The Last Dance

Pink and blue lights were dominating the glamorous place. People are in semi-formal dress as they greet me with a big smile on their face. For the first time, I felt the weight of my name and the responsibilities and perks that it gives to me. One of the special moments for a lady is her debut. Today, as I celebrate my 18th year of existence, I saw the people who built me, value me, and love me. I became the person I am because of all of them. My eyes roamed in the hall to look for a special person who promised to attend this special event. That man has been my friend my whole life, 18 years. My first vivid memory with him was when he shouted at me for drawing his books. Five years isn't much big of an age gap, but he never considered me a woman. I am always his little sister. I smiled to my partner for the 17th dance before he let me go. The song changes to 'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran. "Happiest birthday to you..." Marco Alexander Sy was my last dance, and my eyes smiled when he gave me the white rose he was holding. I consider him my bestfriend and brother although a special affection is always knocking in my heart. At least for now, we are keeping what we always have. All the roses I was holding are red, and this one is the only one different. Can't he really cross the line? He can't even give me a red rose. Nevertheless, his presence made me feel special. Yes, all those people around and he's the only person who makes me feel that. "Thank you..." I held my breath when he pulled me close in the waist. I had no choice but to wrap my hands around his neck. He looks so gorgeous in black tuxedo and that comb over hairstyle. He smiled when he noticed that I am a little uncomfortable. "I have been watching you since you started dancing with your dad. You're giving the brightest of your smile to every guy. Why are you suddenly pouting now that it's me in front of you?" Even I like him more than a friend, I never felt intimidated like this toward him before. Maybe because he looks to dashing tonight. "Why white rose?" I asked seriously. It is somehow offending that he never crosses the line. Am I unattractive? Then can he please explain all those men who admitted their feelings for me. "That's the symbol of my love for you." My eyes widened. Is he finally going to confess to me now? My heart beats wild when he said the word love. This might be an effect of the tequila I drank not too long ago. I heard my friends teasing us while we dance in the lovely song. I never had a boyfriend, and they are quite aware of how I feel toward this guy. I tried to ignore them because all I want to do is enjoy this dance with him. "Thank you for gracing my life for the last 18 years, Alisha Villaflor. That white rose symbolizes my purest intention and love for you. You will always be my sweet little sister." I closed my eyes when he kissed my forehead. A tear gently escaped my right eye with the softness of his voice. But I want you more than a brother. 'Baby I am dancing in the dark With you between my arms Barefoot on the grass Listening to our favorite song I have faith in what I see Now I know that I have met an angel in person And she looks perfect I don't deserve this You look perfect tonight' He sang the song before he let me go. I wish I could last forever between his arms because that felt so good. His perfume lingers on me, and I fell deeper with him. I witnessed him grow to be the man he is now, and I can't stop being proud to be part of his life. "Thank you," I murmured when he said something I didn't hear because a loud music started playing in the background. He nodded, and turned around. My eyes followed him, and I saw my parents talking with him. Our families are friends, and I have to say that Marco is my parents' favorite. He's not only kind and gentle to other people, he's also passionate in what he does and he's good at socializing. Before that night ends, some big personalities in school greeted me on behalf of their family. When I was in highschool, I tried to be introverted, but my name did not allow me to continue that personality in college. My network has grown, but I still maintain a private life. Only my closest friends know important things going in my life. I didn't expect my parents' gift for me. I thought it would be a car, but they gave me a key for condo unit. My tears can't stop from rolling down when dad delivered his message for me. "No matter how old you get, you will always be my baby, Alisha. I will be the man who loves you most. For everything that you accomplished at your age, you know that I am the proudest. I have no regrets in being strict when it comes to you because I can see the effect on how good we raised you. Don't ever think of hiding a boyfriend from us..." The people laughed at that part, but that means he's already allowing me to have one. "Any guy who dares to court you must pass by at me first and foremost. I want the best for you because I love you so much, Alisha. I'll give up everything in my name for your sake, so please be happy for the rest of your adult life. I got your back all the time." I am close with my cousins, so I knew that they were going to give me special for my 18th birthday. They have been giving me clues that they are preparing for out-of-town trip. But when I saw my favorite local band on the stage, I thought I was going to pass out in so much happiness. That was like a dream come true for me. "Jason was so hell good looking!" I was giggling while singing along with their greatest hit. Symond Terrence, my favorite cousin, escorted me to the stage. For a moment, I was struck by Jason and his band's presence, but when