Puhon, Tayo

NOON: Chapter 13

It’s D-Day! It’s the day of our Prom. Kara and I are agitated. We even barely slept last night. Kung makaramdam kami ng nerbyos, parang first prom namin. Oh, well, if we compare our Junior Prom to our Senior one, we didn’t have our dates back then dahil ayaw ni Papa. Kung puwede nga lang daw na makisali siya, siya na lang ang magiging date namin ni Kara.

He only allows us to have date for our Senior Prom because it’s going to be our last and we’re turning college months from now. May mga sariling-isip na raw kami at aware na sa mga pros and cons of dating.

 “Kor, what do you think? Okay pa ba ang lipstick ko?” Kara stands in front of me to show me her pinkish lipstick. I nod several times and smile at her.

“You look perfect, Karol.” I praise her and give her a once over. We look so much alike except that we are having different hairstyle as what we have talk last night. We even ask Mama for her approval and she almost tear up when we ask her.

Kara wears her hair into a messy yet elegant bun. She channels her inner ballerina. I on the other hand, have my hair into beach curls. I also put fake bangs to complement my hairstyle. Instead of wearing pink lipstick, I choose mauve pink. Siguro naman, hindi na muguguluhan ang iba naming kaklase sa amin ngayong gabi.

“My baby girls are not so baby anymore. You already have your own will. I am proud that you can both decide for your own. Hindi na ako kakabahan pag nag college na kayo.”

Happiness washes through me the moment Mama said those words last night. I feel like I finally grow my wings and is free to fly on my own. Kung iisipin, wala naman palang masama sa pagiging strict ni Mama sa amin ni Kara noon. Everything happens in the right time. Katulad ng nangyaayri ngayon, akala ko dati gusto ni Mama na maging anino lang kami ng isa’t is ani Kara pero isa siguro iyon sa pagdisiplina niya sa amin. I never feel so free in my life than tonight.

“Girls! Come down, now! Your dates are already here and it’s getting late!”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Kara dahil sa pagsigaw ni Papa. The feeling of excitement and anticipation washes through me as I try to imagine Tanner in his formal attire. I bite my lips trying to suppress a giggle. I can’t wait to spend the entire night with him. I will make sure that this is going to be the most memorable prom in our lives. After all, the plan of making it official between us is tonight.

“Kora, wait!” Pinigilan ako ni Kara sa braso at pinaharap sa kanya. Naguguluhang napatingin ako sa kanya.

“What?”

“Wala na bang mali sa akin? Tingnan mo nang maigi!” Instead of an answer, I roll my eyes at her.

“Karol, relax! ‘Di ka pa ikakasal, uy!” Humalakhak ako nang bigla siyang napasimangot. She even grabs my hair playfully.

“Tse!”

“Tara na nga!” I grab her arms and pull her outside.

Tatlong pares ng mga mata ang nakatingala sa amin na para bang kaming dalawa na lang ni Kara ang natitirang bituin sa langit na nagbibigay ilaw sa kanilang madilim na mundo.

Anton and Tanner share an expression of pure admiration, both looking dashing in their suit. While our father looks at us with pure pride in his eyes. Tanner wears a white color 3-piece suit while Anton’s color is black. I hold my breath as my eyes land on Tanner, he holds on to my gaze and refuses to let it go. Oh, well, I can’t even retrieve my eyes at him. His tux hugs his fit body perfectly. He even looks like a cut-out model from a Hollywood magazine, especially with his fake man bun hairstyle.

‘Ang gwapo naman talaga ang bebe ko!’

Slowly, as Kara and I stride down the stairs, my heart beat gets louder and louder. Kara is the first one to reach the guys and Anton immediately come to her side, offering one single pink rose. Kara, with overflowing confidence accepts it and shrugs her shoulders as if she is not affected by Anton’s sweet gestures. Gusto ko silang pagtawanang dalawa dahil nag-uumapaw ang awkwardness na nararamdaman nila sa isa’t isa. Parang mga sira. Parang mga hindi aso’t pusa.

Lihim akong napailing at binigay ang buo kong atensyon kay Tanner nang tuluyan akong makababa.

“Hey!” He greets me. Smiling. He reaches for my hand and brings it straight to his lips. Bolta-boltaheng kuryente na mula sa kanyang labi ang naramdaman kong dumaloy sa aking kamay pataas sa aking mga braso, papasok sa puso ko at doon nanatili na para bang doon ang tamang kinalalagyan niya. I start to feel my heart creeping up to my throat, I gulp hard.

“Hi” My voice sounds clipped and jumpy. Damn. Halata bang nenerbyos ako?

“You look beyond gorgeous, Mi Amore.” Hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi at umaabot pa ito sa mga mata niya. I smile at him as I accept the pink tulip from his hand.

“You look dashing too, my lord.” I grin at him and I let out a giggle when she playfully bows in front of me.

“Okay, tama nang bulahan ‘yan! Stand together. I’ll take your picture. Your mom requested for it since she can’t see you, girls!” Bumaling sa amin si Papa. Kaya nga umuwi si Mama kagabi at pinasuot sa amin ang aming mga gowns para at least naman daw makita niya kaming suot-suot iyon sa personal, tsaka siya nag-iiyak na para bang kasal ang pupuntahan namin.

The four of us stand together and smile at the camera. After it, Papa drives the four of us to school.

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The first part of the program is boring. Nandoon kasi lahat ang formalities and prom tradition. Natawa at naaliw lang kami nang magbigay na si Kara ng kanyang Batch Prophecy. Iyon lang naman ang nakaaaliw sa first part ng program tuwing prom. Kahit hindi sigurado sa future, masaya pa rin kami dahil sa prophecy ni Kara, lahat successful.

