Young Heartbeats [COMPLETED]

Chapter 8

Wednesday. We will spend the whole duration of our PE class in the covered court of the campus with our group mates to practice for our dance. Hindi kami pwede sa dance studio dahil kasalukuyang nagp-practice ang dance troupe ng school. I glanced at the group near us and found out that the man who messed up my sanity last night was already looking at me like he's already expecting my gaze. He smiled at me when our eyes met but I just can't give back that smile.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at nagkunwaring nakikinig sa sinasabi ni Wilfred. As the group leader, I can say that he's really efficient. He is also enthusiastic with what he's doing.

"As I was saying, there's a change of plan pero hindi naman masisira ang mga na-practice natin last Saturday. Although may mga kailangang mag-adjust, I'm sure mabilis lang naman makuha ang steps," si Wilfred habang tinitingnan kaming mga nakikinig sakanya.

"Yeah. So what are the changes?" Si Kai na halatang nabo-bored na.

"Yung back-up dancers, sila pa rin. But Stephen and I will exchange partners. Hence, Stephen and Sab will be partners, then Amara and I."

Nakuha nun ang atensyon ko at sa hindi malamang dahilan, napatingin ulit ako sa banda nina Raniel. This time, he is not looking at me. His attention is directed to the girl he was dancing with, last week during their practice.

I unexpectedly felt heavy in my heart while looking at him smiling as the girl excitedly blabbers words I can't hear nor understand. I didn't like this sudden anguish so I tore my sight off him and just paid attention to what Alfred is saying.

Naalala ko yung nadatnan kong pag-uusap nila noong umaga ng Lunes sa labas ng classroom namin. I don't want to assume but I can't help but think that maybe he has something to do with these changes.

"Why do we need to exchange partners? I think things are better the way they were," maarteng komento ni Sabrina at tumingin saakin na may mapanghusgang tingin.

"I think it's better if we are all comfortable with our partners," mahinahong sagot ni Wilfred.

"Exactly! I'm already very comfortable with my partner!" si Sabrina sa mataas na tono.

"Yes, you are, but how about Ara?" sabat ni Kai.

I looked at her while she's throwing Sabrina her dagger looks. Nagbaba ng tingin si Sabrina at tumahimik nalang kahit halata pa rin sakanyang naiinis siya at hindi niya nagustuhan ang pagbabagong gagawin ng grupo namin.

Nakaramdam naman ako ng guilt lalo na dahil nakompirma ko sa sinabi ni Kai ngayon na ako ang dahilan kung bakit may changes na magaganap.

"I think we should just carry on the original arrangement," sabi ko nang hindi na nakatiis.

"It's final, Amara. We will exchange partners and proceed with the choreo," si Wilfred.

"Just follow the leader Ara. We don't want to witness again what happened last Saturday. Trust me, my cousin will raise hell regardless if we're inside the campus!" bulong ni Kai with a very teasing tone as she laughed.

Days passed and I observed that I'm slowly changing. Or should I say, I'm starting to get back on tracks. Hinahatid pa din ako ni Raniel sa bahay tuwing uwian. Every Saturday naman, hatid-sundo niya ako sa bahay nina Kai for our practice. That has been a routine for us. Our schoolmates are already used to seeing us together every damn time. Kai also goes with us but sometimes she prefers being alone, composing songs.

Noong una ay kinukulit niya akong tawagin ko siyang Lav pero hindi ko pa ginagawa. Nang medyo naging komportable na ako sakanya ay sinabihan ko siyang Rain nalang din ang itatawag ko sakanya pero di sya pumayag dahil may tumatawag na daw sakanya ng ganun.