Tamed [GL-Sapphics]

Chapter 31 - Bibingka

TAMED XXXI - BIBINGKA

I STRUMMED my guitar, lost in thought about the incredible time I spent with her last Friday. Our first-period teacher was a no-show and failed to give us a heads up, so we were stuck with nothing to do but kill time before the next class.

As I thought about her, I noticed that I had been unconsciously humming the same song repeatedly. It wasn't until Riane tapped me on the back that I snapped out of it.

"Kanina ka pa nila hinahanap." Itinuro ni Riane ang pinto kung saan naghihintay sina Faye at Reign, mga malalapit na kaibigan ni Trina.

"We hate to be a bother, but we really need your help!" Reign implored, filling me in on the details. It seems that she had planned to serenade her significant other this morning and they were counting on me to help her make it happen.

"Wala kasi si Liam at Trina ngayon kaya problemado si Riane kung sino'ng maghaharana. Planado na kasi ang lahat, sayang naman effort namin kung hindi matutuloy," paliwanag ni Faye.

"Do guys like being serenaded?"

"Sorry, Zamantha, but you've got the wrong idea. We're not going to serenade a guy!" Napatingin ako kay Reign na problemado pa rin. Babae? How come I forgot that they're Trina's friends? Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Ang gaganda kasi nila, hindi mo talaga aakalain na maganda rin ang hanap nila.

Bakante rin naman ako kaya pumayag na ako, nag-alangan pa ako noong una dahil si Movriah Jaije pala iyong nililigawan ni Reign. Pumayag na lang ako para malaman ng lahat na totoong magkasundo na kaming dalawa. It's been a while since we sorted out our issues, yet our schoolmates still pit us against each other. We've moved on, and they should too.

"Akala ko nakahanda na lahat?" Isa pa't ang akala ko ay tutugtog lang ako ng gitara, ako rin pala ang kakanta!

"We don't really have a specific theme song in mind, so feel free to sing any song that you want, Zamantha! Anything will do! I'm just too nervous to think straight at the moment!"

"Who's up first? Pwede na raw tayong pumasok sa loob!"

"Zamantha, you'll go first! We'll follow your lead," Reign declared as she pushed me towards the closed door. Mapapansing soundproofed ang kwarto rito sa labas pa lang.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself before turning the doorknob and slightly pushing the door open, ready to showcase my guitar skills. The noise from inside the room, the giggles and laughter, subsided as soon as they noticed what was happening. Silence filled the room. I started to pluck and strum the guitar, creating a beautiful melody that echoed through the hallways.

"This song is dedicated to you, Miss Movriah Graille Jaije," I announced as I leaned in to the door's opening. I played a song on my guitar this morning, choosing to sing it this time because it's something that needed to be let out of my heart, without any regard for who might be within earshot.

"Don't the water grow the trees?
Don't the moon pull the tide?
Don't the stars light the sky?
Like you need to light my life
If you need me anytime
You know, I'm always right by your side
See, I've never felt this love
You're the only thing that's on my mind"

Itinulak ko ang pinto gamit ang isa kong paa at napangiti sa positibong reaksyon ng mga students sa loob. Grabe ang bulungan at tilian pagpasok ko. Kahit na sanay na akong mag-perform sa harap ng maraming tao ay may munting kaba pa rin sa puso ko. I kept a smile as I walked slowly towards the empty platform, relieved that their professor was not around anymore. It lessened my embarrassment.