Dancin' Love (R16+) by de Requiza

I didn't know where It started, as far as I remember I hate people especially arrogant boys or even men. They said "It pays to wait" which is true but I didn't even know that while waiting again and again my love for dancing will give me so much trauma and I will lost interest on it. "What do you think ha? maganda nga dun" Justine told me on the phone, my internet friend. I said I wanna go to Batangas for a trip or for a resort there that caught my attention and there she is suggesting Intramuros. "I know, I wanna go there nga kaso lang I wanna go to a beach resort in Batangas." I insisted, I really wanna go to Batangas and this girl right there insisting me to go to Intramuros, agad agad. Nag eempake na ako ngayon kasi yung flight ko mamaya ng alas6 ng umaga and it's currently 12AM I need to go there. Ayoko ma late ano, ang traffic pa. "Anong araw ka nga ulit aalis ng Davao te?" Justine asked again while on the phone. Argh this girl sobrang mapilit talaga. "Sabihin mo na, may pa sekreto ka pa bilis na te" she insisted again. I didn't told her when is my flight because my plan is before ako pupunta ng Batangas dadaanan ko muna s'ya sa Cavite kaso napaka kulit nya talaga. I wanna spend time with her and gusto ko s'yang isuprise tapos hatakin papuntang Batangas. "I told you next month pa nga, sasabihan naman kita e." I lied, I'm sorry for lying Tine. "By the way, busy ka ba bukas ng alas8? morning ha" I changed the topic, sana 'di mahalata ng bruha na to. "Uhm, hindi naman. Why?" andami nya talagang tanong sa buhay. "Nothing, I wanna talked to you that time e. Alam mo na usual chikahan" I said while entering to my brother's car papuntang airport. After maybe how many hours of waiting, dun na rin ako natulog sa airport bench, I finally arrived in Manila. It feels like I am in a new world again, This ain't my first time here but this will be my first time coming here to surprise a friend. I am an introvert I have few friends and sobrang mapili ko pa, my friendship with Justine is unexpected. My phone rang inside my pocket, It was Justine again. Mag-chi-chismis lang naman to ng ganito kaaga. "Hello? Yes, Goodmorning" I said happily eventhough sobrang inaantok na ako, kulang ang tulog ko and then here I am waiting for my aunt's car. "Alam mo, may ipapakilala ako sayo omygash." She said while giggling, ayan nanaman sya reto nanaman "This time will be sure win girl, dancer din to e." I sighed, "Tine, I said I don't have ti-" she cut me off with her shout and giggles "Pumayag ka na please? you aren't interested with anyone and para hindi na rin maging boring life mo" said by a woman who also waited her highschool sweetheart and luckily they're currently going strong. "Fine, whatever" I said. "hmm sungit mo" then she laughed and ended the call. After she ended our call dumating na ang sasakyan ni tita na minamaneho ng pinsan ko with a very big smile. "Hi my darling, saan mo muna gusto?" she said with her smile. I rolled my eyes, I don't hate her it's just that how can she manage to keep smiling like that. "Stop rolling your eyes, let's go to your friend nalang. Cavite right?" and then giggle. Ano kayang nakakatawa? I looked at her with a question face, "What? 'wag ka ng ano dyan palibhasa di ka ngumingiti" and then chuckled, I smirk "Please shut up, Krystal". I smiled, sometimes but not every damn time. Everyone called me intimidating ice human. I don't know. I used to not smiling. From Manila to Cavite all through out our trip my cousin keep on bubbling about her crush, what's funny is her crush is avoiding her. Like hello, my cousin is so pretty and smart. I don't understand that boy. "Whatever Krystal, you are a total package maybe he likes you too but he's just shy duh" I rolled my eyes at tumingin sa binatana ng sasakyan. I wanna drive too. "Omyghad Cous' did you- did you just compliment me?" she asked with wide eyes. I laughed, ano bang tingin nila sakin? Ofcourse I compliment people, minsan nga lang. "Yeah wtf are you shouting" I smirk. We are in Cavite and currently asking people here where is Justine's house. I just know that