One Step Closer (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24

Amelia Martini

LIFE knows very well how to make situations more awkward. I should have known that catching this boquet would be chaos. Kung si Blaine man ang nakatanggap ng garter, malaking palaisipan pa rin iyon dahil ayaw kong isipin niya na responsibilidad niyang pakasalan ako. Ngayong si Rafael naman ay nakasalo, mas naging komplikado ang lahat.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko naitawid ang ilang minutong pangingisa sa amin ng host. Ang alam ko lang ay simpleng oo, hindi at tango lang ang ginawa ko. Things weren't less awkward for Raf's side. Kilala ko siya at ramdam ko rin ang pagkailang niya sa sitwasyon.  I was too focused on Raf. Funny how uncomfortable I feel all this time being this close to my bestfriend. We are best of friends, bakit sa isang iglap ay naging mahirap sa aming dalawa ang maging ganito kalapit sa isa't isa?

And because we are both good friends with Dana and Blake, backing out wouldn't sound like a good idea.  Ngayon ay nakaupo na ako sa isang silya sa gitna ng kasiyahan habang nakatutok ang maraming mga mata sa pagsuot ng garter ni Raf sa akin.

Hanggang tuhod na ang garter nang isuot iyon ni Raf sa akin nang mag-request ang mga tao ng , "higher".

Ang buong akala ko ay susunod siya pero simple lang siyang umiling at tumayo mula sa pagkakaluhod sa aking harapan. He looked down at me and offered his right hand.

"Looks like our handsome gentleman is a little possessive." pagbibiro ng host. "Anyway, we offer the dance floor for the both of you."

Pareho kaming nagkatinginan ni Raf sa sinabi ng host. Nakahinga pa naman ako ng maluwag dahil akala ko tapos na ang lahat, hindi pa pala. Mukhang ganoon nga din si Raf dahil halata ang reaksyon ng kanyang mukha.

"Guys? The floor is ready." the host said with the microphone away from his mouth, while his other hand pointing towards the  dance floor.

Ilang akong ngumiti sa kanya pagkatapos nang ilang segundong pagtitig sa mukha ni Raf. I was contemplating because of his silence. Gusto niya bang sumayaw kasama ako, o hindi?

With one last glance at his face, I composed myself ready to decline the dance the host was asking. "I am sorry, I dont think-"

"It's fine." pagputol ni Raf na naging sanhi nang pagtingin ko ulit sa kanya.

He was now looking at me with a face that I can't read. Kusang bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang nakalahad upang dalhin ako sa gitna ng sayawan. "Amelia, can I have this dance?"

"Raf-" When I opened my mouth to answer Raf, my eyes automatically set its gaze towards Blaine who was standing far away behind him.

I wasn't expecting the look on his face. Simula nang maupo siya ulit mula sa pakikipagkumpulan niya sa gitna kasama ng iba pang mga kalalakihan, hindi ko na ulit siya nabigyan ng pansin. He was just standing there looking at me with a smile on his face, no hint of jealousy or whatsoever. That made me at ease somehow.

"Amelia, shall we?"  ulit na tanong ni Raf.

I smiled at nod my head at him deciding to let go of my inhibitions while trying to remind myself that this man is no stranger at all- he is Rafael. He is my bestfriend.