Dance with the Princess
"May I call on now our King and Queen of the night. Once I call your name, please come here on stage..."
Natahimik ang lahat habang inaabangan ang sasabihin ng emcee. Para bang kanina pa hinihintay ng lahat ang anunsyo. Umayos ako ng upo at hinarap ang stage.
"The Queen of the night goes to..."
Hindi talaga malalaman kung sino ang mapipili bilang queen of the night sa gabing ito, lalo na't karamihan sa mga babaeng nakikita ko ngayon ay naggagandahan sa suot nilang ball gown. Napasulyap ako sa mga kasama ko sa table ng makita ang itsura nila. Tila inaasahan na isa sa kanila ang matatawang.
"Ms. Yvonne Zaragosa."
Napakurap ako ng I-anunsyo ang nanalo. Narinig ko ang malakas na palakpakan habang dahan-dahan ko naman inangat ang kamay at pumalakpak din. Hindi ko alam kung masama ang loob ko dahil siya ang nanalo o dahil sa nakita ko siyang kasama si Khael kanina. Nagseselos ba ako?
Napanguso ako
Shut Up"Ako na ang maghahatid sa kanya." Sagot ni Khael"Hinabilin siya sa akin ni Ezekiel, kaya ako ang maghahatid sa kanya." Mariing saad naman ni Chris. "Let's go, Thea."Binalingan ako ni Chris nanatili ang mariing tingin. Humakbang siya at sumunod naman ako pero hinarangan ako ni Khael.I sighed and looked at the boyfriend. Kanina pa sila nagtatalo tungkol sa paghatid sa akin. Gusto Kong si Khael ang maghatid sa akin pero tama din naman si Chris sa sinabi niya kanina.Binalingan ko ang sasakyan ni Khael kung saan nasa loob si Arian at si Yvonne. Nakausap ko na siya kanina tungkol duon at ang sabi niya..."Her mother left her to me and so did mama, kaya kasama namin siya ni Arian.""Bakit naman?" Tanong ko kanina."May inasikaso ang parents niya at si mama, and she's a friend of Arian. Actually, she's a family friend, so I let her come with us."Nangunot ang noo ko sa rason niya kanina. It wa
Betrayal It's been 2 days after the ball happened and 2 days na din ang nakalipas simula ng hindi ako siputin ni Khael sa date namin. He promised me at the ball that he would come to our house and we would have a date after, I waited but he didn't come. I just receive a text message from him telling me that he has something important to do, kaya hindi matutuloy ang date namin. Hindi ko na talaga siya maintindihan. Gulong gulo na ang utak ko. Isang araw ok kami at biglang isang araw hindi na naman kami ok. Ano ba talagang problema niya? I sighed and stare at my painting. It's an abstract painting of a woman. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga ang ipipinta ko. Sa huli ay iginuhit ko nalang ang mukha ng nakapikit na babae na puno ng ibat ibang kulay. "What's the matter, Thea?" I turn to my mother to see her walking towards me. Papalabas na ngayon ng double door at papunta na sa backyard kung saan ako pumwesto para makapag-pinta. She was now s
ComfortI looked out at the window as my tears continued to fall down my face. Chris and I remained quiet while he drove the car. I want to thank him for his silence, because of it, I had time to think after what happened earlier.Tumigil ang sasakyan sa tapat ng mataas na lugar Kung saan kita ang kalakhan ng syudad. Walang imik ng lumabas si Chris ng sasakyan at nagtungo sa harapan kung saan kita ang syudad.Kumawala ang kanina ko pa pinipigilan na hikbi ng tuluyan siyang makalayo. Tuloy-tuloy ang pag-agos ng luha ko, lalo pa ng sumagi sa isipan ko ang mga nangyari kanina. Mariin kong naitikom ang kamao na nakapatong sa kandungan ko dahilan para magusot ang palda ng damit ko.How did they do this to me? How they are able to fool me and keep a secret from me for...I don't know how long.A series of possibilities entered my mind. Hindi kaya, habang nasa Palawan ako at nandito siya sa Manila ay may namamagitan na sa kanila ni Yvonne
