About You

10: What If?

Nicka's P. O. V.

Synth, Lia, and I are longing at the library. Today is Tuesday kaya pare-pareho kaming may vacant. My best friend and Lia were talking about a movie with lurking monsters in the mist that they wanted to watch in the cinemas.

"Maganda iyon! Panoorin natin."

"Sure, isama ko rin si Tracey para ma-introduce ko si Nicky. Kailan ba free time niny—" Lia was interrupted by her cellphone ringing.

We watched as she quickly made her way out of the library because of the stabbing gaze she received from the librarian.

"Teh, promise talagang maganda iyon. Tara na, sumama ka na. Sumama na nga jowa mo." She said while shaking me.

"Oo na, oo na. Alangan namang kayo lang ni Lia and ng friend niya ang magkaroon ng quality time." I replied.

A few seconds later, I saw Lia walking in our direction with a sullen expression.

"What happened? Why? Who was it?" I asked anxiously.

"Uhm... Coach Anton called. He signed me up na magsayaw for the event next Friday." She looked at me with an apologetic look.

I wonder why, eh hindi ba maganda iyon? She loves to dance, and not to be biased, but she was actually pretty good.

"I don't see what's wrong with that?" I asked as she occupied the seat beside me again.

"Isa lang ang pwede kong gawing talent doon. If I dance, I won't be able to sing on stage, Nicky.." Her gaze dropped to the floor.

Oh, that's why.

With a comforting sigh, I put my hand on hers before replying, "It's alright. You can sing for me when we're together na lang."

I was a bit disappointed, but I was aware that Dahlia loves to dance. It won't hurt much if I let her be happy to do what she really loves to do.

"Tangina, ang landi. May quiz na nga bukas, wala pang tagalambing. Lord, anak mo rin naman ako, ah?" I heard Synth murmuring to herself.

"Hindi lang iyon. I'll..." Lia paused, avoiding my gaze.

"You'll? You'll what, Lia?"

"I'll be dancing with Dustin."

For a second, I thought I was deaf. Before I could comprehend what to reply, it was my best friend who spoke.

"Ay, patay! Lugi tayo riyan."

Dahlia took my hand and squeezed it tight.

"Nicky, I'm sorry. You know what I wanted to perform, this wasn't a part of my plan. Iwasan ko man, but I can't na. Naipasa na raw ang agenda sa chairman... it can't be undone." Her eyes are pleading. She wants me to believe and understand her situation.

Although a part of me was still in doubt, I smiled at her.

"It's okay, Dahlia. It's not like you'll do something more than dancing, right?"

Ito ako ngayon, nakangiti sa kabila ng pait at pighati.

By one in the afternoon, it was almost time for my next class. Synth was left in the library, and it was just me and Lia walking towards the dancing club room. I asked her if I could walk her here dahil dito raw sila i-me-meet ng coach nila para makapag-rush ng practice.

"Nicky, bawi na lang ako sa'yo, huh? Cross my heart walang ibang namamagitan sa amin ni Dustin bukod dito." She had been saying these since we exited the library. I appreciate her thought of reassuring me without even being asked to do so.