Prom came.

Nagsimula nang mapuno ng mga estudyante ang venue. I could see everyone from the platform I was seated. Yes, dahil panauhing pandangal si Mommy sa gabing ito ay may designated seat siya closer to the stage. Doon ako syempre iginiya ng mga organizer. Lahat ng lumalapit sa akin ay humahanga akong pinagmamasdan at pinupuri, ang iba naman ay sinisiguradong ayos lang ako. They would make sure I had water and snacks within my reach kung sakaling gutumin ako sa buong gabi. May mga program pa kasi bago ang kainan.

"Ayos ka lang ba diyan, Kali?" Tanong ni Mrs. Esteban nang lapitan ako. She was our high school principal, matanda na ito pero malakas at maliksi pa rin. She smiled warmly at me.

"Opo," I answered timidly.

"Mga bodyguard mo ba ang nasa labas?" Sinulyapan nito ang ilang unipormadong lalaki na nakabantay sa buka na ng hall.

Napanguso ako bago tumango. I didn't really like being followed. Yes, ang kapal ng mukha kong sabihin iyan samantalang tahasan ang mga pagsunod na ginagawa ko kay LA. Pero si Mommy kasi ang may gusto na meron ako niyan.

"Sige," ngumiting muli ang ginang. "Padadalhan ko rin ng pagkain mamaya kapag nagsimula na ang kasiyahan."

"Hindi na po," awat ko kasabay ng pag-iling. "They have their food rationed. Hindi rin po sila puwedeng tumanggap ng pagkain basta-basta part ng protocol nila kaya huwag na lang po kayo mag-abala."

Tumango si Mrs. Esteban, magsasalita pa sana nang may tumawag sa kaniya mula sa bulwagan. She excused herself gracefully, leaving me alone at my table. I glanced around, my fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the table as I took in the scene.

Unti-unti nang nagsisimula ang gabi. Students were pouring in, dressed in their finest, some gathered near the photo booth, others scattered around the room chatting in small groups. Napupuno na ng usapan at kasiyahan ang paligid. Kilala ko naman ang iba sa kanila kahit na mas matatanda sila sa akin dahil kami-kami lang rin naman ang nagkikita sa mga social gathering, ang iba pa sa kanila ay nakatatandang kapatid ng mga kaklase ko. I could see people taking pictures, adjusting their dresses and tuxedos, bigla akong napangiti at naisip kung paano kami ng mga kaibigan ko kapag prom na namin. It would be an exciting night for all of us. Parang ngayon lang...

Too bad LA won't be here to see me tonight, looking my very best, I thought bitterly, my earlier enthusiasm fading a little. I had really hoped he'd see me, just once, dressed in a gown that screamed sophistication and elegance. Ilang beses kong sinipat ang aking sarili sa harap ng salamin kanina, and I didn't look so bata na. Gusto kong makita ako ni LA sa ganitong ayos.

I sighed and turned my attention back to the ballroom, trying to enjoy the evening despite the disappointment of knowing LA wouldn't be here. Mamaya ay makikipagsayaw ako, kahit sa mga kaklase lang niyang narito at ibang kakilala para hindi naman gaanong boring.

I thought, trying to focus on something positive. But just as I settled into my seat, something caught my eye.

A figure entered the room, tall and familiar. My heart skipped a beat. No... it can't be.

Sabi niya hindi siya pupunta?

Sinabi ng mga kaklase niya, 'di ba?

But then... Pinagmasdan ko siya habang papasok ng venue. His signature calm, composed expression never faltering. Mukha rin siyang bored na bored at tila ba hindi niya talaga gusto na narito siya. Bakit nga ba siya narito? O baka naman sa labis na kagustuhan kong narito siya ngayong gabi ay imagination ko na lang ang gumagawa ng paraan.

But there was no mistaking it—LA was there, in the flesh, in a sharp tuxedo that seemed tailored perfectly for him. My heart leaped for a moment, but then my excitement quickly fizzled when I saw who was in his arms.

