*Clyde's POV*

"Para kapag naririnig mo yung kantang yun, AKO ang naalala mo at hindi si Arielle"

"Para kapag naririnig mo yung kantang yun, AKO ang naalala mo at hindi si Arielle"

"Para kapag naririnig mo yung kantang yun, AKO ang naalala mo at hindi si Arielle"

*kriiiiiings...kriiiiiings*

Napamulat ako and then pinatay ko yung alarm clock sa side table ko. I stared into thin nothingness and sighed. Hindi man lang ako nakatulog dahil sa devil na yun.

Deafening silence filled every corner of my room yet I can clearly hear her voice, though she's not here. Napasabunot na lang ako sa buhok ko dahil sa inis. Bakit ba kasi kailangan nyang sabihin yun? What is she pointing out?!

"I look at him and have to smile, as we go driving for a while~"

"Ah! Fck!" naiinis akong tumayo and headed straight to the CR.

Nababaliw na ako.

I opened the shower at nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang wala na akong ibang marinig kundi yung agos ng tubig galing sa shower.

What's happening to you, Clyde?

I finished taking my bath and got my robe. Paglabas ko ng CR dun ko lang na-realize na it's just 5 in the morning.

"We stop to get something to drink. My mind clouds and I can't think. Scared to death to say I love him"

I closed my eyes out of frustration and sighed.

"You never left my mind since yesterday" bulong ko.

Naiinis ako! bukod sa naririnig ko syang kumakanta, hindi na sya naalis sa isip ko, hindi na nabawasan yung mga tanong sa utak ko.

*rings...rings...rings*

"Bakit?!" inis na sagot ko sa phone ng hindi man lang tinignan kung sino yung tumawag.

"Didn't get a decent sleep, Mr. President?"

Agad kong tinignan kung sino yung caller at yung devil yun.

"Ang sarap nga ng tulog ko eh, you just woke me up" I lied.

"Really? Ako kasi hindi nakatulog. Alexandrei told me na baka may nagiisip sa akin kaya hindi ako makatulog" she said.

"And your point is?" I asked.

"Don't think too much of me, Mr. President" she said.

HA! Ang kapal ng mukha!

"Asa. Sino ka ba para isipin ko?" I asked.

"Your Cutiepie?" She asked.

Napahigpit yung hawak ko sa phone ko dahil sa inis. Ang aga aga nyang sinisira yung araw ko!

"Kung wala kang sasabihing matino, matutulog na lang ulit ako" I said.

"Wait" she said.

"Bakit ka ba kasi tumawag?!" Inis na tanong ko.

Hindi sya nagsasalita. I can still hear her breathing though.

"I just called to say good morning" seryosong sagot nya.

Ako naman yung hindi makapagsalita. Parang pati yung paghinga ko, tumigil.

"Hey, still there?" she asked then she chuckled.

She freaking chuckled, she laughed!

Hindi ko alam na mas maganda pa yung pagtawa nya kaysa sa pagkanta nya. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko!

"A-Ano?! Of course I'm here!" Inis na sagot ko.

She chuckled again!

"I called just to remind you that you have to be here by 6 a.m." she said.

"Ano? magpapasundo ka sa akin?" gulat na tanong ko.

"Stupid! Nasa school na ako and you have to be here by 6" inis na sabi nya.

Ang aga naman nya.

"At bakit?" inis din na tanong ko.

"You have to finalize everything before the event starts, Mr. President" she said.

"Yeah whatever" I said.

"Don't you 'yeah whatever' me, Mr. President. It's annoying" she said.

Napangisi ako at nagsimulang maglakad papuntang closet para maghanap ng damit.

"Yeah whatever" I said.

"I hate you" she said.

Natawa ako.

"The feeling is mutual" I said.

"So M.U tayo? Akala ko ba girlfriend mo na ako, pizzapie?" she asked innocently.

Natigilan ako at hindi ko na naman alam ang sasabihin ko, hindi na naman ako makapag-isip ng maayos!

"Just joking, wag mong seryosohin. I'm not really good at catching." she said and the she laughed.

