CROSSING BOUNDARIES

ENCOUNTER

GWYN . . .

I gracefully walk towards the stage, panaka-naka kong tinitingnan ang grupo ng mga tao sa paligid. I gave them a better view of my thigh, as I raise my leg high, each time I took some steps forward. I didn't realized the slit was too high until I moved around. I also dared to bare some skin of my back for a change. Well, not that totally exposed, kasi bahagyang natatakpan ng nakalugay kong buhok ang ilang bahagi ng aking likod. But still, nakuha ko parin ang atensiyon ng karamihan.

I've noticed intense glare from those that are not used to see me dressed this way. But it doesn't bothers me at all. Gone are those modest clothes that I wore in my younger days. I have to be daring sometimes, kahit na sa pananamit man lang.

I explored my vision in a literal way. I saw familiar faces gathered in several tables a few feet apart from each other. I'm just so glad that everyone showed up tonight, at mukhang may mga plus one pang kasama 'yong iba. Then I eventually hugged the couple before I proceeded to the audio.

"What was the question again?" Tila may pag-aalinlangan kong tanong, habang palipat-lipat ng tingin sa dalawang host.

"Ay! Hindi na nakikinig, minus 1 sa final grade, hahaha..." ika ni Patricia.

"Anong minus 1? Plus 2 'yong sa'kin no'n! Remember?" Kunot noo kong tanong, for how could she forgot such thing.

"Wait... so may hindi sumipot sa Prom?" Si Rafa naman ngayon na halatang halata ang excitement sa mukha, while Trish just smiled.

"Ano sa palagay mo Raf?" Binalik ko 'yong tanong sa kanya.

"Mukhang may iba pang story na mare-reveal ngayong gabi ah! gusto ko 'to!" He slightly giggled as he faces the crowd na muling naghihiyawan.

"Listen guys, kasi papunta palang tayo sa sinasabi nilang exciting part..." He continued sa halos pabulong na mga salita.

Sabay tawa si Patricia at Rafa, habang unti-unting tumahimik ang crowd, excited na rin sila sa next part.

“So, ready na ba kayo? Kasi ngayon na talaga magsisimula ‘yung kwento na pinag-uusapan ng lahat!” sabi ni Rafa, habang hawak ang mic.

“Ito ‘yung parte kung saan malalaman niyo kung sino talaga ‘yung mga nagtagpo at nagkapalagayan ng loob nung araw,” dagdag ni Patricia na may kilay na nakataas, parang may sikreto siyang ihahayag.

Napatingin ako sa paligid, nakikita ko yung mga curiosity sa mga mukha ng mga tao.

“Hindi lang ‘to basta love story, ha. Drama, kilig, tsismis, at syempre konting gulo, lahat nandito,” bungad ni Rafa na may ngiting nakakakilig.

“Excited na ako, how about you guys?” hiyaw ni Patricia habang iniikot ang kamera sa mga guests.

"Moment of truth... " panimula ko.

It's our Prom night and we we're all dressed like royals. Nakatayo kami sa bulwagan, bitbit ang pinakamagandang ngiti, habang hinihintay ang pagdating ng aming mga prinsipe at prinsesa.

Bawat isa sa amin ay may hawak na mask na may nakalimbag na pen name—ang pangalan na pinili namin. Kung ang mga senior ay may kapangyarihang pumili ng mga date nila, kami naman sa lower grade ay binigyan din ng pagkakataong pumili ng pen names base sa rules ng committee.

Each of us holds a mask that bears our printed pen names on it. If the higher grade holds the power to choose whom their dates will be... us, on the lower grade, has also given the chance to select pen names in accordance with the committee's rules.

Our names should start with the first letter of our section, with our middle name on the last, to secure our own identity. Sa pagkakaalam ko, 2 months ago pa ginawa ang pairing at the expense of the Senior's option to pick among us. Kanya kanya narin sila ng diskarte on how to find out who their partners will be, samantalang wala kaming choice but to wait for the actual day alone.

