I Heard You

Chapter 14: Prom

Ngumuso ako at umiling, "She's my fr—"

"Friend. Friend. Whatever. Dwight and I are friends too but I like hi—" Tinakpan niya ang bibig niya at umayos ng upo, "I mean...I could like him. Pwede. Pero hindi ko siya gusto! Pero ikaw, gusto mo si Savanna kahit friends kayo. Hindi naman imposible! Maybe you're still in-denial but...ugh! Don't be! Don't deny it! Hindi nakakatulong 'yan!"

Hindi na lamang ako sumagot. I felt down to hear her say she likes Dwight too. Bakit ba ang daming nagkakagusto doon? First, Savanna and now, Lady Kiana.

And am I just really being in-denial?

Umiling-iling ako. No. Si Lady Kiana ang gusto ko. Six years, Cryd! Remember the six long years!

"Wow." She said awed when we reached the venue. Sa isang resort na pagmamay-ari din ng owner ng university ang pinag-ganapan ng prom.

"Hindi ka kasali sa cotillion?" She asked. Umiling ako, inalok ako ng mga teachers namin noon pero ayoko kasing magpractice ng sayaw. It's not my thing.

"Partners kami ni Dwight." She pouted before looking up at me, "Do you think he likes Savanna?"

I shrugged. Ano namang alam ko doon? Maybe. Probably, he has feelings for her. It's not hard to like Savanna. She's a good girl. She has a big heart. She's brave, talented, and beautiful...

Pumila kami sa grupo ng mga estudyante para pumirma ng attendance. Some were taking pictures of us. I expected that since Lady Kiana's the queen bee. Though I admit, the attention's quite annoying.

I tried my best not to look around to find Savanna...

"Dude!" Tuwang-tuwa si Nico nang makita ako. Katabi niya ang girlfriend niyang si Reina na naniningkit nanaman ang mata sa akin.

"Hey." I smiled. Binati naman sila ni Lady Kiana at nagpakilala.

"Reina!" Tawag ni Velvet sa 'di kalayuan, hila-hila naman niya si Will na nag-aayos ng buhok. Ngumiti sila sa amin, "Si Savanna?"

"Nasa unahan sila nakapila ni Dwight eh." Ani Nico saka sumulyap sa akin at ngumisi. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.

"Ms. Visto!" Napalingon kami kay Ma'am Lim nang tumawag ito. Ngumiti siya sa amin at pinuri ang mga babae tapos ay sinabihan si Lady Kiana na sa hulihan pumila dahil syempre, siya ang reyna.

"Sorry. Dapat magkakasama kayo ng friends mo eh." Aniya nang pumirmi kami sa likuran. Umiling ako, "It's fine. They're busy with their dates too."

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan necessary na nasa likod ako. Look at the other girls, some of them are prettier than me."

"You're the queen." Ngisi ko. Kinurot niya ang aking tux, "And tonight, you're my king then."

Naiiling na lamang akong ngumiti. I'm happy that I finally got the chance to be with her. I was so sure I'll confess my love for Lady Kiana tonight. That's the real plan...before I met Savanna.

I don't know what to do now.

Ang tagal kong nagkagusto kay Lady Kiana. I spent my years stalking her accounts, gazing at her from a far. Kaso, dumating si Savanna...

Naisip ko tuloy ang mga sinabi ni Mommy kanina. Is it possible to like someone you just met? Is it really possible to like someone else even when I spent years crushing on Lady Kiana?

Shit.

Hindi pwede. Savanna and I are friends. It's better if we stay like that. She likes Dwight anyway.