Three Points to Your Heart

The Meeting

        Akira realized how cool her brother and father are. For the first time in her life she felt that she belonged. Pareho ang lahat ng hilig nila pati na ang pinakagusto nila. Basketball. Even though his father was busy spending his time in the office, sinisigurado nito na namemeet nito ang basketball team ng kapatid niya. Nang nag-enrol ang kapatid niya sa university ay siya rin ang pagsimula ng basketball club doon. Dahil sa impluwensiya ng kanyang Papa ay nagdesisyon ang eskwelahan na bumuo ng isang team. After that the team started winning awards and some major sports events. 

       '' I didn't know that you also love basketball. " Her father said. Nakita siya nitong naglalaro sa basketball court na sadyang pinagawa sa kanilang bahay.        

        "Ayaw ni Mommy. I decided to join the basketball team in our school in Portland." She said while dribbling. 

          "Sayang ang mga panahong hindi ka namin nakasama ng kuya mo. We should have played a lot of games together when you were still young. Now look at you, you're a grown up now." Malungkot na pahayag ng kanyag Daddy. 

        "Well, I'm still growing Dad. I can still play basket with you and kuya." She smiled. Niyaya siya ng kanyang Papa na mag merienda sa kanilang gazebo.

        "So what's you're plan now? What are you taking up?" Tanong ng kanyang Papa. She realized that she forgot to think about where to study. Tumigil siya ng pag-aaral dahil sa pag-uwi niya sa Pilipinas. 

        "  Business Dad." she answered and then took a sip of the fresh orange juice,

        "Nagmana ka talaga sa akin."

        "Both Dad. Nagmana ako sa inyo ni Mommy." Natigilan silang dalawa nang namention niya ang kanyang pumanaw na ina. It took her minutes to ask her father a question she wanted to ask him for years now.

        "Dad?" She looked at him.

        "Yes?" 

        "M-minahal mo din ba si Mama?"  Napatingin sa kanyang mga mata ang kanyang Papa. Hindi niya mabasa ang ekspresyon nito. He look sad or worried. 

        "I thought I did. Pinilit ko ang sarili ko pero I loved Cecilia instead. However, it was my obligation and responsibility to marry your Mom. Hindi ko siya pinagbuhatan ng kamay noong kami ay kasal. I did everything I can to be a good husband. But still it didn't work out. I hope you are not angry with me." He said. She held her hand and smiled. 

        "I understand Dad. Love, I think is reallyt a difficult thing to deal with."

        A few weeks later she decided to enrol in her brother's school and continue taking up Business Management. Hindi naging mahirap ang pagtransfer ng kanyang credentials. When she started going to school, it was there were she knew how popular her brother was. 

        "Oh my god! You are the sister of Keiji Ynares!?!" A girl in her class exclaimed when she was introducing herself in class. Napansin niya ring nagbubulungan ang mga katabi niyang babae.        

        "Class. Now, please be quiet. Miss Ynares please continue introducing yourself." Her teacher said. At the end of the class, she started then become an instant celebrity not only in that subject but also in other classes. 

        "I didn't know that you were that famous kuya." They were on their way to the school gym. Nagtext ang kanilang Papa na pupupunta daw ito sa practice ng kanyang kapatid. 

        "Well. I'm that handsome kasi eh!' Her kuya gave out a very naughty grin. 

        "I don't think so." She answered. When they entered the gym, she then saw her father still in his business suit and some guys that are almost the same age as her kuya is. Mabilis siyang lumapit dito habang ang Kuya niya naman ay dumiretso sa locker room upang magbihis. After a short while, pinakillala siya ng kanyang Papa.

        "By the way guys, this is my daughter, Akira Ynares. You haven't met her before because she is from States." Her father said. Pairs of eyes quickly went to her direction.

        "Oh. That explains the blonde hair." One guy the same height as her brother and almost the same built spoke. Her eyes went to his direction. Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang lalaki ng mag tama ang kanilang mga mata. He was very muscular and very handsome. He also has a naughty grin on his lips. Wala siya sa mood magtaray pero parang may matatarayan ata siya sa araw na ito.

        "Are you insulting me?" she said to the guy. The guy laughed. 

        "Hey, hey. I meant no offense by that. Sinabi ko lang iyon dahil mukha ka talagang Amerikana." He smiled. 

          "Well Mr.---"

        "Arthur. My name is Arthur."

        "Okay Mr. Arthur kung may problema ka man. Huwag ako ang pakialaman mo. Maraming tao diyan. Okay?" She said and left. Umupo siya sa bench at nanuod ng game.

        When they started, she realized that the guy she talked is the team captain. Inobserbahan niya ang laro ng mga ito. And she was awed by how the Arthur guy makes his shots and dunks. She almost clapped when he made a three point shot. When the practice ended, her father treated the team with a dinner.

        Nang matapos ay kanya- kanyang nagsiuwian na ang mga players but Arthur stayed. Nakisabay pa ito sa kanila pauwi. She realized that malapit lang pala ang bahay nito sa bahay nila. Bago pa man ito bumaba sa sasakyan ay nagpaalam pa ito sa kanya.

        "See again next time beautiful lady." He winked. And she felt a soft throbbing in her heart.