Nakataas 'yong hair ko in a semi bun style. Around my neck is a silver choker necklace that has diamond shape Swarovski crystal pendant. The only accessory that I wore to compensate my look at that night, since hindi naman talaga ako sanay sa mga ganitong mga pormahan. I'm just so glad that it blended well with my Blush pink tube gown na tapered ang waistline. Yumuko ako upang pagmasdan ang aking hinaharap, Halatang halata ang padding sa dibdib ko, halatang halata na wala naman talaga siyang laman. Bahagya akong nainis, but the show must go on sabi nila, and so I have to stay still while it last. Besides, I will be only be staying until the cotillion dance, aalis din ako after, ‘cause partying isn't just my thing.

Ni hindi ko nga alam kung paano nila ako napapayag magsuot ng tube gown, when I am fully aware that I am not gifted on that particular spot of my body na maha-highlight sa style ng damit ko. At ayaw na ayaw ko ring mag pretend na meron by wearing fake ones, gaya nalang ng suot ko ngayon. At the age of Eighteen, kitang kita ko na ang kaibahan ng sa akin with those girls of my batch. Hindi naman siya totally nakaapekto sa personality development ko, but deep inside I knew that it has become a part of my insecurities na pilit kong nilalabanan.

May nakikita akong mga lalakeng nagtutulakan di kalayuan sa amin, napansin ko rin na naka glasses ang isa sa kanila. They're all wearing a tuxedo as every single dude does tonight, nagbubulungan pa sila while they're constantly glancing at us. Pero hindi ko na masyadong inaral ang mga itsura nila, I refuse to... since I am not that interested with my opposite s*x. Katabi ko si Mia na naka boat neck full length red gown. Naka braid 'yong buhok niya, at light lang din ang kanyang make-up kagaya ng sa akin. Hindi siya mapakali at halatang hindi rin komportable. With furrowed brows, she murmured some lines na hindi ko naiintindihan. Isa pa'to na mukhang napipilitan lang. Natatawa ako habang pinagmamasdan siya, at sa biglaang tingin ay mukhang mas malaki pa 'yong problema niya compared to me.

I grab her elbow at hinila siya palapit sa akin. "Ba't ka ba na te-tense Mia?" Diritsahan kong tanong.

"I'm not!" Tanggi niya.

"You are..." I insisted with wide eyes.

"Well, more on naiinis or galit siguro..."

"At ano naman ang dahilan?"

"Sino, Gwyn, Sino? Hindi Ano!" Pagkaklaro niya.

Napa-awang ang bibig ko sa narinig. I didn't expect to hear those words from her mouth, at sino naman 'yong tinutukoy niyang dahilan?

"I saw something, someone rather, that seems unpleasant to my eyes. Kaya ganito ka intense 'yong nararamdaman ko ngayon," tumigil siya sa pagsasalita, while gasping for some air.

Wait, I'm a bit lost and still clueless sa mga pinagsasabi niya. "O-okay..." ang tanging naisagot ko.

"Remember that incident two months ago? 'yong naikuwento ko sa'yo na nadapa ako sa labas ng classroom at pinagtawanan ng isang senior?"

"Yup!" Sinabayan ko ng isang tango. "Pero ano'ng koneksiyon no'n?" Bahagyang kumunot ang aking noo.

"I think... he is that guy in an ash grey suit. Yong naka glasses? Yong may kasamang kulot na naka blue at matangkad na naka black."

I raised my brows high, "yong nagtutulukan kanina?" Tanong ko.

"Exactly! Napansin mo rin pala?" Umirap pa siya pagkasabi.

"Who would not? Eh ang ingay-ingay nila. Pero... parang wala ka namang nababanggit na naka glasses siya no'n. Wala naman yan sa description mo sa kanya dati ah! Baka naman nagkakamali ka lang, baka kamukha lang niya..." as I express some logical thinking.