Hindi na talaga ako nakapagsalita.

"Sorry for waking you up, I just have to. Good morning, Clyde" she said then she ended the call.

Napatitig na lang ako sa phone ko. Yung devil ba talaga yung nakausap ko or ibang tao?

"Just joking, wag mong seryosohin. I'm not really good at catching."

"I'm not really good at catching."

"I'm not really good at catching."

"Ha! Anong akala nya? Mafa-fall ako sa kanya!?" inis na tanong ko sa sarili ko.

Nagbihis na ako at kinuha yung susi ng sasakyan. I didn't bother to eat my breakfast, nawalan ako ng gana dahil sa devil na yun. Mabilis akong nagdrive papuntang school at dumaretso sa Auditorium.

Kitang kita na maayos na yung lahat, yung stage, yung lights and sound at yung mga back-up dancers nagsstretching na.

I scanned the whole area pero hindi ko makita yung hinahanap ko.

"Looking for someone?"

Napalingon ako kay Alex.

"Bakit ka nandito?" tanong ko.

Pinagcross nya yung braso nya at tinaasan ako ng kilay.

"Bawal ba ako dito?" tanong nya.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Kanina pa ako iniirapan ng mga tao ah! Hindi na nakakatuwa!" inis na sabi nya.

"What are you doing here?" I asked then naupo ako, gumaya naman sya.

"Kasama si Nadia, sa mga nagdesign ng stage. Dito sila natulog kaya sinamahan ko" he said.

Napailing na lang ako sa kanya. In-love eh

"Boyfriend duties ang tawag dun" he said.

"Alam ko" I said.

Kung makapagsalita akala mo wala pa akong naging girlfriend eh. Tsk!

"syempre alam na alam mo, boyfriend duty mo kaya kahapon" he said.

Nilingon ko sya at nagsimula naman syang matawa.

"eksena nyo kahapon sa mall ah. May pa-cutiepie ka pang nalalaman, hawak sa bewang at back hug pa ah" natatawang sabi nya.

What the hell?!

"hahahahahaha!"

Halos rinig na sa buong auditorium yung tawa nya, napapalingon na sa amin yung mga dancers pero tawa pa rin ng tawa si Alex.

"Will you please shut up Alex?"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na yun.

"Ikaw ba si Alex?" bulong ni Alex sa akin at natawa ulit.

Kitang kita ko yung inis nya kahit malayo sya sa pwesto namin.

"Alex" suway ko pero tawa pa rin ng tawa.

"Alex" mahina lang yung pagkakasabi nya pero natahimik kaming lahat sa auditorium.

"Sorry, Mielle" Alex said.

Pumasok na ulit yung devil sa backstage. Nilingon ko si Alex at may tumamang kung ano sa pisngi ko.

"Ano to?" I asked.

"Sandwich" natatawang sabi nya.

My forehead creased.

"Galing kay Mielle yan, grabeng secretary yan. Minsan girlfriend, minsan parang yaya mo na din eh" sabi nya.

Tinignan ko yung sandwich at naalala ko na naman yung pancakes na ginawa nya sa bahay. Poor pancakes, nasunog.

"Mukha bang may lason 'to? grabe ka makatingin eh" sabi ni Alex sabay lagay ng sandwich sa kamay ko.

Binuksan ko yung wrapper, mukha namang hindi sya yung gumawa, baka binili nya lang 'to sa convenient store. So, kinain ko na.

"Clyde! Ano ok na ba yung stage set up?" tanong ni Ashley.

I nodded and raised my thumbs. Lumapit naman sya sa pwesto namin para makita ng maayos yung stage. Humarap sya sa akin at nanlaki bigla yung mata.

"Puyat ka ba? Grabe yung eyebags mo" Ashley said.

"Kinda" I said.

Hindi ako puyat, wala talaga akong tulog!

Napangisi naman si Alex sa tabi. Nagpaalam na si Ashley dahil ichecheck naman daw nya yung mga cast nung play sa backstage.