Then comes the second part, the real deal during prom. Our teachers leave us to spend it just by ourselves. We can dance, we can be crazy but with limitation. It is the part where we choose our Prom King and Queen and it is the part we’re students confess to their crushes. Kara and I will be among those students tonight.

Isa pa sa nagustuhan ko sa second part ng aming prom ay ang venue. The whole place speaks of grandeur and elegance with all the sparkling designs surrounding the entire place and the effects of fairy lights gives a romantic vibe to the place. Ang elegante ring tingnan ng mga mamahalin at fresh na mga bulaklak na nakapaligid sa amin, dagdagan pang naghahamuyak ang mga ito sa bango. We are transported into somewhere magical, like we’re inside a fairytale.

Nag-iisip na ako ng paraan kung paano magtapat kay Tanner ngayon gabi. Hindi ko nga maubos ang dinner ko dahil sa magkahalong kaba at excitement sa puso ko. Paano kung masyado kong minadali ang lahat sa amin ni Tanner? Paano kung sa pagsagot ko sa kanya ay agad siyang mawalan ng gana sa akin?

Marami pang tanong ang naglalaro sa isip ko pero isang pisil lang ni Tanner sa aking kamay na hawak-hawak niya simula pa kanina ay tila isang bula na naglaho ang lahat ng agam-agam sa puso’t isip ko.

“Shall we dance, Kor?” Pareho kaming nakaupo sa aming respective table at unti-unti nang napupuno ang dance floor dahil pumaere ang isang malamyos na musika. A love song to be exact.

Ngumiti ako at tumango-tango. Tanner gives me his victorious smile before he stands up and helps me with my gown. Sobrang bigat pa naman nito dahil ilang patong ng petticoat ang sinuot ko para tuluyan siyang maging ball gown. Sa school namin, required talaga ang ball gown tuwing prom at isa iyon sa mga napagkasunduan sa meeting ng aming mga magulang na siyang pabor naman sa lahat ng estudyante.

Minsan nga lang kami maging feeling prensesa kaya dapat lang na sulitin na.

Tanner leads me to the dance floor. He takes my hands and place it on his shoulder. I immediately wrap my hands around his nape as if my life depends on it. I make sure to put a safe distance between us but Tanner’s bold gesture almost take my breath away. He put his hands on my waist, pulls me closer to him and we are now inches away from each other. His agonizingly beautiful coffee brown eyes hold mine a prisoner once again.

Tanner starts to move and I move with him. He sways me into a slow dance. He lets out one amused yet full of admiration kind of smile, still not leaving his gaze from me. Gusto kong bumawi ng tingin pero pinigilan ako ng munting tapang na bigla kong naramdaman sa loob ng aking puso.

‘Is now, the right time to tell him?’

 Nag-aalinlangan pa ako. I bite my lips and chastise myself. I need to focus on my mission and not allow Tanner to distract my whole system with his stare that is so full of love.

“Tanner…” Halos hindi ko makilala ang boses ko sa sobrang hina nito pero dahil magkalapit nga lang naman kami ni Tanner at malamyos naman ang musikang lumulukob sa paligid, narinig niya pa rin ako.

“Hmmm?” He moves closer, I move away. s**t! Lumalapit pa nga!

Tanner grins at my sudden reaction. “Are you nervous, Kor?” There’s amusement in his eyes. I scowl at him as we continue to slow dance.

“Yes.” I admit, raising my brows at him. He chuckles and c***s his head on the side.

“Have I told you that you are breathtakingly the most beautiful girl tonight?” he asks, making my heart rattle in so much pleasure. I just smile, running out of words to say to him.

“Tanner, listen.” Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at inipon ang lahat ng tapang sa katawan ko. Tanner knots his forehead and looks intently in my eyes. At some point there, fear crosses his eyes then it is replaced by strong determination. BIgla siyang umiling nang marahas.

“No, Kor. Don’t!” His voice is full of warning, then his face is now surrounded with panic. Now, it’s my turn to knot my forehead.

“What?” natatawang tanong ko. I try to calm him down as we continue to dance. I even plaster my most gorgeous smile at him but he only stares at me questioningly. He starts to get lost at the dark shadow building in his eyes.

“Don’t ask me to stop courting you, Kor. Heck! I will never stop---” tumigil siya sa pagsasalita at humugot ng malalim na hininga. He gets it wrong! Gusto kong matawa pero sinakyan ko ang maling akala niya. I fake a sad smile and pout.

“You have to, Tanner.” Puno ng diin ang bawat salitang binitawan ko. Tanner stops dancing and closes his eyes. I grin and force myself to look pained when he opens his eyes again.

“Kora…”

“You have to stop courting me because I’m saying yes to you, Tanner. I want to be your girlfriend. Officially.” There, I say it. Ako naman ang nakaramdam ng kaba nang isang blankong tingin lang ang ginawad sa akin ni Tanner nang matapos ako sa pagsasalita.

Then a victorious smile slowly sneaks into his lips.  Bigla niya akong hinawakan sa beywang, at nilibot-libot habang tumatawa. Puno ng buhay ang tawa niya kaya nadadala rin ako.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” halos matawag na namin ang atensyon ng iba naming kaklaseng nakakulong sa sarili nilang mga mundo pero walang pakialam si Tanner sa kanila.

“Tanner put me down!” I tap his shoulder forcing him to put me back on the ground already. When my feet finally land on the floor, I’m still on cloud nine. Tanner cups my face, smiling genuinely.

“I knew from the day I first met you that you are meant to be mine.” He admits, staring straight into my eyes. I can feel the overflowing admiration coming from him, travelling to my heart as I stare at him too.

Finally, I surrender my heart to him. I hope that this surrender will lead into something brighter. A flower that blooms forever. This is the metaphor of my feelings toward Tanner, the love of my life.