Daerin POV
"I trust you Roize" I looked up at him, straight in his eyes. His dark brown eyes is looking back at me. i put my hands, clasp together on top of the table. " You will be the first. You will be the first to know all this, except for Shane. I trust you and please, don't disappoint me."
"I won't Daerin. I assure you that." he place his hand on top of mine and gave me a re assuring smile.
Nanatili akong tahimik ng ilang sandali. Maya maya pa ay nagsimula nang ihatid ng waitress ang aming mga order. Unang sinalang ni Roize ang Sam-gyop-sal sa grill pan.
Sasabihin ko na ba talaga kay Roize? Pero sinabi kong sasabihin ko na. Paninindigan ko 'to. Ill take the risk.
"Magthe-three months palang ako sa D floor." i started.
"How did you get there?" he asked as he pour some soju in the shot glass.
"Shane and I were 19, fourth year college. Dating Peacers ang tawag sa D Floor. That time, broken hearted si Shane, pumunta kami dun. That was actually the first time na pumasok kami sa bar and its where i had my first taste of alcohol."
"Dahil first time kung uminom, madali akong naapektuhan ng alak. I heard my favorite song playing and i just found my self in the dance floor. After some time, napansin ko nalang na pinalilibutan na ako ng mga tao."
"I hate that thought." he suddenly said at inisang lagok niya yung soju sa shotglass.
Uminom din ako mula sa shot glass ko. At agad naman itong sinalinan ulit ni Roize.
I continued "After that bigla nalang akong nilapitan ng isang babae. It was Dyna's mom, the owner. Then things happen. I started dancing there when I graduated." then i took another shot of soju.
"But why Daerin? I know that you know from the start na bawal ang ginagawa mo. You're a teacher, at kahit anong paliwanag mo na hindi bar ang 'D Floor, maaari ka paring matanggal sa trabaho or worst, matanggalan ng lisensya." his worried but a hint of anger can be heard in his voice.
"I know Roize, that's why I'm dressing up this way, that's why I'm putting make up on..." i tried to reason out.
"Do you think that's enough?!" he asked with a stern voice
"I think so..." i bowed down. i know its not.
"No Daerin its not." he became calmer this time. "Putting make up on and dressing up that way is not enough. Its a very careless way of hiding your identity. Kahit sino pwede kang makilala, lalo na't hindi naman ganun kakapal ang paglalagay mo ng make up sa mga performance. You dont wear make up during practices, and that alone can be a reason para may makakilala sayo. Tulad nalang ng nangyari ngayon."
I was speechless. He's right. I've actually thought of that at times already. Pero patuloy ko lang itong isinasantabi.
"I love dancing." i look back up to him.
"Do you love it more than your job?" his dark brown eyes is now looking straight to my eyes again. Looking at his eyes, makes me feel calm, safe, and loved. Para bang concern na concern you mga titig niya sakin. Parang sinasabi nito sakin na "Magpakatotoo ka lang. Mapagkakatiwalaan mo ko. Nandito lang ako para sayo."
"Kumuha ako ng education dahil naakit ako sa oppurtunity na ibinigay sakin ng Hertz. I love sharing my knowledge. I love my students. I love my job but i think- I think may malaking bahagi parin sakin ang pagsasayaw. Ang pagpeperform. I dont know Roize. I dont wanna give up my job to be a performer but i dont want to stop performing either." i took another shot.
"I get you Daerin. I love dancing too. At this time, i was suppose to be at the office, gumagawa ng mga reports and presentations. Nagheheld at umaattend ng mga meeting. I was suppose to be the president of our company. But I am not. I choose to live my life how i wanted it to be first. Gusto kong mag enjoy muna. Pero dadating at dadating yung araw na kailangan ko nang tuparin yung responsibilidad na ipinapasa sakin ni Dad. But doesnt mean that I can't dance anymore right?" he force a smile. "You can dance and teach at the same time but not in places like that Daerin."
"Saan Roize? Sabihin mo sakin kung saan ko magagawang sumayaw ng katulad ng pag peperform ko sa D Floor?! Sa foundation day ng school? Sa field demos? Hindi Roize. Hindi mo ko naiintindihan." at saka ako umiling iling.
He reach for my hand on the table. He place mhis hand on top of mine and gently squeeze it.
I suddenly felt my eyes water.
