Versailles Series Book 7: The Ballerina [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 9

=== A L E X A N D R I A ===

Isinantabi ko na muna ang plano kong magpapansin kay Miggy. I am still hurt by the words he said last time. I understand his hate and anger but did he really think that about me?

And besides, I have something more meaningful to do right now. I have always loved kids. Kaya nga gusto ko magpatayo ng eskwelahan para sa mga bata. I have participated in a lot of charity events before for the kids kaya naman hindi ko palalagpasin ang pagkakataon na ito.

Sa huling ensayo namin, nakabisado na nila ang maikli naming routine. I am very impressed with them. Who new that these bachelors, can learn ballet in a few days?

No one in the club knows who will be my backup dancers. Miggy might have an idea but then again, nasa isip nga pala nito na nasa orgy kami.

The venue of the charity event was decorated with kid decors and toys. Naka-set up ang mga kiosk sa gilid kung saan pwedeng tignan ng mga magulang, guro, at mga opisyal ang mga pwedeng i-donate ng mga club members sa mga kani-kaniyang lugar.

We still have two hours before the intermission kaya naman naglibot muna ako. Puno ng mga masasayang bata ang lugar. Some even speak their own dialects which are adorable to hear even though I don't understand.

Some of the children and the adults accompanying them are dressed in there cultural attires. I loved the patterns on them.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang may mapansing bata sa gilid. He was just sitting on the corner looking at the other kids. Wala itong kasamang matanda.

Nilapitan ko ito. "Hi! Okay ka lang ba uhh...Jefferson?" Iyon ang nakalagay sa nametag nito. The boy just looked at me. Nahiya ako ng kaunti dahil hindi ko alam kung paano magsalita sa dialect nila. "Are you okay? Are you with someone?"

Tumango ang bata. Mukhang mas nakakaintindi ito ng English kaysa Tagalog.

"Why are you alone here?"

"I don't have friends." I felt sad that he felt that way.

"Do you want to go play? You can come with me. I can be your friend." Inabot ko ang kamay ko rito.

I saw his hesitation but he accepted my hand anyway. Nilibot ko ito sa mga kiosk. Tinuro ko rito kung paano laruin ang ibang mga laro roon.

Nang makita ko na gusto nitong subukan ang slide ay sinabi ko ritong sasamahan ko ito. Doon lang ito pumayag.

Medyo nag-alangan pa nga ang bantay na samahan ko ang bata sa slide pero pinaliwanag ko na lang din dito kung bakit kailangan ko ito samahan.

Isinakay ko ito sa harap ko bago kami nag-slide. Ilang beses pa namin inulit iyon bago kami lumipat sa ibang palaruan.

Nagpaalam lang ako rito nang kailangan na naming maghanda para sa intermission namin. Pagkapasok ko sa intermission ay nakabihis na ang mga "backup dancers" ko.

"Mukhang ready na kayo ah."

"Oo naman. I can only just imagine how many hearts will I capture for today." sabi ni Enteng.

"I feel like I'm filming a movie. I look better now than the movie I did before." sabi rin naman ni Calhoun.

"I feel so sexy." Sabi ni Jarvis.

"You all look handsome. And macho." Natatawang sabi ko. Good thing the costume covered up their very muscular torso. This is for the kids after all.

Nang tanungin ako ni Marceline kung malalaking tao raw ba ang kasama kong sasayaw base sa mga measurements ng mga costume. I just laughed and didn't spill the secret. I'm sure the club members will be surprised. Hindi ko man makita ang ekspresyon ni Carrie, alam kong magugulat din ito.

I sat down in front of the vanity mirror where the hair and make up artist did her magic. When I finally wore my tutu, the five men were looking at me. Not lustfully but more like they are admiring me.

"I've watched ballet before before but I never had an upclose interaction." Sabi ni Iñigo.

"You haven't dated any ballerina before?" Tanong ni Thunder.

"Nah. I always thought they are choosy." Sagot nito.

"Hindi naman. We're like typical women. Hindi naman kami ganoon ka-iba. Grabe kayo ha." Pagtatanggol ko.

"I think I tried asking some out. I think I had a date with one or two ballerinas before." Sabi ni Enteng.

I took a deep breath. "Are you ready?" Tanong ko sa mga ito.

"Can you believe I was rehearsing last night? Damn." Natatawa na sabi ni Thunder.

"You actually enjoyed it?" Hindi ko mapaniwalaang tanong rito.

Mabagal na tumango ang lima. "We did. We actually did."

I held back my tears. I thought they weren't really serious about this.

"Akala ko tsismis lang talaga habol niyo rito."

"Well that too. We are not forgetting that." Natatawa na sabi ni Jarvis.

The assistant gave us 5 minutes heads up before our presentation start. I gathered my "backup dancers" and muttered a simple prayer and encouragement.

Nasa likod na kami ng kurtina nang marinig ko ang introduction sa amin.

"I believe that some kids here dreamt of being a dancer one day. We have beautiful ethnic dances here in the Cordilleras that we have showcased in other countries before. Now, we will watch a very beautiful presentation from one of the famous ballerinas in the Philippines! She will be performing a re-imagined The Nutcracker along with her exceptional ballet dancers. Let's welcome, Alexandria Illustre!"

Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng kaba ulit. I always feel nervous before any performance and I think that helps me perform better. Mabilis kong nilingon ang mga nasa likod ko. They gave me a smile and a thumbs up.

I straightened my back and graciously entered the stage. I knew the moment na naghiyawan ang mga tao ay hindi para sa akin kung hindi para sa mga lalaking kasama ko sa stage.

The first act will showcase more of the men dancing around. The second act will focus on me and will be twice as long as their performance.

I smiled when I saw how the children's faces lit up. Some were curious. Some looked shocked and astonished.

Tinignan ko si Vanity na nasa gilid para senyasan ito na magsisimula na kaming sumayaw. The moment we started moving, the yelling died down and the place turned silent. Only the piano music can be heard. Iñigo, Enteng, Jarvis, Calhoun, and Thunder were focused in performing their routine.

I felt proud of my first five students.

CHAPTER 10 >>