Thalia's P.O.V

Matapos ang napaka hiyang grand entrance ko, tumuloy na kami ni Apollo at Eros sa party at buti nalang walang estudyanteng nakakita sa napakahiyang pangyayaring iyon, ngunit minalas naman ako sa heels ko at mukhang papatayin ako ni ate sa pag-uwi ko sa nasirang heels niya.

Our friends greeted us with delight but when

"Ito Thalia, yan lang spare shoes ko." Michelle said as she gave me a nice pair of white sneakers.

"Okay nato ano ka ba. Salamat." Sabi ko sa kaibigan ko habang isinusuot ang puting sapatos.

Pilit kung isinuot ang sapatos ni Michelle ngunit hindi talaga iyon kakasya sa paa ko. Nakita ito ni Michelle at mabilis niyang kinuha ang sapotos palayo sa akin.

"My god Thalia, kung hindi talaga itinadhana sa iyo huwag mo nang pilitin." She grumbled.

"Sorry sorry." Humingi ako ng tawad, ngumiti naman si Michelle pagkatapos.

"Here, try this." Anang tinig ng isang babae sa likod ko. "I think we have the same shoe size."

Lumingon ako at nakita si Selena. Nagulat ako sa get-up niya at sa kulay ng gown at maykap sa mukha niya. Para siyang isang nabyudang Ariana Grande na namatay at nabuhay ulit, pero ang ganda parin niya kahit ganito ang gusto niyang theme sa gabing ito.

"...Thank you, Sel." I hesitated, nasa isip ko na baka mayroong galit siya sa akin dahil ka-date ko jowa niya sa gabi na ito.

Kinuha ko ang black and white sneakers sa kamay niya at sinubukan itong isuot sa kamay ko. Nagulat akong nagkasya ito sa mga paa ko, medyo may pagkasikip lamang.

"Oh, bakit tense ka?" Biglang tinanong ako ni Selena.

"Um, kasi..." Naitigil ako sa pagsasalita nang sumingit siya sa akin.

"—Sa tingin mo galit ako sayo?" She smiled unexpectedly.

"Kumalma ka nga, I'm mad at Apollo, not you. You proved yourself trustworthy when you didn't kiss him that day." She articulated with poise.

I laughed awkwardly but internally, I was grateful that she was not mad at me. Sanay na akong makitang ang mga ganito sa mga penikula na nag-aaway ang dalawang babae pero mukhang hindi ito ang nangyayari sa aming dalawa ni Selena. Problema na yan ni Apollo.

"Has the dancing started yet? Late na kami nakarating dito, eh." Apollo walked up to us so casually and with so much confidence I was in awe at him.

Napatingin ako kay Selena and her face instantly changed to a poker face once she saw Apollo. Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Apollo at pati siya nagbago ang expresyon ng mukha niya nang nakita niya si Selena.

"Apollo," Selena said coldly. "Nice to see you."

Apollo gulped and said, "Hi, uh, nice to see you too."

Nagtinginan kami ni Michelle, para kaming kawawang sundalo na nagitnaan ng isang malaking gyera. Nakahinga na kami ng maigi nang dumating na sila Eros at Charles at tumungo na kami sa assigned table namin.

As the party continues, napaupo ako sa lamesa dahil sumasakit na ang paa ko sa pagtayo, pati kaluluwa ko napagod na din sa lahat ng socialization na ginawa namin. I breathed once my butt touches the soft cushion of my seat. Naka tingin-tingin nalang ako sa kanila habang inumpisahan na nila ang dancing part ng party.

But then my eyes landed on the unrealistically handsome Eros.

I still couldn't believe that Eros went daring on choosing his outfit for tonight. He's a walking mafia boss who chose violence tonight. Every now and then, when the upperclassmen give their inspirational speeches or introduce some games and entertainment for the night, I quickly take a little sneak peek of his exposed chest.

"Beh, wag masyadong maglaway dyan, baka babahain tayo dito." Michelle suddenly teased. She sat on the empty seat beside me.

I rolled my eyes and looked at her, she was smiling from ear to ear while she was eating a bag of chips.

"Bakit ang laki ng ngiti mo dyan, para kang baliw." Napasabi ko sa kanya.

"Kasi klarong-klaro sa pagmumukha mong gusto mo si Eros. Pero ang pinili mong date ngayon ay si Apollo." She started.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I was Team Apollo before pero ngayon na nakita na kita at kung gaano ka nagbago in a good way, I know and you know what your heart wants." She added. Parang isang anghel na gumagabay sa akin, muling binigyan ng klaro ni Michelle ang situasyon ko.

"All I'm saying is, there's a difference between a crush and love." She said like a final blow to my consciousness.

"It's not that easy to accept Michelle. Oo, mahal ko na si Eros pero dahil sa reputasyon niya, alam kung hindi siya iaacecpt nila mama at papa, lalo na si kuya." Aniko.

Suddenly, Selena joined in on our conversation and sat on the other vacant seat beside me. She sighed and offered me a corn dog skewed on a stick. I took it and started to eat it.