they have a big house but houses here are all big wtf I'm not manghuhula. Nadaanan namin ang grupo ng mga mananayaw with a videographer, they are maybe currently on break kasi kumakain yung iba. "Hi, excuse me. I have question sana if okay lang?" I asked without even smiling, siniko ako ng pinsan ko at sinipatan. "Hi, sorry may itatanong sana kami if okay lang?" she asked and then smiled widely. This girl talaga sobrang friendly. One guy looked at me, he is probably older than me by 2 years or more. He is wearing a simple shirt with a jogger and rubber shoes. He looked at me like I am a damn puzzle or does he looks at me with a disgust expression. Tinaasan ko s'ya ng kilay and then he smirked. Tss kala nya ha. "Okay, Thank you so much" I didn't even realize na tapos na pala magtanong pinsan ko. I looked at her at parang alam na ang itatanong ko. "5th house from here, tara na" at pumasok na sa loob ng sasakyan. For the last time I looked at the man and rolled my eyes. The heck he isn't attractive too. With his broad shoulder, thick eyebrows, pointed nose, bouncy hair and soft looking lips. Sandali nga, I said he isn't attractive. Ang kapal naman nya, mahal ang praises ko. I don't know if tama ba itong napuntahan naming bahay, a big house with a gate ofcourse. This house is so beautiful, the combination of color peach and light brown color. From the gate makikita mo ang carport area and ofcourse terrace sa baba na may pang anim na upuan and this house has a second floor. "Tao po!" my cousin shouted and I looked at her and then I pressed the doorbell. What the heck this girl is so funny, "Ay may doorbell pala, diko nakita e" and then she chuckled. After a minute or 2, one guy went to us and asked us who are we looking for, I said Justine's name and he said he'll just call her. "'WAG MOKONG PINAGLOLOLOKO KUYA, DI AKO NAKIKIPAGBIRUAN SAYO" I heard her shouting and then burst out laughing, I rolled my eyes and smile. This girl is really crazy. She saw me and then ran towards us and then hugges me tightly with her usual smile. "Omygash totoo ba ito? I didn't know you are coming this early, I have plans pa naman to go to Davao just to surprise you girl. Half talaga kita. Lika na pasok kayo" and then her never ending bubblinh continues. "Uhm Tine, this is Krystal my cousin. She know you already. Please be friends" I said without expressions, they both laugh and uphere. Nagtaas ako ng kilay at tinignan sila, "What? walang nakakatawa" and then they burst out laughing again. "Te, uso naman kasi ngumiti ikaw talaga. Maganda ngiti mo, ilabas mo naman. Hawaan mo kami prinsesa" Justine teased me and then laugh loudly. I laughed. We talked for about 2 hours and also we are eating snack, in the morning. I already told her na pupunta kami ng Batangas. I wanna treat her and ofcourse my cousin will also be with us. Hindi kami pwedeng umalis na mag-isa kami. Eventhough we arw already grown ass woman now. College graduate. Paalis na kami nang nagpaalam sya sa kuya nya, "Kuya, baka mawala ako ng 1 linggo ha sa Bantangas lang ako, I already texted mommy she already said yes kaya wag ka na kumuntra di bagay sayo" she said, waving her hand and then laughing. I don't know what's funny to be honest. Nakapasok na kami sa sasakyan at nadaanan ulit namin ang mga mananayaw kanina, some of them are now dancing while the videographer is taking a video on them. I saw the guy and he looks at our car. I rolled my eyes, "Teka muna Krystal, hinto mo muna" Justine said and then open the car window. "JOHNSEN!! naa saan kapatid mo?" she asked, di man lang lumabas ng sasakyan babaeng to. I rolled my eyes again and sighed nung papunta ang lalake sa amin, so his name is Johnsen. Nung nakalapit na sya saamin ay pinagbuksan sya ni Justine ng pintuan para makapag usap ng maayos, I don't care about their topic kaya nag scroll nalang ako sa cellphone ko. He gives off annoying presence and I don't know why. While scrolling to my phone Justine said thank you at naramdaman kong may nakatitig sa akin, I looked in front of me and that Johnsen guy stared at me like I am some puzzle and then he smirk. Justine snap