L A T C H E D (NGS #4 Ineryss' Version)

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"Are we going to see each other again after the performance?" tanong ni Javier, nangungusap ang mga mata sa akin nang iwanan kami ni Miss Aurora rito.

Javier is really one of the nicest guy I met here in Paris. Kapwa kasi kaming nakahiligan ang pagbaballet at isa ito sa kanyang libangan maliban sa swimming. He's very athletic at mahahalata mo talaga iyon sa build ng kanyang katawan.

My nose wrinkled.

"Hmm, maybe? Since I already told Miss Aurora that I'm going to leave for a while after this," sabi ko.

"Honeymoon with your possessive husband?" Natawa siya.

"Yes," sagot ko at natawa rin.

"He's lucky to have you since you're my dream girl." Kinindatan ako ni Javier.

Itinawa ko na lamang iyon. This playboy! Eh may namamagitan nga rin sa kanila noong isa pang kasamahan namin sa ballet.

Nagbihis ako ng leggings at sweatheart top at hinayaan na lamang ang nakabun kong buhok. Lumabas rin naman ako dala dala ang aking dance bag at nagulat pa dahil sa paglebel ni Javier sa akin, palabas na rin.

Nag-uusap kami tungkol sa magiging performance nang makita ko si Kaizen na naghihintay ulit sa labas. I smiled and went to him. Kuryosong tumingin si Kaizen kay Javier ngunit itinuon din ang atensyon sa akin at wala sa sariling yumuko para salubungin ang halik ko.

"Kanina ka pa?" I asked.

Umiling siya at muling sinipat ng tingin si Javier na kumakaway na paalis.

I smiled and waved back. "That's Javier... My partner..."

"For your performance?" he asked.

I nodded and smiled. He looked serious but he nodded slowly and opened the door of his car for me.

"Is he nice to you? Hindi ka naman binabastos?"

Umiling agad ako habang umuupo na. Umikot siya sa driver's seat habang hinihila ko ang seatbelt.

"Hindi naman. He's nice. We're friends. Don't worry, he's different from..." I stopped my mouth.

"Are you sure?" he asked while starting the engine.

"My life here is very different from the life I had in Manila, Kaizen. The people around me respects me, doesn't talk back behind my back, and we all share the same goal. Kaya noong nandito ako, medyo ayaw ko nang umuwi," I chuckled.

Ngumuso si Kaizen. I saw the controlled smile on his lips while he's driving.

"Tapos nawili ako sa pagpeperform ng ballet! You know it's international. Kahit wala akong social media, natutuwa ako minsan pag may nagpapapicture!"

His lips stretched more.

"I want a picture with you while you're in your ballet outfit..."

Iyon ang topic namin hanggang makarating sa bahay. Wala si Lola at Lolo. Ang sabi ni Manang Victoria ay umalis daw ang dalawa para maglakad lakad sa park.

Sa sala namin tinuloy ang topic habang nasa kandungan niya ako.

"And then I almost fell! I mean nakakahiya 'yon kasi malaki na theatre at ang daming nanonood! Thank God Javier is so professional that he save me from my minimal mistake! Naging favorite scene pa iyon dahil pumalakpak ang nanonood!"

His brow arched by the mention of Javier.

"I'll introduce you to Javier after our performance. Baka suntukin mo ha..." biro ko.