"Anong nangyari kahapon, bakit hindi ka nakatulog?" nakangising tanong ni Alex.

"Tsk! Wala!" inis na sagot ko sa kanya.

"Tinalo ng Cutiepie at Pizzapie yung sweety ah" natatawang sabi nya.

How come? Paano nya nalaman? Bakit hindi ko sya nakita?

"Nandun din kami ni Nadia kahapon, hahaha. Nagulat na lang kami may biglang sumigaw ng 'Cutiepie' at mas nagulat kami ng malamang ikaw pala yung sumigaw hahaha laughtrip!" natatawang kwento nya.

I glared at him pero hindi na naman sya matigil sa pagtawa.

"Rinig na rinig namin kung paano mo sinabihang maganda si Mielle. Ang daming alam hahaha" natatawang dagdag nya.

Ngayon ko lang na-realize na talagang nakakahiya yung ginawa namin kahapon! I mean, paano ko nagawa yun? Ugh!

Napasandal na lang ako sa upuan at hindi sya pinansin, ayun tumahimik din.

"Pero seryoso, bagay kayo"

Natigilan ako sa sinabi nya.

Kung ano-ano sinasabi, tsk!

*Mielle's POV*

Everyone's busy about the costumes, make-up, and ballet-shoes. Me, on the other side, is busy reading on e-book.

"PARIIIIIIS! GRABE ANG GWAPO MO!" I heard Ashley shout.

Hindi ko na lang pinansin, kahit medyo masakit sa tenga yung boses ni Ashley.

"Girl! maganda! Hindi gwapo!" I heard someone said, a gay.

Nagtawanan silang lahat.

"Asan na yung babaeng papagandahin ko? ako ang fairy-god mother nya today!" he asked.

"Paris, maging lalake ka na lang please? Sagot ko na yung kasal natin. Gusto ko ng limang anak" I heard Chloe said.

"Mandiri ka sa sinasabi mo, Girl! Hindi tayo talo! Hindi ako mahilig sa tahong! Allergic ako sa seafoods" he said in a disgust tone.

Nagtawanan na naman sila.

"Asan na yung babae?! Andito na akez! Ang Fairy-god mother!" he shouted.

Nakayuko pa rin ako sa phone ko. Maganda na yung part nung binabasa ko eh.

"Mielle" Ashley said.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa vanity mirror and there I saw them standing right behind me. Ashley, Chloe and Paris, I quickly placed my phone inside my bag and then I faced them.

"Mielle, meet Francisco Altamirano" Ashley said while giggling.

"Imbyerna ka girl!" inis na sabi ni Francisco.

"Gwapo di ba? Tawagin mo syang France" Chloe said then I nodded.

"Pashnea! Chloe!" he said.

Chloe's right. He's handsome, mukha syang lalake dahil nakabihis lalake din sya, yung tindig nya pang-guy din. Yung way of speaking lang yung pang-gay.

"Don't listen to them. My name is Paris" he said.

"Mielle" I said then we shook hands.

"Ay grabeng lambot ng hands!" he said.

I laughed at his reaction. Bigla naman syang napabitaw sa akin then he formed a cross using his fingers.

"Anyare Paris?" natatawang tanong ni Ashley.

"Yan! Yang mga babaeng ganyan! Ganyang feslak, ganyang smile at tawa! Perfect example ng salot sa federasyon!" he said, hysterically. Naglabas pa sya ng alcohol spray at inispray nya sa paligid nya.

Nagtawanan kaming lahat.

"Wag na wag ka ng tatawa, girl. Hindi talaga kita papagandahin" he threatened me.

I put up a pokerface and stared at him.

"Nakakainis ka naman Ashley! Ayoko na!" reklamo nya.

"Wala namang ginagawa si Mielle sayo! Ayusan mo na yan Paris, magsisimula na mamaya yung event" Ashley commanded.

He sighed then he started putting make-up on my face. Umalis na si Ashley, si Chloe na lang yung naiwan.

"Bakit ba kasi may ganitong feslak?" He asked.

