11:11 A Life Without You (ON HOLD)

What Number?

CHAPTER 2 – What Number?

I'm with Ate Amy, Ate Aerieal, Ate Mae, Ate Jia and Jamie here at Zark's Burgers to spend our time while waiting for our other teammates who have other classes until 5:30.

"So what are your orders, guys?" I volunteered since I'm pretty much bored and not in the mood. Not that they are not fun to be with, but probably because something is bothering me mula pa kaninang umaga. And I don't know what it is. It s-ucks.

"Jawbreaker!" Ate Amy and Jamie said simultaneously.

"Ultimate Burger!" Ate Jia shouted excitedly. "Pa-add na rin ng Wings 'N Chips, Therese ha?"

"I'll have what Jia ordered. Except the chips" Sabi naman ni Ate Yel. "Eh ikaw, Therese? Anong sa'yo?" Dugtong pa niya.

"Chokeslam lang, Ate Yel."

"Are you sure, Therese? It's not obvious you're hungry." Ate Amy told me with a sly smile.

"Says the one who ordered a Jawbreaker, huh?"

She just gave me the peace-hand sign. "And please don't forget my Nachos Galore."

Grabe itong mga to kumain.

"Wait, Tray! Yung share namin." Pahabol ni Ate Jia.

Umiling lang ako. "My treat." Then I left to fall in line.

*

Habang kumakain kami, nagstart si Ate Yel ng topic na hindi ko man lang nasundan. You can't blame me. Kanina pa kasi ako may iniisip. And I just can't voice it out loud knowing na pagtatawanan lang ako ng mga ito. Or maybe not. Baka they'll advise me pa diba? Pero nahihiya ako. Tuksuin pa ako.

Urrgg. I need Maddie!

I sighed.

"Lalim ng buntong hiniga, Therese ah. Anong meron?" Tanong ni Ate Yel. Now all their attentions are on me. Umiling lang ako as a sign na wala lang. "Sigurado ka? C'mon. Share mo na."

"Oo nga, Tray." "Huwag ka na mahiya."

These girls are really persistent, but I'm thankful that they really care about me.

Sasagot na sana ako nang cinut ako ni Ate Jia. "Tungkol ba ito kaninang umaga? Yung sinabi ni-" I covered her mouth before she spills something na hindi ko gusto.

"No." I told her the truth. "Basta na mga ate. Let me handle it muna, okay?" They nodded, and continued what they were talking about kanina.

Hayy nako, Therese. Huwag ka ngang pahalata.

 

*

After the afternoon training, the managing staff briefed the men's and women's team, especially the rookies, for the choosing of jersey numbers. They told us that we can only choose a number that is available. Or maybe we can swap with our teammates as long as we both agree. They gave us some few minutes to decide.

"Twinny!" I ran to Maddie and faked a crying-sound. Pagkalapit ko sa kanya, I gave her a back hug, and put all my weight into her kaya muntikan na kaming matumba.

"Why? What's up?" She asked laughing. "It's either may kailangan ka sa akin or naglalambing ka lang, Twin."

"What did you choose?"

"Ha? Oh, right. Well, I was about to choose 18 pero kinausap ako ni Ate Kim na kung pwede I'll have 17 na lang. So ayun, I agreed."

"Si Bea raw?"

"She wanted to have her Povedan number which is 12, but Ate Jia had it already, so she picked number 14. Ikaw ba?"

"I don't knooooow. Help me, Twinny." Nanlulumong sabi ko kay Maddie. Our other teammates na malapit sa amin at nakikinig, pinagtawanan lang ako. Bullies.

"Usap na lang kayo ni Karen. Nine and 11 na lang ata ang available. Go!" Tinulak-tulak pa ako.

*

After the small talk, deciding and choosing, lahat kami pinaupo sa iisang side ng gym including the boys. The head of the managing staff started rereading the list of our names with the jersey number we chose. They want us to see if we want to clarify things pa. Or maybe change our minds.

"Okay. If there are no changes, you can go."

"Guys, team dinner daw sa Vikings." Sigaw ni Ate Ly. Sunod-sunod na yes, yay at omg ang narinig ko na may kasama pang talon. Everybody's so excited. Matagal na kasi yung last time na nagbuffet kami as a team. I missed the seafoods and steak. Grabe, bigla akong nagutom.

"Tara, Therese. Sa coaster daw tayong lahat para sabay-sabay." Maddie said as she approach me.

"Okay, sabay na tayo lumabas. Wait for me. I'll just get my things sa other side."

After I got my things, while I was on my way back to Maddie, I checked my phone for unread messages and missed calls. I also texted my parents that the team will have a dinner together tonight. Still on the phone, I bumped into someone. Jusko, muntikan pang nahulog itong phone ko. "Sorry-" Natulala pa ako. I mentally shook my head. "Sorry, Kuya Rex."

"Oh, wala ka na ba sa sarili mo kasi nasa harap mo na ulit ang idol mo." Sabi niya ng may nakakalokong ngiti.

"Ha?" I gave him a puzzled look.

"Diba? Kaya pinili mo yung 11, kaya jersey number 11 ka kasi idol na idol mo ako." Literal na napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. This guy is too full of himself. Too proud actually. "Gwapo ba ako kaya hindi ka na makapagsalita diyan? Rex ehem pogi." Sabi pa niya.

"Ang yabang mo! Diyan ka na nga, Kuya. Nahiya ako sa hindi nakikitang kagwapuhan mo." Pinuntahan ko na si Maddie na ngayon ay mag-isa na, at kinuha yung kamay niya para hilain siya. Binigyan niya ako ng anong-meron look. I just smiled at her. Calm down,Therese. Binagalan ko na rin yung lakad ko. "Wala. Tara na. Baka hinihintay na tayo."

You ruined my night, Rex Emmanuel Intal.

WisdernBleu's Note:

Rush update, guys. I'll try to post the new chapter tonight. Hopefully.

Enjoy reading!