Si Torpe at Si Feeling

Chapter 18: I Knew You Do

Chapter 18: I Knew You Do

Bumalik na kami ng school after ng sembreak. Then time passed, Christmas happened. A new year came. I turned fifteen. Soon, it was Valentines, or Prom season sa ayaw sa Valentines day.

It took a lot of convincing (and it took months), but my dad is not after getting me and Bryce married anymore. Tutal, hindi naman talaga nila ako mapapakasal without both my parents' consent, at inayawan na talaga ni mama.

For her, pumayag lamang siya kasi sinabi ni papa na malapit nang magka-bankruptcy sa business nila. It was a good thing as well na they said sorry, pero damage was done and mas lumayo pa ang closeness namin ni papa.

Mas busy kami ngayon sa paghahanap ng damit for the Costume party themed prom this year. I already had mine, I already had a Victorian Era steampunk dress na ibinigay sakin ng cousin ko before she went to Korea for studying.

Jared had once again, asked me out. But this time as a prom date. Narinig ko sa mga chismis na Aleiah is bringing her boyfriend sa prom. I asked him if it was because of Aleiah that he asked me, but he hesitated before saying yes. The same thing happened during Christmas party when everyone was slow dancing to a Taylor Swift song.

If he's hesitating, then he must be losing interest in Aleiah and gaining more interest in me.

"Oh nakapili na ba kayo, guys?" Nakaupo lamang ako sa harap ng mirrors sa boutique.

"I found the one for me, and so did Szane and Jeanna. Sabi ni Louise manghihiram na lang daw siya sa kapitbahay niya."

"Perfect..." I grinned. "Pwede na tayong bumalik sa school? May test daw kami sa English eh."

---

"Ang ganda mo, Avy."

"Shut up."

"Oh come on, I'm not lying!" Tumawa si Jared once he bid my parents goodbye.

We sat in Jeanna's van, headed to the school's prom. Jeanna has dressed up as the Corpse Bride, AJ had gone as Bellatrix Lestrange, Louise as Marilyn Monroe, Szane as Sailormoon and I went as a Victorian Era vampire slayer. I laughed when I saw that Jared went as Count Dracula.

"Okay, I trust the Count's words then." I blushed at his words as we pull over the school's parking lot.

We walked in with guitars and drumsticks in hand, the party was slowly picking up dahil medyo marami-rami narin ang mga tao sa dance floor. I spot Aleiah and her boyfriend dancing as they sport their Cinderella and prince charming get up.

I sighed, at least their outfits contradict.

"Hey," bumulong siya sa akin. "You should go backstage now, just meet me here later."

"I will, then." Sabi ko sa kanya. "Kuha mo ko ng juice pagkatapos, please?"

He nodded and I went backstage, prepared and performed three songs for the crowd. Then I met him at the side of the stage. He had two red cups half-full of strawberry punch and a sweet smile.

"Can we talk now?" Tanong niya sakin noong kinuha ko ang isang cup sa kanya.

"Mamaya lang, nagugutom pa ako. Dun tayo sa may chicken wings." Sagot ko sa kanya at dumiretso sa buffet table nila. I downed my drink and proceeded to grab finger foods to put in my plate and found a seat sa mga kaibigan ko.

"Tris! Gab! Scarlet!" Ngiti ko habang umuupo sa gilid nila. "Wala pa si Szane?"

He followed and sat beside me with my cup full with punch again. Nagpasalamat ako at tumingin uli sa kanila while eating my chicken.

"Kita mo yun? Ayun oh, nakikipagsayawan sa bagong boylet niya." Tawang-tawang sagot ni Gab sakin. "I wonder kung gaano naman sila katagal niyan..."

"Kayo, kamusta ang lovelife?" Tris asks, leaning over the table to steal one of my chicken. "Blooming si Clarey at matching pa kayong dalawa."

"It was unintentional. " I drank my punch.

"Clare, Oo nga pala. If I we're you, I won't drink the strawberry punch, I saw Bryce's friend mix rhum in there." Scarlet says as she drinks her own drink. I'm guessing that one's she's drinking is pink lemonade.

Napalunok ako when I realize my drink was strawberry punch... No wonder something was off...

"Brb guys, I need a drink refill." I said, tumayo agad ako with my cup and pour the remnants of my cup in the potted plant by the buffet table. Guess I'll stick to pink lemonade today.

We finished eating and had a light chatter going on. We teased Szane noong umupo siya sa amin to eat. Then Jared asks me for a dance when the songs begin to slow.

We danced slowly, my hands on his shoulder and his on my waist. If it weren't for the strobe lights, he would have seen how red I am right now. Kung hindi dahil sa music na malakas, maririnig niya talaga ang tibok ng puso ko.

"Can we go somewhere private? I want to tell you something." He said, holing my gloved hand in his.

"Sure."

Sinundan ko siya sa labas, and he walks. Tumigil siya sa carpark, and I leaned over sa wall and looked at him beside me.

"Is there anything bothering you, J?" I asked calmly as I sense his tense figure. "May problema ba kay Al?"

"Avy, " He started. "I want to give up."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Did he say he wants to stop?

"May nainom ka ba? Bakit naman?"

"Nothings wrong with me... it's just.." Napabuntong hininga siya at hinarap ako. Nakayuko ng kaunti ang ulo niya. "I don't wanna keep lying to myself or to you, tama na. Tan's right."

He ran his hands sa buhok niya, and I shifted my position, my back fully leaning on the wall of the AV hall.

"I realized long ago, All this Aleiah thing? It's only been a matter of pride that I kept on chasing her. I haven't been thinking of her ever since whenever, It's been fruitless. And I've grown fond of you, Avy." He sighed. "I really like you now."

My breath caught on its throat when I realized what he said.

I really like you now.

But what really shocked me was what he did next.

Dumikit pa ako sa pader when I feel him inch closer, his eyes looking over my lips.

"Please tell me you feel the same way."  He whispered when he stared in my eyes.

Nanghina ang tuhod ko habang nakatitig lang sa kanya, bumilis pa rin ang tibok nang puso ko kahit mabilis na kanina, at nanginginig ang mga kamay ko sa kaba.

"I... yeah... i like you too." I whispered as I looked downward. The wooden stakes in my waist belt seem to be more interesting than the sight of J in front of me.

"Can I kiss you?"

My face flushed at those words. A small smile crept on my face. Maybe it was the rhum-infused punch, but I was the first to cup my hands to his face and kiss him.

I really like you now.

Yeah I knew you do.