"Maganda no?" Chloe asked.

Hindi na sumagot si Paris. I noticed na may dala syang camera kanina.

"So, you're a photographer?" I asked habang nakapikit ako.

"Yesh. Kasama ako sa mga official school photographer" he said.

I smiled.

"Me too" I said.

Napamulat ako because he stopped. He's staring right back at me.

"Wh—"

"Contact lens ba yan?" he asked.

I shook my head then I smiled—a bitter one.

"CHLOE! NAKAKALALAKI NA 'TONG SI ATE GIRL! DI KO NA KAYA!" sigaw ni Paris.

Natatawa namang lumapit sa amin si Chloe.

Nakakalalaki? Huh?

"Ang daming arte! Tapusin mo na yan" utos ni Chloe.

I closed my eyes then he continued putting some make-up on my face. Nung matapos na pinaharap na nya ako sa vanity mirror.

"Woah. Magaling ka" I said then smiled at him.

He pouted. Ang gwapo nya talaga. Don't get me wrong, he's not my type pero marunong naman akong tumingin ng gwapo.

"Wow, grabe ka talaga Paris! Ang galing mo" Chloe said.

Tumayo ako then tinanggal ko na yung robe. I'm already wearing my costume, ikakabit na lang yung tutu.

"How do I look?" I asked them habang kinakabit ko yung tutu.

"Amazingly wonderful" seryosong sagot ni Paris using a manly tone.

Nagulat kami ni Chloe pati na rin si Ashley na kakapasok lang sa dressing room. Silence engulfs the atmosphere.

I faked a laugh to kill the silence. Damn it's awkward!

"Don't tell me. Oh my gahd" Ashley said while her hands are covering her mouth.

"Paris? Are you still there?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah" he answered casually using a manly tone, again.

Lumapit si Ashley sa kanya at hinawakan sya sa balikat.

"Lalake ka na?" she asked.

"Ano ba, girl! bitaw" inis na sabi ni Paris.

Tinitigan ako ni Paris mula ulo hanggang paa. It's, I don't know—awkward?

"Black wig, mas ok kung itim yung buhok mo" he said in a manly tone again.

May kinuha naman si Ashley sa cabinet then inabot na kay Paris yung wig. I tied my hair into a bun then sinuot ko na yung wig—jet-black wig.

"Perfect" he said then smiled.

Lumapit sya sa akin then he fix the loose strands of hair. He's acting weird, he's acting all manly! Kaya gulat na gulat si Ashley at Chloe.

"Pag ba naging lalake ako ulit, pwede akong manligaw sayo?" He asked.

My jaw dropped and I stared at him in awe.

What the hell? A while ago, he's acting all girly and now he's asking my permission to allow him to court me?!

"HAHAHAHA!"

"WHAT THE HELL PARIS?" Chloe asked while laughing her ass out.

"Ikaw lang pala yung sagot, Mielle" natatawang sabi ni Ashley.

Inirapan naman sya ni Paris then kinuha na nya yung camera nya tapos lumabas ng dressing room without saying a word.

"hahaha omg! Sa dinamidami ng nagkakandarapa kay Paris, lahat yun deadma then ikaw? Hahaha iba talaga yung fes mo" Ashley added.

Umiling na lang ako. Then lumabas na kami ng dressing room and we headed backstage. Magsisimula na.

Marami ng tao sa auditorium. There are children, some professors and students. Saktong 8:00 lumabas na sa stage yung MC, kung ano ano yung sinasabi nya pero hindi ko maintindihan.

*inhales...exhales*

"Ok guys eto na! Break a leg!" Sigaw ni Chloe.

"Kinakabahan ako" sabi ni Tanisha, yung white swan.

I don't know what to feel. Hindi ako kinakabahan pero alam kong hindi ako Ok. Something's off. I don't know.

"Isipin nyo guys na para sa mga bata 'to. We are going to perform something magical that will make them smile and feel like they're entering into the world of fairytale" Ashley said.

We nodded.

"May I present to you, East Hill Dance Crew!"