The Unexpected SceneNagising ako ng masakit ang ulo at namamaga ang mga mata. Bumangon ako at napahawak sa sintido ng maalala ang nangyari kagabi.I did not know what happened at the party last night after I leave the hotel. I felt sad and hurt, but I tried to not cry again. Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko. Should I talk to Khael, Should I talk to Pia, or should I talk to my boyfriend's fiancee, Yvonne?I looked down on my own clothes. I'm already wearing a nightgown. I know Mama dressed me up last night while I was asleep. I gasped when I remember what she told me..."I'm sorry anak...your father is right. We shouldn't have let you fall for that man in the first place. I shouldn't have given my trust to him."Narinig ko ang pagsinghap ni mama."Now, we see you like this...you fall for him, I know, because I saw it, but he broke you... pero hindi dapat ganito. Masyado pang maaga." I heard mama sighed.Nangunot ang noo ko
Break Up I suddenly felt a pain stabbed in my chest when I saw them kissed. I immediately averted my gaze. I can't bear to look at them. "Althea." Naramdaman ko ang pagbaling sa akin ni Chris at ramdam ko sa boses ang pinipigilang galit, o baka ilusyon ko lang Yun. Talagang dito pa nila napili sa labas na maglampungan! "Stop it!" Malakas na sigaw ni Khael na dinig hanggang dito sa loob ng sasakyan ni Chris. I closed my eyes and sighed before deciding to get out of the car and approach them. I heard Chris swear before following me. They immediately saw us especially since there were no other person outside the parking lot. "Thea." Si Khael. Sa boses palang niya ay nararamdaman ko na ang takot at pagkabahala. I noticed the bruise on the side of his lip, but I couldn't forget the kiss they've shared. I looked at him seriously, then turned to Yvonne who also looked surprised to see me. Hindi ko tuloy ala
FianceeMarckhael P.O.V."Your real fiance is the only daughter of Ortega's group of company."Mama's secretary announced to me after she visited me in the living room.What?I quickly turned to the secretary behind me."Fiancee?" I almost laughed at what she said. She just nodded."Ms. Lagdameo what are you trying to pull?" Nginisian ko siya. "I already decline that marriage along time ago."Hindi siya nagsalita. Yumuko lang ito sa harapan ko.I shooked my head. "No. I won't accept that. I have a girlfriend." I said firmly."Break up with your girlfriend then, and marry Yvonne Ortega."I quickly turned to my mother who confidently walked inside our living room. After 1 year, she is now in a good condition and not as pale and weak as before because of her kidney disease. The Ortega family helped us to find a donor for her operation, though we don't know the donor since we were not been informed
Marckhael P.O.V.SurpriseI quickly blocked Chris sight when I saw him walking in the hallway. He was shocked at my aggressive approached. Slowly his expression looked hard and cold.He stared at me sharply. "What do you want?""Mag-usap tayong dalawa." Mariin na aniya ko.My head already heats up, and I am just controlling myself from lifting my fist and direct it on his face."Anong kaylangan mo sa girlfriend ko?" Deretsahang tanong ko.His eyebrows met. "Kaylangan? I'm sorry, but I dont know what your saying."Nagtiimbagang ako. "Wag kang magmaang-maangan Chris. I saw your pictures with my girlfriend. Kilala ko si Althea. Hindi siya lalapit sayo, kaya paniguradong ikaw ang unang lumapit sa kanya."He smirked at me, causing my head to heat up more at his reaction."Ano naman iyon sayo. Sinasamahan ko lang siya dahil pinapabayaan mo." Nakangising aniya niya.Nag-init ang ulo ko kany
Maghiwalay na tayoMarckhael P.O.V."Shit." Malutong na mura ko."Why? What's wrong." Tanong sa akin ni Yvonne na nasa tabi ko. Hindi ko siya sinagot.Bago pa ako makatayo at puntahan si mama ay nanlamig na ang mga kalamnan ko ng magsalita ang emcee, hudyat na magsisimula na ang event. Hindi na ako makangiti, pero naisip ko na hindi pa huli ang lahat. I can still call off this engagement and talk to my girlfriend to explain my side.Mas nanigas lang ako ng inanunsyo ni mama ang mas nakapagpatigil ng tibok ng puso ko."I also want to introduce to you the fiance of Marckael Zaragosa, my eldest son...The daughter of Ortega's group of company...Ms. Yvonne Ortega."My lips parted as I saw how shocked Althea stood at their table. No...please.I quickly approached Mama to stop her. I grabbed her arm."Why didn't you tell me you invited Althea's family." Mariin na tanong ko kay Mama. Nanggagalit ang loob ko ngayon sa
