Suddenly, I'm Engaged

Yeolset

Aliah is staring at the cotillion. While everyone’s enjoying the performance, she starts thinking again about James who was supposed to be part of the said cotillion. She’s been staring and watching diligently at the wonderful performance but she couldn’t deny that the longing and sadness have been eating her up right now. She is wondering how he is at the moment. And she keeps pondering what’s going on and what could be the problem. This was supposed to be the night that they’ve both been waiting for. But now she feels so empty no matter how wonderful this event may be since James is not right beside her.

The cotillion ended and the Masters of Ceremony announced that the party now begins. Everyone’s shouting and were all excited at that very moment but Aliah couldn’t relate to whatever they feel. She was absorbed by her melancholy.

“Are you okay? Do you want some water?” Liam asked her considerately. She just shooked her head slowly and smiled for a second declining his kind gesture. Thank God Liam is with her right now. He is the knight in shining armor who saves her from the nightmare. Without Liam, this night will never be possible. She may be half-hearted right now, but still, she’s thankful to have a good friend like Liam at times like this.

From a party pop song, the music changes into a sweet melody and the crowd started to fade. It’s time for the slow sweet music that every couple has been waiting for. Aliah felt like something pierced into her heart the moment she heard the first three seconds of the melody. It was the inevitable song for a Junior Prom. The song that Aliah and James were planning to spend their first dance on the night of the prom. It’s Valentine of Jim Brickman ft. Martina McBride.

Every word of the lyrics feels like a cut on the flesh that stings. It may not be deep but still hurts. And at times like this, there’s this one person who truly understands what she feels right now. Someone who could stop the hurting and could make her feel better without doing anything extravagant. Someone who could bring comfort by just being right beside her. Someone who could empathize with what she feels right now. She looks at Liam as if he already knew what he has to do.

Liam just smiled at her dearly as if this is the perfect time he’s been waiting for. And now that they locked gaze with each other, no words needed to be heard other than…

“May I have this dance?”

Aliah just smiled back and gave her hand to him. They stand up and start slowly walking towards the center as if they walk by matching the tempo and melody of the song. Everyone’s been looking at them as they look so perfect for each other. From the unexpectedly perfect-matched color of their attire down to the chemistry they exude just by looking at their eyes. Their sweet gaze causes buzzing from the crowd asking who that guy on the grey tuxedo is, why is Aliah with him, and guess their Prom King of the Night is already taken by somebody else. It may not be James just like they were expecting, but still, Aliah is meant for the best guy in that evening. They were all captivated by the beauty of these two young people. Their chemistry is undeniably wonderful.

Liam couldn’t stop smiling at Aliah and Aliah feels the same way. Momentarily, their broken and wounded hearts were patched, and just enjoyed that very moment they share in the middle of the stadium. They danced as if they were drunk by the sweet melody accompanied by the piano. It’s as if it’s just the two of them and no one is around.

Zaine starts dancing with her date right beside them. Aliah and Zaine looked at each other while dancing with their partner and Zaine mouthed, “I’m happy for you.” Aliah couldn’t understand what she meant by that but all she knows is, she’s so grateful to have this man right in front of her. A dear friend she never thought she could have. It feels like Liam is returning the favor when they were sitting on that bench looking at Pat. It feels the same way. It comforts the same way. Just being there and says nothing is more than enough for someone who suffers from unexplainable pain.

“Thank you,” Aliah murmured while looking at Liam dearly. He just smiled from what he heard. Two words, two simple words but it brings butterflies to Liam. He leaned towards Aliah so he could speak right beside her ears and whispered…

“You look so gorgeous tonight.” Aliah skipped a beat by hearing those words. It was not what she is expecting from Liam. Her eyes widened as if she heard a forbidden word.

Liam looked at her expression and he couldn’t hide his giggle. Aliah laughed with him after she realized that Liam has been teasing her. He may be meaning what he said but he’s just adding fuel to the fire seeing the crowd still murmurs about them pairing up. Aliah hits him slightly on the shoulder as he keeps teasing her. And Liam enjoys doing so as he enjoys looking at Aliah’s reaction. Giggling while dancing makes them more visually pleasing. If only they knew where this night could lead them to.

=======

The music changes for the nth time so Aliah and Liam decided to take a break and went back to their seat. Liam leaves for a moment to get some drinks to quench their thirst for dancing nonstop.

Somebody walks past through their sit and they bump on Aliah’s chair. Her clutch bag fell so she looked for it beneath the table until she heard the two talking and mentioned the name, James.

“What did you say?” She stopped her while holding the girl’s hand and asked them intently.

“Did you just mentioned James?” She added. The girl nodded in response nonchalantly.

“I heard from a girl in the powder room that she saw James walking towards the stadium and seems like looking for someone? If I’m not mistaken.” The girl explained while trying to remove her hand from Aliah’s grip.

“Where is he?” She asked in panic but the girls just shrug their shoulders in response.

She lifts the ends of her gown with her two hands and walked hurriedly to look for James. She looks so messed up as she walks outside. She doesn’t even notice Zaine calling out for her name as she saw Aliah walking in panic as if she lost her mind.

She ran all over the place looking for James everywhere but he’s nowhere to be found. She doesn’t even care how she looks when she’s walking while lifting her gown strenuously.

She tried to go outside to look for James even in the parking lot but she couldn’t see him at all. She even asks all the students who walk past her like a mad man but still, he’s nowhere to be found. The tears that stream down her cheeks brushed off all her make-up. Her beauty which caught everyone’s attention as she danced with Liam, turned into a total mess.

Aliah keeps crying and crying while looking around like a mad person. The pain she was suffering tripled. Lots of questions were rushing through her mind but couldn’t have the chance to ask him all of these.

What happened? Why did he suddenly disappear? Why isn’t he responding to all her calls and messages? Where has he been? Why did he leave without a single word? Why does she have to ask herself all of these why’s instead of asking him?

She stops walking around but her tears never stopped. She feels like all her strength evaporates and she couldn’t stand still anymore. She collapsed right where she stands but Liam suddenly appears and caught her before she could sit on the ground. Their eyes meet but it’s far different from what they had when they were dancing a while ago. The sweet smile turned into painful tears. Her eyes were pleading for James and Liam couldn’t take it to see her being this way. He knows how miserable she feels right now but there’s nothing he could do for her. All he could is to hug her tight and Aliah leaned on his shoulder and cried even more.

Zaine rushed towards them, shocked by Aliah’s current state. She couldn’t imagine that the beautiful smile they exchanged a while ago will turn into shared tears. She couldn’t stop herself from shedding tears as she looks at her best friend being so hurt this way. Liam and Zaine were both clueless about what happened but they certainly know who is this all about. No words were heard, only shared tears and warm sympathizing hugs envelopes them. The wonderful night turns into an unbearable, painful night.

An unforgettable night, indeed.