Dare Me To Love You (ITL Series #1) |COMPLETE

Dare 25

CHAPTER 25

MONICA

TWO WEEKS. Time flies so fast. This day is the day I've been waiting for... our recital.

Kasalukuyan akong mine-make-up-an dito sa backstage at nagpa-practice na din ng ilan sa mga lines na mahirap kabisaduhin. Nag-umpisa nang lagyan ng baklang make-up artist ng eyeshadow ang eyelids ko. She was gentle with brushes and applying, so it's kinda soothing.

Naka-suot lang ako ng backless black blouse at skirt na below the knee. My hair was tied up to a messy bun and some accessories from our shop picked by my mother, of course. Hindi pwedeng mawala ang jewelry.

Pinaka-huling touch sa aking mukha ay ang shiny red lipstick. I smiled in front of the mirror and turned my neck to left and right for me to see how my make-up was done.

"Wow! You look gorgeous, Madam." The gay makeup artist complimented me using her high-pitched voice trying to sound like a woman. "Thank you, Madam Josie." Sabi ko habang tinitingnan ang mukha ko sa salamin. This gay make-up artist was recommended by my mother. She was good.

"Are you ready, Nica?" pumasok si Ma'am at ito ang bungad niya. Tumango akong nangingiti saka huminga ng malalim, trying to gain confidence.

"Oh wow, very stunning..." mahina siyang pumalakpak na ikinatawa ko ng mahina. "Thanks, Ma'am." Halos sabay na sabi ng mga umayos sa akin.

"Tara na, Nica. Magpa-practice lang tayo ng isang beses para sure na." Nakangiti niyang sabi saka inilahad ang kamay. Kinuha ko ang backpack ko at tumingin kay Ma'am.

Tumayo ako at pumunta kami sa Major Room para sandaling mag-practice. Pagdating ko doon ay naka-upo na si Gab sa usual seat niya at ang iba naman ay tumutugtog ng kani-kanilang instrument.

Agad akong umupo sa tabi ni Gab at inilabas ang copy ko. "Kabisado mo na?" inangat niya ang tingin sa akin.

Tumitig muna siya sa akin bago nagsalita, "You look stunning..." nakangiti niyang sabi, he looked so proud. I smiled at him.

"Kabisado mo na?" naninigurong tanong ko. "Uhh, yes... I think." He murmured. Tiningnan ko ang kabuuan niya.

He's wearing a white long sleeves polo na naka-tupi hanggang siko, black slacks, black shoes, and a suspender. Naka-wax ang buhok nito and it's just... my heart won't stop beating so fast. I can't stop myself from smiling, looking at the man who made me feel strange for the first time.

"Why?" he said, half-smiled. I smiled at him bigger than I thought it would be. "You're just... urgh! Your aura suits you well." Bati ko na lang at agad na umiwas ng tingin.

Huminga ako ng malalim para pigilan ang mabilis na pag-tibok ng puso ko but no avail. He is Gabriel Santos, not just an ordinary man. He is my Gabriel, not just a Gabriel.

Nagpanggap na lang ako na nagbabasa, but this time I made sure that the paper is not upside down. I don't want to be embarrassed this time!

Ayaw ko nang maulit yun! I don't want to mention what happened on 30th of November at 6:34 PM, 25th floor of Empire building where Gabriel's penthouse is.

AFTER NG LAST MINUTE practice namin ay nag-abang na lang kami na tawagin ang major namin bago kami mag-present sa stage.

"Let us all welcome, Music Majors!" the emcee introduced us and it's our queue to be on stage. Huminga pa ako ng malalim bago nag-focus.

Nagsimula ng kumanta ang backround singers at ang piano naman ang sumunod na hudyat ng pag-uumpisa ng kanta, just like how we practiced. I smiled and started the first part.

"Especially for you

I want to let you know what I was going through.

All the time we were apart I thought of you