Napuno ng palakpakan yung auditorium but later on it slowly fades as the music plays. The back-up dancers enter the stage followed by Tanisha. I can hear their amusement as Tanisha started dancing.

Wow

She really is a great ballerina, the poise and elegance. All in one.

"Kinakabahan ka ba?" Chloe asked.

"Medyo" I answered which is true, talagang kinakabahan na ako.

This scene is quite familiar to me. It happened 11 years ago, back when I was 8 years old in my very first recital.

~Flashback~

"Hans! Hans! Where's Mom?" I asked.

"Young lady, the Madame is in her study room" he answered.

I smiled at him and then I run towards the study room.

"Mom! Mom! Mom!" I shouted as I knock the door.

The door swung open as Anna, her secretary open it for me.

"Young lady, the Madame is bu—"

"Mom!" I said as I enter the room.

"Where's your etiquette, young lady?" she asked.

I froze. I haven't done anything yet but she's already mad. I hid the invitation and stared at the floor.

"Can't you see I'm busy?!" she asked.

I bit my lip, she's really mad.

"M-Mom" I said, a bit scared.

"Out of this room, Louisse" she calmly commanded.

"But—"

"No buts, young lady! Out of this room. NOW!" she shouted.

My eyes widened. I got scared. I dropped the crumpled invitation on the floor and I quickly left the room. I run towards the garden and sat on the grass.

All I wanted is to see her watch my ballet recital.

I turn my gaze to the window of the study area and saw my mom staring right back at me.

"Young lady"

I saw Hans approaching me, he's my butler.

"Yes?" I asked.

"You have to prepare for the recital" he said.

I sighed.

"I have no plans on attending that recital, Hans" I said in a sad tone.

"Are you sure, young lady? The Madame would like to see you dance on the stage" he said.

My eyes widened and I stared at him in Awe. I smiled at him and hugged him tight.

"Young lady?"

"Thank you Hans" I said and then I run towards my room.

Finally! I don't like dancing but I'm doing this for my mom because I don't want her to be mad at me and I want her happy.

"Mielle, stand-by" I heard Chloe said.

I shook my head and sighed.

"Yung emotions ah" she reminded me and I nodded.

As the music changed and the lights were dimmed, I enter the stage. Unlike Tanisha, I didn't get any reactions from the audience, everyone's quiet.

As I dance across the stage, I automatically scanned the audience. I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip.

What was I thinking?!

I continued dancing while my eyes shut. Hindi ko pinansin yung audience, I focused on dancing. I let the character of the black swan devour me with her melancholy. As the music fades, that's my cue to leave the center stage.

Pumasok ulit si Tanisha, of course, everyone's in Awe again dahil nagpalit na sya ng costume. She's looking like a princess in her free flowing ballet dress na umabot lampas tuhod nya.

"Kinilabutan ako sayo! How can you dance while your eyes are closed?!" Chloe asked sabay hampas sa braso ko.

I smiled at her.

Inabot nya sa akin yung panibagong tutu at sinuot ko na.

"Grabe yung emotions teh! Talagang na-justify yung character nung black swan" she said.

Natutuwa ako sa mga remarks nya, buti sya naappreciate yun unlike the audience, walang imik.

I enter the stage once again at sabay kaming sumayaw ni Tanisha. Half of the stage is colorful at may kasamang back-up dancer si Tanisha and other half is dimmed at ako lang mag-isa. Pareho kami ng steps na ineexecute pero iba ng emotions na pinaparating. This part of the play shows kung paano ako naging masama, it shows how my differences from others changed me and turned me into a monster, just because I'm a black swan, hiniwalay na nila ako sa kanila. It's as if they're saying that I will never fit in with their lives just because of my color, that I deserve no one because I'm different, I'm not like them.

Unti-unti lumiwanag yung stage hanggang sa nasakop nila lahat and I, on the other side was left alone in the dark. Lumabas na ulit ako ng stage and prepared myself for the last part, which is my solo part.

Nakita ko sa gilid si Chloe na umiiyak, pilit na pinapatahan ng ibang dancers.

