Firm Tenacity (The Athletes #3) COMPLETED

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Opinion

Even though there were already lots of fabricated stories about us, people were still shocked upon seeing me with Mooze. Naglalakad kami papuntang clinic dahil turn na naming magpa-medical. Kahit ang coach namin ay napa kurap-kurap pa...

This is making me fret.

"You're not against my decision?" tanong ni Mooze habang naglalakad kami palapit sa grupo ko.

I sighed. "You follow your own words. My words have no meaning and power to you anyway..." My tone was really tired and low.

Ang dami pumapasok sa isip ko ngayon. In a snap, I am covered with thoughts. Nakaka-drain. Dumagdag pa ang iba't ibang klase ng mga mata ng mga tao.

"It's not... that," Mooze sounded down in an instant. Suddenly, I felt bad for dragging him with me.

"I'm sorry... I just really had a hard time earlier," I said and tried to smile. "Let's just talk about this later. After ko magpa-medical," dugtong ko at naglakad-takbo papunta sa grupo ko. I left him with his friends on the bench.

I was bombarded with questions about my relationship with Mooze, and none of it was entertained by me. Tahimik lang ako habang nakapila papasok sa clinic. I can feel heavy eyes around me which made me feel even more tired.

The school nurse checked us if we're capable of playing this year. There were no problems about me so I was easily dismissed. Naka-abang kaagad si Mooze sa hallway ng clinic paglabas ko. He was alone when he walked towards me.

He placed the back of his palm on my forehead.

"Wala akong sakit," matapos kong iniwas ang aking mukha sa kan'ya. "Babalik na rin yata ako sa school..."

He sighed looking so worried. "Is it okay if... you'll stay here for some more minutes?" nag-iingat ang boses n'ya ngayon.

My eyes landed where his friends were. Maingay roon at 'di ko kayang mag-stay doon dahil alam kong uulanin lang ako ng pang-aasar.

"Let's stay on a different bench," aniya at hinawakan ang likod ko para igiya sa bench na may lamesa sa gitna.

Kinuha niya ang bag niya sa kan'yang grupo. He was filled with teases before he was able to get back to me. May nilabas siyang itim na tumbler doon at inabot sa akin.

"Hindi pa gamit, Win..."

Wala naman akong sinabi. I was thirsty so I drank a bit. Pagbaba ko ng tumbler, nasa tabi ko na siya. We're not facing his friends so I wasn't uncomfortable. I was freshened by the water. Malamig din sa clinic kaya na-relax ang isip ko.

"I'm sorry for deciding on my own. Pero... bakit ba ayaw mo? Your grandfather doesn't care anymore, right?" he asked while looking at me.

"I..." bumuntong hininga ako. "I don't want more problems, Mooze. I don't think I could entertain hurtful opinions and stay unfazed. Gusto ko lang sana ng tahimik na buhay sa eskwelahan."

Tumango siya, parang naiintindihan ako.

"I'm sorry, then... I don't know you're this affected with opinions. But don't worry, they won't talk bad about you. Ako na ang bahala roon," aniya at ngumiti.

"Thank you," I said. "And I hope you won't tell anyone that we're living in the same unit... Keep it at least until I turn eighteen... 'yon ay kapag nandoon pa rin ako sa panahon na 'yon," I trailed off.

I don't think I'd stay long in his place. Baka magbago na rin ang isip ni grandma at patirahin na lang ako sa isang apartment o bahay niya.

He nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, I didn't say we're together. I just said nanliligaw pa lang ako..." His eyes were weighing my reaction.