Unedited: Panauhan

It's amazing how one moment can have  several points of view. 

However, at that particular moment, they were just mine and yours. 

It was at the party of SOM, the music blared loudly, the drinks free flowed, and everybody just kept talking and dancing. The lights twinkled against the dark room as eveything turned surreal. The faces around me were covered up by either the mask of mascara and lipstick or the veil of unreasonable laughter and smiles. I, along with my other two friends, walked around and looked for familiar individuals. But then again, everybody around us was hid under their impenetrable masks. And so, we opted to just go to the photobooth, took pictures, got ice cream, and stayed in front of the glass stage/runway. At last, after a glimpse of eternity, three hosts started talking and welcoming everyone. That night, the candidates of Mr. and Ms. SOM went through the question and answer portion. A part of the crowd cheered when their bet was called. I screamed when Ate Isay and Kuya Al went out, and shouted along with my friends until they left the stage. I sighed. Suddenly, my phone rang. Oops, my parents were on their way. I inched closer to the door, but more people were coming in. So, I waited till only few would pass. 

And then, as my eyes surveyed the crowd, I saw you. You stood out. Among the masquerades, you were the only one who wore none. You were raw, with some kind of unique charm you alone exude. 

Quite surprisingly, you looked at me too. You caught me staring, but I did not avert my eyes. I wanted to get lost in yours. Yet, you looked away, and began talking to your friends.

That's when I knew. That's when I realized that you were just looking in my direction, looking at the photobooth  right behind me. I let out a frustrated chuckle. I shook my head, said goodbye to my two very loyal friends, and went out. 

You see, you'll never know how special that moment was for me. For you, it was just a prolonged glance at the people making poses in front of the camera. But for me, it was an illusion- an absurd fantasy that finally, after three months, you noticed me too.