"Chloe" I said as I approach her.

"Mielle! Huhuhu" Chloe cried as she walks towards me.

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm so proud of you!" naiiyak na sabi nya.

Natawa ako sa reaction nya, hindi pa nga tapos yung play eh. Tumahan na sya at inayos yung tutu ko.

"Hindi siguro magiging ganyan yung kinalabasan pag ako yung gumanap ng black swan, I'm glad na ikaw yung pumalit sa akin" she said at naiiyak na naman sya.

Hinila na sya ng iba pang dancers dahil kailangan ko ng bumalik sa stage para sa last part.

I slowly walk towards the center stage and started dancing along with the soft slow music and then my voice over started playing.

"What's wrong with being different?"

Rinig na rinig sa buong auditorium yung boses ko at nagsimula ng magbulungan yung mga audience. The black swan isn't bad at all, nagiging masama lang sya dahil yun ang tingin ng iba.

"I was born like this. Different from others, but being different doesn't mean you're not one of them."

Tumigil ako sa pagsayaw at tumingin sa audience na para bang kinakausap ko sila.

"Blind-- Everyone here is blind and judgmental. "

I started walking around the stage.

"One thing, I learned is that you can't please everyone or anyone. I wasn't born to meet the society's standards. I was born to be different—I was born to be me."

I resume on dancing and twirling around the stage.

"Everything starts with oneself. Accept your own uniqueness and everyone else will follow, either they will accept you or not, you're not born to please them, anyway."

I stopped in the middle and started twirling in place. Dahan dahan kong tinaas yung dalawang kamay ko at pasimpleng hinawakan yung bewang ko para sa costume change.

As I twirl, dahan dahang bumagsak yung telang itim kasabay ng pagbagsak ng silver glitters galing sa taas na kumikinang dahil sa ilaw.

I can hear their awe's.

Huminto ako sa pag-ikot until my costume has changed at naging gown na lumampas pa sa paa ko ang haba. My voice over played again and it made everyone silenced. I resume on dancing, paikot-ikot kasabay ng paglipad ng free flowing gown.

"Just know that being unique and different is the next generation of beauty and if you're lucky enough to be different, don't you ever change. Different in color, appearance and size, we are all the same in His eyes."

Dahan dahan akong naupo, while my eyes are close. Tanging ang mga kamay ko na lang ang sumasayaw kasabay ng music.

"Being different was never a choice. Staying different is."

As I stand up, still both eyes are closed. The music slowly fades.

Napuno ng palakpakan yung buong auditorium. I opened my eyes and automatically scanned the sea of audience looking for someone.

Napayuko na lang ulit ako ng ma-realize na impossible pala yun. She can't be here. She never will be here. Hindi nga sya naka-attend sa unang recital ko eh, dito pa kaya?

Muli kong inangat ang tingin sa audience, na hindi pa rin tumitigil sa palakpak and my gaze landed on him. Bigla syang tumayo at nagpatuloy sa pagpalakpak, nakigaya naman yung mga katabi nya hanggang sa lahat na ng tao sa auditorium ay nakatayo na, giving us a standing ovation.

"Pinsan ko yan!"

"Proud tropa here!"

"Wooooooh!"

I waved at them and twirl again before I bow. My gaze never left his'.

Thank you, beast

Isa isang lumabas yung iba pang characters sa stage at tumabi sa akin si Tanisha. Niyakap pa nya ako ng sobrang higpit.

"Grabe ang galing mo" she said.

"Ikaw din" I said.

Naiiyak na umakyat sa stage si Ashley at niyakap nya kaming pareho ni Tanisha.

"Hands down sa inyong dalawa! Halimaw kayo huhu ang galing! Yung feels ni Mielle grabe!" naiiyak na sabi nya.

Natawa na lang kami ni Tanisha sa kanya. Bimitiw sya at sabay sabay kaming nagbow sa audience. Lumapit naman si Chloe na may dalang dalawang boquet ng roses, isang itim at isang puti.

She gave me the black ones, obviously.