WakasChris P.O.V."Ma, anong sinabi mo kay Althea?" I asked my Mother angrily after I found out that she talked to Althea about my departure to go abroad which I am not sure yet."Son, sinabi ko lang sa kanya ang tungkol sa pag-alis mo.""Pero hindi ka dapat nagdesisyon para sa akin. Sana hinayaan mo nalang ako na kausapin siya.""Kausapin?" Natawa ng sarkastiko ang aking Ina. "Sigurado ka ba na kakausapin mo siya o hindi mo talaga siya kakausapin?"I looked sharply at my Mother."Alam ko! Hindi mo siya kakausapin tungkol dito, dahil una palang ay hindi ka na papayag, diba?!" Tumaas ang tuno niya habang galit din akong tiningnan. "Hindi mo ba napapansin, Chris. You haven't thought about your dreams since she came into your life. Puro nalang sa kanya ang iniisip mo. Akala mo hindi ko alam! You've been saving up for years to buy that land from General's so you can give her an art gallery!"Natahimik ako sa sinabi ng
Forever"Your ready?" Chris asked me when I went to his office one day. I was standing in front of him and he was sitting in his swivel chair with his laptop in front of him.I saw how the video call was answered. Nasia's face appeared on the screen. "What do you want now, Chris!" Iritadong sambit ni Nasia pagkatapos tanggapin ang tawag.Nagulat pa ako sa ini-asta nito. Nakita ko ang pag-igting ng panga ni Chris."May usapan tayo, last saturday, Nasia. Nakalimutan mo na?""Ang alin?!"Iritadong tiningnan ni Chris ang laptop niya. Ng umangat ang tingin sa akin ay lumamlan ang mga mata nito."Come here, baby." Chris said and reached for my hand then pulled my waist closer to him, dahilan para mapahawak ako sa balikat niya.Kita ko ang pag-awang ng labi ni Nasia sa screen at ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya ng makita ako. Pero kalaunan ay huminahon din siya."Oh? I'm sorry, I forgot.""Explain e
So sureChris opened the door of his car for me. When I finally got out, he took my hand and pulled me into their mansion. I glanced at our hands and looked up at him. Amazed at his actions.Sa kabila ng masasakit na salita na ibinato ko sa kaniya ay nagawa niya pa ding alalayan at hawakan ang kamay ko.Naagaw ng pansin ko ang mga katulong ng bigla silang nataranta ng pumasok kami ni Chris sa sala. Hindi din siguro inaasahan ang kanyang pagbabalik.I looked at the furniture and some antiques display on the wooden. That was not new to me, especially since I had been here several times, but every time I came here, I still amazed by the interior design of their mansion. The house is modern but some of their furniture is antique."Hijo, hindi ko alam na ngayon ang uwi mo." Said the middle age woman who enter the living room with the other helpers. Sa pagkakatanda ko ay siya ang mayordoma nila.Yumuko ako ng sulyapan ako ng matanda. Naramdaman ko
RumorsRumors about Chris and Nasia have spread on our school's social media site. Many pictures have been taken. Isa na duon ang magkasama nilang pictures habang nasa school. Marami iyon. Mayroon pang nagtatawanan sila at nakahawak sa braso ni Chris si Nasia at hawak naman ni Chris ang baywang niya... Sobrang lapit nila sa isa't isa na mapagkakamalan mo talagang mag on sila.Napapikit ako at padabog na naibaba ang cellphone sa table ko. Tumingin sa akin ang mga kaklase ko ng bigla akong tumayo dala dala ang cellphone. "Excuse me ma'am, can I go out please." Paalam ko. Hindi pa man sumasang-ayon ang professor ay lumabas na ako ng classroom. Naging bastos man sa harapan nila ay hindi ko na napigilan.Naglakad ako patungo sa restroom at pumasok sa isa sa mga cubicle. Inilock ko iyon at ibinagsak ang toilet cover. Napapikit ako at napahilamos sa mukha. Anong ibig sabihin ng nakita ko. What's the score between them?But then, Isn't this what I wan
Decision Lumipas ang dalawang taon at naging smooth naman ang relasyon namin ni Chris. Hindi man perpekto ay masaya kaming dalawa. Nag-aaway at nagkakatampuhan din minsan pero nagkakabati din kami ulit. I thought everything was fine. I thought our relationship would last. Pero kagaya nga ng sinabi ko nuon. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari sa hinaharap. One day everything I did not expected happened. "Hija, I know how much you two love each other. But my son needs to take MBA abroad for his work in the future. I know it's too much to asked but he need this. Sinasabi niya na hindi niya kaylangan, pero alam ko na kaylangan niya..." Napakurap ako at umawang ang labi sa narinig. Nandito kami ngayon sa restaurant kung saan nakipag kita sa akin si Tita Natalie. "Matagal na niya itong sinabi sa amin nuon, hija. He had plans on taking MBA after graduation, pero biglang nagbago ang desisyon niya. He wanted to work in our company for now
