Stolen Glances

Chapter 4

I'm her 17th roses dance, the lights dimmed slightly as I stepped onto the dance floor, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement while looking to my beautiful Navy Celeste. Soft, romantic music began to fill the hall, and I realized it was the song everyone had been waiting for-Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

I held her hand behind my back, while my other hand gently held hers. As the song began:

*"I found a love for me

Oh, darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone waitin' for me"

Habang sumasayaw kami ni Navy nagkukwentuhan kami and we both laughed talking about kung paano kami nagkakilala.

We were classmate since grade 10, and the first time I saw her I think I fell in love with. Na aalala ko yung mga panahon nag aaway kami dahil inaasar ko siya, mga panahong hindi ako okay and she's always there for me, mga matatamis niyang ngiti, nga pagsusungit nya sakin lahat lahat haha.

*Cause we were just kids when we fell in love, not knowin' what it was

I will not give you up this time

Oh, darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes, you're holding mine*

I'm, yeah, I'm just a kid when I fell with with her, and until now na senior high graduating na kami I still love her.

*Baby, I'm dancin' in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass while listenin' to our favourite song

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it, "Darling, you look perfect tonight"*

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na kasayaw mo yung babae gusto mo with a gentle melody wrapped around us like a warm embrace.

*"Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know

She shares my dreams, I hope that someday, I'll share her home

I found a love to carry more than just my secrets

To carry love, to carry children of our own"*

*"We are still kids, but we're so in love, fightin' against all odds

I know we'll be alright this time

Darling, just hold my hand, be my girl, I'll be your man

I see my future in your eyes"*

I imagined the music painting my feelings: how moments could feel timeless, how someone could feel like home, and how every step with someone special could be just right.

*"Oh, baby, I'm dancin' in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass while listenin' to our favourite song

When I saw you in that dress, lookin' so beautiful

I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

No, no, no

Mm, oh

As we moved, tito Nestor watching us proudly from the edge of the floor. It felt like I was floating, the room blurring around us while the song carried forward. Every turn and glide felt like a story, like the lyrics themselves were speaking the unspoken truths of love, family, and unforgettable nights.

*"Baby, I'm dancin' in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass while listenin' to our favourite song

I have faith in what I see, now I know I have met

An angel in person, and she looks perfect

Though I don't deserve this, you look perfect tonight"*

Our eyes sparkled with joy, and in that perfect dance, with music surrounding us, I knew this moment would linger in his heart forever.

Unforgettable night." I whispered

KINABUKASAN

Shittt!! Late na ako. Nagmamadali akong nag shower at buti nalang gumising nang maagi si mommy at siya nalang ang nagluto ng breakfast namin, hindi ako kumain dahil late na ako at nagmamadali akong pumunta sa school.

______________________________________

Kanina pahinahanap ni Navy si Auri dahil hanggang ngayon wala parin siya, siguro hindi pa gising iyon dahil late narin yun naka uwi kagabi." Sabi ni Navy sa isip niya.

Dumating na yung teacher nila, kaya inayus nalang ni Navy ang chair niya at nakinig nalang sa discussion.

Pagkalabas ni Navy sa classroom nila sinulubong kaagad siya ng napaka epal na muka, syempre sino paba walang iba kung hindi si Auri.

Where have you been, bakit hindi ka pumasok sa klase ni sir Lopez kanina???" Tanong niya kay Auri

Ahh, late na kasi akong na gising Isla kaya dumiretso nalang ako sa Cafeteria para kumain." He answered

Pumunta muna sila sa library dahil may pinapareseach si sir Lopez sa kanila. Dalawa lang yung subject nila today dahil hindi makakapasok si madam Paz may importanting lakad.

****

[Auri's POV]

"Navy," I called after our last class. "labas tayo mamaya after class pumunta sa Tagaytay? Ano g ka??

She raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Hmm... sounds fun. Sige, G ako"

Tapos na ang klase namin, lumabas na ka agad kami, pumunta kami sa parking lot pagkadating namin doon sinuotan ko ng helmet si Navy at pagkatapos umangkas siya sakin. She hugged me tightly while riding, ramdam na ramdam ko ang kamay nyang nakahawak sa biwang ko.

By late afternoon, we were already driving along EDSA, wind brushing my hair, and Navy laughing at all my corny jokes. Gusto ko sanang sabihin sa kanya...how she makes my world brighter, how her laugh can make any bad day disappear but the words always got stuck sa throat ko.

Pagdating namin sa Tagaytay, grabe, ang ganda ng view. The sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, painting the sky with shades of orange, pink, at violet.

"Wow," she whispered, her eyes wide habang tinitingnan yung horizon.

I smiled softly, pretending na nakatingin lang ako sa view. But I still found my self staring at her, her beautiful smile, and her beautiful long hair, napaka ganda bagay sa kanya.

My notebook, hidden inside my bag, was already ready.

Nagsulat na ako ng maliit na poem kanina, inspired by her laughter and the way she makes everything around me feel lighter.

We walked hand in hand along the ridge, laughing at a small café na nakita namin na may strawberry taho. Busy si Navy sa pagkain, kaya hindi niya napansin na hinila ko ang my notebook sa bag.

"She looks like the sunset," I wrote quickly, careful na hindi niya makita. "Warm, radiant, and quietly breathtaking."

She finally looked up and caught me scribbling. "What are you doing?" she asked, curious.

Uh...nothing," sabi ko, pretending na isinasara ko ang notebook. My heart beat so fast. But I know, puhon, she'll see it. Maybe today isn't the right time.

Umupo kami sa grassy hill, side by side, habang last rays ng sun bathes us sa golden light.

I can't control myself sneaking glances at her every few seconds-stolen glances na hindi niya alam. She tilted her head, sipping iced tea, laughing at a bird na dumapo malapit sa picnic spot namin.

In my mind, the poem continued:

"She is the calm I seek in the storm,

The quiet smile at the end of a long day.

If the world ever asks for reasons why,

I would simply point to her,

And say, she is the sun that colors my skies."Habang lumulubog ang araw, naramdaman kung humihina nag luob ko.

Someday, I will tell her. Someday, I will read the poem aloud, and maybe, just maybe, maiintindihan niya lahat ng nararandaman ko since we met.

For now, I just watched her, letting the world fade around us, letting the stolen glances speak the words I couldn't say.

Song used: Perfect

by: Ed Sheeran