Poignant Rhythm of Affection

Chapter 1

A complete stranger.

I am swaying and moving my body, feeling the beat of the music and the scream of the people watching our performance. Smiling like nothing happened and moving free.

Indeed I love this.

"GO, BASIC EDUCATION . GO, BASIC EDUCATION. GO GO GO GO!"

As we did our last stunt, the crowd went louder.

Screams from our department and the loud sound of the drum made my heart flutter that despite catching my breath, I still managed to show them my widest smile.

This day was the celebration of our school's founding anniversary.

This is my last competition before going to college next school year, so this kind of really important to me.

My heart pounding fast as we wait for the result. We held our hands as a team, all nervous.

Oh, God, please give this to me.

I silently prayed.

"Basic Education!"

Indeed, we won!

I jumped out of joy. We won!

We all screamed with the crowd and hugged as team. Some cried, while, some jumped out of happiness, we all have our different reactions as we heard the result!

I cried, finally! We brought the trophy home. I'm proud!

"Congrats, everyone! After so many years!" Said by the teacher which is also our dance instructor. She's proud with the result. Indeed, she saw how we broke down, almost giving up for years of trying to bring home the trophy.

Now that it's here, we couldn't be happy more!

"Grabe, I was only rooting for at least 2nd runner up. But Champion? This is insane! I still can't believe it! Ang gagaling kaya ng ibang department!" My teammate, Tara, said. They still can't believe we won, even me.

The whole cafe is reserved exclusively for us. Each table has their own topics, mostly about the competition and plans after the school year ends.

"Yup! Sayang, I was just so happy kanina that I forgot to see their face. Ano? We won!" We laughed at her remarks,

"Akala nila ah? They were looking down on us that much. Because we're younger, is it? hah!" My other team said and tap her chest proudly,

I'm sitting with Tara and Galaxia along with our other friend group in one table. They were my new found friends I got from this competition. Me, Tara and Galaxia are grade 12 students and the rest in our table were all mixed of Junior high's and Grade 11.

"Anyways, what are you guys planning to do this vacation?"

Tara, asked.

"I don't know? Probably, practice? Perhaps to join next school year's audition for the dance troupe." Sagot ko.

Unfortunately, though they're both good at dancing, they have other priorities besides dance troupe. And I think they'll go for NorthU in college.

"Speaking of! Napili ulit ang school natin to participate in Great Big Dance Off this year. I think this year's audition will be so hard lalo na't marami din sa mga seniors ang nag-retire na." Galaxia informed us.

"You heard about, Yhana? The first year college from NorthU SHS. Siya na raw ang acting President ngayon."

"Yes! I heard from my cousin na pinag-iinitan nga raw 'yon ngayon ng mga seniors."

"Huh? She looks so nice kaya. Have you seen her dance? She's a great dancer! Wala ka talagang mapupuna. My cousin told me na magaling raw talaga iyon mag lead."

"Right! That's why I didn't get where the hate is coming from."

"If only you knew how arrogant she is. You wouldn't be curious right now,"

The conversation went on, as we talk about different stuffs.

Days went by so fast. Me, My Lola Feli and My sister Lara celebrated my graduation and went for a quick vacation in their hometown—Pangasinan. It was dreamy, I felt so relaxed that I almost forgot the problem left waiting for me at home.

I immediately processed my papers for enrollment in my School for college, I took I took AB Communication as my program.

While a lot of things happened I still managed to prepare for the audition during summer, I was so pressured, I really look up to this moment.

I didn't mind the voice inside my head and kept doing things I wanted to do.

I was like a bird freed from a decade being caged.

It was a roller coaster ride. Iniisip ko minsan baka hindi ako makapasok kasi mostly talaga sa mga natatanggap ay magagaling na. But eventually I stopped comparing and did what I had to do to qualify.

It was hard, yes, but I never let my self dwell on the future that much.

I'm in the present right now, why would I think about the future when I am right here, has all the power to control it.

I did all I could do for the audition. I practiced so hard. And thought of the steps carefully.

I made sure I'm not just dancing, that i'm expressing myself, my love for dancing and the message of the dance it self.

I chose the right song for it. I made sure the rhythm is perfect.

After a month of preparation I managed to pass my first audition and became one of the School Dance Company's members.

"I have news for you!" Nagulat pa siya sa biglaan kong pagpasok sa kwarto niya.

"What is it, ate?" kumunot ang noo niya at nagtataka.

"Guess what?" I showed her the shirt that WUSDC gave the new members earlier. I smiled at her widely and laughed at her reaction. She's clueless, probably wondering why I'm showing this piece of shirt.

And when she finally read what is in the shirt. Her eyes widened. Oh God, How come my 5-year-old sister react like that over this achievement of mine? She's so cute!

