Pag Mulat

X. The Glass Slippers

"ASAN NA SI MARIEL!" Matinis na sigaw ni Ms. Minchin.

Nasa backstage kami lahat, today is the day of the play. I was holding tight onto my camera, I've been wanting so hard to be part of this and I am so thankful kahit pa maging glass slippers lang ni Cinderella yung role ko masaya na ako. I've become a changed person nang si Mariel yung pinili ni Kristan to be Cinderella, I've come to appreciate simple things like this. I'm still part of the play by photographing the scenes and I was given the chance to act a lampang Cinderella role.

"Ma'am, bumalik po siya sakanila dahil naiwan daw po yung isang glass slipper!" Humahangos na lapit ni Maco.

"Ano? The play will start in 10 minutes!! Pabalikin niyo. Now!"

"Ma'am, 1 hour po yung byahe niya pabalik. She reached home just 5 minutes ago." Si Kenzie naman. I cannot explain kung gano nag expand ng bongga yung mata ni Ms. Minchin.

"How irresponsible can you be, children! Nandyan na yung guests natin sa front seat." Hinawakan niya yung sentido niya habang nakapikit. Kenzie nudged me to come closer to Ms. Minchin.

Siniko ko si Kenzie para tumigil ito. But then..

Pagdilat ni Ms. Minchin, saakin na siya nakatingin. "Can you do it?" Nanlilisik ang mga matang tanong nito.

Nandilat naman ang mata ko dito.

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I am wearing a big blue off shoulder dress, makapal yung laylayan nung dress to maintain the balloon effect. It was already the night of the grand ball. Nakasuot ako ng bakya sa ilalim at nakaipit lang yung isang glass slipper sa bulsa ng dress ko.

Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko when I entered the stage and a big spot light focused on my entrance. I am not used to being the center of attraction. But now, even Kristan's eyes are only on me. He is wearing a structured suit with gold cups on the shoulder and gold linings down his torso. He looks so handsome and by the way can I just marry him right now?

I blushed a little under warm big lights and his melting eyes. I walked gracefully as I reached the throne of the Prince, where he meet Cinderella and held her hand to dance.

Cinderella should be looking at the Prince right now but Cinderella seem to just can't hold his heavy gaze right now.

Cinderella didn't expect when the Prince held her chin up to look at him. That was not in the script, Kristan but okay. The Prince held Cinderella's waist with his left hand and her hand with his right hand while they swayed with the music of the grand ball.

Next scene.

Cinderella lost her glass slipper, the king commanded his people to find the maiden who left it when the Prince found it, and that's who the Prince will marry. Every maiden in the town dreamed for the shoe to fit their foot. But none of them was a match.

Cinderella was locked up in the attic by her stepmother, but she was lucky to be found by the prince. She was the very last maiden to try the shoe on.

The Prince will be fitting the shoe on Cinderella himself. Cinderella was sitting on a beautiful chair. The whole concert room was quiet and anticipating, but when Kristan was about to put the shoe on me, he freaking tickled my tiny foot!

I made a supressed whimper. The audience was shocked by my reaction. I looked at Kristan's playful face at pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata, wag dyan, may kiliti ako dyan! He held my foot very gently this time and put the shoe on. It is kinda big for me because my feet are really small but of course everyone acted as if it's a perfect fit.

The Prince made me stood up and held my hand, he rest the other hand on my back then he slowly leaned closer to me.

May mga tumili sa audience. He leaned even closer and my breathing just stopped when the distance of his face from mine is just a pointy heel of a glass slipper apart. Kristan was looking straight into my eyes. This is the closest I've ever been to him that I can see through the depth of his eyes and I can smell his so manly yet natural smell. I slowly closed my eyes and waited for it.

Napadilat ako when everybody in the audience clapped and cheered. Everyone bowed to audience except me who is still dazed and disoriented. The red curtains closed and that's it??? Kristan looked at me lazily tapos ay dumiretso siya sa backstage.

Ms. Minchin huddled all of us in the backstage.

"That. Was. Very. Impressive!" She did a slow clap. Everyone in the set cheered. "I really commend you Kristan for accepting this role and doing very good job in it. And of course, Caroline you surprised me. Thank you for the wonderful cooperation everyone! The play was very successful. Have a good day." Everyone clapped. I was very happy to be part of this, and to be with Kristan in this.

I smiled at Kristan but he just looked away.

Ms. Minchin approached Kristan and tapped his shoulder.

"And by the way Kristan. The ending wasn't in the script but that was a nice save." Then she left.

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Sinalubong ako nina Kenzie at Maco, pati na ni Kristan. Nakapag bihis na kami ng mga totoong damit.

"Why don't we celebrate!" Bungad ni Kenzie, bitbit ang dslr ko.

"Oonga! Let's drink to this!" Sabe ni Maco referring to Kenzie.

"Let's go! Kristan, sama ka!" I nudged him. Umiling iling ito.

"Pagod ako. Enjoy." Sabe nito. Kj!!!

"Grabe pre. Totoo ba yung kissing scene niyo?" Tanong ni Maco. Nahiya naman ako bigla.

"Of course not." Sagot ni Kristan.

"Huh, si Ice! Tell me nakapanuod si Ice!" I said to Maco para ibahin din yung topic. I jumped happily. Kristan held my shoulder and frowned at me.

"Of course he did. Nag cr lang. Oh ayun pala e." Sabay turo niya sa gilid.

"Ice! Sama ka, mag cecelebrate tayo!" I told him. Napahinto siya when he saw Kristan but that was just a quick act. Lumapit siya ay ginulo niya ang buhok ko.

"I can't, Line." I made a sad face. "Mauuna na ako. Congrats sa bago mong career." He joked but he looked serious. Dumaan siya kay Kenzie and he gave her a side hug.

"Bye kuya." Sabe ni Kenzie, she seem to also notice that Ice is not his usual self.

Dumaan ito sa harap ni Maco at Kristan but he kind of stopped in front of Kristan and looked at him. Kristan reciprocated the look, nakatingin lang kami lahat. I can feel the tension. But he tapped Kristan's shoulder indicating his acknowledgement for the play, then he left.

Sabay sabay kaming naglakad pabalik sa dorm. We decided to reschedule the celebration since Ice isn't available for today at pagod daw si Kristan. We were walking when Kenzie opened her lovely mouth.

"Kristan, what can you say na ang babaeng hindi mo pinili, ay ang kumumpleto pa rin sayo sa huli?" Nakataas ang kilay ni Kenzie. Napahinto kami lahat sa may fountain.

"Tama! Why did you not pick her in the first place? You traitor!" Tapos ay sinapak ni Maco ang balikat nito.

Kristan chuckled then he looked at me.

"Because she always falls and I am tired of catching her everytime she does." Tapos ay pinitik niya ang noo ko.

"Lampa." Pahabol pa nito.

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