JM

It was a night I would never forget til the day I die.

19th of Februry the year 2009, school grounds.

The traditional school JS Prom was on. Gorgeous young men and stunning ladies donned in their best captivated the night with serene beauty and glamor. It was a night these young kids were waiting for all year long. It was a night that everyone and everything seemed to be transformed into something magical. Something that brought surrealism into the foreplay of imagination, something that allowed time to pause for a while to make a memory.

And you were there.

For several years now, I have been doing the emceeing for the prom. There was nothing great about that. I look at it as something to be done; so common it was for me that I thought the night would only be another usual night.

As I was doing the task, I was hoping that I could make it more memorable for each one in attendance. I was keeping in my heart the prayer that you all could bring special memories after the night.

The night was greeted with messages from some important people, the turn-over ceremonies by the juniors and seniors, the tribute to Tita Amy, Tita Bel, Tita Levy (who unfortunately was not able to attend) and the night's search for the Mr and Ms JS 2009.

After all that has been done, it was customary for us to close the program and invite people to dance the night away as the signal for the party. I said it with all the casualness I could muster. It was an invitation for all to dance. Yet I emphasized ( I remember) that the first dance-the first song moment is something worth remembering; so do not lose that moment.

Without me realizing that it was a message I never thought would be for me. I never had a JS Prom back in high school. I never knew how it felt. All I know is that it would be great.

As I was getting down the stage after my closing words, you were already down there. In full view of everyone, you invited me. Admittedly, I never thought you would be doing that. Yes, I was expecting my first dance to be with you; yet, I never expected it to be that way.

I could not find the words to say. My mind and my heart could never decipher the meaning of what was going on. You must have gathered great amount of courage to make that one moment worth reminiscing, extraordinary and meaningful.

As you led me to the floor, I never did hold you. Not because of embarrassment or shocked, but because I really never knew how to. All eyes were on us; what did you expect? It was an uncommon sight that someone like me would be with someone like you.

Yes, you and I were commonly seen together, at lunch, after classes, in between, or any time possible. We were so associated with each other. But that was all there is. That night was a night for special people.

Yet you painted that night with a different color. You made everything so special. You made me feel special.

As I stood with you (pretending we were dancing), tears began flowing. I could not help it. Nobody dared showed me what you have just done. It was something out of a fantasy, a dream, or even an illusion.

We hugged and that was it.

What more could I say? What more could I think of?

You have proven what you mean to me, and you have more than shown what I mean to you.

Thanks for the memories. You know that since the day we met and we are both aware of it, there is already something special between us. Whatever it may be, we may not speak of it, our hearts can define it. And no matter what we do, it keeps on denying us.

Thank you for giving me the best night of my life. And deep in my heart, your beaming face the moment I saw you down that stage would always linger in my memory.

I love you. And that will be forever.