"I feel you, Thalia. Takot kang madisappoint ang mga mahal mo sa buhay sa mga desisyon mo kaya naging masunurin ka nalang." Said a very calm yet scary Selena Aphrodite.

"But one thing a learn as I go on living is that disappointments fade and life goes on." Selena went on.

Finally, I spoke, saying, "Bakit kayo ganito, ang inspirational, iiyak ako neto eh!"

The three of us laughed, this night and this party made me connect with these two beautiful ladies, they were literally my guide into perusing a better path to myself.

"I believe in GanTrioXy supremacy!" Michelle suddenly stood up and shouted, but thankfully the music was too loud that her voice was overlapped by it.

"Para kang baliw." Selena pulled Michelle down back to her seat.

"Buti nalang malakas ang music kundi namatay na kami ni Selena sa hiya." I chimed in.

Selena and I laughed pero nung nakita namin si Michelle at ang mga nangyayari sa paligid namin, biglang nawala ang kasiyahan sa mga mukha naming dalawa.

With a serious look, Michelle said, "Speaking of music."

All of a sudden, the upbeat music from before slowed down and when Michelle jerked her head towards a specific location, we saw the three boys walking towards us. I knew what was going to happen.

"Thalia, can I have this dance?" Apollo smiled and offered his hand.

Besides me, Eros did the same with Selena.

****

Apollo's P.OV

"Thalia, can I have this dance?" I said to the incredibly beautiful lady in red in front of me.

"...Yeah, sure." She thankfully said. She took my hand and I guided her to the dance floor.

Hinanda ko na sa bulsa ko ang kwintas naibibigay ko sa kanya pero naghihintay pa ako nang tamang panahon para dito.

I placed my hand on her waist and she placed her hand on my shoulders. Like a scene in a beautiful movie, we danced under the huge crystal chandelier.

Although the moment was beautiful, one look in her eyes and I know something was up. Parang may hesitation sa mga mata niya at iniiwasan niya ako.

"Thalia, may problema ba?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

She stopped dancing and looked up, saying, "Apollo, let's end this. Whatever that's happening and what's about to happen, let's end it."

Although those series of words would sting to anyone, yet I stood and didn't feel anything.

"This is a one-sided love isn't it?" I asked. She slowly shook her head.

"I don't even think this is love, Apollo." Baling niya sa akin. "Naguguluhan ka lang."

"Pero gusto kita, alam ko yon sa puso ko. I truly, deeply, like you Thalia." I declared. But she once again shook her head.

"There's a difference between a simple crush and love Apollo." She replied. "I'm here to straighten you up."

"May isang babaeng mahal na mahal ka niya, and you just set her aside like her feelings were nothing. She is your girlfriend and I am just your crush, Apollo." Aniya.

"Ayokong maging hadlang sa inyong dalawa, kaya ako na ang lalayo, ako na ang titigil. Ako na rin ang titino sa utak mo at sabihin sayo kung ano ang ginagwa mong mali sa buhay mo." She continued.

Thalia opened a door that was once closed before. I had an epiphany. There is a difference between a crush and love and somehow in some dumb way, I mixed it up and blindly believed that my spontaneous affection towards Thalia was the same, even more than what I felt towards Selena the first time we met. But I was wrong, and it took me all this time and Thalia's interference to realize what I had and what I lost.

Ang storya namin ni Thalia ay isang halimbawa ng isang pinagtagpo ngunit hindi itinadhana.

"I'm sorry Apollo, I liked you but I love someone else." Finally, she said it. Alam na alam ko kung sino ang taong ito.

She was on the verge of tears and I remembered that Thalia is not good at anything confrontational. All I could in thanking her is to hug her, and I did.

"Thank you." Bulong ko sa kanya.

Out in the corner of my eye, I saw Selena looking at us while we were hugging. She was in tears while she was looking at us. Alam kung aalis na siya, alam kung hindi na niya kinaya nung nakita niya na sumasayaw kami ni Thalia. She was at the tipping point before and now, seeing us, she's at the end of herself.

"Hanapin mo na siya, Thalia. Alam kung sabik na kayong dalawang magkita kasi ilang araw na kayung hindi nagkasama dahil saken." I said one last time before I let her go and chase after Selena.

Sinundan ko siya paakyat hanggang sa umabot na kami sa roof ng hotel. Tumigil siya sa pagtakbo at hinarap ako.

"Ano ba?! Bakit nandito kapa! Doon ka kay Thalia! Siya ang mahal mo diba? Siya yung pinili mo." She screamed habang hawak niya ang mala patalim na heels na tinanggal niya kanina.

"Just calm down Selena," I said.

"Anong calm down?! Pagod na akong masaktan! Pagod na akong pinaikotikot sa mga lalaking katulad mo!!" Aniya.

Dahan-dahan ko siyang nilapitan, ngunit dahan-dahan din siyang lumalayo sa akin. I was scared that she might jump off the rooftop or stab me with her dagger heels so I was being careful with my decision.

