TAMED #1: The Good Boy

CHAPTER 24: The Way I Loved You

Huminga muna ako nang malalim. I didn't wear any make-up so I don't look like I had just cried a while ago. Naririnig ko na ang mga hiyawan sa labas but I'm still inside the girls' comfort room.

Pinipilit kong alisin sa utak ko ang nakita ko kanina. My chest stings whenever I remember it.

When I was satisfied with how I look, I stepped out of the comfort room. Lumapit na ako sa may maraming estudyante at hinintay na matawag ang pangalan ko.

I looked for Blaze around but he wasn't backstage. He was on stage at katabi niya si Sweet. They are watching the host, the Council secretary. She even gestured them both. He smiled while the girl held his arm and waved at them.

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

Kahit ba naman dito wala pa rin ako sa lugar.

There were a lot of students who performed several Kpop dances in between the contestants. May sumayaw pa nga ng Like OOH-AHH ng Twice eh.

Natawag ang pangalan ni Blaze. Naghiyawan naman ang mga estudyante. Lalo na ang nga babaeng tumitili hanggang maputol ang lalamunan nila.

Blaze and Sweet got to the backstage.

I didn't bother to look at them but I know they were discussing things about me in a low voice. Because by then, Blaze stood by my side.

"I—"

"Are we almost performing?" I cut him off.

I'd want him to think na whatever happened a while ago didn't bother me one bit. Whatever happened was just some fragment of his delusion or something.

"I... think," he answered carefully. "After ata ng next contestants."

"Great then!"

We didn't wait long enough until our names were called. Sabay kaming pumunta sa stage. The cheers were loud and even though my friends were at the back, they're taller than all of the other students. So, they really stood up.

That sort of lighten up my mood a bit.

"Ready?" I heard Blaze asked.

I turned to him and smiled. "Yup."

Dancing the routine became a second nature considering how much we practiced. Still, everytime his hands touched my skin, I feel like I was burning.

Like whatever I was doing was a sin.

He was still the same, passionate and dedicated to every move. Yet, I am still mesmerized with the way his body moves.

I remember how I used to hate him just because he was a good boy. I had a prejudice against him. How I found him annoying because he teases me a lot. How he would always smile. How he would take care of me. How he would be there for me. How I thought I wouldn't want to love again but with him, it was alright. How the heartbreak I knew felt even more painful.

The memory from what had happened a while ago flashed in my mind. That scene would probably scar me forever. Yet, the look in his eyes still gives me butterflies.

And just like that, I knew I got it bad.

It was loud with cheers when we were done. I felt him touch my hand as we bowed and thanked the audience. Mabilis kong inilayo ang kamay ko at dumiretso sa CR.

I got inside one of the cubicles and tried to calm myself down. But my eyes started blurring. I could hear my own sobs echoing. I could feel myself shaking.

This is stupid. I shouldn't cry for a boy. I shouldn't cry this much for someone who could never love me back. I shouldn't cry this much for someone whom I will never have a chance with.