Moving Along The Beat

Chapter 17

"PLEASE consider."

Napahinto at napalingon sa akin si Theo at ang kausap niyang babae.

I smiled when Theo and the woman he was talking with, saw me. "Sorry for interrupting. Excuse me."

Balak ko pa lamang tumalikod ay tinawag ako ni Theo kaya't muli akong ngumiti. "Bakit?"

Lumapit siya sa'kin. "Z. This is Giselle Solomon Daughter of Chairman Solomon. Giselle, Z, My girlfriend."

Nakita ko kung paano mapalis ang ngiti ng babae sa harap kaya't dahan-dahang umangat ang isang kilay ko na agad ko ring binaba.

"Nice to meet you." Giselle smiled... falsely.

I stretched out my hand to accept hers, and gave my smile. "Nice to meet you  too."

Her eyes immediately looked at me head to toe hurriedly. Akala mo natatakot makita ninoman kung paano niya ako mata-hin.

Ibinaba ko ang kamay at tumabi kay Theo, tinignan ko pa si Theo at muling umangat ang kilay ko nang makita ang suot niya.

I moved closer to him and whispered, "sa'n ka galing?"

Lumingon ito sa akin bago tinignan ang suot niya. "Pinatawag ako ni chairman," bulong niya pabalik.

Tumango ako at hindi na nagsalita pa.

"By the way." Theo held my hand. "Giselle is here to tell me about the program that will happen by friday. She's asking me to perform." Nginitian niya 'ko. "Ang since you're also here. I'm thinking, what if, tayong dalawa?"

The woman was about to protest when Theo faced her. "Right? I mean, Z is as great dancer as I so pwede naman diba? It would be better if you agree." He then smiled hopefully.

There's nothing wrong about dancing in crowd so knowing Theo, he would grab this chance since we're not doing anything while we're here other than this and that.

Nakita kong naglumikot ang mata ng babae. I grinned at the sight of her fading smiles.

"S-sure. I-if it's alright with Z?"

Napansin kong naningkit ang mata niya sa'kin kaya agad akong sumagot, "yup. It would be my pleasure to perform."

Napabuntong hininga ang babae.

"Sino 'yun?" tanong ko kay Theo nang mapag-isa kami.

"Anak nga ni chairman."

Tumango na lang ako at humilig sa sofa.

"May gusto siya sa'kin dati."

Hindi na ako nagulat sa sinabi niya, obvious naman.

"Hanggang ngayon," sagot ko.

"'Wag mo siyang isipin."

Nilingon ko siya at kumunot ang noo. "I'm not."

Nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Naramdaman ko naman humilig din siya sa sofang sinasandalan ko at bumuntong-hininga.

"Anong gagawin ngayon?"

Nilingon ko siya at nakitang nakatingin ito sa'kin. "Huh?"

He shrugged. "I mean, where do you wanna go?"

I fell into my deep thought to think pero wala talaga 'kong maisip.

"Dito na lang kaya?" suggest ko.

"You-"

Sabay kaming lumingon sa pinto nang marinig naming may nagdoorbell.

I was about to stand up but he held my hand, motioning me to sit down.