Destined to Reunite

Chapter 26

JOSHUA'S POV

I woke up early, sinabihan kami ng aming coach sa basketball na pumasok ng maaga para makapag-training kaming lahat. I stood up to go downstairs. "Goodmorning!" Bati ko.

Mom grinned as she looked up from reading the newspaper. "Morning, Joshua. You seem in a good mood, did something good happen to you recently?" She asked.

Ngumiti ako habang naglalakad papunta sa dining room bago ko siya sagutin. "A lot, lately." I answered.

Nang matapos akong kumain ay pumunta na rin ako sa garage, pumasok kaagad ako sa loob at nilabas yung phone para tawagan si Heidianne.

"What's up?" Bungad niya sa kabilang linya.

Napangiti ako kaagad nang marinig ko yung boses niya. "You're still at home? Sunduin sana kita." Sabi ko.

I heard her groaned bago siya sumagot. "Again? What's with you recently?" Tanong niya.

Napatawa ako ng mahina before i started the engine. "Nothing. All I want to do is pick you up for class and drive you home at the end of the day. Is there an issue with that?" Sabi ko.

"Do you know what you're doing?  You're acting like—"

I smiled widely. "Acting like— what?" I asked.

Napatahimik siya bigla.

Napabuntong hininga ako, maybe she wasn't ready at all. Should i confess? It was clear from my behavior that i was after her.

"You even know what it is! Do i have to say—"

I cut her off. "Alright. I'll see you after class, okay? I'll try my best also to watch your dance competition later. Ingat ka!" Sabi ko then i ended the call.

Nang makarating ako sa university, dumeretso ako sa gymnasium. "Morning, buds!" Bati ko sa aking mga teammates.

"Morning. Btw, someone's looking for you. Ang sabi niya, important yung sasabihin niya sayo." Sabi ng kasama ko.

Lumingon ako, si Natasha. Nakangiti siyang nakatingin saakin, nilapitan ko siya. "Meron ka daw sasabihin?" Tanong ko.

Tumango siya habang pinaglalaruan mga daliri niya. "I just want to wish you luck sa game mo later. After all, we're still in a relationship right?" Sabi niya.

"Nat—"

"And, 'wag ka sanang lumapit kay Caitlyn. She's been clinging to you a lot recently. Don't you think it's time for us to formally announce our relationship?" 

I held both of her shoulders. "Nat! We're not in a relationship. Stop being delusional, please lang."

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. "What do you mean? Joshua, i confessed my feelings to you—"

"That doesn't mean that we're couple, Nat. Hindi kita magugustuhan."

Tinulak niya ako palayo. "W–what? Hindi mo ko magugustuhan? Fvck you. I've done everything just for you, Joshua!"

"Nat, you deserve someone else. Better than m—"

She sat on the floor at biglang nag-hysterical. "NO! I deserve you, Joshua. Can't you just love me back, please?!" Sigaw niya, habang umiiyak.

"I can't. I already—"

Napatigil ako nang bigla siyang tumawa ng malakas. "Already what? Do you have feelings for someone else?"

Hindi ko siya sinagot at sinenyasan yung mga guards na palabasin si Natasha. "You've been cheating on me? Asshole! What does she have that i don't?!" Sigaw niya.

"Joshua, please! I can be much better for you, give me a chance!!" Dugtong niya pa.

I brushed my hair frustratedly. "NAT! I don't want you to change who you are for me. You deserve someone better, forcing this won't make either of us happy." Sigaw ko.

___

CAITLYN'S POV

"Okay, everyone get ready! We're up next!" Sigaw ng aming dance leader.

Tinignan ko sila Cristina at Juliana, kasama ko sila ngayon sa backstage. "Girls, wish me luck." Sabi ko.

"Cait, you can do it. We're always proud of you!" Sabi ni Cristina.

"We'll go back to our sits, okay? If you feel nervous, just look at us para di ka ma-distract sa ibang tao. You can do it, Caitlyn!" Sabi rin ni Juliana.

I sighed. "Thank you, girls. See you later!" Paalam ko.

In an attempt to calm my physical anxiety, i shook my hands. I can even feel how quickly my heart is thumping, feeling ko anytime mage-explode ako.

Nang makarating kami sa stage, rinig ko ang hiyawan ng buong students. I can barely see anything dahil nakatutok ang spotlight saamin. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Nang mag-start na ang music, lahat ng kaba ko ay parang nawala. My body started moving to the rhythm, bawat steps ay synchronized sa beat. Kitang-kita ko ang mga mukha ng mga audience, ang kanilang mga mata ay naka-focus sa bawat hakbang ko.

I really don't know if tama ba yung steps na pine-perform ko. I'm just dancing, letting the music guide me. I became much more energized upon hearing applause and cheers from the crowd. I got ready for the last posture as the music started to fade.

Ang bigat ng hininga ko, pero puno ng saya at fulfillment ang puso ko. Nang matapos ang performance, isang malakas na palakpakan ang bumungad sa amin. We bowed, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti habang nagpapasalamat sa mga tao, nahagip rin ng mata ko si Joshua.

He mouthed something and grinned broadly at me. He remarked. "You did great, mi amor."

___

Natapos na rin ang event and we won on our dance competition, it was explicit experience for me. Ang sarap niyang ulit-ulitin.

"You're done?" Tanong ni Joshua saakin.

Tinignan ko siya at tumango. "You're driving me home, right?"

"Yup. But we're going somewhere before we go home."

I snapped my finger. "Ah! You're going to treat me for dinner kasi nanalo kami sa competition? That's a great idea, Joshua." Sabi ko at pumasok sa loob ng kotse.

Napailing na lang siya at pumasok na rin sa loob ng kotse. "May sasabihin rin ako sayo." Sabi niya.

"Well. You can tell that to me right now, habang papunta tayo sa restaurant na napili mo." Suggestion ko.

Umiling siya. "You might lose your appetite."

"How can you say that? Is it that bad? Are you in need of money? Or—"

He cut me off.

"Heidianne.."