infront of him and then laugh, "Off-limits, nareto ko na yan kay Carl". Nawala ang ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha at dumilim ang mga mata na akala mo may galit sa mundo, tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Umalis na s'ya at nagpatuloy sa pag dadrive si Krystal habang kausap ang katabi, "Te, ang gwapo nun uh. Dancer ba 'yon?" Krystal asked curiously, nakikinig lang ako sa kanila. Nonsense topic, yung lalaki pa talaga. Justine laughed, "Oo, gwapo talaga yun and dancer. Kapatid nya rin dancer e." "Sino pala yung Carl?Wala akong maalalang nireto moko sa taong nag ngangalang Carl, Tine" It's true, never n'ya akong nireto sa Carl na 'yon or kung sino man yan. "Kapatid ni Johnsen te, kaedad mo 'yon ano. Basta mabait din yun e" she shrugged her shoulder. "I don't have enough time and interest para sa reto mo ano" I said and then smiled at her. Busy ako, I am currently in law school. 2nd year ako na ako sa susunod na pasukan, I graduated college with a degree of nursing. I wanna pursue both law and medicine. "ABA NAMAN ATHENA LAIA, PUMAYAG KA NA KANINA ANO" I startled, baliw bakit kailangan nya pang sumigaw. "Okay, whatever Justine basta sinasabi ko sayo. Busy ako, alam mo 'yon" I said and close my eyes, 2 hours lang naman yung byahe kasi hindi heavy traffic and malapit lang yung Batangas pero diko maiwasang mabored. Dumating na kami sa Batangas kaso huminto muna kami sa isang mall just to buy some foods habang nasa byahe and para na rin maiwasan ang mamahaling pagkain sa resort na pupuntahan namin. I need to save and earn money, hindi ako sobrang yaman gaya ng iba na halos magwaldas nalang ng pera. "Athena, gusto mo ba ng lasagna? para kumain tayo habang nasa sasakyan" Krystal said, "sasama si Manong Joel, sya ang mag dadrive sabi ni mommy kasi baka antukin daw tayo" I nodded and look for a food infront of me. Konti labg binili namin. Burgers, lasagna, drinks including juice and water and some chips. Binilhan na rin namin si Manong Joel ng pagkain para di naman unfair, he's like a family to us now. Dumating na kami sa isang resort, as far as I know this is one of the resorts here in Lipa, Batangas na sobrang naattract even mga tourist. No doubt, sobrang ganda. A combination of light brown, black and white interior and exterior color of the wall, a very clean tiled floor. A green scenery and I believe also a secured resort here. "Hello, Ma'am welcome to our resort and hotel." The receptionist said and smile on us, she has a great smile. I smiled back and then told her we need 1 room only, yung siguro malaki for the 3 of us. Umuwi na si Manong Joel kasama ang sasakyan, tatawagan lang namin sya pag aalis na kami sa susunod na linggo. "Here is your room card and key, Ma'am. Enjoy your stay." She said and I nodded, pumanhik na kami papunta sa taas para masilip ang aming room. It is indeed big, presidential suite. Tama lang to saamin and knowing na parang di naman kami natutulog tatlo. "Ang ganda dito ano, look at their interior design. It has two rooms pala, ang ganda. This can be a condo unit." Krystal said while looking at every design and interir structures. I smiled, it's true. This room is so beautiful. "Te, kain muna tayo ng tanghalian. Dun na sa restaurant nila, meron daw dito e." Anyaya ni Justine with a smile, parang may plano 'tong babae to. Pinanliitan ko s'ya ng mata, "Oh teka lang, wala akong iniisip na kagagahan ano" and the she laughed again habang lumalabas sa pintuan. Gustong-gusto ko talaga muna manatili sa kwarto kaya naman hinayaan ko silang lumabas at hindi na ako sumunod, pumasok ako sa kwarto at humiga. Hindi man lang namin naaayos yung mga gamit namin but nevermind inaantok talaga ako. Nakatulog ako good for 4 hours, pag-gising ko quarter to 5 na, I grab my phone just to see missed calls from Justine and Krystal and some texts. Nag scroll ako at nagbasa. Krystal; Te, hindi ka pa nag la-lunch better come down and eat na. Justine; Whatever Athena, sleep well. Di ka man lang nagsabi hmp. I rolled my eyes and then call Justine, she luckily answer it naman agad. "Hello? Saan kayo?" I asked habang inaantok pa, parang