Lagot Ka Kay Coach

Chapter 39: [Stay Away From Her]

 

Third Person’s POV

                Karla and Nico look at each other before looking back at their friend and the UST point guard who wants to speak with him.

                Nico stands up and holds his hand out for Karla. “We better go. Karla still has some errands to run. Sige bro, mauna na kami.” Paalam niya kay Juami at Fort.

                Karla smiles at the two point guards before saying her goodbyes and leaving with Nico.

                Umupo si Captain sa harap ni Juami. They eye each other.

                Fort breaks the silence first. “I want you to stay away from Cheska.”

                Natawa si Juami. “Anong karapatan mong sabihin sa’kin yan?”

                Captain shakes his head. “Wala pa akong karapatan ngayon pero wag mo ng hintayin dumating yung time na yon bago ka lumayo kay Cheska. Believe me when I say I will only make it harder for you.”

                Juami stays silent for a while. Si Captain hindi pa rin nililihis ang tingin sa kaniya.

                “Bakit hindi ikaw ang lumayo Paps? Hindi mo man lang ba naisip na baka kwento namin ni Cheska ito at ikaw ang panira? Not the other way around?” Juami asks.

                Natahimik si Captain. Ni minsan hindi pumasok sa isip niya ang sinasabi ngayon ng kausap niya.

                “Malamang yan talaga ang iisipin mo. Magugulat ako kung hindi. Pero hindi mo din ma naisip na dapat sumuko ka na the moment she walked out of your life? You had your chance. At binalewala mo lang yun. She deserves someone better.” Sagot ni Fort.

                “And you think you’re that someone?” Juami asks.

                “I know I’m right for her.” Si Fort.

                “Confident are we?” Hindi maikakaila ang pumapangibabaw na tension sa pagitan ng dalawa.

                “I am. I have the right to be. Ako ang mahal niya at hindi ikaw. That fact itself speaks volumes already.” Si Captain.

                “Is that all you’re going to tell me? Because you aren’t very convincing. I’m actually more determined than ever to win Cheska back. You don’t know what we had back then. Kaya paano mo masasabing ikaw ang tama para sa kaniya kung hindi pa naman talaga tapos ang sinimulan namin noon? I admit I made my fair share of mistakes, given na yon. Still, if Cheska didn’t give up on me, baka kami pa din ngayon. And you wouldn’t even be in the picture.” Sabi ni Juami.

                “But she did give up on you. Bakit hindi na lang yun ang isipin mo? We were doing fine before you came back.” Sagot ni Captain.

                The tension between them is thicker than ever. Napapatingin na sa kanila ang ilang tao sa loob ng coffee shop.

                “Really? I doubt that. At kung talagang wala lang sa inyo ang presence ko, hindi ba dapat hanggang ngayon okay pa rin kayo nandito man ako o wala?” Tanong ni Juami.

                “You really just won’t quit will you? Pasalamat ka malaki ang respeto ko kay Coach Pido at sa mga desisyon niya kahit minsan hindi ako sumasang-ayon sa mga gusto niya. Especially sa pagpayag niya sa panliligaw mo kay Cheska. If only he knew what went on between you and Cheska before. Pakiramdam mo ba papaya pa rin si Coach kung alam niya ang totoo?” Balik na sumbat ni Captain.