Take a Chance with Me

11

"Ano? Away na naman kayo?" Tanong ni Trixie pag upo ko sa tabi nya.

"Hindi ah," kinuha ko ang aking ballpen at nagsimulang gawin ang assignment namin.

"Bakit naka busangot yang mukha mo?"

"Wala, pagod lang,"

Hindi matanggal sa isip ko yung nangyari, yung nasaksihan ko. Wala namang masama kung sabay silang kumain pero.... hindi ba talaga nya ako kayang hintayin?

I stood in the middle of the street, my dance crew surrounding me. The scorching sun beat down on us, making the pavement shimmer like a mirage. We had practiced nonstop for days, perfecting every step, every movement. I was ready. Or at least, I thought I was.

Sumasayaw kami sa ilalim ng araw pero hindi iyon ininda dahil saya rin namaj ang hinahatud non sa amin.

My mind was a jumble of thoughts, though. Zep, was standing right next to me, cheering me on. But my thoughts kept drifting back to him and Kate. Why did they have to be so perfect together? Why did I have to develop feelings for him? Bakit kailangan ko s'ya saktan dati? Paano ko natitiis na saktan sya?

I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. We were about to perform in front of a crowd, and I needed to be on top of my game. I took a deep breath, feeling the music pulse through my veins.

"Let's do this!" Zep shouted, grinning at me.

I nodded, and we launched into our routine. The sun beat down on us, but we danced like our lives depended on it.

Tumambay kami sa may Airport dahil nandon ang mga gamit namin, hinatidan ako ni Zep ng pagkain at sabay kaming kumain. Hindi maganda ang panahon, pakiramdam ko ay uulan.

Tiningnan ko si Zep habang nag kukwento kung gaano sya ka proud sa akin habang sumasayaw, I smiled.

The evening air was electric, the crowd buzzing with excitement. We took our places on stage, the music starting to pulse through the speakers. I felt Zep's eyes on me, his support and encouragement palpable.

As we danced, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. I felt alive, my movements fluid and natural. And then, just as we were hitting our stride, the sky opened up and rain poured down on us.

Tangina, ngayon oa umulan.

But we didn't stop. We couldn't stop. We danced through the rain, our bodies moving in perfect sync. The crowd was on its feet, cheering and chanting our names.

Bumigat ang suot kong palda at nahirapan akong sumayaw dahil sa mga bato na natatapakan ko, cultural dance ang sinasayaw namin s gilid ni simbahan kaya naka yapak kami at nararamdaman ko ang pag baon ng bawat bato na naaapakan ko.

And then, it was over. We froze, our arms raised in triumph. The crowd erupted into cheers, and I felt Zep's arms around me, lifting me off the ground.

"And the winner is..."

Pinagsiklop ko ang aking kamay at hinipan dahil sa tinding kamig na naramdaman.

"Pamayanan ng... Payompon!"

I laughed, feeling elated and exhausted all at once. We had won. We had actually won.

As we made our way off stage, I caught Zep's eye, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. He had been my rock, my support system throughout this entire competition. And even though my feelings for him were still there, I knew that I could trust him, that he would always have my back.

For now, that was enough. We had won, and that was all that mattered.

As I peacefully rest in my room, the gentle sunlight filters through the curtains, casting warm patterns on the walls. I am lost in my own thoughts, perhaps contemplating the day or simply enjoying the tranquility. Suddenly, the door swings open, and my friends burst in, their laughter filling the room.

Trixie, with her infectious energy, encourages me to get dressed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, let's go watch the sunset," she exclaims, already pulling clothes out of my closet as if there's no other option but to comply.

Nakaugalian na kasi namin manuod ng sunset tuwing hapon.

"Mag dress ka kaya?" Saad ni Joyce.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Yuck,"

"Oo nga, para twinning tayong apat," singit ni France.

Tiningnan ko sila, naka brown na dress si France habang si Trixie naman ay pink ang suot at si Joyce naman ay purple.

"Bakit naman kayo naka dress? Para kayong tanga,"

Humawak si Joyce sa dibdib nya. "Kaka offend ha? Mag dress ka nalang para maganda sa picture natin mamaya,"

Kumamot si Rence sa ulo nya. "Mag bihis ka nalang, Philo. Kakapikon na mga yan, ginising pa ako sa bahay. Nag dress ka, akala mo pupunta s binyagan,"

"Itong white na dress ang suot mo para hindi tayo pare-parehas," bato ni France ng damit ko sa akin.

My initial annoyance at their intrusion melts away as I realize the spontaneity of the moment. Despite my reluctance to leave the comfort of my room, the prospect of spending time with my friends and witnessing the beauty of nature's canvas tugs at my heartstrings. As I slip on my shoes and follow them out the door, a sense of anticipation and gratitude fills my soul. After all, some of life's most memorable moments are the ones that catch my by surprise.

Naglakad lang kami papunta sa dagat, pababa palang naman ang araw kaya may oras pa kami. Bumili muna kami ng barbeque at coke para naman may kakainin namin, tradition na ata ng circle of friends namin ito na kahit gaano kabusy ang isa't isa, gagawa kami ng paraan para magkaroon ng quality time.

I settled into the warm sand, feeling the gentle grains shift beneath me as I gazed out at the serene ocean. The waves lapped calmly at the shore, a soothing melody that seemed to match the rhythm of my heartbeat. To my left, France, Joyce, Trixie, and Rence chatted and laughed, their smiles illuminated by the breathtaking sunset unfolding before us. The sky was a kaleidoscope of colors - yellow, orange, and red hues blending together in perfect harmony.

But as I turned to respond to something France said, I noticed my friends were standing up, their faces beaming with excitement.

"Where are you going?" I asked, feeling a pang of confusion.

They didn't answer, simply exchanging knowing glances before walking away, leaving me alone on the beach. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered what was going on.

Parang mga bobo amputa.

"Huy! San kayo? Tangina n'yo,"

They didn't answer.

That's when I saw him - Zep, walking towards me with a purposeful stride. My heart skipped a beat as he sat down beside me, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

Anong nangyayari?

"I love you," he said, his voice low and husky. "I couldn't live without you. You're my dreams, my everything. Without you, I'm nothing."

I felt like I was melting into the sand, my mind reeling from his words. Before I could respond, he handed me a small, red box.

My fingers trembled as I took it from him, my heart racing with anticipation. Zep opened the box, revealing a stunning gold and silver ring with a massive diamond at its center. I gasped, my eyes welling up with tears.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice filled with emotion.

I nodded, tears streaming down my face as I whispered "Yes."

The sunset seemed to blaze brighter, as if it too was celebrating our love. Zep slid the ring onto my finger, and I felt like I was home, like I had found my forever.

As we hugged, the waves lapping at our feet, I knew that this moment, this sunset, would be etched in my memory forever - a testament to the scorching love that Zep and I shared.

Narinig ko ang impit ng irit at sigaw ng mga kaibigan ko sa likod. I saw Rence holding his camera while the three girls are crying while holding their phones.

Inangat ko ag kamay ko at pinapakita ang singsing sa aking kamay.