Holding on to His Promises

Chapter 4: First Dance

"Everybody, listen!" Mrs. Panganiban, our adviser, said when she entered our room, so our attention shifted to her. "I will announce every individual's partner in your upcoming JS Prom Night tomorrow, so listen carefully because I will not repeat myself again. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am!" we all replied.

"All right . . ." Everybody was listening carefully to her announcement, waiting for their name to be said by Mrs. Panganiban. "Jennifer Delos Reyes and Jacob Paras . . . Ellise David and Elijah Peralta . . . Kumi Fujimori and Prince Charls Montemayor . . . "

"I don't know what's the basis of Mrs. Panganiban in picking partners. Pero sana ako ang partner ni Storm," dinig kong bulungan sa likuran ko.

"Maybe by height?"

"Maybe . . ."

"Demi Frances and Storm Dylan Hunt." Napatigil ang ilan nang marinig namin iyon.

Wow! I was Dylan's partner. What a coincidence! A smiled formed on my lips in gladness. Naibaling ko ang tingin ko kay Dylan na ngayon ay nakatingin din sa akin. I showed him a thumbs-up. He just wore a half smile.

Mrs. Panganiban announced more names and then some reminders regarding the Prom Night before she finally dismissed the class. Only few were complaining about their partners while some girls were dismayed by not having their crushes, especially Storm Dylan, as their partner.

Dylan and I left the room together and waited for their family driver to come. Nakikisabay lang ako sa kanya sa pag-uwi at maging sa pagpasok dahil may tagahatid-sundo siya.

"I'm so glad that you are my partner. Our girl classmates are annoying," he said.

"But you know what, you should be nice to them. They love you so much. Don't you know that?"

Natahimik siya. Kasabay din niyon ang pagdating ng isang itim na kotse, which was his service. We both hopped in the car.

"Mang Jimmy, pakidaan po sa mall," Dylan said to his driver.

"Why?" kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya.

"We're gonna buy clothes for the Prom Night. Do you have a gown already?"

I shook my head and smiled at him, "Why? Bibilhan mo ba ako?" I joked.

"Yes." He smirked at me.

"Woah! Are you serious?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko. Ba't ba ang hilig manlibre ng lalaking 'to? Ang mahal kaya ng gown. Sabagay, barya lang naman sa mga Hunt 'yon. I was so lucky to have a giver best friend like him.

He didn't answer, so it was a "yes."

Nang makarating kami sa mall, dumiretso kami sa isang boutique ng mga tuxedo para pumili at bumili muna ng para sa kanya. Mas malapit kasi ang boutique na 'yon kaysa sa mga gown kaya ako na rin ang nag-insist na mauna siya.

"Dylan, here! Bagay 'to sa 'yo" sabi ko sa kanya nang makita ko ang isang pulang tuxedo na parang pangprinsepe ang disenyo.

"Yes, ma'am. Maganda po 'yan para kay Sir," the sales lady agreed with me.

Lumapit naman si Dylan sa akin at tinitigan ang tuxedo na sinasabi ko. Kinuha ko iyon. "Try mo!" sabi ko sa kanya at tinulak siya papunta sa fitting room.

"Alright. I know. You don't need to push me," masungit na sabi niya, sabay kuha sa akin ang tuxedo at pumasok sa fitting room. Sungit talaga.

"Ma'am, pwede pong mag-artista yung kasama niyo," chika sa akin ng sales lady. Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya.

"I think so. He's very talented. But ate, he covers songs po. Check niyo yung YouTube channel niya."