gusto ko ata matulog nalang. "Hoy, bumaba ka na dyan aba ano pumunta ka sa resort para matulog, sayang yung bayad te" and she laughed again. Napapansib ko sobrang ingay ng nasa paligid nya, puro tawanan at hiyawan. Really 5PM palang pero ang dami ng nag iingay. "Ang ingay naman dyan, let's eat dinner na" I said habang namimili ng masusuot para bumaba na. "Punta ka sa restaurant nila, sa left wing ha. Andito kami, mag oorder ako ng crab for you" and then she ended the call, thank God I have friend like her alam nya agad anong need ko. Nakababa na ako sa lounge at papunta na sa left winv restaurant ng napansin kong andami naman atang kasama ng dalawa, tatlo lang kaming pumunta and for a short time may kasama agad silang tatlong tao. 1 girl and 2 boys. Well, friendly naman sila parehas kaya nevermind. Pumasok na ako at agad namang lumapit saakin ang isang waiter siguro, he just greeted me with a smile on his face and I smiled back ofcourse. Tinignan ko silang dalawa na parang nagtatanong at nagtaas ng kilay, they are all laughing on something I don't know at all. lumingon ang babae and then she smiled at me, I didn't give her some expression kasi hindi ko parin alam ano ang nangyayari. Umupo ako sa kabilang kabisera, right side of Krystal kasi parang may nakaupo na sa kabila. I wonder who. "Hi, goodevening" I greeted them at nagtaas ng kilay kay Justine. she laughed and introduces them to me. "Guys, this is Athena. Athena these are Carl, Marie and Joseph, the other one ay nasa cr umiihi pa" I nodded and smiled at them at tinuon ang atensyon sa pagkain. I am busy eating my dinner kasi sobrang gutom ako, hindi ba naman nag lunch. Habang kumakain ay biglang may dumating at umupo sa kaharap kong kabisera, hindi ko s'ya pinansin kasi sobrang gutom ako when Justine suddely laugh and introduces me to her friend. "This is Johnsen, nakausap ko sya kanina te. Johnsen, that is Athena yung tinitignan mo kanina" she said ang chuckles. I looked at the man infront of me, his define jawline and thich brows caught my attention again. He smirk at me while I didn't give him even a short expression. I am not interested. Tumahimik saglit ng biglang nagsalita si Marie, "He's my close friend and probably soon to be my boyfriend" she said and chuckled looking at Johnsen while this man is busy staring at me. Tinignan ko si Maria and I smirk, ang panget ng taste mo sa lalake girl ha. Arrogant and full of himself. tss "Okay, tapos ka na kumain?Ipapakilala ko na yung sinasabi ko kanina" She said happily and I nodded, pumalakpak ng mahina si Justine at tinuro iyong Carl. "Ito sya, yung sinasabi ko sayong irereto ko sayo" she said smiling at bumaling kay Krystal, "Si Joseph naman yung nireto ko kay Krystal, perfect match" I heared Marie chuckled and looked at Johnsen again, hindo sya matignan. Hindi ako nag a-assume pero nararamdaman ko ang paninitig nya saakin. Bumaling ako kay Carl at ngumiti sa kanya, "Hi, I'm Carl" and then he reached his hands for a hand shake tinanggap ko iyon at medyo awkward kasi hindi naman ako mahilig sa mga ganito. I smiled, "Athena, I bet we're in the same age" he laughed and nodded, "I guess so I am 24 now and Justine told me you are 23" I nodded. "Coming 24 this september" I said and smiled. I looked at everyone dahil masyado silang tahimik. For about after 5 minutes, lumabas si Krystal and Joseph sa restaurant. Nagpaalam sya and I just nodded, si Justine naman busy sa kausap ang boyfriend niya. Naiwan kaming apat dito, tinignan ko ang dalawa. Marie is busy sharing something on Johnsen while this guy didn't even give her a reaction. Napansin niya siguro ang paninitig ko kaya he looked at me, tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Arrogant. 