TAKIBI POV
Today is Tuesday and we’re all sitting on the bench while Brice is standing in front of us. We’re having a meeting for the dance competition. Kailangan na namin mag simula after lunch break eh.
“Any suggestions for the concept or theme for our performance?” Brice asked while holding a phone.
Hindi ako makakibo dahil hindi ako fun ng dancing. Hindi ko rin naman alam ang style ng boys. I heard echos whispering to each other.
I saw Iris raise her hand. “Irelate natin yung sayaw sa class’s outfit?” We all looked at her.
“A baseball theme? Sports? Open fields?” Graig asked her.
Iris nodded. “Yes! But we don’t need to do the flyers and more. Let’s just try to search for an example.”
Brice asked us once again kung ano pwede naming theme but no one opened their mouths. That’s why we all agreed na susundin namin ang naisip ni Iris, siya rin ang mag tatake charge.
Now, we’re all watching youtube videos sa mga kanya kanya naming phones. Si Iris at Ella naman ang kausap ni Brice ngayon. Actually, sa tabi ko sila nag uusap kaya naririnig ko sila.
“May napansin ako.” I interrupt their conversation. The three of them looked at me.
“Their dance steps are not intense but they make sure that they use the space and are very synchronized.” I told them what I have seen on the videos. Gamit na gamit ng mga dancers ang field na ginagamit nila.
Tumango tango naman sila. “That's what I’ve noticed too. Buti nga malaki ang basketball na nareserve ni Miss Corpuz, we can use this for our practice.” Iris agreed to my comment.
They began sharing their observations and ideas for steps. Hindi ko napansin ay kasama na rin nila akong nag memeeting.
Iris is starting to draw the positions Ella gave. Kami naman ni Brice ay naghahanap ng possible steps na babagay sa theme namin. Natigil ako sa pagtitig sa phone ko when I saw man standing behind Ella.
“You guys need help?” Aldo asked while standing behind Ella. Nilingon namin siya except Ella.
Nagkatinginan muna kami sandali. “Music.” Isang sagot sa kanya ni Brice, I looked at him.
Binalik ko na ang tingin kay Aldo at nagulat dahil katabi niya na si Keith na nakatingin sakin. He’s wearing his hoodie again.
“Music daw pre. May alam ka ba?” Aldo faced Keith and asked him.
“Shake it off.” Sagot sa kanya ni Keith.
Aldo looked at him confused. “Kanta Keith, kanta. Anong shake it off ka dyan.”
“By Taylor Swift. We can also use it’s instrumental and mix it with other songs.” Keith shrugged.
Tinignan kami ni Aldo. “Narinig niya yun?” We nodded to him. “Maganda ba suggest niya?”
“U-Uhh yeah? We can use it.” Nahihiyang sagot sa kanya ni Iris.
Aldo thumbs up. “I’ll ask them for more choices.” Tinalikuran niya kami para pumunta kila Blanca na naglalaro ngayon.
Keith didn’t leave and we all waited for Aldo to come back. After 10 minutes, he gave his phone to us and we saw more than 10 suggested songs from them.
“Uptown funk nga!” We all looked at Claud na sumisigaw.
Ely stood up. “Maganda pang intro umpisa ng Hey boy by Sia!” Sigaw niya pabalik.
Blanca tried to calm them. “Kalma ok? Sa intro ang Hey boy tapos after natin pumasok saka na mag uptown funk. Okay?” Blanca is trying to talk to them calmly.
“Yun nga sinasabi ko kay Claud! Ayaw niya makinig, mas maganda daw uptown funk.” Ayaw paawat ni Ely.
Claud also stood up. “Mas hype kasi pag uptown funk simula! Kulet ah.” I can see that Claud is already annoyed.
Lumapit na rin si Ayer at tinabihan si Blanca na pumapagitna sa kanila. “Pre, kanta lang yan.” He tapped Claud’s shoulder.
“Kanta lang?.” Claud frowned and look at Ayer. “Hindi nakikinig eh! Gusto siya masunod eh, panget daw suggestion ko.” Yamot na sabi niya kay Ayer.
