"Are you okay?" She asked, I look at her and immediately composed myself as I swiftly wipe the tears in my eyes.
"Of course I-" I didn't finish my sentence when Margaret appeared from somewhere.
"Hey, I saw you walked out there, what's wrong?" She asked not minding Ms. Marcos' presence.
" I was just trying to have a fresh air, it's kinda suffocating inside." I tightly smiled and glanced at the woman worriedly looking at me.
"Oh..you want some company? I would love to be here with you, and beside Catherine seems enjoying the party." She suggested, I was about to replied but this elegant woman beside me, spoke.
"No, she's good right here with me. Right, Miss Hughes?" She turns and waited for my answer, I slowly nodded in response even though I don't really know why she was being someone who's far away from who she is. Margaret throw me a confusing look.
"The party hasn't done yet, you can go back inside and enjoy the rest of the evening." Ms. Marcos softly yet sternly said.
"Yes, ma'am.." Maggie uttered, "You sure, you good here?" She asked for reassurance, "Yeah, of course. Thanks." I murmured.
As soon as Margaret's silhouette disappeared, the awkward silence crept in. I want the fresh air not this lethalize silence between the two of us.
"I'll just take my keys from my advisory room, stay here and I'll be back." She said and put her hand on her pocket.
After she shooed Margaret away she will just gonna leave me here?Wow.
"I wanna come." I crossed my arms trying to be stubborn toward her.
"Come on then." She didn't protest which surprised me. This woman don't used to let me tag along.
I held up my gown a little too high to avoid it from touching the ground. We still could hear the loud music from the function hall of this university as we are walking to an empty and dim hallway of school.
She opened the light switch while I smoothly take a seat to rest my feet from walking. I carefully watched her as she started to open every drawers she have in the classroom, the way how she adjust the frame of her eye glasses, the way her lips puckered looking for something in the box, and the way her face softly examining the stuffs on her table.
"Beautiful.." I unconsciously whispered.
"Huh? Did you say something?" She glanced at me but I just shook my head and hid my smile underneath my head.
"If you don't mind, would you like to come by at my house?" My eyes squinted at the question. Tinatanong paba 'yan?
The urge inside me to see how big her house is. Does she have a dog or even a cat? What her house smells like? Does she have someone in there? Or is she alone?
"Why?" I asked pretending to be casual.
"I just wanna return the shirt I wore when you accidentally poured pineapple juice in my teacher's uniform." She chuckled and finally raised her arm to show me that she already found her keys. How adorable.
"Of course." I genuinely smiled trying to ignore the bunch of butterflies inside my stomach.
She headed to where I am and unfolded her arm, "wanna dance?" I couldn't move as I felt the shock wave hits my being at the moment she uttered those words. If only there's someone who could slap me to tell me I wasn't dreaming. This lovely woman just asked me to dance with her.
"A- are you sure? Someone might see us.." I stuttered. The faded sound of a music from the function hall can still heard where we are.
"There's only the two of us. I promise. " I finally took her soft hand and she placed my palm on her delicate shoulders. I could feel my legs shivers when she wrapped her hands around me, gently.
She was trying to caught my eyes but I looked down as I can feel I would pass out in any minute. Oh for fuck's sake, this is not a dream.
She locked me on her fine porcelain arms, it was a gentle hug rather than a normal sweet dance. I could smell her expensive perfume that never failed to lures me. I closed my eyes feeling the warmth of her body against mine. I am safe. Surely, I am.
"Why did you born so late?" She asked as she rested her cheek at the crown of my head.
"I wasn't born too late, this society just made people turned to think that age matters to some complicated lovers. Doesn't it?" I pulled myself and look straightly into her flimsy eyes. She nodded and weakly smiled.
"I wanna court you..for real." It is now or never. I was never been sure of my eighteen years of existence. Her face flashing a worried look but slowly turn to a soft one.
"Don't you think.." She paused as she pushed back the strand of my hair behind my ear.
"After my graduation, would you let me?" The hope in my voice is there and I am silently praying she won't let me down this time.
"I would want to-" She spoke but I cut her off.
"I know how fast we got here, but I promise you, I would do everything to make you mine. Wait-what did you say?" The excitement in my voice was obvious when I realized what she would want to say.
She slowly nodded and smiled. Finally. The cold-hearted woman slowly showing her real self.
"Of course, young lady. Of course." She smoothly pulled my arms again as she softly embrace my small body. I silently squealed at the thought of pursuing this woman.
After the long yet tranquil silence she finally let go of me. I could hear my heart beat as she stared at me for a second.
"Let's go, your friends definitely looking for you now.."She chuckled as she pulled my wrist and walk out the room.
___
To be continued...