Hindi si Catherine Merced.

It was her—his best friend, Andrea, the girl I had always dismissed as nothing more than a nerd. But I had to blink and squint to make sure it was really her. Without her usual thick-rimmed glasses and with makeup accentuating her features, she looked different. Beautiful, even.

I couldn't believe it. I sat there, staring at them as they entered the ballroom together, Andrea's arm lightly looped through LA's as if she belonged there. And maybe she did. She was confident, smiling slightly as she walked beside him, her simple but elegant dress catching the light in just the right way.

Alam ko naman na mas maganda ako sa kaniya pero nakakainis dahil siya ang kasama ni LA at hindi ako kaya talo pa rin ako.

I sat there, trying to keep my emotions in check as I watched LA and Andrea glide across the dance floor. The cotillion had started, and soon the ballroom was filled with couples dancing, laughter and music swirling around them. My eyes, however, stayed locked on LA and Andrea. Their first dance together. She looked so at ease in his arms, nakakainis. Hindi sila bagay kaya naiinis ako. Kami ni LA ang bagay.

I pursed my lips, trying to ignore the knot of frustration tightening in my chest. I knew I looked better than Andrea, that much was clear. My custom gown was flawless, my makeup perfectly done. Yet, there she was—his date, the one he had chosen to bring. And no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, it stung.

It didn't matter how beautiful I felt tonight. The fact that I wasn't the one in LA's arms made it feel like I had already lost. Sana pala hindi na lang siya pumunta. Sana rin pala ay hindi na ako nagpumilit pumunta rito.

I watched the rest of the dance floor boredly, my eyes half-focused on the other couples swirling around the room. Sige pa rin sa pagsasayaw sina LA at Andrea, nakakainis dahil parang napakatagal naman isang tugtog na iyon. It was maddening, really—how effortless they looked together.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I stood up, deciding I needed a break. A drink. Anything to get away from the scene that was playing out in front of me. Iniwas ko na ang aking mga mata sa kanila. Sira na ang gabi ko at lahat ng pinangarap ko para sana ngayon ay bagsak na bagsak na. Kahit paano ay aaliwin ko na lang ang sarili ko mag-isa.

As I made my way toward the refreshment table, I could hear the laughter and chatter continuing around me, but it all felt like background noise. I was halfway there when I noticed someone approaching me from the side. Isa sa mga kaklase ni LA, hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano ang pangalan.

"Hi, Kali! Puwede ko na bang i-claim ang pangako mong sayaw?" he asked, his voice polite but clearly eager. Inilahad pa nito ang kamay sa aking harapan. "Besides, I told you... Hindi ka mabo-bored sa gabing ito."

I glanced down at his hand, hesitating for a moment. I had planned to just get a drink and regroup, but dancing might be a good distraction, right? And maybe it would take my mind off LA for a bit. I was about to accept when a voice from behind interrupted.

"No need to step in, Lemuel. I'm already here."

I froze, recognizing the voice instantly. LA.

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon para siguraduhin na siya nga iyon. And sure enough, there he was—LA, standing just behind me, his expression unreadable. His eyes flicked briefly toward Lemuel, who looked momentarily taken aback. Miski naman ako ay nabigla kasi ano bang ginagawa niya dito? Hindi ba nakikipagsayaw siya doon sa date niya na nerd?

LA's gaze settled back on me, kalmado at tila hindi natitinag. "I'll make sure she's enjoying herself."

Lemuel raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He gave me a small, slightly awkward smile before backing off, clearly aware that LA wasn't going to let him claim that dance. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko. Kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman.

"Well, alright then," Lemuel said with a shrug, stepping back to let LA take over. "I'll leave her in your hands."

LA didn't respond, but his piercing gaze didn't leave mine as Lemuel walked away. Hindi ko na rin ito nagawang lingunin pa dahil para bang kung aalisin ko ang aking tingin kay LA. For a moment, I just stood there, stunned and unsure of what to say. LA was here, and now he was standing in front of me.

