'Til I Fall For You

Prologue

"You'll be turning eighteen next week. May I know who would be your last dance? I just hope it's me," my dad said while we're having our dinner.

"Shaun come on! Let our unica hija decides on her own. It's her special day, let's give it to her," that's my mom who's been very supportive to me but not to the point that she'll spoil me.

"Dad, actually I'll ask for your permission po sana. Would you allow me to have...ahm, JB as my last dance?" kinakabahang tanong ko na ang paningin ay nasa plato.

"Oh, JB! Why do you want him to be your last dance? It's kinda disappointed that you chose him over your father huh?" titig na titig na sabi niya sa akin.

"No Dad, it's not like that. He's my bestfriend right? That's why. And he insisted po. So...naisip ko na sana siya na lang. Wala naman pong masama dun diba? Isasayaw mo pa rin naman ako eh. Please?" pagmamakaawa ko.

"Well, seems like I don't have a choice now. I just really hope na he's just your bestfriend," may diin sa huling salita. Tila may pinahihiwatig na iba. Hays, si  Dad talaga! Napakastrikto. Parang yun lang eh. Nilagyan pa yata ng malisya. Tsk.

"Yes Dad. Don't worry, magkaibigan lang talaga kami. Close friends. Nothing more, nothing less," paninigurado ko.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay napagdesisyonan kong tawagan si JB. Dalawang ring lamang ay kaagad niyang sinagot.

"Hello. What's up napatawag ka?" bungad niya.

"Hey Jann Brix Diaz! I have a good news!" napapangiting sabi ko.

"Something is weird, you called me in my full name! What is it? You seem very happy, huh?" batid kong curious na siya.

"Yes I am! Sino ba naman kasing hindi matutuwa, pinayagan ako ni Dad na ikaw yung maging last dance ko instead of him!" hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti dahil hindi pa rin talaga ako makapaniwala.

"Really? Well, lucky me! Hahaha! Hmm. That made me think of something. Payagan kaya ako ni Tito na manligaw sayo? Since mageeighteen ka na, baka pwede na?" saad niya na nagpatulala sa akin.

Natigilan at nagulat ako sa kanyang sinabi. He must be kidding, right?

"H-huh? What are you talking about JB? Liligawan? Ako?" Seriously my bestfriend? Anong trip mo?

"Yeah. I will court you. What's wrong? " agad niyang sagot.

"JB, uh, nothing. But... I think that's not a good idea. I mean, diba...alam mo naman na we're bestfriends. Alam ng lahat yung principles ko about sa mga ganyan. At alam kong alam mo ang priorities ko. I'm sorry but-" pinutol niya na ang sasabihin ko.

"You're not sorry 'coz you're rejecting me, right? Hindi pa 'ko nanliligaw pero pakiramdam ko wala na 'kong pag-asa sayo," ramdam ko ang lungkot sa bawat salita.

"I'm so sorry JB. You know how much I value our friendship more than anything. Mahirap magtake risk sa walang kasiguraduhan. Ayokong masayang lahat ng pinagsamahan natin dahil lang sa ganito," mahinahon kong pagpapaintindi sa kaniya. Ayokong masamain niya 'to!

"Should I regret now that I'm your bestfriend? Yun naman ang rason diba? Dahil sa matagal mo ng paniniwala na kahit kailan hindi mo hahayaang mahulog at magkagusto ka sa kaibigan mo, right? That's the only reason?" ramdam na ramdam ko ang lungkot niya.