The Tailor Princess [Wainwright Series 2]

TAILOR 15: A Dance II (Lousy Dancer)

Credits to the original owner of the photo above. Photo is used for reference of the story.

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KHEILANIE

"A-ano Kohlen..." Mas pinagdikit niya ang katawan naming dalawa at lumakas ang kabog sa dibdib ko. "Kohlen, I do not wish to dance!"

Look down on me and stare confusingly. "Why is that?"

"I... I..." I froze. The dance floor. Waltz. Everyone are doing great and I am flustered by embarrassment remembering I suck at this.

"Kohlen, ayokong sumayaw..."

"Bakit nga? May ayaw ka ba makita rito? Gusto mo ba na sa kaunting tao tayo sumayaw?" 

"H-hindi ako marunong," lakas loob kong pag-amin sa kaniya.

Tinignan niya ako at hindi binitawan. Siya na nagposisyon sa aming dalawa at mas nilapit sa kaniya. Nakakakaba at nakakaakit ang kaniyang mata dahil hindi niya iyon maialis sa akin. "Kohlen... I can't dance."

"Everyone can dance, Kheilanie."

"I can't... I'm no good."

"I trust you. Sasayaw ka na kasama ako." Seryoso niyang tugon at napalunok ako, "Ako lang Kheilanie."

"What if I trip? Fall? Step on your toes?!"

"Be my guest. I'll catch you."

"This is ridiculous, Kohlen! You might as well dance with somebody else."

He pulled me from my back and inch his face from me. "I rather dance with someone I know than a stranger. Andito na tayo sa gitna ng mga nagsasayawang mga tao, Kheilanie. All I ask is you stay by my side. I won't let anything happen you."

Hindi ko alam kung isa na naman ito sa mga corny lines niya pero ramdam ko sa boses niya na ayaw niya akong umalis at iwan siya. Na ayaw niyang may iba na makalapit sa akin. Na ayaw niyang may makasama akong iba maliban sa kaniya.

Pero kathang-isip ko lamang ito. Nakakalungkot kasi ako lang nakakaramdam ng ganito.

"Butterflies," I muttered underneath my breath.

I inhaled to gather my strength and apologies. This dance will hurt a lot such as my self-esteem.

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Mariin akong napakagat sa ibabang labi ko sa bawat minutong lumilipas. Hindi ako makasabay sa tugtog. Hindi ko masabayan ng sayaw si Kohlen. Naaapakan ko ang paa niya ng paulit-ulit. Naiiyak ako sa kahihiyan dahil kanina rin ito umaaray. I can here the buzzing gossips of people about my lousy waltz.

I admit! I admit that I'm not good at this! I already told him that I can't do it... Ayokong mapahiya lalo. Ayokong mapahiya ang kasama ko dahil sa akin.

"Kohlen, enough. Please! I am embarrassing you!" I plead as I stare down at our feet after wiping off my tears. I've been staring down this whole time because I was afraid that my coordination will destroy our dance.

Aalis na sana ako pero hindi pa rin bumibitaw sa akin si Kohlen. "Let go. Or take me off this dance floor. I'm making you look like a fool."

"Don't let go. You are not a lousy dancer."

"I am! You see what I can do. You felt what I do. This is so embarrassing even for me."

"You shouldn't, Kheilanie," both arms drop but his big and soft hands cups my cheek. I stare at him, bewildered and lost. Light blue eyes gently luring me into the soothes space in my mind. "All you need to do is trust your partner."