章 8: THE LAST DANCE

The Prom is so enjoyable from the start, with old songs appropriate for the theme of the 1960s. Dances with old songs, speeches of students and teachers...

There is aggressive behavior that can be observed in some males. There is even discussion that may turn to violence while competing for the girl to dance.

Unknowingly, to the officers and faculty, some students are half drunk and some have taken drugs. Marijuana and Shabo are common in this country and being hunted down by the police but still, the supply can penetrate the students secretly.

Pak! Bog!

A fight broke in the side of the gym. The girls in hysterical shout started running, and Juan signaled his CAT MP(Military Police) to control the crowd and the fight. The MP's arrested the fighting students and bring them to the CAT armory. The principal calmed the students and when the involved students were detained for questioning by the Commandant, the program continued.

"Juan was good in organizing the security of this event, the fast response of CAT has preserved the order of the program in spite of the fight ", one of the faculty is telling his friend.

Then the last dance was announced by the Principal.

All were surprised by the shortcut in the program. Many prepared part of it was decided to be aborted because they are anticipating that it's better to prevent chaos.

Juan was called by the Commandant to talk to the students who started the commotion. He went and approached the students, and smell the liquor in their breath. So, he advised them to go home and made a report before going back to the gym.

As he is going to the gym to have the last dance, he has seen many boys are approaching Jacky and two other girls, they are already in heated talks because they want to dance her and she was rejecting their advances.

The principal announced that only their partners can dance with the girls.

Then the crowd rearranged, going to their respective partners.

Jacky was already annoyed and out of the mood.

Juan approached her with flowers in his hand from the CAT office flower garden. Her mood changed and turned to a smile. Juan then asked her, can I have the last dance?

She gladly gave her hand.

Then the music was given... "Close to you"

"Why do birds suddenly appear..."

They went to the center of the gym, they had started to dance...

A waltz changed the song...

"I'm not good at dancing," Juan said. "Me either, if not only part of High school life and if not because of you... I may not attend this." Jacky telling him.

"I'm not sure what will happen next year at college. My Mom called me, we will plan this weekend what will happen next school year. Maybe this will be my last dance with you." Jacky sadly said while dancing...

This what happened yesterday:

"Hello, how is my lovely Daughter? You will be here with us next week."Jacky's Mom in skype.

"Yes, missed you all, how is my beloved brother? Will he be home next week as I will be there? Jacky asked.

Probably, because his post assignment is near our home next week. Can you bring me some dried anchovies, that's my favorite. Jacky, we will also discuss what will be the plan next school year. See you soon... I'll go now to work. Bye... I'll be late." Luz said a hurried goodbye on Skype.

" Mom, what do you mean by plan next school year? Is there a change in the plan? Mom... My goodness! Don't exit yet... OK... see you then next week." Jacky sighed wondering what her Mom mean by the plan next year...

Juan interrupted her thoughts:

"Let's trust God for the future, Let's just enjoy the moment... Let's finish college so our parents will not worry about us..." Juan answered.

Can I invite you to have lunch tomorrow before I go to the airport? Jacky asked.

"I can send you off to the airport. If you like." Juan tells Jacky.

It is not possible because I will go with an employee of my Dad, an inspector of the export quality assurance department. We will have so many questions like "if we are in a relationship" if you are seen with me.

Then let's have lunch then. Juan said.

Jacky teased him, " What's our relationship anyway?"

"We are brothers and sisters in the Lord." Both of them laughed.

They danced till the song was finished.

The program was closed by closing remarks and they started moving out of the gym.

Weeeee.... weeeee... weeeee...

A police car arrived. They received a report that some drug pushers were

seen with the students earlier and they have a tip that some students are involved in drugs and are at the JS Prom.

They went to the principal's office and asked for some names if they were present. The principal identified them as those who actually made the chaos earlier. But there is another named by the police who was not involved in that fight. Where he is, is the concern of the police. He must be monitored if what is his plan tonight...

The police alerted everybody to be careful.

Juan prepared to escort Jacky going home but before going, they went back to their classroom where the girls fixed their makeup and dress before going to the gym. Jacky left her backpack and she needs to change clothes before going home.

"Jacky, I will wait for you here at the school gate, do you have the key to our room? I will secure the armory first, just to check it." Juan said.

"OK... I'll be fast. Jacky replied.

