𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙧. 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙙

5. Hide the Pain

The moment I stepped into the backstage area, I saw Zayne’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Belle, you’re wearing a dress?” he asked, his voice light with laughter.

I tried to smile, but I could barely manage it. His chuckle only made the ache in my chest worse.

“Congrats, Hail, sa show mo,” I said, turning to my friend with as much cheer as I could muster.

I’d tossed the roses I’d brought, but the thorny cuts on my hand were still there, a reminder of what I’d thought tonight would be. Hailey noticed immediately.

“Thank you, Bella. But what happened to your hand?”

I pulled my hand away before she could touch it. “Nothing, just a little cut. And congrats sa inyong dalawa,” I added, forcing the words out.

I could pretend for a few more minutes—just long enough to leave.

Zayne put an arm around Hailey, and my heart twisted painfully. “Napanood mo?” he asked. “We’re a couple now.” He sounded so proud, so happy.

I nodded, holding on to the last scraps of my composure. “Did you expect that, Hail?” I asked her, though I already knew the answer.

She beamed at me, a look I’d never seen on her face before. “Not really. I noticed his little hints, of course, but I didn’t expect him to propose like that. In front of everyone!” Her happiness was so pure that I couldn’t help but feel even more broken.

I was the only one who hadn’t seen it. The only one who’d assumed, foolishly, that Zayne’s attention was for me. But how could I compare to Hailey? She was everything anyone could ever want—kind, beautiful, talented. All I had was a bit more height, and nothing more. No one had ever looked at me like that, least of all Zayne.

“I need to leave first,” I said, knowing I couldn’t stay a moment longer.

“Huh? Why?” Zayne asked. “Wait for us; we’re leaving soon.”

I shook my head, noticing the relief on his face as I said I’d go ahead. He wanted to be with her, and I’d only be in the way.

“Gamutin mo yang kamay mo pagdating sa inyo,” was all he said as I turned to leave.

I nodded, then turned and walked away, tears blurring my vision. I didn’t look back once, not even as I felt the tears finally spill over. I wanted to run, to get as far away as possible, but all I could do was make my way home in a daze.

When I arrived, the house was empty—my parents weren’t home, and tomorrow was Saturday. I had the night to myself, and I was grateful for that.

I locked myself in my room and finally let the tears fall, muffling my sobs in my pillow. At some point, sleep found me, though I wasn’t even aware of when I drifted off.

As we walked through the narrow alley leading to Hailey’s house, I couldn’t help but bring up something I’d noticed earlier.

“Napansin mo bang iba ang ngiti ni Bella kanina? Parang may sakit siya,” I said, squeezing her hand gently.

Hailey looked thoughtful, nodding. “Oo nga, napansin ko rin. Bukas dadalawin ko siya.”

“And she wore a dress tonight,” I continued, trying to make sense of Bella’s sudden change. “Nag make-up pa yata. Dahil kaya sa crush niya?”

“Maybe,” Hailey replied. “Baka kaya siya umalis agad kasi may date sila. Kelan kaya niya ipapakilala sa atin kung sino yung lalaki?”

“She told me I’d be the first to know once sila na. So, I guess we’ll just have to wait,” Hailey said with a small smile.

We stopped in front of her gate, and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me.

“So, good night na?” she asked, smiling up at me.

I grinned. “See you tomorrow? We can watch a movie?”

She nodded. “Sure. Pick me up at 5 p.m.”

I lifted her hand and kissed it softly. “Thank you for saying yes. This is the most unforgettable night of my life.”

“Me too,” she replied, her smile making my heart race. “Ingat ka pag-uwi.”

With one last kiss on her hand, I finally said goodbye, my heart soaring. That night, everything felt perfect.

Finally, Hailey was my girlfriend.