"I'm nervous." Bulong ko kay Paulo. Today is 2nd of December. Ngayon ang competition namin. Pau visited me early in the morning because he couldn't make it later. He had his audition to enter a dance group after class. He'll be busy so he won't be there.
"Regardless of the result, be it win or lose, always remember that I am proud of you." He said and hugged me tight.
"The beat of my heart became louder." I whispered and hugged him tighter before chuckling a bit. Pau held my hand and raise it between us. Right on his chest.
"My heart feels the same." He whispered and chuckled. After, we walked side by side outside to take a jeepney. The competition is going to be held in St. Bernard University. That's completely out of his way but he insisted to at least take me there.
"Good luck." He whispered when we reached the gate of SBU. I smiled and kissed him on his cheeks before I walked inside. Nasa entrance pa lang ako ay pinagtitinginan na ako ng mga estudyante. Supposedly, sabay-sabay kaming pupunta dito using our organization bus. But me being me, I insisted to go here alone.
"Taga-ISU!" Bulong ng isang lalaki. I looked at my outfit. It was a pair of shorts and university shirt and jacket. Maybe that's the reason why they did manage to know. I didn't mind and fished my phone out of my pocket to text the whole swimming team. They instructed to wait on the parking area. So, I did.
"Bago?" A guy wearing NUP's P.E. uniform asked and stand in front of me. Tumango ako bago tumingin sa phone ko para basahin ang update ng mga ka-team ko. Malapit na raw sila.
"Pwede bang makuha ang number mo?" Tanong ng lalaki sa akin. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at saka ngumiti.
"I have a boyfriend." Maiksing sagot ko sa kanya. I thought he's going to go away but I was wrong. He sat beside me. I rolled my eyes and made a distance by moving a bit, but he followed me. Instead of sitting, I decided to stand up. This is better.
Minutes later, our bus arrived. Students automatically flocked the area as if they are some sort of celebrity. I didn't move from my place. Naunang bumaba si Adi na kaagad akong hinanap sa paningin. I waved my hand and smiled widely. He smiled back and walked towards me. He snatched my duffel bag without saying anything before he held my wrist and pulled towards the door of the bus. Isa-isang bumaba sina Oliver. As usual, panghuli na naman si Shana na nagrereklamo sa kung gaano ka-gentleman ang swimming team. Nang makita niya ako ay awtomatiko siyang ngumiti at saka tumakbo para yakapin ako nang mahigpit.
We walked onto the arena. A lot of audience is already waiting. Umugong ang sigawan nang pumasok kami.
"May bago?" Rinig kong tanong ng karamihan. Shana held my hand and made a wave to people. I shook my head and pulled my arms before continuing to walk. Wala akong pake sa manonood. Pau's not here though. I walked inside the girl's bathroom. There, I saw lots of girls from different universities. If I remember it right, we are 15. Nang pumasok kaming dalawa ni Shana ay automatic silang nag-angat ng tingin. They stared at me, and I didn't made a reaction. I went onto the cubicle to change. Narinig kong sumunod si Shana at pumunta sa kabila.
"Are you ready?" Hiyaw ng emcee kaya naghiyawan ang mga manonood pabalik. Halos dumagundong ang kinalalagyan namin sa lakas ng sigawan ng mga tao. Gusto kong manood pero bawal. Pagkatapos daw kasi ng mga lalaki ay sunod na kami agad. Nauna sila for a reason. Wearing my university jacket, I walked outside the cubicle.
