The Last Shot

Chapter 27: Game 1

I'm too tired pretending to be someone I'm really not. I've been acting all so strong, rebellious and independent in front of everybody, but it's not really the real me.

I'm weak, just like anyone else. And I need someone to be there for me.

Kailan nga ba ako nagsimulang magpretend na strong at independent ako? Ah alam ko na. Since that day na napuno na ako sa pagiging strict sa akin ng pamilya ko. And it all got worse when I learned na ipapakasal ako ng pamilya ko sa isang taong hindi ko kilala, ni hindi ko man lang nakita.

Nagrebelde na ako since that day. I started to be someone tough, para hindi na nila ako mapilit na gawin ang hindi ko gusto. That's what I did. And then Jeron came. He never really knew about my weak side. He never really knew about how pathetic my life was.

I shifted my gaze to Gab, who's just driving quietly.

I don't know what to do if he's not around. I don't know what could've happened to me kung hindi siya dumating...sa buhay ko.

"Alam ko, ang gwapo ko." He said without looking at me.

I smiled. "Thank you Gabby."

He shifted his gaze to me and smiled before looking back on the road. "You've thanked me a million times already, Kimmy."

I continued staring at him as I reached for his hand which he rested on the gear. He didn't say a thing. He just intertwined our hands.

Hindi naman siguro mahirap mag move on diba? Lalo na if a guy life Gab is just right here. Hindi naman siya mahirap mahalin.

Biglang nag ring ang phone niya. But since he's holding my hand, hindi niya makuha ang phone ko. I looked at him. Hindi naman niya binibitawan ang kamay ko.

"Pakisagot nalang." He said.

I looked at him before I reached for his phone na nasa dashboard. It's Saab, who's calling.

"Si Saab." I said before answering the call. "Hello Saab. This is Kim. Nagda-drive kasi si Gab."

"Hi Kim!" she greeted. "Magkasama pala kayo? Anyway, I just want to invite you to watch Jeric's game. I have two extra tickets eh."

Natigilan ako. Oo nga pala, first game nila ngayon for the UAAP finals. And it's La Salle against UST.

I shifted my gaze to Gab. "Saab's inviting us to watch Jeric's game."

Kumunot ang noo niya and I can feel that his grip on my hand tightend as he shifted his gaze to me. "Sabihin mo di tayo pupunta."

"Come on guys please!" sabi ni Saab on the other line. "I don't want to go there alone. Alam niyo na, baka may mangurot na naman sa akin."