Juan finished his rounds, checked all the other rooms, and found a room with some bottles of whiskey.

"Who did this here? The security is sleeping in their jobs, how can this pass the gates? This must be dealt with during the meeting." Juan murmured.

He went to the gate, but Jacky was not still there. It's already about 10 minutes why she's still not here. He felt something is wrong. He ran to their classroom.

Jacky hurriedly gets her backpack in the chair where she left it and went to the class comfort room to change dress, while she is undressing a sound in the class door destroyed the second lock. "Who's there?" No answer. She gets her pants and hurriedly wears it, the door of the Comfort Room is forced to open but it did not open, but in the second hard push the lock give in and Jacky half dress covered her upper body with her bag and kicked the man in the door. Then she hurriedly wears her T-Shirt but before she can finish she was pulled outside by a guy. There were three of them. The two hold both her hands and the other tried to punch her stomach. but she countered with a kick and escaped the two who hold her, her Japanese karate is working. Then the one holds a knife and told his companions to grab her. That's the time that Juan entered the room, holding a baseball bat from the sports room. And they had a fight but all their knives did not work with the bat and karate.

Juan tied their hands and Jacky called the Police. The police came arresting the drunk students of wine and drugs. The principal thank Juan and Jacky that they were safe. Called the nurse to report to check if they have bruises and cuts because the drug addicts were really hurt.

The nurse dresses their small wounds and give them some pain reliever and advised them to go home.

"Woh!.... what a night!" Jacky cried. I could have been raped and killed tonight! Telling Juan.

"God will not permit that, I believe." Juan comforted her. "I will never leave you alone again," Juan promised.

"But my problem is, I may be leaving you soon." Jacky sighed.

"But, you will be back again after the weekend, right? Juan answered.

"Yes, but after this school year, I don't know what will happen. I don't know why I feel I don't want to leave this place when I was attacked just now." Jacky said.

As they walk, they were deeply thinking...

They arrived at Jacky's apartment, said goodbye and Jacky said: "Don't forget our lunch tomorrow. See you at Veranza Mall. I'll text you."

Juan nodded and both of them standing face to face behind the apartment door. Eyes to eyes, in instinct, are about to have the JS prom kiss but the door opened by Elena and asked them: " How's the Prom?" Both answered in chorus, it's a wild night! Hahaha! Goodnight Juan, Jacky, and Elena waved him good night. Juan, he can not believe he almost kissed Jacky, waved back, and went home.

They are both early at Veranza Mall, Juan texted he is in the lobby in front of Jollibee. Jacky was with Elena, they will buy some Filipino food ordered by her mother before going to Japan. When they see each other, Juan approached them. "I'm not comfortable with this," Juan said. "Why? because you nearly kissed me last night? Jacky teasing him. Elena smiling. Juan was a bit embarrassed.

"No... Yes! I mean, what's happening. He whispered to Jacky a bit shyly, I can't afford to treat both of you."

"Don't worry about that, I was the one who invited you that we will have this lunch. Jacky insisted.

" That's what makes me uncomfortable besides, I'm sorry with my demeanor last night," Juan said.

"Don't worry, I actually tried to kiss you too" Jacky whispered.

Both of them smiled.

They entered Jollibee. Made some orders, they ate, and before they will stand, Elena went to the restroom.

Jacky asked Juan, Do you like me?

"Yes, I like you. But Jacky I don't deserve you. I'm just poor and I'm also struggling with my future. I don't know yet if I can pass the scholarship to enter college. I will try my best and fight for it but I don't want to put you in a situation. That's the reason, I don't want you to be so attached to me. Please pray for me regarding this." Juan talked in almost whispers.

" Juan, I don't judge a person with his wealth, what I want is a good person who I can trust and respect." Yes, I will pray for you.

Before I forget, The Nanny that I'm looking for is Nanny Tira. I hope to see her before the school year ends. Your Surname is almost the same as hers except the letter "e" that you have. I hope I can find her.

Jacky said to Juan, "If God will grant me my prayers... I hope to see you after college... Promise me... You will wait for me."

Juan, nodded, "I promise."

Jacky stands, and met Elena, and went outside to go to the grocery.

Juan did not stand right away. In his mind are a prayer, a wish, and a dream that is developing with a clearer view... inspired by someone in his heart.