XII

Ang nakalipas ay ibabalik natin

Ipapaalala ko sa’yo,

ang aking pangako na ang pag-ibig ko’y laging sa’yo

Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko.

- Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok ko, Moira [version]

***

THE program proper had already ended.

People were dancing around her. Some of the writers are also talking about their works and how gorgeous they are right now. But Infinity’s still looking at the void.

Suddenly, a hand blocked her vision. The hand is asking her for a dance. When her eyes met the owner of the hand, she was not even surprised.

"Why are you asking me to dance, sir? Your girlfriend might get angry." She asked.

"Cut the sir out, Infinity. We are practically friends. And Grace, as you can see." He points out in the direction where his girlfriend is surrounded by business people. A real social butterfly, well her name itself rings a bell to any people included in the social circle.

“Still, this isn't right. You should only dance with her.”

He smiled at her as if she said something that amused him.

"Infinity? Where are we? In the 18th century? Come on! Don't leave me hanging here." He’s a little playful today.

"Are you sure? What if suddenly ma’am Grace grabs my hair?" Although Infinity is serious, she delivers the sentence as if it were a joke.

"Nope. Grace is not like that.” He said as if he knew the fiancé well, and she was an angel descended from heaven.

Because he still hadn't removed the outstretched hand in front of her. He looked at her hand, then at her face. He once again gathered his million-dollar smile.

She was hesitant at first, but she reached out to him in the end.

He took her to the middle of the hall. It wasn't just the two of them dancing, but he felt that all eyes were on them.

It seems like they are judging her whole personality. As usual. They are dancing to the tune of Lady in Red, one of the classic slow dance songs.

"Congratulations."

"T-Thank you."

They are not that close but she can still feel the heat from his body.

"Who is Zeus?" He looked at her face when she asked who Zeus was. She doesn't want to name those emotions in his eyes. She shouldn't, but she can't help.

"M-My angel." She answered as simply as possible.

She did not receive any reply, but she felt he nodded to her response.

"They are so lucky to have you," he said suddenly, after a long silence between the two of them.

He didn't know whether to laugh at what he said.

"Yes indeed! They are so lucky to have me... But they already left me." She stopped her voice from cracking because of the tears that were coming. The corner of her eye was getting hot. "They left me too soon."

It seemed he understood what she meant.

"I'm sure they are watching and protecting you. They are your angels now." She just nodded in response.

The song was about to end, and she was about to return to her seat. But he doesn’t allow it to happen.

. 

"Let's continue dancing."

Infinity doesn’t know how to respond. And she is afraid to look at his face. She was afraid to see the emotions she could read in his face.

🎶 Kung tayo ay matanda na

Sana'y di tayo magbago

Kailan man, nasaan man

Ito ang pangarap ko 🎶

She bit her lips to hold back her sobs.

Out of all the songs in the world, why this song?

She used to love this song. But with what happened 5 years ago, whenever she heard this song playing she couldn't help but cry. Some memories come back. Bitter-sweet memories she wished to erase, but doesn't have enough powers to do so. Because this song also gives her strength.

🎶 Nagtatanong lang sa'yo

Ako pa kaya'y ibigin mo? 

Kung maputi na ang buhok ko? 🎶

Her shoulders are now shaking because of her tears and sobbing.

"H-Hey! Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?" He asked her, panicking.

He even put her at arm's length just to see her face. Only to see her tears on her face.

"Why? What's the problem? Did I-I step on your foot?" He was panicking because he didn’t know what to do. As if seeing her crying face gave him a panic attack.

Paolo’s a little bit curious why Infinity suddenly cried. But he is more curious about what he is feeling right now when he suddenly sees her crying face.

"Hey!" He softly gets her attention. Paolo made her gently look at her, he grabbed her neck and gently made her face him. "You could tell me. What's wrong? Why are you crying? J-Just tell me. I…I also don’t know myself, but I don’t want to see you like this.”

He is persuading her to tell him what's wrong, persuading her since he is not a fortune-teller to know. But he could feel the weight of every tear that fell in her eyes.

Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but she chose to close it again. Her gaze stood and wandered into his face. As if memorizing every inch of it. And to Paolo's surprise, Infinity hugged him and cried into his chest.

He didn’t expect her to hug him, which took him by surprise. But not for too long, because she runs away from him after. Leaving him dumbfounded.

~~

"You made someone cry, huh."

He is currently at the bar counter. Still thinking about what happened not too long ago. When he turned around, his friends were approaching him. Jhezz is at his usual serious self, but Patrick's unusual. There is no mischievous smile on his face, he is also serious.

"I don't know. I was even confused. I don't know why she cried like that."

"Did you ask why?" Patrick asked in a serious tone.

"Yes! But she doesn't answer me. She just keeps on crying.”

"What do you feel when you see her crying?" He asked again.

He frowned. Is Patrick implying something?

"I...I don't know. Hurt? But why should I? We are not related. And for F* sake I am with Grace!”

Grace has to answer an important call right now.

"Why didn't you chase her?" Patrick asked again.

“Dude!” Jhezz nudges Patrick as if stopping him. But Patrick remains serious.

"Because it's not right? I have Grace here, but I...I don't know why I am feeling something like this towards someone I just met!" He is frustrated with everything. He bottoms up his drink to ease his frustration.

NOTES:

(1) The song's title is "Kung Maputi na ang Buhok Ko". It was written by Mr. Rey Valera and originally sung by Ms. Sharon Cuneta. All rights are on the rightful owner.

(2) Her To Stay has its own music playlist. It was my way of conveying more emotion in every chapter. You can check them out on romancenovelistlady.carrd.co or check my faceb00k page: RNL Stories.