"No Gwyn! I can't be wrong, I may not be able to explain on why he's wearing glasses now, I absolutely have no idea! But I'm definitely sure that he is that guy in a grey suit! And those fellas around him now? They are exactly the same persons he is with at that time." She say it with conviction.

"So..."

"So... What?"

"Namemorize mo 'yong itsura niya in just a span of minutes, sa kabila ng inis mo sa kanya? I just wonder kung paano mo siya tinitigan no'n. How does he look like by the way? Gwapo ba? Cute? or, Never mind...?" sinubukan kong magpatawa.

"Are you teasing me Gwyn?" aniya habang nakapamewang.

"Nagtatanong lang... and I'm amazed actually! Ibang level talaga 'yong memory mo, no?" I chuckled, pero mas lalo lang yata siyang nainis.

"How could I forget his face? when he humiliated me in front of many people. I have never felt so insulted in my whole damn life, until that jerk made fun of me." gigil niyang sabi.

"Okay, I get it..." Napahawak ako sa ulo, dudugo na naman ba ilong ko nito? It's a sign. She's truly mad 'pag ganitong straight English words na may kasama pang curses ang lumalabas sa kanyang bibig. "Pero pwede bang kumalma ka naman kahit konti? Nandito tayo para mag enjoy, and not the other way around." I am really trying my best to cool her down, but she's still pissed as hell.

"How in the world will I suppose to do that Gwyn?" She suddenly raised her voice that has caught a few people's attention. At literal nga naming nakuha ang atensiyon ng lahat, kasi sa sobrang inis niya ay di niya na namalayan na nakababa na pala 'yong kanyang kamay may hawak na mask at sumunod narin ako. Breaking some rules and now exposing our true identities to the crowd, ngawit narin kasi ako kanina pa.

Parang gusto ko na tuloy magwalk-out sa harap niya, not to exit the party, but to approach that so-called "JERK" na naging dahilan kung bakit ganito si Mia ngayon. I would gladly hear him out, baka kasi may iba pang version na hindi nabigyan ng chance na marinig. And by simply looking at him, although hindi ko man siya napagmasdang mabuti, mukha naman siyang harmless. Baka 'yong mga kasamahan niya pa siguro. Mahanap nga 'yong lalakeng 'yon, besides wala pa namang lumalapit sa amin. Pero bakit nga ba wala pa?

Ilang sandali pa akong nag-isip, hindi ko namalayan na nasa harapan na namin si Patricia, she's part of the program's committee. Nakilala ko siya in one of the school play na minsan kong sinalihan noon. We were constantly exchanging chats since then.

"Hi Gwyn, Wow! You look..." pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. She paused for a while na tila ba naghahanap ng tamang salitang acceptable sa pandinig ko. "Great! Just great..." she blinks an eye, as she waves her hand.

"Hindi naman..." medyo nahihiya kung sagot, that made her a bit upset. Ilang beses niya narin akong pinagsabihan on how to gracefully respond to it, on how to carry myself along every situation. Sabi pa niya, ako lang daw yata ang hindi nakakaalam na maganda at sexy ako. Bagay na madalas kung pagtawanan kapag binabanggit niya sa akin. Kasi ewan ko ba! I suddenly felt awkward every time I heard compliments. Madalas idinadaan ko na lang sa tawa.

She smirked at hindi na nagsalita. "Thanks for the compliment," kaagad kung sinabi, to let her know that I am also pleased in a way. "And you... you're a stunner! As usual..." a statement that plastered a smile on her face. She's in a coral pink halter midi gown, with black stiletto heels, na hindi ko alam kung paano niya nagawang irampa na parang wala lang. Kasi ako, I can't barely stand a single minute wearing those kind.

I am so in love with this girl, and her outfits as well, na hindi ko kayang isuot sa sarili. Hindi siya kagandahan at hindi rin kaseksihan, but she'll definitely rock every clothes she puts on. Sobrang gaan niya pang kausap, I'll definitely trade something just to be able to have a chit-chat with her, sadyang nakakahawa 'yong kadaldalan niya. Yong tipong nakakalimutan ko na kabilang pala ako sa introvert society?

