And the calming breath I took seemed normal to me now.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome, the newly engaged couple, Mr. Daniel ‘Zeo’ Gonzales and Ms. Lucresia Lopez!”
The master of ceremony called our names like they were the most precious thing tonight and maybe it was indeed. Ilang linggo pagkatapos umalis ni Gino sa bahay at nag-resign sa pagiging bodyguard ko, granting my wish, ibinalita ko kay Dad ang naging desisyon ko tungkol sa pagpapakasal. This might solve one of my problems so I’d go for this. Hindi natanggap agad ng ama ko ang desisyon pero dahil mabait naman si Zeo, marahil ay umayon na lamang din sya.
Madalas na si Zeo sa bahay at inihahatid nya rin ako sa trabaho, ‘yon nga lang, hindi nya ako nasusundo madalas dahil busy rin sya sa mga mall shows at recording. We already talked about our set-up. He even thought I was joking when I said I would marry him. His evil father, of course, was very glad of the news but it was a surprisingly contrast with Zeo.
He became somewhat cold to me at first saying he thought I was strong and different. It stung but I just smiled at him. siguro ay pagod na lang din akong humanap ng taong makakaintindi sa akin. Pagod na akong magpaliwanag at umasang papanigan nila ako.
Iniwasan nya rin ako ng ilang araw pero kalaunan ay bigla syang humingi ng tawad. Again, I just smiled at him never asking why he would apologize. It seemed like we suddenly understood each other without much words said.
We were both lonely.
Hindi ko na rin nakita si Gino. Nanatili sa amin ang mga kasamahan nya sa pagiging body guard pero wala na akong narinig tungkol sa kanya. I remembered clearly how I asked him to quit, to not care and how I kissed him. Masakit pa rin kapag naiisip ko sya pero sa tingin ko ay tama lang ang naging desisyon ko.
I love him but he doesn’t. And I could deal with that if I couldn’t see him or I would not be near him.
“Cresia”, tinawag ni Zeo ang pangalan ko at napansin ko na hinihintay na kami ng mga tao sa baba. Lahat sila ay nakatingala sa amin sa taas ng hagdanan. It was a grand hotel and the venue was huge.
Zeo tugged my hand and pressed it lightly.
‘Let’s go”, ngiti ko sa kanya. I was practicing this sweet smile for this day. That smile which nobody can tell how broken I was inside. How I was longing for someone who doesn’t love me.
Sabay kaming bumaba sa hagdanan. My hand was on his arm and the other one held my dress so I would not step on it and trip to embarrass myself.
Iginala ko ang tingin sa baba. Many were familiar. Nandoon ang mga kilala at makapangyarihang pamilya. Name it and they were present. Lumakas ang palakpakan nang makababa kami. My father immediately enveloped me into a tight hug.
“I love you, Princess. You will always be my Princess”, he kissed both of my cheeks after the hug. Nadoon syempre si Mr. Gonzales.
“Call me, Papa, next time, Cresia”, he laughed and I smiled again. We greeted a lot of people and received a lot of congratulations.
Nakita ko sina Soleil at Andra pero hindi sila agad makalapit sa dami ng bumabati sa amin ni Zeo.
“And now, let’s start the night by giving the couple their first dance”
Zeo then guided me at the center of the ballroom. Everyone was watching us. We were on our position and waiting for the music as cue to start.
On the very first note played, I knew it was that song. Nahigit ko ang hininga ko sa narinig. Hindi ito ang inaasahan kong kanta at lalong hindi ito ang ginamit namin sa practice.
“This is not the song”, saad ko. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kanyang kamay at balikat.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s close to the original one, let’s just dance and get over it. I hate this kind of attention”, the same feeling we had. Sinunod ko ang sinabi nya kahit nanginginig ang mga kamay ko at hindi ako mapakali.
Take my hand
I'll teach you to dance
I'll spin you around
Won't let you fall down
Would you let me lead?
You can step on my feet
Give it a try
It'll be alright
It started and we did, too. Pinilit kong alalahanin ang bawat galaw at hindi ang memoryang kaakibat g kanta. It’s not that I hate the song, the problem was, I love it. And loving it meant I dedicated this song to the person I love.
“You okay?”, Zeo asked. He leaned towards me and almost hugged me while dancing. I nodded.
The room's hush hush
And now is our moment
Take it in
Feel it all
And hold it
Eyes on you
Eyes on me
We're doin' this right
“I love this song”, he said.
Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi nya. Mas abala ako na kotrolin ang sarili ko.
'Cause lovers dance when they're feelin' in love
Spotlight's shinin' it's all about us
It's all about us
And every heart in the room will melt
This is a feeling I've never felt but
It's all about us
Nagsayaw kami habang masayang pinanunuod ng lahat nang mahagip ng mata ko si Heather. She was near Andra, of course, and among the crowds watching us. I caught her eyes looking at me. Umiwas ako ng tingin at muling naalala ang galit. The song ended and so was out dance. Many people would like to commend us but I excused myself.
Hindi ako makahinga.
Tinahak ko ang madilim na pasilyo papunta sa kwarto kung nasaan ang gamit ko. habang naglalakad ay may nakasalubong ako.
“Cresia…”, Zeo called me from behind. Sinundan nya pala ako. Nilingon ko sya at agad naman nya akong naabutan. He held my arm.
“Ayos ka lang ba? Is it too much for you? Do you want to rest?”, na-touch ako sa pagiging concern nya.
Sasagot sana ako nang marinig ko ang malakas na yabag sa pasilyo. The hall was dark and all I could see was the man’s shadowed figure.
Pagtapak ng paa sa liwanag na nanggaling sa liwanag ng buwan na tumatagos sa salamin ng malaking bintana, doon ko lang napagtanto kung sino iyon. Nagulat ako pero hindi ako nagsalita.
“Good evening”, bati nya ngunit ang mga tingin ay nasa akin.
There was something different in him. He was wearing a suit.
“Good evening”, bati naman pabalik ni Zeo. Tumayo sya sa tabi ko. Lumipat ang tingin ni Gino sa aming dalawa at tumigil na naman sa akin.
“Why are you here?”, matapang kong tanong.
“I just like to congratulate the two of you. Congratulations on your engagement, future Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales…”
“Thank you. Now go. ‘Di ba sabi ko huwag ka nang magpapakita sa akin?”
Gino raised his brow at me.
Naglakad sya palapit, gusto ko sanang umurong pero nakahawak na sa likod ko ang kamay ni Zeo.
“Let me introduce myself, Ms. Lopez… My name is Gino Andrade, CEO of Andrade Securities”, nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi nya. Did I just hear him right?
He’s a CEO? I thought he did not want that position?
“And I am not your bodyguard so stop giving me orders. If you’ll excuse me”, nilagpasan nya kaming dalawa ni Zeo at iniwan kami doon.
Seriously?
He’s a CEO now?