"Wala ka pang sinasayaw?" Tahimik niyang panimula.

I bit my bottom lip. Paano naman akong may isasayaw na iba, siya lang naman ang pinunta ko dito? I shook my head, twitching my lips. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero hindi ako makapagsalita.

"Gusto mong sumayaw?"

"Hm," nahihiya ata ako. Bakit hindi ko masagot ang simpleng tanong na iyon?

"Ayaw mo?" Mas naging malumanay ang kaniyang tinig.

Just as I was about to find my voice, the opening chords of Taylor Swift's Crazier floated through the speakers. Naghiyawan pa ang ibang mga estudyante, kani-kaniyang tulakan sa mga crush nila, ayaan na rin sa bulwagan. The gentle strumming of the guitar, the soft melody—it was almost perfect, like the universe was setting the mood for us. Okay, pinangarap ko nga ang gabing ito pero nang malaman kong hindi naman dadalo si LA ngayong gabi ay nawalan na ako ng pag-asa. But then, this happened.

I glanced at him, sigurado akong walang pakialam si LA sa kanta pero nakayuko pa rin siya sa akin at naghihintay ng magiging desisyon ko. He then simply offered his hand.

Doon naman nalipat ang aking mga mata. He was seriously asking me to dance with him. I stared at it for a moment—his hand was large, clean, and strong-looking, but there was a roughness to it, calloused in a way that showed he wasn't as polished as he appeared.

Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng aking puso nang tanggapin ko iyon. My hand, small and delicate by comparison, looked even tinier in his.

He didn't say anything, just led me gently to the dancefloor, weaving through the other couples with an ease that seemed so natural for him. Halos sa gitna kami napunta dahil marami rin ang sumiksik at gustong sumayaw. He turned to face me, his hand still holding mine as the other one settled lightly at my waist. Maingat ang paraan ng pagkakahawak niya sa akin na siyang lalo lamang nagpabilis ng kabog ng aking dibdib.

Nangyayari ito.

This was real.

Si LA at ako...

Nagsasayaw kami.

Hindi ito ang unang beses na sumayaw ako sa bulwagan. Pero sa lahat ng pagkakataong iyon ay si Daddy lamang ang kapares ko. He used to date me when I was little, and I always loved to pretend I was a princess. Marami akong gowns and dresses reserved for my weekend date with my father. Kahit saan ay isinasayaw niya ako. Kaya nga dapat ay hindi na ako nahihiyang ganito. Pero kasi... Iba ito. Iba itong kay LA.

Isama mo pa ang tutog sa dahilan kung bakit halos matunaw na lang ako sa labis na panlalambot.

I had always loved this song, but now, in this moment, dancing with LA, it felt like it meant something more. Siguradong magiging favorite ko na. Theme song na namin 'to!

I let myself fall into the music, my steps matching his as we moved together. For once, I didn't feel the pressure of trying to get his attention dahil husto niya akong tinititigan na para bang ako lang ang kaniyang nakikita. Sa akin lang siya sa mga sandaling ito. Sa akin lang.

"You like this song?" Tahimik niyang tanong na siyang ikinagulat ko. Hindi ko na kasi inaasahan pang magbubukas siya ng usapan para sa aming dalawa. Hindi na rin naman sana iyon kailangan.

But since he started it...

"Yeah," I admitted softly, my cheeks warming slightly. "I love it."

He didn't respond right away, but his gaze softened, and for the first time that night, I felt like he wasn't just dancing with me because he had to. There was something different in the way he held me, the way he moved in time with the music.

Bahala na.

Kahit ngayong gabi lang ay hahayaan ko ang sarili ko na mangarap.

"Akala ko hindi ka pupunta..."

"I changed my mind,"

"Akala ko rin... Sabi mo... Wala kang inimbitahan."

Dammit, Kali! Bakit naman tunog nagtatampo ako? Ano ba 'yan? Wala naman akong karapatan na magtampo kung may inimbitahan nga siya, 'di ba? I should be thankful na lang na isinasayaw niya ako ngayon at pinapansin.

