Dapit-Hapon

Chapter 32: Mateo

Asher's POV

Nixon and I stayed in the music room at naghintay na lang para matapos ang game. He talked about his ex, Abigail.

"Abigail and I broke up because our relationship was no longer working. Hindi na maayos, magulo na kaming dalawa pareho. In the first place kaya lang naman naging kami because our families were close." Kwento niya sa akin habang nakasandal sa aking balikat.

"She broke up with me and went abroad with her parents. Tapos bumalik siya ngayon, and I have no idea why kasi wala na naman siyang kailangan gawin dito which is so suspicious kasi she's already fine sa ibang bansa." Dagdag niya.

"Maybe your Dad wants you to go back to her," saad ko.

Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay. "Nah, I'm staying with you. Ayaw ko sa iba, Baby. Sa iyo lang."

I played with his fingers and said. "Hindi  ko talaga expect na mararanasan ko itong ganito."

We shared a few more moments together before deciding to go back sa court dahil dinig namin na magsisimula na ang awarding mayamaya. Habang naglalakad kami ay bigla akong tinanong ni Nixon.

"Baby, gusto mo bang iwasan ko si Abigail?"

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Tumigil din siya. "Bakit mo naman iiwasan?" Pagkatapos ng aking tanong ay hinawakan niya ang aking kamay tsaka nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad.

"Eh syempre ex ko iyon malay mo gusto pa niya ako sa pogi ko ba namang 'to 'di ba? Iwasan ko na para hindi ka na magselos." Malapad siyang ngumiti.

"Ha ha ha. Sobrang funny mo na ngayon, Nix." Tumango-tango ako.

Natawa siya sa aking tugon, binitawan ang aking kamay tsaka umakbay. "But seriously, Baby..." Saglit siyang tumigil sa pagsasalita. " Wala na akong gusto sa kaniya hindi ko na rin siya mahal. Ikaw lang gusto ko nobody else."

Aminin ko man o sa hindi, kinikilig ako. Hindi ko na lang gaano ipinahalata dahil alam kong pag-t-trip-an na naman ako ng lalaking 'to.

"Nix, hindi mo natapos game mo lagot ka kay coach niyan." Bigla kong naalala.

"Ano naman? Marami namang players tsaka for sure tapos na ang game at kung ano man maging results ayos lang. What matters to me is that we're okay." He held my hand and kissed my forehead habang papunta kami sa court.

We made it there and everyone was already cheering, tapos na nga ang laro at nagsimula na ang awarding. We looked for Jerie and gladly she wasn't that hard to find. Nang mahanap namin siya ay doon kami pumunta para tabihan siya.

Nixon's POV

We sat beside Jerie. I held Asher's hand while waiting for the results for the basketball team. Like we both expect, we actually did not won and as it happens I have no award too. I don't mind though, to me it's just fine.

Ang mahalaga sa akin ay maayos kami ni Asher. Abigail's presence will surely bother what I have with Asher, and I have to make sure our peace is safe.

"And for our E-sports competition!!" The Emcee shouted.

"Let's us call on the mind and front line of the winning team! Mister Asher Velasco!!" Lumingon ako kay Asher.

Napuno ng malakas na sigawan ang buong court. Everyone was clapping and Asher's teammate went to him to take him to the stage. Of course, Jerie and I stood from our seats to take Asher there too.

From a far I saw Abigail who waved at me with a smile written on her lips. Napailing ako, it is so weird that she is here. Something is really going on.

When we're already about to go up the stage, the emcee called on someone I am familiar of. "To award the team's tank or support. Let's call on the one and only, Mister Mateo Velasco!"

Asher looked at me, his eyes were filled with shock. I can see how his calmness melted into a thousand pieces after hearing that name... Could it be?

From what I saw, I know Asher don't want to go to the stage but his teammates forced him to go there, clapping and support him.

Asher's POV

Para akong binuhusan ng napakalamig na tubig. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko sa oras na iyon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit para akong maiiyak nang marinig ko pa lamang ang kaniyang pangalan.

Ayaw ko siyang makita. Hindi ko gustong makita pa siya. I didn't want to, but I went up the stage and faced him, my father. I walked to him with no emotions written on my face. Ayaw kong makakita siya ng kahit anong emosyon sa mukha ko, after what he has done I will never show him anything. I hate him.

Ang mga guro man ay tuwang-tuwa sa oras na iyon, pati na rin ang aking Ama na natutuwa pa sa pag-abot ng certificate sa akin.

"Sir, tabi ho kayo ni Asher I'll take a picture of you two," saad ng isang Guro.

Para akong bato. Pagkaabot pa lamang ng certificate ay hindi na ako nakagalaw. Umakbay sa akin ang aming Ama nang kukuhanan na kami ng litrato.

"Smile for the camera, Anak." He gave me a small smile.

I forced a smile, and then... click! Right after that shot I gave a nod to the teachers. Bababa na sana ako ng stage nang sinundan ako ng Ama ko pababa.

He grabbed my arm and spoke, "Asher."

"Ano?" Kaagad ko namang tugon sa kaniya.

"Stay away from Nixon please." He tooka deep breath.

"Sino ka para sabihan ako niyan ha? Don't you dare tell me what to do. Bigla kang magpapakita rito para lang sabihin 'yan. Guess what? You just wasted your time, old man." I grabbed my arm from him and was about to leave the stage when he finished with his words.

"He'll just hurt you, Anak."

"Isn't that what you're good at?" I left the stage with my eyes in the verge of crying.

Lance's POV

Nasa gilid ako ng hagdan paakyat ng stage kung saan hindi ko sinasadya marinig ang bulungan ni Asher at ng kaniyang Ama. Natapos ang kanilang usapan at nakasalubong ko si Asher nang makababa siya sa hagdan.

"Matmat..." Kita ko kung paano mangiyak-ngiyak na ang kaniyang mga mata.

He walked pass me without saying anything. Huminga ako nang malalim bago sinundan si Asher. I know he needs someone after what just happened.