All that Matters (Absinthe Series 3)

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

All That Matters

Nile still held my gaze after their song. Amidst the round of applauses, mas nangibabaw ang tibok ng puso ko. He was the first one to look away and bowed at the crowd. Nang bumalik ang ilaw, wala na sila doon sa stage.

There was a moment of pause before the function hall was table-free. The middle of the function hall was free for the dances up until the midnight. Umakyat ako ng stage at sinamahan ang mga MC doon upang magbigay ng lista ng Prom King and Queen. Everyone was already at the middle and dancing to the slow song.

I gave the list to the emcees. Doon ako pumwesto sa gilid at inabangan na lamang ang anunsiyo. I was the one assigned to give the awards, though.

" Hey." napatalon ako sa gulat nang may humawak sa aking baywang. My heart hammered when my eyes found Nile's delphic ones. We were at the secluded part of the stage so he wasn't that visible to anyone. Bahagya akong umatras at hinarap siya.

I wore my biggest smile at him. " Hey."

" You look beautiful." Namula ako sa kaniyang puri. Hinawakan ko ang kaniyang balikat at pinagpag iyon kahit wala namang dumi. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya.

" You don't look so bad yourself." bullong ko. Bahagya akong lumayo sa kaniya upang mapakinggan kung nag-aannounce na ba. So far the emcees are still entertaining the people.

" You sang that song well!" puri ko sa kaniya. Nile just smirked at me. I couldn't help but notice his subtle caress on my waist. I felt flattered that he made me feel a little bit beautiful tonight. Sino ba namang hindi. He's just showing me his full attention!

Bahagya niyang inilapit ang mukha sa akin at pinatakan ng halik ang aking ilong. Napasinghap ako at agad siyang sinuway.

" Nile!"

Humalakhak siya at bahagya na akong itinulak palayo sa kaniya. " Talk to you later, Sweet pea. The announcement…" he trailed. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at agad na bumalik sa stage. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. They were just about to announce it. Nobody seems to notice that I was gone for a little rendezvous.

Bumalik ako sa stage. I held the sash for the best dress of the night. Ngumiti lamang ako nang marinig ang pangalan ni Arunika. She stepped up the stage and claimed her award. Ako ang nagsabit ng sash sa kaniya. She gave me a tight smile before posing for the camera.

" Congrats." sabi ko na lamang. She did not say anything. Umalis agad siya sa stage at pumunta sa mga bago niyang kaibigan. I couldn't blame her if she acts this way. We both know our friendship didn't end up well. Sometimes, I don't know if paano ko nakayang kulang kami ng isa sa aming grupo. Alam ko, mali rin yung ginawa niya, but I couldn't help but feel sad that what we had was gone now. Hindi na iyon maibabalik.

The Prom King was announced. Sobrang daming pumalakpak nang pangalan ni Trance ang nabanggit. He came up the stage. Hinawakan ko nang maigi ang kaniyang korona. He smirked when he saw me. Hindi ko alam kung para saan iyon pero hindi ko na lang pinansin. Maybe, he did notice me after all. Kaibigan siya ni Nile, of course he knows. And he also knew that I had huge crush on him, before. That was before maybe he still feel like I still like him.

Yumuko siya nang bahagya nang inilagay ko na sa ulo niya ang korona. He was taller than me even with my heels so I had to adjust for him. Nahigit ko ang aking hininga nang mahawakan niya ang aking kamay nang muntik nang mahulog ang korona.

Again, I saw his smirk.

" C-congrats." I stuttered. I gave him a tight smile before we posed for a picture. He stayed up on stage waiting for the Prom Queen to be announced. Some were betting on Camila, and there she was smiling, expecting the same too.