The Second Time Around

Chapter 06

You know you're enjoying when you just can't or you won't even notice the time.

This moment right now, seeing my daughter and her father this happy, it's priceless.

My happiness.

'Papa, I love you. So so much.' My baby clinging to his father. We are on our way home na after having lunch at Lantaw. I volunteered to drive since I know Kiefer has a game later, ayoko pa mapagod siya.

And here we are, them in the shotgun. Yaya at the back. Nakatulog yata si Yaya, I looked at the mirror, and I can see na she's leaning in the side. Yeah, baka nga nakatulog na. Kierra's sitting in Kiefer's lap while hugging his dear life.

'I love you too my eaglet... so much.' Napalingon ko sa kanya when he said that, he was caressing Mimi's curls, but oh looking at me.

'Oh.' I just said and looks back at the road, buti na lang nakastop pa kami, red light pa.

My eaglet.

UAAP Season 77 Women's Volleyball Finals Game 2 Ateneo Vs La Salle...

'You know I'll be forever cheering for you baby. Best of luck later. No matter what happens, you will always be my champion. Please, play safe. I love you my champ!' That's the first text I read when I opened my phone the moment I wake up.

Finals Game 2, Ateneo need to win this game to get the back to back champion title. Llamado, but still, we have to play this game. Di man namin makuha ang championship crown at least, we will fight for a good game.

Ara and Camille were already out for the season, lintik na injuries kasi. But no, sinasabi pa rin namin, kaya yan. Laro lang tayo ng laro. Manalo matalo, smile lang.

And then it happened. Natalo nga kami, but still all smiles. In your face bashers. Ipakita natin sa lahat na kahit natalo tayo, masaya pa rin tayo kasi nasa finals tayo.

When we're circling to hug my teammates, napaluha ako, siguro nga dahil sa mga patapik tapik na 'Okay lang yan. Bawi next year.' Wala eh. Those two who got injuries are my batchmates, yun bang naisip mong dapat sana ako yung nagstep up for them. Pero ginawa ko naman din ang best ko. Pero wala pa rin. Iniisip ko, babawi kami. Next year babawi talaga kami.

Busy na ang lahat, picture dito picture doon. Coach Ramil approached and gave me a hug.

'Sorry coach.' Yun lang nasabi ko and naluha nanaman.

'Ok lang yan Ye. Bawi tayo next year.' And kumawala na sa hug.

There are many photographers na, picture dito picture don. I was busy looking at the crowd when I saw him.

'Way to go champ!' He was holding up a banner with those words written. Hindi ko alam kung para sa Ateneo team ba yun or para sa akin?

Then it dawned into me. It's for me, sure ako. Kasi naman noh, the people nakasurround him are looking at the celebrating team, but him, his direction was facing my side. And he keeps on tilting the banner. I can see in his face that worried siya and saw him mouthed those three words that I love hearing.

That's it, I feel like the champion still. I mouthed back those three words. I feel like the world stopped, na parang kaming dalawa ang tao doon. Me looking at him, him looking at me.

'Ate Mika, picture tayo.' I was back to world when Coach Ramil's daughter asked for a picture. Oh. I looked back at to where Kiefer was, pero pababa na siya, to congratulate the Lady Eagles maybe. So ayun ako, nakikipag picture picture na din sa mga peeps.