The Cultural Fair week had finally arrived. The campus was glowing with colorful banners, booths, and endless crowds. Students buzzing. Performers rehearsing. Tension rising.
And somewhere in the middle of all that…
Yeshin and Xavio’s duet was the most anticipated performance.
---
Earlier that day…
Yeshin was prepping her makeup at the backstage corner when Huevon appeared, holding a bouquet of white daisies.
“Para sa’yo.”
Yeshin smiled, surprised. “Von… ang cute mo.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “I just wanted to say… good luck. I’m proud of you.”
“Aww. Thank you.” She held the bouquet gently.
“But also…” Huevon’s smile faded a little. “I need to tell you something after your performance. Promise me you’ll listen?”
She tilted her head. “Is it serious?”
“Yeah,” he said, looking her straight in the eyes. “Very.”
Before she could ask more, Crisantie called her.
“Yesh! Ready na kayo!”
---
Backstage…
Xavio approached her. “You okay?”
She nodded, but her thoughts were spinning. Between Huevon’s serious tone and Xavio’s sudden softness this past week, she didn’t know what her heart was doing anymore.
“Let’s give them a show they’ll never forget,” he whispered.
---
On stage…
Lights dimmed. Crowd cheered. Spotlight hit.
Cue music.
Their voices blended like they were meant to. Every harmony, every lyric—electric. Like they weren’t performing anymore.
They were telling a story.
“I held your hair back when you were throwing up…”
Xavio looked at her—not as part of the act.
But like he meant it.
Yeshin’s throat tightened. No. This is just a duet. Just a plan…
“I knew I loved you then, but you'd never know…”
Her voice cracked slightly.
The crowd didn’t notice.
But Xavio did.
And he reached for her hand—unscripted.
She froze. He held it anyway.
Heartbeats thundered between them.
Then—applause.
Curtains fell.
And everyone stood.
---
Backstage chaos.
Everyone was cheering, teachers clapping, students filming. Yeshin tried to step away but—
“Yeshin!”
Atasha appeared.
Face unreadable.
“Congrats,” she said through gritted teeth. “Great acting.”
Yeshin didn’t reply. She just walked past her, but not before whispering, “Thanks. I learned from the best.”
Atasha’s eyes darkened.
---
Outside the auditorium...
Huevon was waiting.
Still holding one last envelope.
“Von,” Yeshin smiled gently, still in her performance dress.
He swallowed hard. “Can we talk now?”
But before she could answer, Xavio appeared again, holding two bottled waters.
“I figured you’d need this,” he said, handing her one.
Yeshin looked between them.
Huevon. Xavio.
The boy who always cared...
And the boy who was supposed to be a lie—yet suddenly felt dangerously real.
She took the water from Xavio, then looked at Huevon.
“I’ll find you later, okay?”
Huevon gave a tight smile, hiding the sting.
“Sure,” he said softly.
But inside… he knew.
He was already too late.
---
To be Continued...
VOCÊ ESTÁ LENDO
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