All Alone

Chapter 20

"Raise your left foot slowly..."

Sinunod ko naman ang sinabi ni Wendell at ginaya ang ginagawa niya.

"Very good!" pumalakpak siya.

He's been teaching me or for better words, guiding me to dance again with the healing bruise on my feet. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pag-irap ni Toby dahil sa ginawang pagpalakpak ni Wendell. Marvin was just quiet because he knew I needed this.

"You're getting better and better!" puna ni Wendell habang nagpapahinga kami.

He lives near our school and based on some gossips, he's been the favorite for too long. Kakasimula pa lang ng taon pero sinisikap na namin nina Toby na mag-ensayo nang kami lang. Wendell offered to help and teach us some few steps and tips.

Of course, I rejected him.

After what happened to me, I gravely surrounded myself and just kept my few friends and family. Hindi rin naman hinihingi ni Wendell ang tiwala ko. I think... he's just really kind to help me or us.

Ang alam niya ay bago lang kami sa industriya ng pagsasayaw at ito ang unang school na papasukan. Marvin wasn't happy about it. Minsan kasi ay masyadong napapayabang itong si Wendell sa kakuwe-kuwento sa amin. Marvin would blabber some gibberish words with our own native language. Pero bilib din talaga ako sa kaniya dahil nakaya niyang iwanan ang kaniyang girlfriend sa Pilipinas. Nakakaya nila ang long distance relationship.

I don't want to mention her name because in my mind, it will automatically followed by her cousin. Whom I didn't know anymore.

"Thanks to me!" Wendell cheered himself.

I just smiled to Wendell before drinking my water. But he was so happy and persistent that he walked towards me. Muntik ko na mabitawan ang tubig nang haplusin niya ang balikat ko. My best friends noticed it right away. Mabilis na humarang sa gitna namin si Marvin samantalang inilayo naman ako ni Toby roon.

Afraid that I'll live with the fear within me, I heaved a multiple deep breath before assuring Toby that I was fine. Sinaway niya ang pinsan at niyaya na umuwi. I felt sorry for not saying anything to Wendell before leaving, but my health is my number one priority.

Ganoon lagi ang nangyayari. Lagi kong sinasanay ang sarili sa apartment naming tatlo kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko kapag napapadikit ang balat ko sa ibang tao.

"How do you know all of these?" I asked Wendell one day after practicing.

It's been months since he started teaching us three and I think, he already know how he should act around me. Napansin niya na ata ang reaksyon ko tuwing hinahawakan niya ako. Intentionally or not.

Napatanong ako ngayon tungkol dito dahil alam na alam niya ang pakiramdam ng magsayaw nang may sugat sa paa. Like he's been here. Or that's just what I think.

He chuckled at my question. "I grew up curing my own injuries and contusions."

Now, he got my attention.

He laughed when he noticed my interest. He took a sip to his water before continuing.

"My own Mom used to beat me. With a hardwood, baseball bat, anything."