears and clear her throat. Her tears started to fall freely and she can not control it.

Everyone went quiet. Maine fell silent upon hearing the pain in Allyn's voice. It made her think, was she that dense to not feel Alden's struggles? Is she that blind not to see that he hasn't pass through what had happen the night of the reunion. She is feeling more like crap now. She is so dense.

"What have I done?" She asked out of nowhere not asking anyone. She got up and charge at the door. They all got up and followed her. She went looking for the VIP room where the boys are. She saw a guy walking out of a door that may look like the office.

"Hi! Excuse me!" She called to him.

"Yes? How may I helped you." The man ask.

"I was looking for Alden and Alric. Will you tell me which VIP room they're at?" She said in a hurry. The man just stared at her.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I can not give out any information about our customers. It's our policy." He concluded and about to leave. She pulled his arm and have him face her.

"I do not care about your policy! I need to know where they're at!" She raised her voice at him.

"I'm sorry." He said shortly.

"Fine! I need to talk to your manager!" She said afterwards. The guy smiled and face her. But before he could even say a word, a door from behind him opened up and there came out Sam. He pushed the guy aside and walk past him.

"Ma'am, excuse me! You...." The man felt a hand on his arm. He looked over and saw Allyn.

"It's okay, Kuya Jon. She's Kuya Alden's fiancee." Allyn briefly explained. He just nodded and gave her a hug.

"Trouble in paradise, I say?" He asked and kissed Allyn on the forehead. "I hope your brother could fixed that."

"Maine!" Patty called out. Sam looked back was too late realize what was going on.

Maine went straight and didn't pay attention to the guy Allyn was talking to. She ignored Patty. She needs to talk to Alden. She knows, she made him feel the way he felt. She made him act the way is acting now. She knows now that she needs to fix this.

"I think I need to give it a rest. If that's what made her happy, then I'll let go." She stopped on her track upon hearing Alden's voice. She knows it is alden's voice. She knows the highs and lows of his pitch. She was shocked with she heard. She opened up the door and everyone inside were surprised to see her standing there, with tears falling down her face.

"Maine...." Alden whispered. She was hurt with what she heard. He is going to leave her. Why? Can't he just wait till she explain her side? How could he do that to her? Why is he letting her go? How dare he!

"How dare you?!" 

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End of Chapter 9: Would Not Understand

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💖~Joni~💖
9.24.17
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Parting Time
©️Arrange Marriage: Destined? 2
First Published: October 9, 2016