Moving Along The Beat

Chapter 22

"SA'N ka galing?" salubong sa'kin ni Achie nang makita niya 'ko sa labas ng kwarto ni Theo.

"Sa tabi-tabi."

"Pumasok ka na."

He didn't had to tell me twice. Nag-angat ng tingin si Thea at ngumiti kahit visible pa rin ang natuyong luha sa mata niya.

"A-ate."

Ngumiti ako pabalik at ibinaling ang tingin kay Theo. Tila natauhan ito nang marinig si Thea at inilipat ang tingin sa'kin mula sa pagkakatulala.

My tears almost fall down when I saw him faking his smile as he saw me but I held it in. I couldn't face him like I was the one who's got into an accident.

"Sa'n ka galing?" tanong ni Theo.

Mula sa peripheral vision ay nakita kong tumayo sina mama at Thea. "Labas muna kami."

Hindi kami kumibo ni Theo, instead we stared at each other's eyes like our lives were depended on it. I could feel myself teary eyed kaya't agad akong tumakbo sa kaniya at niyakap siya nang mahigpit.

I felt him chuckled as I buried my face in his neck. "Shh... why are you crying?"

I shook my head. "S-sorry... I... I'm really sorry. I... it's... all... fault. I... should..." I couldn't composed a sentence because of the guilt I felt.

"It's not your fault okay?" Inilayo niya ako mula sa kaniya. "At isa pa, ayos lang ako." He smiled. A smile that broke my heart into pieces.

"P-pero... s-sayaw..." hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin dahil lalo lamang akong umiyak.

I saw his smile faded but he immediately put ut back. "I-I still can," sabi niya at nag-iwas ng tingin.

A gentle smile creeped on his face. "This is not your fault."

"Sorry!" Tumango-tango na lang ako kahit gusto ko ng humagulgol ng malakas. Naniniwala ako sa kaniya.

Kahit medyo malabo.

"Z!"

Nilingon ko si Theo mula sa pinto ng backstage, naka-wheel chair pa rin. Napakalapad ng ngiti nito at may banner pa na hawak.

Tinignan ko ang mga kasama ko at nang makitang busy sila ay lumabas ako at lumapit kay Theo. "I told you to rest didn't I?"

Don't get me wrong. I would love it if he watched our performance, siomai! I would love it more if he performed with us. But I would love it most if he rest.

He smiled. "I'm here to support my girlfriend. Is it bad?"

I felt my cheeks heated kaya sinapak ko siya sa braso, mahina lang naman, baka madagdagan pa yung injury.

I rolled my eyes to hide the giddy feelings I felt. "Pa'no ka nakapunta?"

Ininguso niya ang likod ko kaya't nilingon ko ito only to found it he was with Thea, who was talking with Ian.

"Ah-"

"Z. Come on!"

I was interrupted by Ginny so I had no choice but to let Thea get Theo.

"Goodluck ate Z."

Nginitian ko si Thea. "Thank you. Take care of your kuya."

"Opo." She smiled cheekily, she became cuter wearing her bunny headband.

Not able to control myself, I pinched her cheeks and faced Theo. "Ikaw. Mag-ingat ka ha."

Tumango naman ito at ngumiti. "Goodluck."

I smiled for the nth time, widely this time. I could do a best job 'cause I already heard the only goodluck that matters.

Muli akong tinawag ni Ginny kaya't tumalikod na ako at sumama sa kanila. Narinig ko pa ang host na ipinakilala kami bago kami lumabas mula sa backstage ni Ginny.

Loud cheers sorrounded us as we went to the stage, marahil ay nakilala ng mga tao si Ginny. Hindi pa kasi lumalabas ang MAVIS.

Nang mag-umpisa ang music ay hinayaan ko na lang ang sarili sa paggalaw. Inisip na kami lang naroon.

Nang dahan dahang nag-dim ang ilaw ay umalis kami at nagpunta sa magkabilang gili ng stage. May ten second countdown na mangyayari bago lumabas ang MAVIS.

Habang nag-c-countdown, tumingin ako sa kabilang gilid ng crowd just to see Theo looking at us, me. I winked at him and I almost laugh when he winked back.

I heard the cheers got louder when MAVIS came out. Kung iisipin, sobrang energetic ng mga bata rito, akala mo ay walang sakit. Marami-rami ring eleven year old to thirteen kaya siguro kilala nila ang MAVIS. Idamay mo pa yung mga staff.

This dance would be one of the most memorable dance that I've ever did. Just to see these kids smile? It's priceless.

Matapos magpakilala ay bumaba na kami at nagpunta sa likod ng backstage. Sinalubong naman kami ng magkapatid at sabay na inabutan ng towels.

"Ang galing niyo!" Thea's eyes were full of adoration. Akala mo anytime ay magiging heart na kaya nagtawanan kami.

Theo gave us a two thumbs-up.

Matapos magbihis ay sabay-sabay kaming lumabas ng program. Ipinasa na rin sa'kin ni Thea ang pagtulak sa wheelchair ni Theo. Hindi pa rin kasi siya pwede magsaklay dahil nung isang-araw lang siya na-discharge.

"Sino nag-ayos nung stage?" tanong ni Ginny.

"Giselle," sagot ko.

Tumango lang siya.

Santi butted in, "medyo madulas 'no?"

We all agreed. We didn't have time to rehearse that much kasi sa mismong venue dahil nga sa nangyari.

"Oo. Buti hindi ka nadapa."

Nag-pogi sign si Santi kay Ian. "Professional 'to men."

Kung ano-ano pa ang pinag-usapan namin at kung ano-ano ang pinagtawanan nang may tumulak sa'kin paalis sa puwesto ko sa likod ng wheelchair ni Theo.

"Excuse."

I was still shocked when I looked at Giselle, who pushed me aside, para siya ang magtulak kay Theo. She's smiling evilly as she smiled at us.

"Thank you--"

Ginny almost curse, but we were all shocked when Thea cut Giselle off, "ate Selle..."

Nilingon ni Giselle si Thea at nginitian. "Yes?"

Ngumiti pabalik si Thea. "You know that, I like you right?"

Lumapad ang ngiti ni Giselle, lumingon pa ito sa'kin na parang sinasabing nanalo siya. Nanatili akong tahimik samantalang pinipigilan naman ni Santi si Ginny na magsalita.

Thea lost her smile and raised a brow. "But... do you atleast know the word respect?"

Lahat ay nanatiling tahimik. Wala ni isa ang nagsalita.

"I-uh..."

Umiwas ng tingin si Giselle sa amin at umalis mula sa puwesto sa likod ni Theo.

"I understand that you like my kuya-"

"Thea," saway ni Theo.

Thea looked at him but she looked at Giselle again. "But respect. My kuya doesn't even like you--"

"Thea!"

"What?" Thea innocently asked.

Bago pa man sumagot si Theo ay nagsalita na si Ian na noon ko lang napansin ay nasa likod ni Thea.

"Miss Giselle. Thank you for inviting us... but..." Ian smiled.

Before he could even finish his sentence I spoke, "in short... leave. I didn't like what you did, so before I snap, leave."

Tumalim ang titig niya sa'kin, pansin ang pula ng pisngi dahil na rin siguro sa pagkapahiya. Thankfully, walang tao rito dahil nasa program lahat.

Umirap muna siya bago tumalikod at umalis. Wala ni isang nagsalita sa amin. We shrugged it off, nakita kong nag-apir pa si Thea at Ginny bago ka umalis.