Forgiveness Papasok ako sa bahay ng bigla akong nagulat sa sumalubong sa akin. "Happy birthday!" Sigaw nilang lahat. Ngumiti ako at isa isa silang niyakap. My family and close friends are all here. I even glanced at the laptop that was turned on and saw Khael there waving at me. I covered my lips and looked at them in tears. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you." Kanta ng isang pamilyar na boses galing sa likod ng aking mga kaibigan. Naglalakad na ngayon si Chris papalait sa akin dala-dala ang isang cake habang nakikisabay na din sa pagkanta ng aming mga kaibigan. "Make a wish." Bulong niya ng tuluyan siyang makalapit sa akin. I smiled and stared at him. "You're enough for me." I whispered back. He laughed and shooked his head. Nagsigawan naman ang mga kaibigan ko sa likod niya. "You don't have to wish for it, baby. You have me already." Natatawang sambit niya. I smiled, sighed and closed my eye
Gift "When did your memory came back?" Tanong niya sa akin habang inaayos ang tali ng kabayo. Nakatayo ako sa gilid niya at tinitingnan ang ginagawa niya. "When I woke up in the hospital. I thought it was just a dream but then I realized it's a memory of mine." Tumango siya at hinarap ako. "Ikaw? Why didn't you tell me you've known me for a long time?" "How can I tell you when your brother told me about your condition. You fainted many times and everytime it happened you lose your memory. May parte na bumabalik at may parte na nawawala. And when your brain can't hold it anymore. There's a possibility that you won't recover your lost memory forever." I sighed and nooded. "Now I understand, Kahit na hindi kita maalala. Naaalala ka naman ng puso ko." I mumbled. Kaya pala kakaiba ang naramdaman ko nung una ko siyang makita. Kaya pala pamilyar ang mukha niya sa akin. Hinaplos ko ang kabayo habang nagsasalita. "That's w
DateNakangiti ako habang hinahaloghog ang mga damit ko sa loob ng walk in closet ko."What should I need to wear?" I asked myself. Umiling ako at walang pasubaling kinuha ang mga damit na naka hanger at isa isang sinukat iyon habang nasa harapan ako ng malaking salamin.I smiled remembering what he told me after our kissed yesterday."Kaylangan mo ng pumasok. You'll be late in a few minutes from now." he said glancing at his own wrist watch.Ngumuso ako sa sinabi niya. Parang ayaw ko na yatang umalis dito ngayon kasama siya. Sobra sobra ang sayang nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko na maalala kung kaylan ako nakaramdam ng ganito."By the way. I will now asked for my dare." Aniya niya. Nangunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya."Dare? What dare?""You forgot. You owe me a dare, Thea. Remember." He said and raised an eyebrow at me. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng maalala ang dare namin nuon, na hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa
I love youI will never forget what Al told me when my friends had visited me while I was still recovering in our house. My eyes widened at what I heard."He's there when the accident happened. Actually I didn't saw him that night. Nung masagasaan ka ay hindi ako agad nakalapit sayo dahil sa gulat. Ng sinubukan ko na lumapit sa'yo ay nakita ko nalang na sumulpot si Chris sa harapan ko. I'm about to stop him dahil baka galawin ka niya. Of course when an accident usually happened you shouldn't move the victim lalo na ang ulo dahil delikado." Tumango naman si Pia at si Cyprian habang nakikinig kami sa sinasabi ni Al. "Hindi ka niya ginalaw. He just couldn't move like me when we came near you. Then I saw Khael running towards you so I stop him.""You told me too na siya ang nagdala kay Thea sa hospital, diba?" Cyprian asked him.Al nodded. "Yes. I was about to go with them but the police came. Kinuha nila si Khael para dalhin sa prisinto. I can't leave him, s