Messed Up
I decided it was finally time to talk to Drake about everything. As much as it hurt, I knew I had to face the issue head-on.
I made my way back to the court, scanning the area for him, but it was empty. I assumed everyone had gone home, so I turned to leave. Just as I was about to walk away, I caught sight of Drake leaning down to kiss Arden's forehead.
Time froze. I stood there, rooted to the spot, my heart racing. Five minutes passed, but it felt like an eternity. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. A laugh escaped my lips, a strange mix of disbelief and frustration. What was I doing? Why was I feeling this way? Nagseselos ako kahit walang... karapatan? Damn!
Saktong nag-aya ang barkada na mag-celebrate sa Kuya Easton's bar, again. Parang walang sawa ang mga ito. Bigla akong napaisip—si Arden, nandun siya. Ang daming tanong sa isip ko: pupunta ba ako o hindi?
Sa huli, pumayag na lang ako. Wala naman akong karapatan na umayaw, at kailangan ko lang munang isantabi ang mga nararamdaman ko. Sa tingin ko, unti-unti ring mawawala ang mga ito. I just really need to avoid him.
Think of it, mahirap na kapag nahuli ako ni Yael. Ayokong maging usapan. Kaya kahit na may kaba at kaunting takot sa dibdib ko, I end up going there. It's just one night, I told myself.
The atmosphere at Kuya Easton's bar is electric, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. My friends fueled by a few drinks and their infectious energy, have been insisting all night that I should get up on stage. I've been resisting, but the teasing and encouragement finally wear me down.
"Come on, just one song!" Ava shouts, nudging me toward the stage. With a playful roll of my eyes, I climb up, heart pounding as the spotlight hits me. The crowd cheers, and I can't help but smile, even as nerves flutter in my stomach.
"Alright, alright! I'll sing!" I call out, scanning the room for some support. And then I spot him—Arden, standing at the bar in his waiter uniform, leaning casually against the counter. He meets my gaze, a knowing smile on his lips that sends a rush of warmth through me.
I felt the energy of the bar wash over me as I dove deeper into the song, my voice carrying the weight of my emotions.
Every time I disappoint you,
Baby it's because I can't believe (cause you're my statue)
I stood at the edge of the stage, feeling the weight of the moment as the music swelled around me. I took a deep breath, my eyes locked on Arden, who was watching intently from the bar in his crisp waiter uniform.
As I began to sing the last chorus, "That you're so beautiful (Boy, you are the reason)," the words flowed from my heart. I could see Arden's smile widen, and it filled me with a rush of confidence. Each lyric felt like a confession, a way to express everything I'd been holding back.
"Stuck like a statue (The reason for living)," I continued, letting the emotion pour out. The audience was enraptured, but all I could focus on was the warmth in Arden's gaze.
"Don't wanna lose you, no (The reason for breathing)," I sang, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest.
"Stuck like a statue (You're so beautiful)," I echoed, feeling the weight of the moment.
"When the day is said and done," I breathed, locking eyes with Arden, my heart racing.
"In the middle of the night, and you're fast asleep, my love..."
"I'm the luckiest man alive," I finished, pouring every ounce of feeling into those words. The applause erupted around me, but in that moment, it felt like just the two of us, our connection palpable.