I laughed at her when she threw the Ipad in her bed and jumped.

She grabbed the shirt from me and hugged it,

"Careful,"

"Ate, ang galing mo!" Hindi masyadong klaro ang pagkabjgkas niya pero alam na alam ko kung ano ang inig niyang sabihin.

My heart really belongs for this little one.

She hugged me.

Kumalas siya sa yakap at niyakap muli ang t-shirt at tumingin sa taas habang nakangiti na para bang nagi-imagine.

"Stop it. You look weird," I laughed and grabbed the shirt, sinimangutan niya ako,

Lara is my 5-year-old sister. She's quite mature for her age. At her age, she's seen me dance and compete, in fact she's my number one fan. I love her very much.

She knew all lot about our dance troupe, in fact she's a great fan of the Great Big Dance off. At her age, you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you how much she already knows about dancing. Nakuha niya kanonood ng competition.

The first two months of school is tiring. Medyo nahihirapan pa ako mag adjust, may mga pinapagawa ng projects, quizzes and groupworks, dagdagan pa ng practice ng Dance Troupe para sa Great Big Dance off which will happen this coming December at North University.

North University is where Lara is studying. Like our school they are also offering Preschool to senior high school. Both schools are prestigious and known for different programs they are offering, however, hindi talaga maiiwasan ang competition between the schools specially in different areas, like the dancing, cheerleading, and sports.

Pinaka inaabagan talaga ang Dance Competition na 'to lalo na't bukod sa mga sports mainit talaga ang mga estudyante sa pakikipag tagisan kaya doble talaga ang paghahanda na ginagawa namin.

I admit, nahihirapan talaga ako. First year college is not a joke no matter what is your program, mahirap talaga. Kahit na nagsisimula pa lang ng pasukan our professors are already bombarding us with tons of school works, isabay mo pa ang preparation namin para sa competition.

Adjustment here, and there. I remember crying, breaking down, from all these.

It's been 6 months since school started. 4 months of trainings and 1 and half month of preparation for GBDO. Doble ang pagpapahirap samin ng aming coach at higher years sa trainings lalo na't baguhan pa lamang kami.

It's Sunday, we have scheduled training at 7:30 am at NorthU as our last training before the competition tomorrow. There's a schedule we are following in which each participating school is assigned to practice in the said place where the event will happen.

Mas malaki ang North University kung ikukumpara sa Williamson University. Though Williamson University is also big.

I informed our coach that I will be 30 minutes late since kailangan kong samahan si Lara para sa first piano lesson niya, I have to make sure that her environment is okay.

"You fuckin' bastard." I heard a laugh from nowhere,

I looked at the two men standing outside the gymnasium, near the entrance. The other man was holding money and looked like he won a game while the taller guy looked pissed, but not pissed as he wanted to fight.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at nagpatuloy sa pagpasok nang bumaling sa'kin 'yung isa. I even heard the other say, "Williamson?"

"Probably," the taller guy answered,

I continued entering the gymnasium and looked for my team. They were at break when I entered, sitting at the bleachers, talking to each other.

I already knew what NorthU's gymnasium looked like since I used to visit here back when Lara's still having her special class in dancing, they used to practice here.

"Oh Galeena's here coach!" Ashley spoke,

Usually nakakasama lang ang mga irregular members sa performance kapag mga katulad ng Great Big Dance Off kung saan kailangan talaga ng medyo maraming performers.

The blockings went smoothly, we just did 2 more practices and will proceed to the final practice.

After the break, Coach asked us to do a cooldown first before our final practice.

While doing the lunge, we heard some noise coming from the entrance of the gymnasium. They're a basketball team going inside.

"Oh my gosh, number 27 there he is!" I heard my other teammates whispering to each other

"I saw the other guy at the field kanina, I didn't know he was hotter when this close"

"No, I think that guy in blue is way more hotter!"

"Yhana, take the lead." Coach asked our president because she's going to talk to the players. "Guys, continue the cooldown!"

I looked at my watch. It's 10:10 am, nasobrahan kami sa oras. We were supposed to end at 10 am.

" Everyone! Focus!" Yhana shouted. My teammates were kinda distracted. "This is our last practice so please, get away from distractions and focus on the goal!"

I heard murmuring from my teammates but they don't have a choice but to obey.

"Okay, guys. Formation!" Coach went back. The NorthU basketball players went in front, waiting for us to end. They started watching us, so my other team was kind of pressured.

Coach asked the players if we could extend our time for one last execution for our performance.

"Isko! Laway mo!" We heard a laugh from their crowd, followed by teasing remark.

Tinapunan ko lang sila ng isang tingin bago ibinigay ang buong atensyon kay coach, trying to focus despite the loud crowd in front.