Umalis na yung mga students and professors na nanood, probably because may klase pa sila. Naiwan na lang yung mga bata na magpapapicture kasama yung mga characters.

"Grabe yung donations na nakuha natin sa mga boss" Ashley said referring to the stockholders of this school.

"I'm glad na nakatulong ako" I said.

Mabilis na natapos yung photo-op at nagpunta na kami sa backstage, para magbihis. Kinuha ko yung phone ko and texted Amanda regarding sa donations na ibibigay ko.

To: Amanda

Deposit the 150k to the Child house bank account.

I quickly change into my uniform. Pinalitan ko na rin yung sapatos ko.

*bzzzt...bzzzt*

From: Amanda

Consider it done, Miss. 200k was deposited in the child house bank account. The 50k was from me.

I smiled.

Niligpit ko na yung mga gamit ko ng biglang magvibrate ulit yung phone ko.

From: Ms. Chaves

FMG-20, Meet me in the room FB-305. I will be announcing the project. Attendance is a must. Thank you.

Halos mabitawan ko yung phone ko pagkabasa ko ng text message. What the hell?!

Basta ko na lang sinaksak yung ibang gamit sa duffel bag ko. Just imagine the distance between the main building and finance building! Ngayon pa lang napapagod na ako sa pagtakbong gagawin ko.

"Oh Mielle, san ka pupunta? Kakain pa tayo" Ashley said.

"I'm sorry pero may klase ako ngayon eh, bawal umabsent" I said.

Damn that schedule! Iba na nga pala!

Lumabas na ako sa dressing room at patakbong lumabas ng auditorium. Nasa hallway na ako ng main building ng ma-realized ko na, I'm still wearing the freaking wig and I still have my make up on!!!

*rings...rings*

Alex Calling...

"Nasan ka na?" he asked

"I'm on my way there" I answered.

"Bilisan mo" he said.

*bogsh!*

I was expecting that the floor would catch my butt, surprisingly it didn't.

"Watch where you looking at" he said.

I glanced at his hands on my arms.

Kaya pala hindi ako natumba

Yumuko sya para pulutin yung bouquet ko while still holding my arms. Pinipilit kong kumawala but his grip is too strong.

Our eyes met.

Para syang nakakita ng multo nung makita ako. I can feel that he's losing his grip kaya padabog kong hinila yung braso ko at hinablot yung bouquet sa kanya.

Nakatulala pa rin sya sa akin. titig na titig sa mukha ko.

"I have no time for a staring contest" I said then I left him dumbstruck.

May nakasalubong pa akong dalawang lalake, mukhang kasama nung nabangga ko.

"Oh gago, wala tayong naabutan" sabi nung isang guy.

"Blame it all on him, Zane" the other one said.

"Anong nangyare? Hahaha natulala ka dyan?"

Hindi ko na sila pinansin at binilisan na lang ang pagtakbo papuntang finance building. I quickly run towards the elevator and pressed 3.

I stared at my reflection sa elevator door. Naalala ko na naman yung lalakeng nabunggo ko kanina, napahawak ako sa balikat ko dahil masakit. Tsh, damn it!

Why would he look at me like that? Maayos naman yung make up ko pero iba yung tingin nya.

It's not adoration that I saw in his eyes. It's like kinikilala nya ako—my face rather.

*ting!*

Tumakbo ulit ako papuntang room. I pushed the double door and it quite created a noise, kaya naman lahat sila nakatingin sa kin pagpasok ko.

"I apologize for my tardiness" I said while my head down.

"I understand Ms. Buenavista, I expected that you'd be late today, take a seat" she said.

Pumunta ako sa likod katabi ni Alex while si beast naman nasa right side nya malapit sa bintana.

"Ang galing mo kanina" Alex said.

"Thanks" I said.

"Idol na talaga kita! Ibang klase" he said.

"Mr. Buencamino, is there a problem with Ms. Buenavista?" Ms. Chaves asked.

Alex shook his head.

"Wala naman po, ang galing nya lang po talaga kanina. Hindi pa po ako maka move on" Alex said.

