It Had to be You (Valdemar Series #2)

Kabanata 24

24 – Consequences

I removed my mask and sighed. I stood still and stared at myself in the mirror. I held both of my cheeks to calm myself. I inhaled deeply and wore my mask again.

I am okay. My heart is fine.

Nang bumalik ako sa table namin ay wala na si Faye at Amethyst. Si Joaquin naman ay naroon na at kausap si Ayden at Daniel. When I pulled my chair, Ayden immediately stood up to help me. I forced myself to smile but I didn't look at him.

The free dance started when Faye and Amethyst came back. A guy asked Amethyst to dance. Tinanggap niya naman iyon saka dumiretso sa dance floor. Daniel was just looking. Si Joaquin naman ay inaya ng ilang kababaihan. Faye was asked but she refused, saying that her left foot was injured.

"Anastasia!"

Lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Nanliit ang mga mata ko nang maalala siya.

"Justin Nuñez, right?" Natatawa kong tanong.

Nang tumango siya ay agad na akong tumayo. His eyes widened. Inilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. He gulped and held it. Bago pa kami makalayo sa table ay may kumabig na sa kamay ko.

I looked at Ayden. He cleared his throat and looked straight at me.

"Save the last dance for me.." he said.

My heart beated wildly again. I bit my lip and nodded. Pinakawalan niya ang kamay ko matapos tumango. I inhaled deeply to relieve my nervousness. Ngumiti ako kay Justin nang makarating kami sa dance floor.

We danced for how many minutes. Matapos sa kaniya, isang lalaki ang lumapit sa amin, nagtatanong kung pwede ba akong maisayaw. I said yes, of course. Lahat ng maaari kong maisayaw ngayon ay isasayaw ko.

The songs were all slow and love songs. Ang pang limang lalaking sinayaw ko ay nagpakilala bilang Jonas. He's a team mate of Ayden. Nagtanong pa kung kami ba raw. Of course, I denied it but he didn't believe me. Masyado raw mahirap paniwalaan na walang namamagitan sa amin bukod sa pagkakaibigan.

The next guy who asked for a dance was a classmate. Agad ko siyang pinag-bigyan dahil nakakatawanan ko naman iyon.

"You look beyond beautiful, Asia!"

Nangingiti akong kumapit sa braso niya. "Thank you.."

The thirteenth guy twirled and twirled me. Natatawa akong nagpadala sa kaniya kahit na parang nahihilo na ako. The next was a senior year. Luminga ako sa paligid, I saw Ayden dancing Faye and Joaquin dancing Amethyst. I glanced on my side, Daniel was walking towards us.

I rolled my eyes. Pinalitan niya ang kasayaw ko. He harshly pulled my arms so place on his shoulders. Natatawa niyang pinindot ang ilong ko.

"Are you still mad?" He laughed.

I pulled his ears. "Nabubwisit ako sa 'yo."

"Aish!" He groaned. "Nagbibiro lang ako!"

Umirap ulit ako at umaktong naiinis pa rin. Truth is I am used with Daniel messing with me. Bata pa lang kami ay lagi na siyang ganoon. But of course, I would beat him whenever I get mad.

"You look a little bit beautiful.." he cackled. "Medyo maganda ka lang."

Natawa na ako sa sinabi niya at binatukan siya nang mahina. The next song was funk. Sumasayaw ako habang lumalapit kina Amethyst. I danced with them. Inilabas ni Faye ang phone niya saka kumuha ng picture at video.

We danced 'til our hearts content. Nang unti-unting humina ang tugtog at nagsibalikan na kami sa aming table. Mukhang awarding na. The administrators will pick promenaders who looked exceptional tonight. I smiled and look at Amethyst and Faye. Sigurado na akong pasok ang dalawang ito.