Not Now But Forever

Chapter 14

Liam parked his car. Late na nga kami para sa ball. Almost quarter to seven na ng makarating kami.

I am wearing a beige satin dress with slit on its right side. The dress is below the knee. Liam made me wear a beige block heels, buti na lang at mababa lang.

My hair is properly fixed. They styled it with a wavy one. Natural make up lang daw para ma emphasize ang features ko.

I scanned the whole venue. I know they won't notice me. Ang daming magaganda dito but me, standing beside Liam made almost everybody looked at us. I tried to hide my face to everyone.

I even heard whispers around me. They were all asking who I am. Grabe! Ganon ba ako kapangit?

"Chin up, Charm. You're very beautiful." He said.

Nakita ko pang halos masamid sa sarili nilang mga laway ang nakarinig nun. They eyed me from head to toe.

I smiled at Liam at saka nagsimula nang hanapin ang mga kaibigan ko.

Nang makita nila ako ay napaawang lang ang kanilang mga bibig. I rolled my eyes at them.

"Ganon ba ako kapangit?" I scoffed. They all laughed at me.

"Tangina! Ganito ka kaganda!" They said in unison. I rolled my eyes at them.

Mga mambobola! Umupo na ako sa tabi nila. It looks the programme already started.

Tumayo ako para pumunta sa may buffet table. Nagugutom na ako! God, bakit ba ang takaw takaw ko?

Bumalik ako sa aming mesa at saka nagsimulang papakin ang kinuha ko.

After eating, the party had started. They are all already dancing.

"Tara na! Puta, bukas back to normal na naman!" Sigaw ni Jerard sa amin dahil masyado nang malakas ang tugtugan.

We all nodded and started to swayed our bodies with the song. Nakisabayan kami sa mga kapwa namin estudyante.

Hanggang sa unti-unting humina ang musika. I saw a hand in front of me. I smiled when I saw Liam.

"Can I have this dance?" He asked, enough for me to hear.

I heard the teasing of the crowds. Nakakahiya! Tinanggap ko ang kamay ni Liam. He placed his hands on my waist and motioned my hands on his neck.

Masyado kaming malapit. Pero bakit ganun? Bakit wala akong maramdaman na kakaiba? If I didn't meet Dale, would I still be where I am tonight?

Hindi ko alam. The thought of Dale made me sad. Is he here? Nakikita niya kaya ako ngayon?

If ever he sees me tonight, am I not that bad anymore? I sighed.

Nagulat ako nang ilapit ni Liam ang mukha niya sa akin. I'm sure everyone wouldn't noticed us, I just hope so.

"Ang ganda mo," He said in between his breath.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. I didn't know what I saw in his eyes. I saw how his stares went down on my lips. I gulped.

Natigil lang ang titigan namin nang may humila sa akin palayo kay Liam. Before I could even react, I saw Dale dragging me somewhere, away from the crowd.

Gulat akong napatingin sa kanya nang tumigil ito sa paglalakad. Malapit na pala kami sa backgate ng school. It's so dark. Takot ako sa dilim.  Pero ngayon, hindi ko alam.

Wala akong maramdaman ni isang hibla ng takot. Maybe because he's here. Maybe because he's Dale.

Natatakot lang ako sa kung ano ang maaari niyang sabihin sa akin. I'm scared of the thought that maybe, I still look bad.

"Did he kissed you?" He slowly asked me.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Halos magwala na rin ang puso ko. Masyadong malakas ang tunog nito.

"No," I said.

He nodded. I can sense his heavy breathing. Nagulat ako ng maglakad ito palapit sa akin.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makitang tinitingnan niya ako from head to toe.

"Fuck!" He hissed.

"Bakit? Pa...pangit pa rin ba-" He cut me off.

"You shouldn't dressed up like this," Naramdaman ko ang inis sa tono niya.

My heart feels so heavy, "Yes and I shouldn't have did this just so I could impress you!" Gigil kong tugon.

Masama niya akong tiningnan, "Fucking impress me? Are you out of your mind?"

"Baka ikaw! Hihilahin mo ko hanggang dito para insultuhin ako?" I mocked him.

Mataman ko siyang tiningnan, "Screw you, Dale! Gwapo ka nga pero ang sagwa ng ugali mo! Putangina! Hindi na kita gusto mula ngayon! Tandaan mo yan!" I shouted at him kahit halos magsinglapit lang naman kami.

"Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo," He angrily warned me.

Aba! Ang kapal din ng mukha nito! Inirapan ko na lang siya. Humalukipkip ako sa harap niya.

"Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo, Charmylle. I am giving you no right to not to like me..." He looked at me and sighed, "Because I fucking like you that I don't want them to see the beauty I am seeing in you. Tangina! Ayokong may kaagaw...sayo."

Halos mabingi ako sa sinabi niya. Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko. I felt like my whole body was frozen.

I slapped myself so many times. Jusko! Kung panaginip lang to, okay lang kahit ma-comma na ako!

"Pinagloloko mo ba ako?" I scoffed. Trying to calm myself.

Pakipot ka naman gaga! I told myself for so many times.

"Putangina, pagkatapos kong umamin sayo, yan ang isasagot mo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya sa 'kin.

I gulped. The sight of Dale frustrated in front of me is a masterpiece. I can stare at him all day.

"Anong gusto mong gawin ko? Sagutin ka?" I scoffed.

"Bakit? Hindi ba?" Lito nitong tanong sa akin.

"Gago! Manligaw ka muna!" He laughed at my thought.

Inis ko itong pinagpapalo. Hindi porket gwapo siya eh kakagat agad ako ha!

"Fuck! Girls are courting me but...i don't mind...courting you." He said as he slowly wrapped me around his arms.

Hindi ko alam kung kumalma ba ang puso ko nang yakapin niya ako.

I felt safe and warm. His hug feels like I'm home.

"I'm sorry about what I've told you, Charm." He whispered with guilt in his voice.

I nodded. Masyadong maganda ang mga pangyayare. I don't want to destroy this moment.

"I'll make it up to you." He said and looked at me.

I smiled at him, "Kung panaginip lang to, this is the best dream I've ever had." I whispered.

He kissed me on my forehead and whispered, "This is not a dream, Charm. I fucking like you."