Breakthroughs within Barriers (Youth Series #4)

11

#BWB11

Inayos ko ang pagkakasuot sa kneepads ko pagkatapos ay sinuot ko ang sapatos ko.Napatingin ako sa pinto dahil biglang bumukas iyon. Tumambad ang kaibigan ko na si Tiffany.

"Tori..." she called in a serious tone

Napangiti ako nang makita siya. She's wearing our university shirt and a highwaisted denim shorts. May sling bag din siya na suot. Tumayo ako at nilapitan siya.

"Hey Tiffany. What's up?" I asked

"Can we talk?" sabi niya habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko. "Sure. What is it?" tumalikod ako at umupo sa bench

She smiled weakly and sat next to me. Napansin kong malungkot ang mga mata niya at mukhang problemado din.

"Hey, what is it?" I asked, worried

"May gusto ko ba kay Ross?"

I was caught off guard by her sudden question. Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Bigla niyang inangat ang paningin sa'kin.

I smiled awkwardly. "What do you mean? Of course not. I don't like him. Do you-"

"Kung gano'n ay bakit mo siya nilalandi?"

Napakurap-kurap ako sa sinabi niya. "Wha- What are you talking about? Hindi ko siya nilalandi."

She chuckled bitterly. "C'mon Tori. Hindi ako bulag. Npapansin ko na masyado na akyong nagiging close."

I swear, I don't understand why she's acting this way.

"Tiffany. Okay ka lang ba? May problema ba?"

She swallowed hard and avoided my gaze. "May boyfriend ka na 'di ba? Bakit ka pa lumalapit kay Ross?"

I sighed. "I don't get you. I don't like Ross. Walang namamagitan sa'min, We're just friends. Magkakaibigan tayo 'di ba? We all belong in the same circle of friends. What do you mean?"

"Oo nga at hindi ko alam kung bakit nilalandi mo ang isa sa mga kaibigan natin kahit na may boyfriend ka na," she chuckled bitterly. "Oo nga pala, sinabi mo pala sa'min na fuck buddy mo lang si Jared kaya siguro okay lang sa'yo lumandi sa iba."

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. "Tiffany. Naririnig mo ba ang mga sainasabi mo? How can you prove that I'm flirting with Ross? Ang issue mo naman."

She scoffed. "Stop playing so innocent Tori."

"I'm not-" I paused and sighed. "Huwag ka namang basta basta maniniwala sa mga rumors. If you like Ross then fine. I'll stay away from him. Geez, you don't have to be so pushy," sabi ko at tumayo na. Dumiretso na ako sa pinto pero bigla ulit siyang nagsalita.

"Tori," she called

I sighed. "Look, Tiffany. If you still have something to say, reserve it for later. May game pa ako ngayon at kailangan kong mag-focus. But thank you for confronting me about it. I appreciate it," sabi ko at tuluyan nang lumabas ng kwarto

Habang naglalakad papuntang court ay hindi mawala sa isip ko ang sinabi niya. I was bothered by it. She must have really like Ross. I don't have a problem with that. She must have just misinterpreted my actions. I didn't expect she's serious with Ross. If yes, then so be it. Ako nalang ang magaadjust dahil ayoko na ng drama.

My thoughts were replaced by the loud cheers of the audience as soon as I stepped inside the arena. Sobrang daming tao ang dumalo. I think they are thousands of them who came to support our schools. I got so overwhelmed. I suddenly became nervous.

"Tori!"

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa'kin. I saw Karina together with my team mates. Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanila.