as the stars would have it

51

[DIALOGUE]

< DANCE STUDIO. EVENING. >

Narinig ni Jachin ang kalabog ng pintuan.

Jachin
Rigo, kung nandito ka para papuntahin ako sa bahay, you're wasting your time.

Evie
Dinner?

Agad na napalingon si Jachin.

Jachin
Evie? Ba't ka nandito?

Evie
Ayaw mo ng carbonara ng Mama mo? Sige ka, kakainin ko na lang ulit 'to. I'm feeling hungry.

Jachin
Pinadala ni Mama?

Tumango ito.

Jachin
Si Mama talaga. . .

Jachin
Lika dito. Hati na lang tayo.

Jachin pat the floor where he was already sitting.

Evie
You're sweaty. . .

Jachin
Grabe ka, ah. Kanina pa kasi ako sumasayaw. Sorry naman.

Evie
No, I mean, magpunas ka muna bago ka kumain.

Jachin
Fine. . .

Evie
We didn't slice your cake yet since wala ka so hindi ko—ni Tita pinadala.

Jachin quirked a brow.

Jachin
Okay na ako sa pasta. Wala rin ako masyadong gana.

Evie sighed.

Evie
You should be happy because it's your birthday.

Jachin
Yeah, well, shit happens.

Sandali silang natahimik.

Jachin
Pinapunta ka ni Rigo?

Umiling ito.

Evie
I just figured you'd be here. Nasabi mo before itong lugar.

Evie watched Jachin eat slowly. She wasn't used to this Jachin—quiet and dejected.

Jachin
I like the quiet kapag tapos na mga ibang sessions or booked dance classes.

Evie
Do you know the owner?

Jachin
Yeah. A relative. Pinapahiram niya na sa 'kin kapag gusto kong mag solo.

Evie
And was it always your thing?

Jachin pursed his lips, before shaking his head.

Jachin
No. I was always a part of a class or with a group of friends. Pero nitong mga nakaraan, mas gusto ko na lang mag-isa.

Evie
It would be nice to see you dance. Like sa competition or something.

Tumawa ito.

Jachin
Malabo 'yan, Eve. 'Di ako sumasali sa gano'n. Kakain ng oras at panahon 'yon, e kailangan ako sa bahay, sa uni, sa talyer.

Evie nodded in understanding.

Evie
Rejected agad request ko.

Jachin
'Di ko naman nire-reject, 'yong part lang na competition.

Evie
So we'll get to see you dance?

Jachin shrugged and forked a bite of pasta to his mouth.

Jachin
Baka. Tignan natin.

Evie
I'll look forward to it. Sisingilin kita.

Ngumiti lamang ito sa kanya. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes, but she'd take it for now.

Jachin
Hinahanap ba nila ako?

Evie
Mm-hmm.

Jachin
Galit sila?

Evie
No. I think they can never be mad at you. But they are confused. Hindi mo naman kasi sinasagot mga tawag nila.

Jachin
Si Mila?

Evie
She's. . . looking for you too.

Jachin
Did she tell you? Sa lahat?

Evie shook her head.

Evie
And I don't think she should have to. Kung ano man nangyari sa inyo, sa inyo lang 'yon.

Jachin
I don't know, Evie. . . baka madamay sina Rigo.

Evie
Do you really not want to go there now? Para rin makausap mo sila. Especially Mila. She's waiting for you, you know?

Sumandal si Jachin sa salamin sa likod nila ni Evie.

Jachin
'Di ko alam kung gusto ko pa siyang maghintay sa 'kin. . .

Evie
Hmm?

Jachin
'Di ko alam kung ready akong kausapin siya.

Evie moved closer to him to take a good look of his face.

Evie
You will be. Pero dapat wala ng galit dito.

Evie pointed at his chest, where his heart was located.

Evie
And then you'll be ready.

* * *

#ATSWHIwp