“Sinabihan mo rin namang pangit yung sinabi ko ah!” Sigaw pabalik sa kanya ni Ely.
I saw how Claud’s eyebrow creased. “Sinuggest ko nga rin yung Boom Clap pero sabi mo hindi bagay? Eh pano naging bagay yung sinuggest mo? Gusto mo kasi pasexy yung intro!”
Ella rushed towards them and pushed Claud’s shoulder. “Anong sabi mo?”
Claud’s eyes widened but still managed to answer. “Pasexy, bakit ano meron dun?”
Ella bit her lower lip trying to calm down. “Kung ginagamit mo yang utak mo. Dapat alam mo na hindi pwedeng buong sayaw ay mabilis ang kanta.”
Claud clicked his tongue. “Cheerdance nga diba?” Pagyayabang pa niya.
A smirk formed in Ella’s lips. “Bobo.”
That’s my cue to join them and hold Ella’s arms. Keith must have seen how Claud’s face turned red from anger, that's why he pulled him back.
“Calm down.” Patigil saming lahat ni Brice. Tinignan lang siya ng masama ni Claud and Ella just rolled her eyes.
Ella turned his back while holding Ely’s wrist. Hinila niya ito palay at takang sumunod naman ang girls. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Keith kila Claud but he didn’t forget to look at me before walking.
“Ely, ano bang pinag usapan niyo?” Deborah asked her nung makaupo sila sa bench.
Nagkibit balikat lang si Ely. “Nilait lait lang naman niya mga suggestions niya kaya nilait ko rin sa kanya. Ayun napikon.” Kwento niya ng walang emosyon.
Ella lowered her body to meet Ely’s gaze. “I already talked to you about this. Never ever comment ng masama sa opinyon ng iba, Ely.” Ella talked to her with a gentle voice.
“Todo defend kay Ely kanina tapos ngayon sermon.” Blanca chuckled.
Ella stood up properly. “Of course I’ll defend her. Kahit hindi ko pa alam rason siya lang naman papanigan ko.”
“She’s my twin.” Ella added and we all smiled.
Her love for Ely is something we can’t imagine. That’s how Ella reacts every time someone bullies Ely. Just one bad word from others and Ella will come running.
Siniko ko si Blanca. “Dapat ganyan ka rin sakin.” Bulong ko.
Umiling siya. “Nah ah, baka ako pa ang mang away sayo.”
Natawa kaming lahat dahil sa sinabi niya. Ely and Ella are also smiling. I sighed in relief dahil mukhang hindi naman tatagal ang away na to.
An hour passed, nasa gitna na kami ngayon at nag prapractice ng formation. We’re just trying different formations we can use and the heights we need to arrange. Nothing change at maingay pa rin sila.
If someone tells a joke, we will all laugh. If Claud shares a funny story, we will all laugh except Ely. If Ely threw random side comments, we would all laugh except Claud. I’m actually happy that the awkwardness is not that thick.
Iris, Ella, Ayer and Claud are incharge of the all and all performance. Nagbibigay rin kami ng mga possible steps pero iniipon pa lang namin dahil hindi pa buo ang kanta.
“Oo nga pala!” Biglang sigaw ni Blanca habang nakatayo kami sa court. “Ano nga pala jersey number niyo?” Oo nga pala!
We all rushed to Blanca. Alam kong hindi lang ako ang makikipag unahan sa number. Nauna makapili ng number silaw Claud at si Iris.
Please, let me get the number 17.
When It’s my chance to pick a number, 17 is already taken.
“Sorry, Aiby. Nauna si Claud eh.” Tinuro sakin ni Blanca si Claud ngayon na nakaupo na.
I only sighed.”May 7 pa?” I pouted. Kahit yun na lang, please huhu.
“Wala pa.” Nag liwanag ang mukha ko sa narinig ko. “Yun na lang iyo ah?” I nodded to her at masayang bumalik sa bench ko.