Ready For It?

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The words that Ayeezah and Karylle left bothered me a little. No, a lot. It came to the point wherein I became hesitant in approaching him.

But it wouldn't be right kung iiwasan ko siya diba? After all, hindi ko siya gustong iwasan.

He chose to understand me during those days when I can't even understand myself. He was there when I had no one to lean on. That's enough—more than enough-for me to stand with him.

"Be with your partners." Yssa commanded. Agad naming sumunod ang iba, habang ang iba ay nagmamaktol at nagmamatigas pa.

Unti-unti nang dinadagsa ang grounds kung saan kami nagpa-practice. I just watched them from their lines at the center. May mga nakaupo pa rin sa benches hanggang ngayon tulad ko, pero kakaunti na lang kami.

Karamihan sa mga nakaupo ay hinihintay ang pares nila na pumunta dito sa grounds. May mga naiwan kasi sa room para magdala ng speakers, microphone, at kung ano-ano pa.

Dahil sa pagiging tulala ko, hindi ko namalayang may lumapit at kumakausap na pala sa akin.

"Hindi ka ba pupunta?" Tanong ni Ayeezah. Kasama niya ang partner niya na si King at papunta na rin sila sa formation.

"I don't know. I mean, I need to but it seems like I'm not in the mood to do it." Sumimangot ako.

"Kung dahil ito sa sinabi naming kanina, we are just warning you to be careful. You don't need to avoid it for now; lalo na't may rehearsals pa para sa competition."

I nodded at her dahil hindi ko naman talaga iiwasan si Quinn. While King looks like he doesn't have any idea to what we're talking about.

Nagpaalam si Ayeezah sa akin na pupunta na sila sa formation at sinabi kong susunod lang ako. After all, hindi pa dumadating si Quinn.

Hindi ako sumabay sa kanya sa paglabas sa classroom. Now, I don't any idea kung saan siya naagpunta.

Sunod namang lumapit sa akin si Karylle at ang partner niyang si Prince. She asked the same question so I gave the same answer. Hinihintay ko pang dumating si Quinn.

Iginala ko ang aking paningin para hanapin siya. We just saw each other this morning, during lunch break, and after our specialization so it's impossible that he's absent.

Maybe he's not feeling well and can't join the rehearsals for today. I'll just inform Celestine that he's not here yet.

Akmang tatayo na ako nang may lalaking naglahad ng kanyang kamay sa aking harapan.

"May I have this dance?"

I became speechless, as if the wind had blown the words I wanted to say. I'm just looking at his sparkling brown eyes with security and comfort. Like a still water, a beautiful scenery, where you can be at peace without any sense of danger.

Instead of saying a word, I laid my hand on his.

I'll give myself a chance. I'm giving in until the end of social dance. After that, I promise to be careful to prevent future damage. To prevent myself from falling. I don't know if I can take risks for him but I don't know if I can let him go either.

Dahil kahit anong pagtanggi ko, alam ko sa sarili ko na nahuhulog na ako. Unti-unting nalulunod at nahihirapang umahon. Ang tanging bagay na kakayanin kong gawin ngayon ay mag-ingat.

Tumungo na kami sa gitna ng grounds. Dahan-dahan niya akong inaalalayan papunta sa posisyon namin.

Pinagtiningnan kami nina Celestine at nang mga kalase namin. Right after we positioned ourselves, Celestine counted from one to three and the music to start.