"Selena, I'm sorry. I was blinded by my stupid spontaneous affection towards Thalia and lost you. I know that you're hurt and feel betrayed because of what I did, but if you just come to me, we'll fix this, we'll fix us." I declared. Slowly moving towards her, and when I saw that she wasn't moving away from me, I was happy.

"Mayroon pa bang tayo Apollo? I can forgive you but the trust is gone. Everything I had hoped our relationship could be was gone when you chose her and not me." She said, crying as she stood there looking at me.

If looks could kill, I would've been dead once I saw the pain and hurt that I've caused to her.

"But I have got to commend you, ikaw lang yung lalaking alam ko na gusto ayusin ang nasira na." She smiled.

"Then let me fix this, let me fix us, Selena," I said as I raise my arms towards her.

"Wait, ako na ang pinili mo? Are you sure? Akala ko si Thalia na bakit ako na ang pinili mo?" Naitanong niya sa akin.

"Thalia told me just enough for my eyes to finally see what I had back then and how I stupidly ruined everything. The both of us came to a conclusion that we were never meant to be." Aniko.

Once she took raised her hand it felt like I've one everything in life but when she hesitated everything started to crumble.

"I will forgive you but you have to start all over again."

"Kahit na liligawin kita ulit, gagawin ko yon. Ang laki ng naging kasalanan ko sayo ngunit pinatawad mo parin ako. Thank you."

With the moon and the stars as the witnesses, and the moonlight on our skin, we kissed and started all over again.

****

Thalia's P.O.V

Panay ang hanap ko kay Eros, ngunit hindi ko siya makita. As the performers on stage continue to sing, I continued on searching for the man I love.

Then all of a sudden, I heard his voice.

"I would like to dedicate this part of this song to this special girl tonight."

I turned around and saw Eros on stage with a band behind him. He was the one singing the slow song we've been dancing to, I don't know when and I don't know how but all I know is, I finally found him.

Darling, when I'm fast asleep
I've seen this person watching me

Eros sang, his voice was smooth and angelic. I slowly walk towards the stage, completely unaware that he can sing and that this was happening. Hinaharanahan ako ni Eros.

Saying, "Is it worth it? Is it worth it? Tell me, is it worth it?"

Wala na akong pake sa mga tao na tumitingin sa akin o kay Michelle na panay ang sigaw sa gilid. The crowd opened and there was a pathway for me to walk towards Eros.

Guess there is something, and there is nothing
There is nothing in between

Eros jumped down the platform with two wireless mics in hand as he continues to sing. She handed me one and said, "Will you help me continue this song?"

I nodded and we sang together.

And in my eyes, there is a tiny dancer
Watching over me,

We both sang and harmonized, my heart fluttered as I look into his eyes and fell completely in love with him, his eyes tell the same story.

He's singing,
"She's a, she's a lady,

I sang but surprisingly Eros didn't. He just looked at me as I sang. Knowing where the lyrics were heading I knew what he was doing.

"And I am just a boy"

I stopped just in time. He sang the line beautifully. Tagos puso ang dama ng pagkanta niya.

He's singing, "She's a, she's a lady,"

I closed my eyes and sang with everything emotion that I had. I opened my eyes to see him but I was surprised by what I was seeing.

"And I am just a line without a hook"

Eros was starting to look pale and sweats were starting to form on his forehead. His eyes tells me that he was in pain. I knew it was his disease.

But before I could reach to him and assist him someone pulled my arm. I turned around to face this person and saw my brother.

"Thalia?! Anong kalukohan ito?! And with him out of all people!" He fumed, I forgot that he and my sister were present at the party.

"Mac, wag dito. Maraming tao." Ate Nienie tried to pull my brother away but he just yanked her arm away from her.

"Alam mo bang gaano kadelikado ang Eros na yan?! Gamitin mo naman yang utak mo Thalia! Mag-isip ka na naman!" He yelled.

Napatingin ako sa paligid at lahat ng mga estudyante naka tingin sa amin. Nahinga ako dahil sa ginawa ni kuya, ang saya na nga ng lahat pero sinira niya, at dahil don, nagalit ako sa kanya.

"Bakit ang overprotective mo sa akin!! May nangyari ba sa iyo before at ganito ka sa akin?! News flash kuya hindi na ako bata, matanda na ako!" I snapped.

"Over protective ako sayo dahil ayaw kung mangyari ang nangyari kay Ate Nienie nuon!!" He said.

I was taken aback by what he said. Napatingin ako kay ate but she was avoiding eye contact, she was looking on the floor, crying.

"...A—Ano? Anong nangyari? Ate? Anong nangyari sayo?"

All of the chaos distracted me from what I was defending and protecting.

"Thalia tama n—"

I heard Eros's voice and a loud thump on the ground followed by everybody screaming. I turned around and saw Eros laying on the floor. Motionless.

END OF KABANTA TWENTY-THREE

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TO BE CONTINUED