LA was silent for a moment, and I could feel his gaze on me, but I couldn't bring myself to meet it. Instead, I focused on his tie, studying the small patterns in the fabric as if it was the most fascinating thing I had ever seen.

"Wala naman talaga akong plano," he murmured, and then, after a beat, he added in a quiet whisper, "But I figured you would need a babysitter."

My breath caught in my throat, and I looked up at him, my eyes wide. Did he just say that? I pursed my lips, trying to process what he meant. Alam kong nanunuya siya pero iba ang dating ng sinabi niyang iyon sa akin. For me, it seemed as though he came here because of me.

"D-dahil sa akin kaya ka nandito?" Yes, I had to voice that one out.

Hindi sumagot si LA. Ayaw kong matapos ang usapan kaya sinungitan ko siya kahit sa totoo lang ay biglang sumigla ang aking kalooban. Lahat ng lungkot na nararamdaman ko kanina ay tuluyan ng natabunan. God. This night was starting to turn better than I expected. Sana lang talaga ay magtuloy-tuloy. Promise, I will be at my best behavior.

"I don't need a babysitter," kunwari'y iritado kong sabi.

He raised an eyebrow, bahagya ring umangat ang sulok ng kaniyang mga labi. "Yes, you do."

"Hindi nga sabi, eh! Why would I need a babysitter?"

"Dahil kung walang magbabantay sa'yo ay kung kani-kanino ka lang mangako ng sayaw," he said simply. "Just because you can't say no."

I blinked, surprised by the observation. Akala ko noong nakaraan ay wala lang siyang pakialam nang ayain ako ng mga kaklase niya. Well, he acted like he didn't care. Tapos ngayon ay tandang-tanda niya iyon?

"That's not true! I—" I paused. I had, in fact, promised a few of his friends a dance. But that wasn't because I couldn't say no... was it? "I only agreed to dance with them because... well, it seemed polite. At isa pa, akala ko ay wala ka. Kung nagkataon nga ay boring naman kung hindi ako sasayaw, 'di ba?"

"Well, I'm here. Hindi mo na kailangan pang makipag-sayaw sa kanila."

My brows furrowed as I stared up at him, pilit akong sumisimangot dahil hindi ko na alam kung paano ko pa pakikibagayan ang kakaibang tibok ng aking puso. "I already promised—"

"You won't be dancing with anyone else tonight," he said firmly, cutting me off. His tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of finality to it that caught me off guard.

I swallowed, my heart skipping a beat at his words. "Bakit naman hindi?"

"Because," mabagal niyang sagot na para bang pinag-iisipan ng husto ang susunod na sasabihin, "you're with me now."

I swallowed hard, feeling my heart race as his words sank in. He had come to the prom for me. He didn't ask anyone else, and now, he was saying I wouldn't be dancing with anyone else either. My mind raced, but all I could do was nod. Totoo ba 'to? Kung hindi... Huwag muna sana akong magising.

Nang mapalitan ang music, akala ko ay bibitawan na ako ni LA. But I was wrong, he held me even closer. Nakita kong papalapit sa amin ang isa sa mga kaklase niya na nag-imbita sa akin noon ng sayaw. LA saw him coming too kaya mas sumungit ang itsura niya.

"LA—" I started, unsure of what to say, but he cut me off.

"Let them find his own dance partner." His voice was low, almost possessive, as if he was making sure no one else would come between us tonight. Ang sarap paniwalaan na nagkakatotoo nga ang pangarap ko para sa aming dalawa.

"Hm, para ka namang boyfriend kung umasta..." Mahina kong tukso.

LA's grip tightened slightly, and I could feel his body tense. Medyo kinabahan ako dahil hindi ko naman inaasahan na magkakaroon siya ng reaksyon sa sinabi kong iyon, much more na ganito pa. He scowled, his brows furrowing just a bit as he looked down at me, para ba niya akong pagagalitan. Sumobra naman ata ang daldal ko? Baka hindi ko dapat sinabi ang salitang boyfriend. Hindi ko dapat iyon binaggit siguro.

