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Chapter 11

"Shall we dance, Miss Del Bianco?"

I looked up at Allen and ended up slightly laughing. I was not used to seeing him so formal.

"Sige na nga. Mukhang pinag-praktisan mo pa 'yung sinabi mo eh," I jokingly said as I took his hand.

Allen and I blended with the other people dancing. He was staring at me, smiling. "Ang ganda mo ngayon."

"And you look nice as well, Mr. Carayao," I replied with a smile.

Allen was undeniably charming in his black tuxedo. I didn't feel uneasy having him around. He was always playful and outgoing, a friend of everyone. For me, he's like the male counterpart of Guia.

"Baka naman inaya mo lang ako kasi naawa ka sa 'kin noong nakita mo akong mag-isa," biro ko pa.

"Hindi, ah. You deserve to feel special tonight."

I smiled at his genuine remark. Habang sumasayaw, napasulyap ako kay Sean na nag-iisa na lang ngayon sa table nila. He gulped an alcoholic drink in his wine glass like it was water.

I instantly felt concerned. May balak ba siyang maglasing?!

"'Di ka man bago sa paningin, palihim kang nasa yakap ko't lambing," the vocalist sang as we were dancing in front of them.

I looked at Allen again when he noticed me zoning out. I gave him a timid smile while stepping side to side, my hand placed on his shoulder while the other held his hand.

After a few minutes, I saw Guia pulling Sean towards the dance floor. Sean had a hesitant look on his face but Guia was forceful. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanilang dalawa. Pumuwesto sila sa tabi namin. I acted clueless and focused on Allen's presence instead.

"Okay ka lang ba?"

Napatingin ako kay Allen. "Oo... Bakit?"

"Pinagpapawisan na palad mo."

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya. "Sorry, pasmado ako."

"Ayos lang 'yan," he giggled.

I indulged the music as the band was serenading the audience. "Ngiti mo lang ang nakikita ko, tauhin man ang silid..."

"Pst, Allen!"

Pareho kaming napalingon kay Guia nang tawagin niya si Allen. Sean also directed his gaze towards us.

"Switch partners bago mag-chorus?"

Napakurap ako sa sinabi ni Guia. Tinitigan ko siyang magkasalubong ang mga kilay. Ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin?

Tumango lang si Allen, nakangiti. Pinabalik-balik ko sa kanilang dalawa ang tingin ko, naguguluhan, pero pinagpatuloy lang namin ang mabagal na pagsasayaw.

The second chorus of the song was about to begin. Binulungan ako ni Allen. "Ikot ka."

"Ikaw ang araw sa tag-ulan at sa maulap kong umaga..."