A Change of Heart

XI

"Liza, don't be late please!" Jane said on the phone. It's Alvin third game and may usapan sila ni Liza na sasamahan siya nito manuod.

"Oo naman and I promise to wear green and bring a huge banner para lang kay Alvin," biro ni Liza.

"Baka naman mapagkamalan kang mascot ng Linfield," biro ni Jane.

That afternoon Jane and Liza went to MOA Arena 1 hour before the game. Jane purposely came early para naman daw makapag goodluck siya kay Alvin before the game. Pero kahit 1 hour sila halos mapuno na ang arena ng mga naka-green at naka-yellow. Paniguradong mainit ang laban ng two teams.

"Dapat talaga ganito tayo kalapit? Baka tamaan tayo ng bola sa mukha!" sabi ni Liza.

"Okay na dito, so we can see the game clearly," Jane said.

"Eh kung maupo ka nalang sa tabi ng coach para kitang kita mo, total naka varsity jacket ka ngayon. Ang why are you wearing that huge jacket anyway?" usisa ni Liza habang tumatawa.

"Don't laugh okay? I know I look silly, but I promise Alvin kasi," Jane explained.

"Hindi naman sa silly. Pero any prospect guy na makita sayo na may suot niyan iisipin na taken ka na ng one of the players. Sayang ang chance gurl!" sabi ni Liza.

"Hindi naman ako naghahanap ng makakadate and besides okay na ganun isipin nila para walang mangungulit," sabi ni Jane.

"Bakit naman? I know di pa papayag si Tita magka-bf ka, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun dates," sabi ni Liza. Jane didn't answer and just shrugged her shoulders habang busing-busy kakalinga sa arena.

"Anyway....... So ano na ba kayo ni Alvin? I know crush ko siya dati, but kung may something na sa inyo don't mind me. Naka moved on na ako." Liza said.

"Ha?" Jane asked habang mabali - bali na ang leeg kakahanap kay Alvin. "Bakit di pa sila nagwa-warm up. Nasa dug-out pa kaya sila?" Jane mumbled to herself.

"I mean what's the real score?" tanong ni Liza.

"Real score? Anong klaseng tanong naman yan? We are best friends of course," she was surprised kaya naman natigilan siya sa paghahanap.

"Really? I know he's your guy best friend. Pero don't you think what you have is far more than that?" Liza asked.

"What do you mean?" Jane felt uneasy. "We basically do what best friends are supposed to do," sabi ni Jane.

"Are you sure? Best friends lang talaga?" paglilinaw ni Liza.

"Yes, nothing more than that. Best friends only," Jane said plainly.

"So you mean hindi ka magseselos kung may umaaligid na chinitang courtside reporter kay Alvin?" tanong ni Liza.

"Oo naman! What's there to be jealous of? And besides alam ko naman na habulin na siya ngayon na sikat na siya," Jane said.

"Really? Kahit na pag magkasama sila nung babae parang match made in Binondo sila?" tanong ulit ni Liza.

"Haha! What are you talking about? Anong match made in Binondo?" taking tanong ni Jane.

Eliza shrugged her shoulders. "Wala lang.... You know Chinese Filipinos and their traditions. Pero hindi ka talaga magseselos, friend? Promise? Kahit na masaya silang nag-uusap?" tanong ni Liza.

"Oo nga! Even if that girl is his girlfriend. Swear. I won't be mad, jealous or anything. I'll be happy pa nga eh. At least may love life na siya," Jane explained.