Player (Varsities Series #3)

35

[ ZACH KIEL ]

"I THOUGHT YOU'RE with Melissa? Sino 'yong kasama mo kanina?" Addieson interrogated me while she was munching her kwek-kwek. Nakatambay kami sa labas ng school at hinihintay ang sundo namin. We're already in our 4th year of high school.

"Candice. My girlfriend." maikling sabi ko. I looked at her to see her reaction pero parang wala lang iyon sa kanya. That's not the reaction I am foreseeing.

"Ohh. Hindi fling? Seryosohan na ba?" tanong niya ulit sa akin. I stared at her for few seconds before I nod. She smiled at me. A genuine one.

"Finally! Maganda 'yan. Candice pala ang pangalan ng makakapagpatino sa 'yo." she said, then laughed at me. I saw how optimistic she was for me.

"Don't worry, kahit pa na may girlfriend na ako ikaw pa rin ang priority ko. Kapag may mabigat kang pinagdadaanan at kailangan mo ako, kahit pa na kasama ko ang girlfriend ko, iiwan ko siya para sa 'yo. I promise you that." I told her. Assuring her that I will always be on her side no matter what.

"Luh? Puwede ba 'yon? Baka magalit girlfriend mo?" sabi pa niya sa akin. I shooked my head.

"Nah. She'll understand." sabi ko.

DAYS HAVE PASSED, and I noticed that Addieson is being distant from me. Minsan niya lang ako niyayayang mag-lunch o sumabay sa kanya para umuwi. I asked her if we have a problem pero ang sabi niya ay nililimitahan niya lang ang pagsasama namin because I already have a girlfriend.

HANGGANG SA NANALO siya sa isang contest. She knew that I'd attend to watch her but instead of going to me, sa iba siya pumunta. I saw how she hugged her friends and left the venue afterwards. She didn't even throw a glance at me! Damn. I am hurting seeing her celebrating her achievement with somebody else. I am her best friend pero bakit parang kinalimutan niya na ako? Was it because I already have a girlfriend?

That night, I talked to her and asking her what's wrong with us but she kept on saying that there's nothing wrong. Lagi niyang sinasabing okay lang kami at magkaibigan pa rin kami.

"I can't feel that we're still friends, Addie. You're slowly slipping away from me." mahina kong sabi pero yumuko lang siya.

"I'm sorry if you felt like that. It's just that...ayokong...magkaproblema kayo ni Candice. I don't like na magkaroon siya ng galit sa akin kapag lagi akong nakadikit sa 'yo. Ayokong makasira sa relas—"

"You don't want our relationship to be destroyed but our friendship is already at risk! Nararamdaman kong kahit anong oras ay pwede ka nang mawala sa akin." I rebutted. Using both hands, she cupped my face and stared calmly at me.

"No. You're still my best friend, Zach. Hindi iyon mawawala." she said. Tumango nalang ako. Damn, I don't want us to be just friends. I kept my feelings for her for a long time. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit pa ako naghanap ng girlfriend kung pwede namang siya na lang ang ligawan ko.

I was planning on breaking up with Candice and declare my love for Addieson but Candice was sent to the hospital the day I planned on talking to her. She was already in the operating room. I waited for her to get conscious so we could talk.

That day Addieson called me. She's crying. Her grandma just passed away and I know that she was hurting so much. I know that she needs someone to comfort her. I know that she needs me.

"I need you..." she said. I looked at the girl laying on the hospital bed. She's still asleep and I just can't leave her here. Walang magbabantay sa kanya.