7 PM ng nagpasya silang mag bonfire sa may dagat. I was about to say no kasi di naman ako mahilig sa ganun pero hinatak ako nina Krystal at sinabihang KJ. Naglalakas kami, I am beside Carl. He is busy asking me if sumasayaw pa ba ako, "Minsan nalang e, I am busy kasi" he nodded, "Nag wo-work ka na ngayon?" I smiled at umiling, "No, I am currently 2nd year law student" He looked at me as if I am a puzzle, naalala ko kung paano makatingin sakin yung Johnsen. Pinilig ko ang ulo ko at halos kurutin ang sarili, ano bang iniisip ko napaka panget. "You are a law student? Wow, so you're good in defending ha" he said and chuckled. Napatawa na rin ako, "I am a nursing graduate and I procees to law school. ikaw ba?" Nakarating na kami habang ang iba ay nag hahanda ng gagamitin, umupo kami sa upuan na inarrange nila ng paikot. "Business Ad. natapos ko, I am currently finance manager sa isang company, nakakahiya you are about to have two degrees." he smiled, I laughed and I didn't know why I laughed. "Sorry I am not used to compliments and you have a stable job, that's enough to say na you're earnint and independent" We talked for a while ng biglang sumigaw si Justine, "HOY! bebe time kayo? joke, wala bang inumin dyan?" She said while eatibg her chips. Busy sila sa iniinom nila habang ako nakikinig at nagmamasid lang. "Oh gusto mo?" alok ni Carl sakin ng iniinom nilang alak. "I don't drink, thank you" Its already past 9AM habang kami tawa nang tawa parin because of Justine's story. I was busy laughing and I felt the stare again infront of me. May bonfire sa gitna pero nadidipina ko parin ang ekspresyon nya. Johnsen, he stared at me as if mawawala ako pag hindi ako tinitignan ng ganu'n. Unti unting nawala ang ngiti ko and suddenly I felt nervous without any reason. "Justine, aakyat na ako ha" paalam ko, I didn't know why. Nag paalam na rin ako kay Carl at gusto nya akong ihatid kahit sa elevator lang daw. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa, nung nakaakyat na ako ay iniwan ko sya sa elevator para makababa and I smiled at him bago pumanhik sa kwarto namin. I sighed heavily ng nakapasok ako sa loob, nanatili muna ako sa mini living room at pinaandar ang TV. Nakatingin lang ako dito na wala namang naiintindihan sa palabas. I sighed, why the heck I felt nervous just by looking at that arrogant man. I rolled my eyes out of nowhere, nakakainis. Habang nakatulala ay biglang nag ring ang cellphone ko, it's tita. I answered the call and said goodevening. "Hija, ayos lang ba kayo dyan? How about Krystal?" she asked. "We are fine tita, nasa baba si Krystal with our friends" Friends. I wonder why I said that di ko nga sya kaibigan even Marie. Bagay sila parehas annoying. Sorry not sorry. We have a chitchat for a while at nagpaalam na ako for a half bath, para naman kumalma ako. Everytime I remember his face naiinis lang ako. He looks like a playboy, kawawa naman si Marie sa kanya kung ganun. Lumabas na ako ng cr at humiga sa kama, nakakatamad mag skincare. I looked at the cieling, bukas maaga akong gigising to enjoy the sunrise and tour myself. Bahala na ang dalawang 'yon kung saan nila gusto pumunta. I wanna enjoy myself, malayo sa taong yun. People said, it's not bad on waiting something you prayed for. I believed in that but I also have a question, bakit? bakit parang antagal. I am wondering why and I realized I've been praying it for like almost 6 years. Hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa but I wonder bakit antagal. Minsan, I asked myself If am I that bad? or am I not enough? I've always been the boring and expression less person. I hate attentions but I also looked for a genuine attention that gives me butterfly. Butterfly, is that even real? Kilig and such sweet moves. Is love with someone to be your partner in a lifetime still existing? some people now a days are more on cheating, lying at padamihan ng babae o lalake. I sighed and looked at my phone, I scroll to my social media account. So much messages for this day. I am an introvert, ang hirap mag express ng sariling nararamdaman. I wonder if napapansin din ba nilang hindi ako okay? If yes thank God they feel it but if no, then it's no one's fault anymore hindi rin naman ako expressive. I cried that night, kinakabahan sa mangyayari. Overthinking really sucks. I hate it, paano ba to mawawala. I stayed strong for my family and for my dreams in life. I wonder if bukas ba matutupad na yung isa sa mga dinadasal ko. Honestly, I don't believe in love anymore. I cried. Again and prayed to guide me.