he gave me a microphone, I started singing with him. He hugged me at the end of the song, and whispered me 'Happy birthday'. I was literally jumping out of joy when he danced with me while his bandmates are playing a sweet melody. When I went down to socialize with my friends and other guests, I bumped into Marco's friends. "Happy birthday, Alisha! Thanks for inviting us tonight." They helped me with my final hurdles in my capstone project last year, and Marco sometimes invite me to join them when we see each other in school cafe. "Thanks for coming. Enjoy the rest of the night." I smiled at them. Where could be Marco? Is he perhaps hanging out with a fling? He finds a fling in every event he attends. My eyes rolled in that thought. While people are enjoying the music of my favorite band, one of the event organizer escorted me to my room to change my clothes. I changed into my night gown, and I bite my lower lip when I noticed that this is a little revealing. I don't usually dress this way, so this might shock the people outside. I took a deep sigh. This is my night, so I might as well do the things I couldn't do on ordinary days. Alcohol and friends entertained me on that special event. That was a night to remember. I felt my face so heated when dad and mom said goodbye to me. All the guests have gone except for my cousins and friends who are still enjoying alcohol and deep conversation. The after-party started, and more alcohol came in my way. My friends are sitting with Marco's group of friends, but he's not in the hall anymore. "When are you planning to move in your own place?" Faye Anne Go, my girl bestfriend, asked. She's been clinging to my arm since I sat beside her. I can smell strong alcohol from her. "That's something I need to think about on the next days. Want me to call your driver already?" I looked at Bleian Smith, my other bestfriend. She's already asleep in Yuri's shoulder. I signaled one of the event organizers to come close to us. She's holding my bag containing my phone. I was about to dial the number of Faye's driver when someone stole my phone from my hand. I looked up to see who that person is but my vision has shaken. I can feel the effect of tequila. "Let me call their drivers, Alisha. You have been taking up alcohol more than what you can." He sounded mad. Instead of talking back, I just rested my face in my palms. I don't want him to see my smudged lipstick and red face. I thought Marco already went home or somewhere else away from this party, but he's here doing me another favor... as my brother. I heard him talk articulately with someone on the other line. I tried looking at his direction again, but his eyes were looking seriously at me. After he's done talking with the two drivers, he gave back my phone before he sat in the chair beside me. "Go to your room." He commanded. His friends gave him a wineglass, but he put that away. "I'll just wait for their drivers to pick them up." The last top floor where suite rooms are located is reserved for my family members, but some of them went home early. I can just offer my friends to use the vacant rooms, but we promise their parents that they will be going home tonight. I felt like he's giving me a strict look again. I took a deep sigh and faced him. He glanced at his friends who are still perfectly fine after all the alcohol they consumed. "Where have you been, dude?" Troy Celeste asked. He's one of Marco's friends. As son of a politician, Troy holds so much power in his name. I know that having him as friend gives me perks. Beside him is Leysam Montealto, a model of big clothing company in the country. The last is Yuri Valencia, the top student in their batch. They all came from a rich family, and I don't understand how they become close to each other when their personalities are so different from each other. Troy and Marco are playboys while Leysam and Yuri are obsessed for titles, academics and power. It's true that they are being admired by a lot of ladies in the campus because of their looks and achievements. When Marco introduced me to his friends for the first time, he warned them to never consider courting me because I am his little sister. Until today, no one in Engineering department ever courted me. Now that they are in their last year in college, I felt a little threatened because I won't have my fallback around. Even we don't talk everyday, he's always one call away. We were with each other for the past 18 years, and I wish we could stay the same for next years to come. My heart may be disappointed with that kind of relationship, but at least I have a good friend beside me always. "Don't tell me you already bedded a woman in that span of time?!" Troy asked again. My brow raised with that question. I saw Marco took a deep sigh, but a sarcastic smile displayed in his face after a while. He looks pissed. He made us all curious. "Camille called. She needed a friend, so I came. Thankfully everything has been settled. How was the party?" So he left my party for another woman. Oh wait. The Camille Rivero he was talking about is not an ordinary lady. She is Marco's first love, and he claims that he won't ever get married if it's not with her. He's not ashamed to tell me that even he knows that Camille has a boyfriend. "Dumb asshole," Yuri murmured while shaking his head. They don't like Camille for him because we are all aware how she's taking advantage of Marco's feelings for her. She bosses him around, and that's completely fine with him. "You'll get in trouble if her boyfriend finds out your intention in helping her." I said. He doesn't want to talk about her to us because he would only get mocking. We will never support him for Camille.