Sinipa ko sya ng mahina sa paa. Damn it! Nakakahiya!

Tumango tango si Ms. Chaves.

"The play is indeed wonderful and she's amazing for interpreting the character of the black swan. It seems like, Ms. Buenavista can't still get over of the play since she's still wearing a wig or she really dyed her hair black?" she asked.

Napayuko naman ako dahil nakatingin na naman silang lahat sa akin.

"There's no need to be shy about, you're amazing" Ms. Chaves said.

"Tsssss"

Napalingon ako sa beast. Coming from him, huh? Sya nga yung pasimuno ng standing ovation.

"Ok back to the project, since Mr. Buencamino suggested that it would be a lot easier to work in pairs. You will be working in pairs." She said.

Marami namang natuwa sa sinabi ni Miss.

"The pairing will be alphabetically arranged, para madali" Ms. Chaves said.

"Yes" I heard Alex said at napasuntok pa sa ere.

What's so exciting with the pairings?

"The project is about the natives of this country. Each pair bibigyan ko ng isang ethnic group at magreresearch sila about sa dun. Kayong bahala kung anong research method ang gagawin. It would be great kung may actual interview kayo with the said ethnic group, suggestion lang yan. Hindi ibig sabihin na required ang interview and then irereport nyo yung research nyo. I want you guys to be creative" she said.

Hassle pero at least hindi required yung interview.

"Mr. Alonzo and Ms. Buenavista is the first pair and your ethnic group is the Igorot tribe in Ifugao" Ms. Chaves said.

Nilingon ko si Alex na kanina pa nakangisi. That's why he's so giddy. Alam nyang pair kami nung beast.

Inannounce din ni Ms. Chaves yung ibang pairs and their ethnic groups.

"Galingan nyo ah" Alex said habang nakahawak sa balikat namin nung beast.

Umalis na sya at pinuntahan yung ka-pair nya and I was left here with the beast. Nakatingin lang sya sa bintana. Tsh.

"Anong gagawin natin?" I asked.

Hindi nya ako sinasagot. Mukhang ako lang ang gagawa ng project ah. Tsh.

"Mamayang gabi pupunta tayo ng baguio" he said.

Nilingon ko sya.

What?!

"Magdala ka ng damit na pang two days. Dadaanan kita mamaya" he said.

"Wait, are you serious?" I aksed.

Hinarap nya ako with an emotionless face. Kitang kita ko yung eyebags nya.

"Mukha ba akong nagbibiro?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Good, wala na tayong klase ngayon right?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Pero may practice ka ng basketball" I said.

"Ok, you go home and get some rest" He commanded.

I stared at him. Si beast ba talaga 'to?

"I still have to go to the faculty, may tuturuan pa ako and I still have to stay in library" I said.

He sighed.

"Fine, sa byahe ka na lang magpahinga" he said.

Whaaaaaaaat?

"Punta na ako sa gym" he said then he left me dumbfounded.

Lumapit ako kay Alex habang tinatanggal yung wig ko.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked.

"Hindi rin yan maka move on sa play nyo kanina" natatawang sagot ni Alex.

My forehead creased.

"May effect ka na sa kanya. Teka, ano bang ginawa mo sa kanya kahapon at bakit walang tulog? Bukod sa tinawag mo syang pizzapie at naging girlfriend ka nya for less than hour, ano pang nangyari?" he asked.

How?

"See? Parehong pareho kayo ng reaction" natatawang sabi nya.

Naalala ko na naman yung ginawa ko kahapon. I cringed at that thought. Why did I do that?!

Bigla nyang hinawakan yung balikat ko.

"This weekend is your chance, make the most out of it" nakangising sabi nya and iniwan na rin ako.

*bzzzt...bzzzt*

From: Beast

Kinausap ko na yung faculty. I'm sure napagod ka kanina, that was really an amazing performance. Ayoko ng pabigat na partner kaya umayos ka so go home and get some rest.

*End of Chapter*

AN*

Wala akong maisip na title :P