Wandering Versions

Kabanata 7

September came by, it was my first time celebrating Yeon and Maki's birthday. Yeon's a year and six days older than Maki so I ended up going to their subdivision twice that week. Their family prepared food and invited some friends over. Haoran would've been the noisiest one here, but I heard he's now studying in another province now.

I took a month-long break from my extracurricular activities and just focused on my academics. Yeon and Maki were still active so I just asked them about some updates, I'm still planning to come back maybe next week.

"Class, line up outside and head towards the gymnasium, we'll have our practice there," our MAPEH teacher announced. Everyone lined up in front of the classroom and went to the gym.

"Partner tayo," I slightly tapped Yeon's back.

"Tayo naman talaga," he said without glancing at me.

"Buti alam mo."

Kaming dalawa ang nasa pinakahuli ng pila ng boys at girls, wala talaga kaming choice kung hindi ang maging magkapair para sa sayaw. Traditional dance ang topic sa PE namin, at may performance task kami. Actually, magiging isang event siya na lahat ng Grade 9 sections ay magkakasama.

"I'll give you two minutes to find your partner, then spread out. Malawak ang gymnasium, make sure na may adequate space kayo para sumayaw. Chop chop!"

Biglang nagkagulo ang mga student ng 9-Da Vinci, naghahanap sila ng mga kapartner. Papalapit na sana ako kay Yeon na nasa kabilang side ng gym, kaso may lumapit sa akin, si Honey.

"Ka-pair mo na ba si Yeon? Pwede bang kami naman?" aniya. She even clasped her hands and pouted as if she really wants to be paired with him.

"Sige lang, tanong mo kay Yeon if payag siya," I smiled at her.

"Hindi siya papayag, girl! Legit, sasabihin niya ka-pair ka na niya," hinawakan niya ang braso ko.

"Oh? Anong gagawin ko?" I raised both of my eyebrows, waiting for her answer. Alam naman pala niya, ano bang magagawa ko?

"I-reto mo ako! I mean, pilitin mo siya na ako ang ka-pair niya. Palagi naman kayo magkagrupo sa lahat ng activity, pagbigyan mo na ako oh," inalog pa niya ang braso ko.

"Paano kung ayaw niya?"

"Kapag pinilit mo, feeling ko hindi siya aayaw. Please? Pa-birthday mo na sa akin, oh," Napatikom ako at naglakad papunta kay Yeon. Pumwesto siya sa likuran ko, pero nakahawak pa rin siya sa braso ko.

"Yeon, pair kayo," I pointed at Honey using my lips. Nagtatakang tumingin sa akin si Yeon. I mouthed, 'Dali na'.

"Omg nakakahiya, 'wag mo na ako pilitin, Tequila." Napasinghap ako dahil sa sinabi ni Honey, nagtatago pa siya sa likod ko.

"May wala pang ka-pair na lalaki roon, 'wag mo na ako isipin. Dali na, kayo na," I  gently removed Honey's hand from my arm and guided her towards my friend.

Rafael asked me if I still have no partner yet so I said yes to him. It's just a dance, it meant nothing. Our teacher started demonstrating some dance steps that we would do. I glanced at Yeon and Honey, they were doing well... But I felt guilty all of a sudden.

It's almost like a prom. May part sa sayaw na gagawa kami ng malaking bilog, then lahat ng mga lalaki magiging ka-pair ng babae. Kada ikot, sa iba ka mapapapunta, tapos sasayaw kayo for about ten seconds ganun. The music played and we tried the routine.

Nang umikot ako sa ika-apat na beses, napatapat ako kay Yeon. Hindi siya ngumiti sa akin! Kaya hindi ko rin nginitian. Ending, walang nagsalita sa amin sa buong ten seconds. Galit ba siya?