While forming our entrance, I accidentally made eye contact with the pair of serious eyes. It was the tall guy I saw at the entrance of the gym earlier.

He isn't wearing a jersey like all the other boys. He also doesn't look like he's belong to the team because he's in a semi formal outfit. He looked clean. Well, I don't think his physical appearance complements his personality though, based on what I heard and saw earlier.

Like usual, I was feeling the movement along with the music. I was at it, never minding the pair of eyes looking over me. Or I was just assuming?

We have a highlight in the last two parts of our performance. I was one of those 10 who were tasked to do 3 backflips. I was the one in front. Nervous a bit, I stood at the side, preparing to do it.

I did the first 2 flips smoothly, but when I was about to land my feet at the last flip, my eyes widened when suddenly a ball came in my way.

I was fast enough, bago ko pa man matapakan iyon naka-land na ako sa lupa.

However, due to a sudden adrenaline rush... Mali ang pagkaka bagsak ko!

My feet!

I winced in pain. My feet hurt so much! This can't be!

At first, my teammates didn't pay attention to me—it's part of the rule in dancing: no matter what happens, you keep going. But the moment they heard me cry, Yhana and a few others rushed to my side, with our coach following behind.

"Bring her to the clinic!" Tarantang utos ng coach namin,

"Are you okay, miss?" Panicking, a deep voice asked me.

"Do I look okay to you?" Lalo akong napa-ngiwi. Isang sulyap sa mga paa ko, alam kong medyo malala ang pagkakabali nito. Lalo akong napangiwi.

Kinabahan agad ako. What about the competition? Oh My God, I've been preparing for it! This can't be.

He suddenly held my right hand, put it to his nape and carefully carried me in a 'bridal style'. Hindi na ako nag reklamo. The last thing I want now is to waste time, I know this needs to be treated immediately or else I wouldn't be able to join the competition tomorrow.

Emotionally, tears fell in my eyes. Nakatulala lamang ako habang buhat buhat niya papuntang clinic. All thoughts are drowning me.

"I'm sorry." The nurse smiled sadly at me,

She just told me that I won't be able to join the competition tomorrow because the injury on my ankle is so bad that it wouldn't take 24 hours to heal.

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko at natulala na lang sa kawalan.

"Your passion won't take you anywhere. It will ruin you. Remember that, Galeena!"

"Karma will take you to where you belong!"

"You don't deserve to be happy Galeena! The death of your sister will haunt you, all through your life! You killed her."

I suppressed my cry and smiled at the nurse as much as I could.

"You need to rest, Galeena. It's okay, we saw how you put your efforts in the competition. We wouldn't let it go to waste." She tapped my shoulder.

" I'm sorry, coach," My voice broke. I looked at my fingers and started fidgeting, my vision started to get blurry, but I wiped it.

I smiled. It's okay, this is not the last competition anymore. There would be a lot more in the future. Maybe, this competition is not really for me.

Coach excused herself because she'll need to attend to my other teammate.

I guess this wouldn't be their last practice as they'll need to adjust the formation to deal with my sudden absence.

I felt bad. They should be resting now. But because of my weak reflex, I ended up ruining everything.

I was drowned with my thoughts that I didn't notice a man standing across the bed in the university clinic.

My breathing hitched. My tears started to fall, I couldn't suppress it anymore. It was first started as a sobbed, but when I started to punch my head, I couldn't control it anymore.

This could've not happened if only I was fast and not weak enough.

I cried for this! I broke down for this competition! How come my efforts just go to waste? How come I'll just be sitting tomorrow, when all the effort I poured into practice won't even be seen in the performance itself?

And the next thing I can remember I was screaming so hard.

"No! No! No! This can't be!"

I can't control myself. My emotions are just too high and so many thoughts are going through my head.

"Your passion won't take you anywhere. It will ruin you. Remember that, Galeena!"

"Karma will take you to where you belong!"

"You don't deserve to be happy Galeena! The death of your sister will haunt you, all through your life! You killed her."

"You're the most amazing and toughest person I know, Gale."

With all the thoughts coming around my head. That voice made me back to my senses.

I realized that that's not the only thing that made me calm. I felt a soft hand on the top of my head, gently caressing it, and soft humming in earphones that I didn't know he put in my ears.

Our eyes met. There was worry in his eyes but strangely, it comforted me.

I was still catching my breath and my tears' not yet done falling.

He smiled at me. He stopped caressing my head and held my shaking hands. He didn't say a word. Which helped since I think I wouldn't want to hear words right now.

The last thing I knew is I was already falling asleep in his arms.

It was familiar. How come?

I don't remember feeling this calm and safe in someone's arms. Especially in the arms of a complete stranger.

....