15 - Strength and Grace

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The next day, buong araw na mamamasyal ang dalawa. Lander surprises Luana by bringing her in a ballet studio which is owned by one of his friends named Suzanne.

LUANA:         Where are we?

LANDER:      In a place you said you really miss a lot.

LUANA:         What? Don't tell me...

LANDER:      Here... (ipapahawak sa dalaga ang mahabang barre) Familiar ba?

Wala namang mapagsidlan ang ligayang mararamdaman ng dalaga nang mahawakan ang naturang bagay.

LUANA:         Oh my God! (nangitngiti pero mangiyak-iyak ito) Is this true? (gently and carefully feels the surface of the handrail as if it's a very precious item)

LANDER:      Of course, it is!

Biglang haharap si Luana at yayakap ito ng mahigpit kay Lander. Bakas sa mukha nito ang labis labis na tuwa.

LUANA:         Thank you so much, honey! (reaches for his face then without a word kisses him on the lips) I love you, I love you, I love you sooooo much!

LANDER:      I love you more. (kisses her on the forehead)

Then, tatalikod ulit si Luana at babalikan ang barre sa tabi. She'll feel it again. And by that mere touch, memories are brought back at di na nito mapipigilan pa ang pag-agos ng kanyang mga luha. Maski si Suzanne na naroon din ay di na rin mapipigilan ang sariling mapaluha.

LUANA:         It's been years since the last time I was able to touch one of these. I missed them so much.

LANDER:      (lalapitan ang dalaga at yayakapin ito mula sa likuran) Wanna try?

LUANA:         What?

LANDER:      I wanna see you dance, my love.

LUANA:         (haharap sa binata) But...but I'm not sure if...if kaya ko pa.

LANDER:      How could we know if di mo susubukan?

SUZANNE:    I can lend you my pointe shoes. I'm pretty sure we're just of the same size.

LUANA:         Really? (she's a bit bashful but is happy to hear it)

SUZANNE:    Of course!

LUANA:         Thank you...thank you so much.

SUZANNE:    It's nothing. Just wait here, I'll get a pair for you.

Ilang saglit pa, babalik si Suzanne dala-dala ang isang pares ng mga sapatos.

SUZANNE:    Would you like me to put it on you or do you wanna do it yourself?

LUANA:         I'd love to do it.

Mauupo ang dalaga. Nginig, dahan-dahan at maingat nitong isusuot ang mga nasabing sapatos habang nakangiting nakamasid naman ang dalawa sa kanya. She feels every part of the footwear, even the ribbons as she ties them up making sure she's doing the right thing and she's doing it correctly. A smile of success then registers on their faces after she's done.

LUANA:         Tama ba ang pagkakabuhol ko?

SUZANNE:    (amazed) Perfect! You've done it perfectly, sweetie! (mapapapalakpak pa ito)

Luana just replies with a bashful smile.

SUZANNE:    (ngiting-ngiti) And they suit you so well...they're beautiful on you. (aalalayan nitong makatayo ang dalaga)

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