Shadows of Serendipity - Hambebe AU

Chapter 16

"One, two... three, four... five, six... seven and eight. Isa pa! One, two..."

Isang linggo na lang bago ang event, which is Thanksgiving Day. Lahat ng members ng dance troupe ay nasa studio na para mag-practice ng kanilang sasayawin.

And Claire, being the dance troupe leader, started to be a little stricter when it comes to practice, aiming to polish their dance properly before the said event. Malayong-malayo sa mahinhin at maamo niyang vibes sa normal na araw.

"Charice, medyo mabilis ka... Patrick, nawawala ka sa formation... Angela, pumantay ka sa kambal mo... AJ, more power, come on!"

Napapabuntong-hininga na lang si Claire habang pinapanood na sumayaw ang mga co-members niya, so much so that she didn't even noticed Serena approaching her. Nabalik lang siya sa reyalidad nang tapikin siya sa balikat nito.

"Mukhang pagod na sila, Claire. Why don't we take a break for a while, hm? We could get back naman to where we left off after." Serena softly stated, giving the leader an assuring smile.

As much as she wanted to take it easy, Claire did noticed everyone's exhausted looks. Kahit si Serena mismo na kasinglakas ang stamina niya when it comes to dancing ay mukhang pagod na rin.

"You're sweating a lot..." Bulong ni Claire kaya hindi masyadong narinig ni Serena.

"Ha? Ano 'yon? 'Di ko narinig, sorry."

"Nothing, don't mind it." She stood up and clapped her hands once. "Okay, let's take a break muna, everyone! I'm so sorry for pushing you all too hard."

"Sa wakas! Thank you po!"

"Okay lang po, leadernim!"

"Iba talaga 'pag nagseryoso si retsam."

"Kaya nga eh. Grabe ka-harsh."

"Baka 'yun siguro dahilan kaya laging maganda performance nila nung junior high."

"Feel ko rin. Nasa lugar talaga lagi ugali ni Claire."

"Bili lang po muna kami tubig, ate!" Paalam ng isa kay Claire.

"Sure! 30 minutes lang ah!"

"Yes po! Thank you!"

Nang makalabas sila sa studio, nagpaalam na rin si Serena. "Do'n muna ako sa tabi ni Gaille. Baka miss na ko eh." Biro niya.

"Oh, sure! Sino ba naman ako para pigilan kayo sa bebe time niyo?" Biro pabalik ni Claire kaya naman natawa silang pareho.

"Don't worry, lalabas naman kami para 'di ka maiinggit."

"Grabe ka naman sa'kin, Selle! I'm not envious kaya 'no!"

"Ay ang defensive? Joke lang eh!"

Claire gave her a light punch and waved her off, dismissing Serena, who gave the girl a quick hug before approaching Gaille, who's currently almost passed out on the floor whilst leaning against the wall.

"Painom sa tumbler mo, Gaille!" Paalam ni Serena kahit hawak niya na at binubuksan ang tumbler.

Gaille just hummed in response. Wala rin naman na siyang magagawa. Plus, she's too tired to have any complaints.

Pagtapos niyang uminom, binaba niya ang tumbler sa tabi ni Gaille at sinimulan nang kulitin siya.

"Tara labas!" Aya ni Serena habang hinihila pataas ang mga braso ni Gaille to stand her up

"Ayaw." Mabilis na sagot ni Gaille.

"Tara na! Ice cream tayo!"

"How come you have so much energy still? Saka papalibre ka lang eh."