Devil's Disguise [Series Two] (✓)

Chapter 20

Lover or family?

The day of selection of Mr. ABS of the year came. Nasa back stage kami kasama ang iba pang representative. Naghahanda na din at malapit ng magsimula. Mine-make up-an pa ako habang si Kyle naman ay nasa CR ng backstage at nagpapalit na ng first attire.

Mauuna naman ang formal, sunod and sport, saka ang national. Pagkatapos non ay ang presentation at ang Q and A.

"There, you're all set. Light make up really looks good on you. Ang gwapo mo." The make up artist said. Babae siya at nakakadiri sa part ko ang compliment niya.

Naalala ko tuloy ang paghalik ko sa babaeng 'yon. Agad akong napailing.

Tumawa ang babae na nasa harap ko. Napangiwi ako sa paraan ng pagtitig niya. Ganoon na ba 'ko ka gwapo sa paningin niya? I immediately excused myself at kinuha na ang susuotin ko.

Sakto naman ang paglabas ni Kyle sa CR kaya pumasok na ako. I changed my clothes and wear my suit. Gray slacks, white inner long sleeve polo and my gray coat. Nakabukas din ang dalawang botones nito. I also wore a gray shoes. Nagpagupit ako ng buhok last time. Pero 'di naman ganoon kababa, it is still long pero 'di na 'to abot hanggang batok ko.

I'm fixing my coat when I opened the door of the CR. Napatunghay ako when I heard a gasp, sabay-sabay pa ito. I saw everyone looking at me. 'Di ko na lang ito pinansin. Lumapit sa akin ang teacher na incharge sa backstage.

"Malapit na kayo. So get on the stair near the stage." Tumango ako sa sinabi ng teacher. Sumunod ako sa kanya. Naabutan ko na nasa hagdan na rin si Kyle.

"Gray suits you bro." He said. I chuckled.

"Just make us win." I replied. Natawa lang din 'to at umiling-iling.

"The representative of 10th grade. Mr. Kyle Guerero and Mr. Zephyrous Davis." The emcee announced. Sabay kaming naglakad ni Kyle. I kept my composeture sabay tingin sa mga taong nasa baba ng stage. The Girls School is also invited to witness the event.

"Zephy–rous." They keep chanting my name. I remained fierce.

"Seems like you're the one who's gonna make us win." Kyle said. I smirked at 'di na siya sinagot pa.

Nabaling ang tingin ko sa mga judges. My heart raced when I saw Caius looking intently at me. Pinapaikot pa nito ang ballpen sa kanyang kamay habang nakasandal sa upuan at nakatingala sa 'min.

Napatingin ako sa katabi nito. The Girls' SSG president is beside him. Why didn't anyone told me that she's one of the judges?! Nakatulala lang itong nakatingin sa akin. Nilabanan ko ang tingin niya. Agad siyang nakabawi at nag-iwas tingin.

Naglakad na kami ni Kyle pabalik sa backstage. Ang mga sumunod na attire ay naging succesful naman. I wore a basketball jersey for sports attire habang volleyball naman ang kay Kyle. I choose to wear barong for national attire. Pareho lang kami ni Kyle but a different design.

And now, naghahanda na kami for presentation. Kaming dalawa na ang susunod. I grabbed my guitar when I heard the claps outside.

Inantay lang naming ma-prepare ang piano at ang mic sa harap. While the emcee announced our entrance.

"And our last performer. And obviously has the big fan club. The representative of 10th grade and their presentation. Mr. Kyle Guerero and Mr. Zephyrous Davis." Lumabas na kami ni Kyle nang matapos 'yon.

Hawak ko ang gitara at umupo sa chair doon na may nakahandang mic sa harap. Dumeretso naman si Kyle sa piano at umupo.

I started to strike the spring of the guitar with my thumb.

"There are three words that I've been dying to say to you." Pagkanta ko. Nasa gitara lang ang aking paningin. Tahimik ang buong gymnasium at tanging ang boses ko lamang maliban sa mga instrumento ang naririnig.

"Burns in my heart like a fire that ain't going out.

There are three words and want you to know they are true.

I need to let you know.

I wanna say I love you. I wanna hold you tight.

I want your arms around me and I want your lips on mine.

I wanna say I love you but, babe I'm terrified.

My hands are shaking my heart is racing 'cause it's something I can't hide.

It's something I can't deny. So here I go.

Baby I love you." Tumunghay ako. And my eyes automatically landed on Caius. And again, that look.

Nothing gives me butterflies, but him? Whenever he stares at me. Whenever he makes silly things. Whenever he smile. He talk. He care. Everytime he gives me attention and efforts. I don't want to admit it, but my heart says it all.

I love him. I freaking love the hell out of him na kahit minsan 'di ko inakala. I never imagined myself loving someone. I never knew I would fell inlove. Not even on my wildest dream.

I'm not addicted to anything. But him. Everything about him.

Naputol lang ang tingin ko sa kanya nang magpalakpakan ang mga tao.

The presentation ended at ang huli na lang ay ang Q and A. At nasa entablado na kaming lahat.

"We have four lucky persons na mananalo for today. Their are three placers and the champion. At ang mapipiling panalo ay siyang tatanghaling Mr. ABS of the year." Sabi ng emcee.

"So here's the question." Lahat ay tahimik at naghihintay sa sasabihin nito.

"If you would choose between your lover or family. What would it be, and why?"

Nauna ang dalawang 7th grade representative papunta na sa 'min. And their answers are all the same. They choose family. Well, of course, family comes first.

But how about for those people who don't have one? O yung mga taong 'di alam kung ano nga ba ang sinasabing pamilya.

I have my cousin Hak, my Uncle Hiden and Auntie Mel. They are a relatives, half of being a family to me dahil sila ang nakasama ko all the years.

They are always there when I'm down. To the rescue when I'm troubled. They are there. For me not to be alone.

But it doesn't mean that I'm not alone means I'm not lonely. All these years I have a house, but not home.

"And Mr. Davis?" Nabalik ako sa ulirat nang marinig ang tawag ng emcee sa 'kin.

"I would choose my lover."

"And why?"

"Having something you can call family doesn't mean you have one. Having a mother and father does not mean you have family. The true definition of the word family is the someone who makes you feel at home. Someone who'll leave you alone but never makes you feel lonely. Someone who is making you feel secured. And your lover can give you all of that. Your lover can give you a family." Mahabang sagot ko.

And while I'm saying those words. My eyes never left Caius. Seryoso lang itong nakatingin sa 'kin.

The scream of the crowd filled the every corner of the gymnasium. They cheered on me. Chanting my name again and again. Pero na'kay Caius pa din ang tingin ko.

Zephyr.