"Wait... wala pa ba 'yong mga partners ninyo?" Bumaling siya kay Mia na ngayon ay mas pinili ng tumahimik, pero nakabusangot parin.

Nagkibit-balikat ako bilang sagot, hindi ko rin naiintindihan kung bakit wala pang lumalapit sa amin ngayon, samantalang kanina pa nagpe-pairing 'yong iba.

"Trish, matanong ko lang... is it possible na hindi naisama 'yong mga names namin sa naging bunutan?" Bulong ko.

Tumawa siya bago sumagot. "What? No! your names were all screened bago inilagay sa box. May committee para do'n, at sure ako na chineck nila 'yon isa-isa," pagkaklaro niya.

"Kung gano'n, ba't wala pang lumalapit sa'min?" panandalian akong nag-isip. "Posible kayang nag back-out sila last minute? kasi hindi nila kami type?"

"Silly! There you go again with those thoughts... you just don't know how guys were lur... nah! never mind, hindi karin naman maniniwala."

Ngumuso ako at tinakpan ng dalawa kung kamay ang magkabila kung tenga. I don't want to hear those lines, buti nalang at hindi na niya itinuloy.

"If you don't mind Gywn, may I ask what's your pen name? At sa'yo narin, Miss...?" she turns to Mia while uttering those words.

"Si Mia nga pala Trish, sorry hindi ko kaagad na introduce."

"It's okay... So, will you trust me enough to lend me the info?"

"MIKAELA FUENTES..." itinuro ko si Mia, "MELODY BUSA..." as I point a finger to myself.

Napaawang ang bibig ni Patricia at napalunok pagkatapos.

"Bakit Trish, does it sounded familiar? Did some guys in your batch mentioned those names? Care to share some secrets with us? Since we already broke ours to you..." tanong ni Mia na may halong pag-aakusa.

I glared at her, I feel offended for Trish. "Mia..." sabat ko.

"Nagtatanong lang. She's a Senior right? At part pa siya ng committee. So there's a strong possibility na kakilala niya rin," she added in a serious tone.

"I get your point, but you don't have to be rude, you could have just politely ask her, since nag offer siyang tumulong." as I explained.

"Sorry! My bad, medyo bad trip lang..." umiwas si Mia ng tingin.

Ngumiti muna si Trish bago sumagot, "It's okay...I completely understand. And if any consolation, maaaring tama ka Mia. I think... I already heard it from some random guys in my batch. But not so sure! I might as well confirmed it first, before jumping into conclusion."

We nodded in response at sabay na nag thank you sa kanya.

"So, pa'no? I'll go and check on the others muna? Titingnan ko rin kung sino-sino ang walang kapareha, so we could start the proper program. And one more thing girls...please don't allow someone or an asshole for that matter to ruin your night. This comes once in a lifetime, so you got to have fun. I promise, I'll get back to you after doing what needs to be done.

Maya maya ay nagsalita na ang host na nasa stage, magsisimula na raw ang programme after 10 minutes, pero wala paring lumalapit sa amin.

"G-gwyn..." si Mia na mukhang nagpa-panic habang sinisiko ako.

"Ano na naman?" Naiinis narin ako sa ka praningan ng babaeng ito.

"Nakikita mo ba 'yong nakikita ko?"

Bumaling ako sa direksiyon na tinitingnan niya and then I saw Trish coming towards us.

"That's Trish..." magkaharap na ulit kami.

"Yong mga tao sa likod niya ang tinutukoy ko."

Ibinalik ko ang paningin doon at nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa nakita. Oh no! This is not happening... this cannot be! Mga salitang gusto kong pakawalan, ngunit nanatiling tikom ang aking bibig.

"I know what's on your mind right now, but don't you dare say it Gwyn... cause I won't allow it to happen. As in never!" Naibulalas niya.

I got tongue tied again, habang palipat lipat ang tingin between Mia and the guys next to Patricia