How to Get Out of the "Bestfriend Zone"

Chapter 20

Nakapalakpak lang silang lahat habang nakatingin sa'kin. Napatawa pa sila sa reaction ko nang ma-realize kong ako pala ang tinutukoy nila. They told me to stand at the center part of the stage.

          "And our Lord of the night goes to:............................"

          Drumroll. Naririnig ko na ang pagkabog ng dibdib ko. Tiningnan ko ang limang gentlemen in front. Oh Lord, please let it be Joshua. Please, please, please...............

          "None other than the gentleman with the black tuxedo and red bowtie!"

          Tae. Sino ba naman 'tong mokong na 'to? Bakit hindi pa si Joshua? Why, oh why??

          Pinagtabi nila kaming dalawa. Biglang nagka-goosebumps ako sa arm ko. Multo ba 'tong katabi ko? Serial killer? Lord, 'wag naman sana. Ayoko pang mamatay.

          May ibinigay na parang cue card sa emcee. Kinuha niya ito. May nag-ala assistant pang tumayo sa may likuran namin ng misteryosong lalake.

          "ICU seniors, presenting our lady and lord of the night!"

          And they took off our masks.

          "Ms. Mia Therese Tuazon and Mr. Lance Anthony Castillo!"

          Anak ng kalabaw! Si LANCE?????

          Halatang na-shock sila nang makitang ako pala ang lady of the night. Pero mind you, mas lumakas pa ang pagpapalakpakan nila. OMG. Star will be soooo pissed off.

          Halatang Lance was also caught off guard nang makita ako. For a while, nagtinginan lang kami. But then, I looked away. Naalala ko biglang masama nga pala ang loob ko sa kanya.

          They pinned on our sashes.

          "Please make a way for our lady and lord of the night who are about to have their first dance."

          Lance then offered his hand. Nag-alangan pa ako at first but kinuha ko rin naman.

          At tumabi silang lahat. I must admit, it felt good na maging center of attraction. Kahit isang gabi lang. At ipli-nay na ng DJ ang Thinking Out Loud ni Ed Sheeran. Napa-awwe silang lahat nang marinig 'yon.

          My prince charming led my hand towards his shoulders and he put his hand on my hips. Tiningnan ko siya while he was doing it and I was reminded of how good-looking he really is. Pero, I looked away ulit..

          Nagsimula na kaming sumayaw. Hindi ko pa rin siya tinitingnan. Medyo masama parin ang loob ko sa kanya. At alam kong na-feel niya rin 'yon. Finally, he lifted my chin up at napilitan na akong tingnan ang mapupungay niyang mga mata. The dance lasted for minutes. And the minutes felt like hours. 'Di ko namalayan na papatapos na pala ang kanta. The emcee then invited everyone to join in the fun. I saw Joshua and Carly dancing at the corner of my eye.

          Nakatingin pa rin ako kay Lance, the same way na nakatingin din siya sa'kin. But I came back to my senses. As much as I didn't want to, I let go of his hand. I saw the bewildered look on his face. And I ran out of the room.

          Sinundan niya ako. Mabilis kong tinungo ang elevator at nang makapasok na ako ay isinara ko agad. I pressed the ground floor button. Nang makarating na ako sa ground floor, I immediately ran outside sa garden. Nakatayo lang ako habang nakatingin sa labas, trying my hardest to calm myself.

          I heard footsteps na nangagaling sa isang taong tumatakbo. Nang malapit na siya sa'kin, humina ang paglalakad niya.

          "Mia.........."