Shattered Pieces of Trust

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22...
Magical

I feel like a clown. I just said earlier that I'll forget him, but now that he came, why does everything seem so auspicious...? Callie!

"I'm sorry, I'm late..." Ulit n'ya. "Happy birthday. 18 ka na." he said dearly as we dance to a soft melody played by a pianist.

"I thought you wouldn't come," I can't take my eyes off him, shit!

He chuckles. "I told you I'll come. Hinihintay mo 'ko?"

I nod without thinking and he grinned more. "I'm sorry I made you wait, there's just... some unnecessary inconvenience..."

"It's okay... what's important is you're here..."

I can't believe I said it so softly!

I felt his grip on my waist tightened as he stares at me with his enticing eyes. I bit my lip and rest my forehead in his chest. I heard him chuckle.

"Akala ko hindi ka pupunta. Bwisit ka..." Napisil ko ang braso n'ya.

"I'm sorry," tumatawang anito.

Napapikit ako nang mariin. Alam kong tapos na ang oras naming dalawa. Ilang segundo lang, tinawag na nga ang pangalan ni Kuya Marco. Umayos na ako nang tayo.

Nagkatinginan pa kami ni Leon nang hindi s'ya umalis sa harap ko kahit nasa gilid na si Kuya, pero nang kinuha na ni Kuya Marco ang kamay ko at tila sapilitan akong kinuha kay Leon, naglakad na rin paalis iyon.

"What was that?" Kuya Marco with his malicious eyes questioned.

Ayaw kong ipakita na kinikilig ako, pero hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti ko! That's just... surreal! It felt so true... as if we're in the same page. But I remember that we're not...

I look at him at their table and I caught him staring at me. Umiwas ako nang tingin.

He just attended your debut Callie, there's nothing more than that. He does that to anyone. He grins to anyone, he danced someone too. Not just me. I shouldn't make this a big deal.

"Happy birthday to the most beautiful girl at this party." Vincent even bowed before handing me a rose.

Tumawa ako at inabot iyon. "Are you sure?"

Umiling lang ito kaya ang tawa ko'y unti-unting napawi. "Is it because of me?"

"Of course not! It's not because of you, don't worry. We just had a little misunderstanding..."

"A little misunderstanding that led you to broke up?"

He fell silent while I stare at his girl behind him. The light suddenly shines her face, and that second, I knew she's shedding tears.

"Don't you want her back, Vince? I knew you love her..."

He smiles and shook his head.

Isa-isa nang nagbalikan ang mga kasayaw ko kanina sa paligid namin kasama ang partner nila. We're about to do what we practiced. A minute passed and we certainly got the steps right but I can't forget his ex's face.

"Vince,"

He shook his head.

"Vince, she's crying. As second the verse enters, you're gonna go to her." Pinisil ko ang palad nito kasabay nang pag sayaw namin sa kanta.

Isang ikot ay nagtama ang mata namin ng babae at walang amok-amok itong tumalikod at naglakad paalis.

"Go." I smile before releasing his hand.