When she came back to their table, she froze. She saw the most handsome guy she had seen so far. He was talking to their chancellor and they are laughing. She was mesmerized by how he smiles, showing two perfect sets of teeth, a pair of dimples, and rosy lips. His lips are rosier than hers or any of her girlfriends.
Clap! clap! clap!
More, more, more!
Woh-hoohhh...more!
Everyone was shouting at the end of an interpretative dance that was performed by a university from China. It interrupted Mei's train of thoughts and she suddenly became nervous.
"Thank you for that wonderful presentation!" one of the emcees announced said. They exchanged some small talks but Mei did not pay any attention to them as she got very nervous and conscious. What if she won't be able to sing well?
"Mei, come here", Dr. Castro called upon noticing that she was just standing there.
Mei sat on the chair opposite Jay. Mei smiled meekly at Jay. Jay smiled back and stretched his hand to shake her hands. She nervously took her hands. She felt cold and she is not sure if Jay noticed her cold palm.
"It might be our turn now so be ready", Dr. Castro interrupted them.
"Let us now hear from CS University!" the emcee announced.
"Mei, Mei, Mei", her co-workers chanted.
"It's our turn, Mei, make us proud", Dr. Castro said.
Mei had no choice, she went up the stage. She was smiling nervously. The emcee gave her the microphone and asked for her name.
"Let us give a round of applause to Mei", shouted the emcee and everybody applauded and some even chanted her name to boost her confidence.
A romantic melody came into the background which signals for Mei to start singing. She glanced at their table and there she saw Jay, looking at her intently and smiling as if encouraging her.
She started to sing..
when you hold me in the street
and you kiss me on the dance floor
I wish that it could be like that
why can't we be like that
cause I'm yours
The crowd became silent. All eyes were on her, looking intently at her. They were so silent and it made her so nervous but when she looked at Dr. Castro, she was smiling proudly. Jay was also smiling while he was holding his chin and from time to time he and Dr. Castro would exchange glances and talk to each other.
Mei just continued to sing. The silence is deafening.
it's obvious you're meant for me
every piece of you just fits perfectly
every second, every thought, I'm in so deep
but I'll never show it on my face
but we know this, we got a love that is hopeless
why can't you hold me in the street
why can't I kiss on the dancefloor
Woh-hookah!!! people started to shout when she hits the high notes at the start of the chorus of the song.
Mei! Mei! Mei! They are already chanting her name. It gave her confidence and Mei was already put her soul into the song. She no longer cares about the people as she was so into the song.
People erupted in cheers and chanting her name when she finished singing. Mei was out of breath but was happy with her performance. They were shouting more but Mei just bowed her head and went down the stage. She calmly walks back to their table while people were trying to shake her hands and take a selfie with her. It took her a few minutes to be able to reach their table.
Dr. Castillo stood up and gave her a thumbs-up before giving her a hug.
"You are amazing"! Jay said and shook her hands.
"Thank you!"
That was the start of their relationship. Jay transferred to their University for a bigger salary. He was actually offered by the university president a permanent position in the university where Mei worked. He accepted and it gave them the opportunity to know each other and eventually became a couple.
They were a happy couple. Jay is witty, funny, and a heartthrob while Mei is a beauty, smart and responsible. They were a match made in heaven and most of the female staff and faculty are envious of their relationship. Some of them are even straightforward in declaring their feelings towards Jay even though they knew that Jay is already committed to Mei. This makes Mei a little insecure and sometimes will be the cause of their many arguments.
And the latest argument they had was about the new female staff in the engineering college. her name is Cora. She has an excellent background. Her father is the current Governor of their province, her brother a provincial counselor, her mother is a businesswoman. Jay and the governor are friends and later, Jay and Cora have been a constant scene in several events where the governor is a guest. Rumors are spreading about their vague relationship.
"I know that you heard the rumors about Cora and Jay, right?" Mei asked Cheela who nodded in agreement.
"I confronted him again", she continued.
"And?"
"He denied it. He always says that it's Gov Angelo who invited him and he was only paying his respect to him", Mei explained.
"Well, if that is the case, then I think you should just trust him, maybe it is just a rumor", Cheela said but deep inside, she is not sure if it is only a rumor.
"Do you really think it is only a baseless rumor?",
"Well, Ummm..",
"Why, do you know something that I don't?", Mei asked her. This time her heart is pounding so fast. Cheela will not lie to her and she knew that of all people, she will be the one to help her and to be there for her.
"I don't have any proof yet but just last week, I was in the library, I overheard Cora talking to the other staff", Cheela paused, not sure if she has to tell Mei this. She does not favor Jay for Mei but she doesn't want to be the reason for her heartbreak. She is torn.