The Misadventures of Seduction (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 6

No One

"Gets mo naman diba?" Tanong ng choreographer.

Tumango ako. We ran it five times already. Medyo pagod na rin ako pero kailangan pa ring magpatuloy.

Ngayon ang napag-usapan namin huling araw para makapag cope up ako. We've been doing this one on one reahearsal for 3 consecutive days already. Madalas ay pagkatapos ng sama-samang rehearsal ang rehearsal namin, katulad nalang ngayon. Tatlong araw nalang ay magpeperform na kami kaya minamadali na rin ang turo sa sama samang rehearsal.

Aminado akong sa tatlong araw na pagpapractice namin mag-isa ay may nararamdaman akong kakaiba. I always put that weird and ugly feeling aside. Paano kasi kung mali? Edi ako ang mapapahiya at makakasakit pa ako ng damdamin ng tao. Knowing that I think of him as someone who- I shook my head. That will hurt so much.

Besides, I don't want to make the same mistake again. Accusing someone without a valid evidence is the greatest mistake I've ever made. I wonder what happened to him? Or to his family? I really hope he's fine. I would come to them and ask for an apology but I can't. Not when I can't use my parents' investigators. Let's face it. I'm nothing if I'm not a Brown. All the privilege I have is because of my family and I'm very grateful for that.

"May napansin lang ako sa isa mong galaw." Lumapit siya sa akin.

Pumwesto siya sa likod ko at tinuruan ang kamay ko sa paggalaw. Tumindig ang balahibo ko nang maramdaman ang marahan niyang pagdausdos rito. Nang parehas kong magawa ang tinutukoy niya ay ibinaba naman niya ang kamay sa aking baywang. He swayed it slowly before occupying the space between our bodies. I quickly withdrew from him, my heart starting to pound in my chest.

Nang mapansin ang biglaan at marahas kong galaw ay tumigil siya. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko bago inikot ang tingin kung nasaan kami. Walang CCTV. Kahit na kita naman sa labas ang ginagawa rito ay hindi ako kampante. Walang tao.

It was like deja vu. But this time, I can clearly feel it, I can clearly see it.

"Tapos na ba?" I asked.

I quietly prayed for him to say 'yes'. Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang ngumisi ito at umiling. Calm down, Vivienne. You still don't have an exact evidence that can lead you to that conclusion. Don't make the same mistake again. You don't want to ruin another man just because of your conclusion, right? You don't want to endanger his existence because your family can do so. Just one click of your finger, your family will dispose him without anyone knowing.

"We still have one more step to clarify. Come." He said before signaling me to come nearer.

Nanginginig ang paa kong lumapit sakanya at tumalikod. Nasa harapan ko ang salamin. Nakita ko ang marahan niyang pagtingin sa aking leeg na nakalabas dahil sa pony tail ko. I felt my heart thumping. Para bang lalabas na iyon sa kaba.

Please... please don't let it happen again. Prove to me that you're not like the other men. Prove that you deserve to teach aspiring dancers without being sexually harassed.

I felt him slowly snaking his arms around my waist. Mas nanginig ako sa kaba at takot. I didn't let him see me quivering. I just stood there while looking at his moving hands. Pumasada ito sa kurba ng katawan ko.

What my difference from Keziah Rozecrensia Fitzgerald, a known dancer, is that she can defend herself. She was taught martial arts since she was in grade school. I didn't know why her parents let that happen but now I know. They want Keziah protected. They want what I cannot do. She is fierce and sturdy. She doesn't let anyone break her confidence. She doesn't let a man harm her. I can't. She's every thing I dream to be. And I promised myself I can be. Now is the time to have courage. Prove everyone you can fight for your life. Prove everyone they can't mess with a Brown.