"What do you know about that kind of stuff?" May talim sa tanong niyang iyon. "Bakit? Nagka-boyfriend ka na ba at alam mo kung paano umasta ang ganoon?"

I blinked, surprised by the sudden change in his tone. There was something almost protective in the way he asked, but I couldn't tell if he was genuinely curious or just irritated. Gusto ko tuloy ngumiti kahit hindi ako sigurado kung dapat ba. Baka lalo kasi siyang mainis.

I looked up at him, shaking my head slowly. "No, I haven't had a boyfriend."

His scowl deepened, and his eyes narrowed slightly as if he was trying to figure out whether or not to believe me. "Then don't joke about it,"

Sungit naman! I bit my bottom lip, medyo natutuwa kasi ako sa usapan namin. I could sense the shift in the air between us—something about the way he was acting, holding me close, making it hard to believe this was the same LA who barely acknowledged me before. It almost felt like I was in a dream at ayaw ko na talagang magising.

"Hm," I sighed, still twitching my lips. "Alam mo ba na ipinagkakalat ko sa mga kaklase ko na boyfriend kita..."

Hindi ko sigurado kung nakarating na sa kaniya ang balita pero sa classroom namin ay alam ng lahat na gusto ko si LA, na boyfriend ko siya. Well, ang iba ay paniwalang paniwala, ang iba naman ay wala akong pakialam. I didn't know why I made that up. Siguro dahil ayaw kong may iba pa na magkagusto sa kaniya.

"Ang iba sa mga narito ay kapatid ng mga kaklase ko. They would talk... Panigurado. And if you keep dancing with me like this all night, they might just start believing it." Humagikgik ako, para akong kinikilig oras na paniwalaan nga iyon ng mga nakalatan ko ng fake news.

His jaw tightened, and for a second, I thought I might have pushed him too far. But instead of pulling away or getting annoyed, he simply looked at me with that same piercing gaze, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. He didn't look angry—just... intense.

"Boyfriend mo ko, huh?" he asked, his voice low, almost like he was daring me to confirm it.

I met his gaze, trying to keep my cool even though my heart felt like it might burst out of my chest.

"Sino naman sa tingin mo ang basta na lang maniniwala sa isang batang tulad ko?" I said, my lips twitching into a small smile. Kaya rin siguro malakas ang loob ko na sabihin na lang sa mga kaklase kong boyfriend ko siya ay dahil alam kong hindi naman nila iyon masyadong seseryosohin. "Pero kagaya nga ng sabi ko... Kung hindi mo ako bibitawan at hahayaan na makipagsayaw sa iba ay baka nga paniwalaan na nila iyon."

LA didn't say anything for a long moment, his eyes still locked on mine. I could feel the tension between us grow, and I wasn't sure if it was the good kind or the bad kind. Mas hinawakan pa niya ang aking mga bewang, doon ko lang rin natanto na halos hindi naman na kami sumasayaw dahil abala na kaming mag-usap at magtitigan na lang.

Napasinghap ako nang bahagya siyang lumapit sa akin, his lips close enough to my ear that I could feel his breath. "Then let them believe it."

My heart skipped a beat, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. Did he really just say that?

I glanced up at him, trying to gauge if he was serious or just messing with me, but his expression hadn't softened. He was dead serious.

"Dahil hindi ka makikipagsayaw sa iba ngayong gabi," mas dumilim ang kaniyang ekspresyon. "Tsaka mo na iyon subukang gawin sa sariling mong prom. This wasn't your night for that."

My heart pounded, my mind spinning from LA's words. He was serious—seriously okay with being my rumored boyfriend? I could barely process it.

