Book One: Simon de Guzman
Part Two: Sway
By four in the afternoon the next day I headed upstairs to the ninth floor where the gym was located. Three hours before I received another piece of paper from one of Vince’s goon, demanding me to come early for his first ‘appointment’.
I heard music coming from the gym when I stepped out of the elevator. The music was Sway; the rendition of the Pussycat Dolls, and though it was disconcerting to think that Vincent was now dancing it, I entered without checking who was inside (I assumed that it really was Vincent despite the music that what he’d call sissy) and dumped my bag near the door.
“Sino ka? Anong ginagawa mo dito?” came the sudden voice of a girl as the music stopped. I turned around in shock and saw a fair-skinned, long-haired girl in working clothes; she had stopped dancing the moment I entered the room.
“Oh, god. Sorry. Pasensya na. Akala ko kasi… ano… may kikitain kasi ako ditto eh,” I said in embarrassment, searching for the right words. I didn’t think any of those words were right at all.
“Kikitain? Sa gym?”
I faked a laugh. “Ah, eh. May practice kasi kami dito nung kikitain ko. Kaya ayon. Akala ko ikaw siya. Pasensya na.”
“Well then, kung pwede sa labas mo na siya intayin dahil hindi ako sanay na may kasama kapag ako ang nagpapractice,” she said, sounding like a professor. Then she added, “Hanggang four pa ako dito.”
I checked my wristwatch. “Uh, four fifteen na.”
“Ano? Sinungaling.” She checked hers, then her jaw dropped. “Ay…”
“Sige ok lang. Total wala pa naman yung kasama ko eh. Ikaw na muna gumamit.” She smiled in gratitude, and I went to pick up my bag. She pressed play on the CD player and again, the PCD’s rendition of Sway sounded across the room.
I haven’t gotten out yet when she started dancing. I recognized the footwork; she was doing the tango by herself. At first I thought, why the hell is she dancing the ballroom solo? but I immediately knew why.
She was a magnificent dancer. Her motion; it was as smooth as water flowing on the skin, yet as rapid as the cascade of the waterfalls. Every bit of her steps were crystal clear, even though they were so fast. She was dancing alone, I thought, because no one in this school could keep up with her.
“Ang galing.” The words flew out of my mouth before I knew it. I got so caught up with watching her I didn’t realize I was still inside when I told her I’d leave.
“Thank you.”
“Uh…” I said. The urge was killing me. I figured that I should at least ask, since I already knew she was going to reject.
“Ano?”
“Pwede ba… pwede ba akong sumali?”
She laughed. “Sali? Sigurado ka? Baka hindi mo kayanin. Tsaka hindi ako sanay na may kapartner.”
Well. That was arrogant. I mean, seriously. I knew she was going to reject but like this? “Ah. Sige. Ok lang naman… alis na ako.”
“Wait lang!”
“May kelangan ka?” I asked nicely through gritted teeth. I hoped she didn’t notice.
She exhaled. “Ok lang sakin. Sige. Matagal tagal na rin akong hindi nakakasayaw ng totoong ballroom. As in yung may partner.”
I conceded. It had also been a while since I danced proper ballroom. In college, the only dance that mattered was hip-hop for those dance contests – and folk dances that are learned against our will. I threw my bags to the side and approached her. She pressed stop and then play then held my hand as we got in place.
It was unusual for me to hold a female hand, but hers was different. The last thing it could be defined as was female, to tell you the truth. Hers were cold and hard, and mine were practically more feminine than hers. I kept my hold on her hands light and so did she. After all, we only just met.
When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more…
It was unbelievable. Our synergy was phenomenal, it was like we were reading each other’s minds. I haven’t danced the tango in ages, and yet every single basic step was familiar and felt like I danced them every single day of my life. We detached at the perfect time though we didn’t really tell each other when, I lifted her at the right time and she caressed my cheeks in an act of fake seduction; it was like we had been dancing, practicing together for years; that even though we just met a few minutes ago, it felt like we knew each other like we were siblings.
Or spouses.
I gulped at her seductive poses, though they weren’t that noticeable (at least I hoped they weren’t). It was most unusual, most especially because I was… different.
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
We were practically nose to nose again, I held her right thigh; it was lighter than a feather on my palm. With my other hand against her hair, we bent down, looking at each other intensely…
At that moment, I heard the sound of the door opening.
Sway me
Sway me
Sway me now
I raised her up and we released, smiling. Then I heard Vincent’s voice ring.
“Maki? Bakla?”
-c-
