Player (Varsities Series #3)

30

Zach Kiel's Messenger Account

Addieson del Valle

3:09 PM

Where are you?

Addieson: Gymnasium

Addieson: Why?

Kalalabas mo lang ng hospital pero naglalaro ka na? Your wounds aren't fully recovered yet, Addieson.

Addieson: Hindi naman kasi ako naglalaro.

Addieson: Nanonood lang.

Addieson: Kahit gusto ko maglaro, hindi naman ako papayagan ni Kyrie.

That's good, then

Addieson: Ikaw?

Nagpapahinga.

Addieson: Hmm.

Addieson: Ano oras matatapos practice niyo?

6

Why?

Addieson: Wala naman.

Addieson: Masama bang magtanong?

I will talk to you later, nagtatawag si Drake.

Addieson: Sure.

6:09 PM

Addieson: Umuwi ka agad pagkatapos ng training niyo. Magpahinga ka.

Addieson: Don't worry about me. Kelsey will drive me home.

Addieson: Okay????

6:14 PM

Fine. I'll call you later.

Video Call

"Sup"

"Sup?"

"Wait kasi, ang awkward ko ngayon. Ewan ko ba, I'm disturbed?" (Chuckles)

"And why is that?"

"Ewan ko rin."

"I have chikaaaa"

"What is it?"

"Ngayon ko lang nalaman, sa Weston pala nag-aaral si Candice?!? I've been studying there for years pero ngayon ko lang nalaman! Nakita ko kasi siya kanina sa cafeteria sa school! She's a Law student!"

"And?"

"Tapos ano, nginitian niya lang ako.  I was expecting her to come over to me and ask you from me. Pero hindi! She just smiled then walked with her friends."

"I...I broke up with her the day of your lola's burial."

"Ha? But...I saw you there. You were just meters away from me."

"After you lola's burial. Addieson..."

"H-Ha? Teka lang, kinakabahan ako."

"Why? Are you okay?"

"Oo naman. Teka, saan ka? Ba't ang dilim diyan?"

"I'm inside my car."

"Pumasok ka kaya muna sa loob ng bahay niyo, then we'll talk again...later."

"Mamaya na. I want to talk to you."

"About...us."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't cut me on this."

"Okay. I'm nervous, Zach."

"Don't be."

"After Lola Carolina's burial. I planned to break up with Candice and talk to you at the same time."

"Gusto kitang makausap, gusto kong magpaliwanag. Pero, wala na ka na. Aliyah told me you slept with your friends. Nagpabalik-balik ako sa bahay niyo noon pero hindi kita matiyempuhan hanggang sa lumipat na kayo."

"Being away from you for two years was hard for me. I've been with you my whole life, Addie. Noon nga, isang araw pa lang na hindi tayo nagkita ay nami-miss na kita."

"Zach.."

"Shh. Let me talk first."

"Then I saw you again playing in that court. I was mesmerized kasi. Who would've thought that a girl who loves to play guitar and piano could also play basketball? (chuckles)"

"Addieson, do you still remember the thing I told you that I would tell you the girl I like when I'm ready?"

"Yeah. W-who it is?"

"Nasa Labrador ba? Cheerleader ba? Or—"

"It's you, Addieson. I like you so much."

"As a friend?"

"No. I like you for who you are. I like you, Addie."

"Go out from your room, and let's talk in person. I'm outside your house."

"Ano?"

"Bilisan mo nalang dumating."

"What the..."