I swallowed hard, my emotions running wild. The fact that LA was standing here with me, possessively telling me not to dance with anyone else... it was surreal. The music played on, but I had lost count of how many songs had passed. We danced quietly, exchanging a few soft words here and there, but mostly, we just swayed to the music, our bodies in sync. It felt too good to be real. Halikan ko ba siya para patunayan sa sarili ko na totoo nga ito?

Hm. Sobra naman na ata 'yan, Kali!

Hindi ko napigilang mapanguso nang huminto si LA nang mapalitan ang kanta. Ayaw ko pa kasi sanang matapos kahit pa nga ba ang haba na ng naging sayaw namin.

"Tapos na?" Malungkot kong tanong, halatang dismayado nang bitawan niya ako.

He looked down at me, raising an eyebrow. Malumanay siyang nagtanong. "Hindi ka pa ba pagod? Or maybe you want something to drink..."

I blinked, momentarily thrown off by the simple question. Wala na. Tuluyan ko nang nakalimutan ang pagod, uhaw at gutom. Lumingon ako sa paligid, marami pa rin naman ang sumasayaw sa bulwagan pero marami rin ang nakabalik na sa kani-kanilang mga lamesa upang kumain o 'di kaya ay doon mag kuwentuhan.

"Uh... sure," I mumbled, not really thirsty but not wanting to say no.

"I'll get it for you," LA said, glancing toward the refreshment table. "Just go back to your seat, and I'll bring it to you."

Pero ayaw kong mahiwalay sa kaniya. Tatalikod na sana siya nang umagapay ako. "I'll come with you,"

He gave me a look, clearly debating whether or not to argue, but he didn't stop me as we walked together toward the table where the non-alcoholic punch was set up. Iba si LA ngayong gabi dahil hindi niya ako iniignora. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Sana ganito palagi ang boyfriend ko sa akin.

As LA reached for a cup and began pouring the drink, I felt someone approach us from the side. I turned slightly and saw Carlos, one of my classmate's older brothers, walking up with a wide grin.

"Kali?" Masayang bati nito sa akin bago ako hagurin ng tingin. "I didn't expect to see you here. Wow, you look... beautiful tonight."

I smiled politely, trying not to seem too flustered. "Thanks, Carlos. You're not so bad yourself."

Hindi naman na iba si Carlos dahil ilang beses na rin akong nakapunta sa bahay nila kapag may group study or project na gagawin. Simula kinder kasi ay kaklase ko na ang kapatid nitong si Stephanie.

Carlos laughed, kakaiba ang tingin niya sa akin. Hindi sa nagmamaganda pero kabisado ko na ang ganoon. How many times have I received that kind of look from a guy? Medyo napataas lang ang aking kilay dahil alam kong may girlfriend itong si Carlos na kaklase rin nito. Hindi ko nga lang matandaan ang pangalan dahil hindi rin naman iyon mahalaga.

"How's your girlfriend?" Tanong ko na lang, bahagyang paalala na rin na may girlfriend ito.

"Well, I'm here with my Lira, but I have to say, you're stealing the spotlight. I mean, look at you!" Hindi pa rin nawala ang ngisi niya, ni hindi nagbago ang timpla.

I chuckled awkwardly, glancing back at LA, who was standing just a few feet away, his posture tense. He was focused on pouring the drink, but I could hear him hissing silently under his breath. Seloso pala itong boyfriend ko. Hm. Nakakatuwa naman na ngayon ay alam ko na kung paano siya. He might not be aware of it though.

"Would you care to dance?" Iminuwestra pa nito ang dance floor.

I smiled tightly, hoping to drive him away without being rude. "Maybe later, Carlos,"

"Alright, but don't forget. I'll be waiting."

With that, he finally walked away, leaving me standing next to LA, who was now handing me the cup of punch with a clenched jaw. His eyes were sharp, and his expression was even darker than before.

"You didn't have to entertain him," LA muttered, his voice low, barely restrained.

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit playful. "I was just being polite. Besides, I told him maybe later."

LA's eyes narrowed slightly, and he let out a quiet huff. "There's no 'later.'"

Seloso.

Selosong seloso.

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