Crossroads [SC SERIES #1]

Kabanata 33: Dance

[Nhelandrie's POV]

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko nung nagsimula nang magsayawan ang ibang mga ka-edad ko kasama ang mga partners nila. Umupo rin si Mexie sa mesa namin matapos nilang mag-perform.

"Ba't wala kang partner?" Tanong ni Steph kay Richmond habang pinaglalaruan ang pudding na nasa pinggan niya.

"I'm an exception. Ba't hindi ka sumayaw? Madaming mga lalaking kanina pa tingin nang tingin sayo." Napairap si Steph nung makita nga ang mga kalalakihan na tumitingin sa direksyon namin kahit may kasayaw na sila.

I don't have any plans to dance, kung si Klare ang partner ko ay may lakas-loob pa akong yayain siya... pero si Steph kasi, naiilang ako.

"What?" Tanong ko nung hinila niya ang dalawang kamay ko para patayuin ako.

"Let's dance, loser. I'm bored." Napalunok ako nung mapunta kami sa dance floor. I never danced with anyone before. Singing and dancing was never my thing.

"Huwag ka ngang masyadong magpahalata na hindi ka marunong sumayaw. Pinahihiya mo ako eh," iritadong reklamo niya bago nilagay ang magkabilang kamay ko sa maliit niyang beywang.

Ramdam ko ang biglang pag-init ng tenga ko. Naiilang ako at hindi komportable. I'm confident that i'm a guy that suits Stephanie Villegas' beauty kaya walang rason ang mga kalalakihan dito para mainggit.

"H-hindi nga kasi ako marunong sumayaw. We should go back, Klare would see me."

"Ganun ka ba katakot kay Klare para ayaw mo siyang magselos?" Ngisi niya at nagsimula na kaming sumayaw nang mahinahon habang marahang nakahawak si Steph sa magkabilang balikat ko. We both swayed together with the music, it would be an ideal night if Klare is in my arms. Napakagago ko talaga. Iniwas-iwasan ko siya tas ako ngayon ang nagdudusa. I chuckled because of the thought playing in my head. Steph noticed it.

"It must be suffocating. You know, having boundaries."

"It is, but it was my choice anyway." Agad akong umiwas ng tingin nung magtapat ang mga mata namin. I'm in love with Klare and it makes hard to look into another woman's eyes.

"Sabi mo, hindi mo sinasadya ang mga pananakit mo kay Klare. You did it for your Mother's sake. Would you say sorry to her now that your Mom is away?" I felt the heat of her hand on my shoulder that made me relax and ease awhile.

"That's not in my vocabulary. I'm confident that I just made Klare a person she is now. I taught her how to be patient and confident. Rather saying sorry to her, I should thank you for making my sister happy when none of us could." Naguluhan ako nung unti-unti siyang kumalas at dumistansya sa akin.

Kumunot ang noo ko nung ang iba ay tumigil sa pagsasayaw at tumingin sa amin. Kahit ang mga legacies ay natigilan sa pagkain at nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa gawi ko. What's happening?

"I know that it's inappropriate for a woman to ask, but may I have this dance?"

Wala akong naririnig kundi ang tanging pagtibok lang ng puso ko at unti-unting humarap sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

She looks amazing in her stunning raspberry couture gown, it's a good thing that I wore a red necktie. Her hair was tied in a messy bun... gorgeous.

I don't think I have any reason to say no. About other's opinions? Fuck them, i'm dancing with the most beautiful lady tonight.

I pulled and swing her around until my other hand finds its comfort place in her slender waist.

"Na-miss kita," a genuine smile flashed in her lips after I said it.

"I want to beat you up right now."

"No, you can't. I still want to see our first born," biro ko sa kanya na ikinalaki ng mga mata niya. I laughed at her reaction.

"They are all staring at us," she said but I know she's not disturbed. Everyone could see how comfortable she is with me. Sa akin lang si Klare, akin lang siya.

"The night is ours, aalis din naman ako ng KPA. Pagkatapos nun, I want to us to have a date."

"A-a date?" Namumulang tanong niya that made me chuckled.

"Yeah, a date." My body moved on its own. I kissed her on the forehead and I saw her closed her eyes in comfort. I know I just met her a month ago, but I could already imagine a future with her.

"I forgot to tell you i'm sorry. I had an ex-lover once four years ago. She's jolly and her smile made me forget all my problems. We both have the same circle of friends and we all decided to go to a camp trip. It was late at night when she wants to talk to me. Lumabas kami ng tent and we're walking around the woods. Malungkot ang mga mukha niya at alam ko na kung bakit."

Nakahilig ang ulo niya sa balikat ko habang umuugoy kami kasabay ng mahinahon at mapayapang musika. Tahimik lang siyang nakikinig habang pinagpatuloy ko ang pagkukwento.

"She wants to break up with me since aalis siya papuntang Indonesia. It was late and everything happened fast, she accidentally tripped herself and the next thing I know is i'm standing at the edge of the clift; staring at her lifeless body below. Everyone blamed me na sinadya ko yun mangyari dahil ayaw kong makipaghiwalay siya sa akin. Inaamin ko, kasalanan ko kasi hindi ko nahawakan ang kamay niya." Malungkot akong ngumiti nung maalala ko ulit ang mga insidente four years ago.

"Kahit makikita sa investigation na nadulas siya ay patuloy pa rin nila akong sinisisi. Well, who wouldn't? I'm a trouble-magnet, a doucebag-"

"And the man I couldn't live without." Nagulat ako nung dugtungan niya ang mga salita ko. Ramdam ko ang pagngiti niya. With Klare... everything feels conquerable. Kita ko sa bandang-gilid ang kinikilig na si Mexie at si Prince na ngumingiting aso rin. Steph raise her wine glass at us with a proud smile. Richmond is beside her, leaning on the wall with a smirk.

"Umiwas ako... i've caused you enough troubles. Ayokong mapahamak ka sa huli dahil sa 'kin."

"Hinding-hindi ako mapapahamak, Nhelandrie. You would protect me, you swore and i'm holding unto it. I'm looking forward to face countless troubles with you, Mr. Aguilar."