Let's Not Fall In Love (SUAREZ SERIES III)

Prologue

Prologue

Isang hagis pa ulit ni Danique sa bola at pasok sa ring ay naningkit na ang mga mata ko sa pagdududa.

Wearing an oversized white shirt and an old, worn-out jersey shorts, she jumped on her place in glee and threw a fist in the air, grinning like she just won in a real game.

Tuwang-tuwa rin sina Zeldon at Ardo sa nagawa niya at nakipag-high five pa.

She winked at me when her eyes found my scrutinizing gaze. Mas lalong naningkit ang mga mata ko.

"Not bad for a first timer, Deb! Ang angas ng free throw mo!" puri ni Ardo, sabay high five ulit. "Sabagay, kung si Mico ang nagturo, gagaling ka talaga agad!"

Pinulot ni Zeldon ang bola at saka ipinasa sa akin nang pahagis. Sinalo ko agad at lumapit na sa kanila.

Sumama ang tingin ko kay Danique. Narito kami ngayon sa outdoor basketball court sa subdivision namin. Early in the morning and on a weekend, just a couple of days after prom night, nandito kaming tatlo para turuan siyang mag-basketball. Sasalang daw kasi siya sa tryout sa darating na Biyernes.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngayon niya pa naisipang sumubok sa female basketball team kung kailan huling phase na ng Palaro. Patapos na ang school year. She had been a member of our school paper since grade school and I can't even imagine her trying out sports now. At basketball pa talaga ang napili ng babae.

But seeing that free throw, I don't think it was her first time. She can definitely play basketball and participate in the tryout without my help. What is she up to now?

"How was that?" tanong niya habang sinisikop ang mahabang buhok para talian. Tagaktak na ng pawis ang mukha at leeg niya. Walang hiya-hiyang pinunasan niya iyon gamit ang manggas ng suot niyang t-shirt.

I sighed. Puwede ko bang kuwestiyunin ang sarili ko kung bakit nagandahan ako sa kanya noong Prom? I got hypnotized. Almost enchanted. She had worn an Avanzado Creations gown, an orange one-shoulder dress with scattered hues of plum that flows down her body, with half of her hair tied up and the rest elegantly curled. Her makeup wasn't heavy at all but the artist managed to emphasize the sharpness of her eyes. She looked like a princess from the medieval era. Classy, snob and exquisite.

Pero ang babaeng kaharap ko ngayon, malayung-malayo sa babaeng kapareha ko noong Prom. Parang sinapian lang yata ito ng isang prinsesa no'ng gabing iyon, eh. Ngayon, siga na ulit.

"Kahit hindi na mag-tryout, Deb. Kung ako si Coach, pasok ka na agad." Si Ardo ulit ang sumagot.

Ngumisi siya at tumaas na ang kilay nang muli akong balingan. "What do you think, Coach Toper?"

"What are you up to?" seryosong tanong ko habang nakapamaywang gamit ang bola.

"What?" She asked back. Her laughter roared across the open court.

Mas lalo akong napasimangot. I knew something was up. Hindi ako naniniwalang first time niyang maglaro ng basketball. That free throw was that of a skilled player. Alam kong puwede namang naka-tsamba lang siya. Pero iba talaga ang nararamdaman ko rito. Hindi ko maiwasang magduda. Marunong naman siya, bakit pa magpapaturo? At bakit pa kailangang magpanggap na hindi marunong?

"Tomorrow again?" Zeldon asked as he looked at me.

Tumango ako. "Same time. Sa bahay na tayo mag-lunch," aya ko sa kanila.

"Pass muna. Hindi ko pa natatapos ang project natin," tanggi niya agad.

"Ako rin, pass!" Ardo said after gulping down a bottle of Gatorade. "Lagot na ako kay Mommy. Kanina pa 'yong toyong pinapabili niya. Baka tinoyo na rin iyon!"