KAPARES NI TRES (the battle for the Taft Tower's heart)

XVIII - CROSS ROADS

Three years had passed and within that three years, marami na ang nangyari sa buhay ni Mika.

Kung si Kiefer ay umalis sa landas ni Mika, isang bagong buddy naman ang pumalit sa kanya. Yes, new buddy, but not a friend, rather a younger brother, si Miko. Sobrang naging masaya ang kanilang pamilya sa pagdating ng bago nilang kapatid. May bago ng kalaro si Mika at kasama. Though minsan makulit, ang bagong bunso ng pamilya ang nagbibigay kwela sa stressful na buhay ni Mika. Lalo pa itong nagiging masaya dahil kasundo ni Miko si Jessey, kaya kapag nagsama silang tatlo, asahan mo, it's the end of the world sa kanilang kakulitan.

Natapos na rin ang pagpapagawa ng resort nina Mika. It was successfully launched a year ago, at maganda ang nagiging kita hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Nagclikc ito sa masa dahil na rin sa ganda hindi lang ng paligi kundi pati na ang serbisyo nila. Ito na rin ang bagong tambayan ng tatlo, Mika, Jessey at Miko, at kapag walang pasok, panigurado, dito lang sila nagtatago.

Mika's studies and class standing also turned out good for the previous years. She always culminates up with flying colors. Maging si Jessey, top of the class din dahil sa full force nilang dalawa pagdating sa pag-aaral. They help each other in reviewing their lessons sa class. This, in turn, made Mika's parents so proud of her, kahit na madalas silang wala sa tabi nito.

And speaking of Jessey, lalong tumibay ang kanilang friendship as time goes by. Pinatunayan niyang hindi lang siya bestfriend by name, kundi isang tunay and genuine bestfriend. They always support each other anuman ang mangyari, at simula ng mawala si Kiefer, hindi na talaga iniwan ni Jessey si Mika. Lagi siyang on the go para kay Mika.

After also that talk with Kiefer, Mika didn't bother to contact or even think of Kiefer for a second. Pinanindigan na niya ang kanyang desisyong lumayo at kalimutan si Kiefer. Hindi niya rin ito kailanman pinagsisihan dahil dito natuto siyang maging matibay. Nalagasan man siya ng isang mahalagang kaibigan, nakita naman niya kung sino ang mga taong handang magbigay ng tunay na halaga sa kanya. Bukod pa dun, dumami na rin ang mga naging kaibigan niya sa St. Scho, pero wala pa ring tutumbas sa pagkakaibigan nila ni Jessey.

After three years, marami na ring nangyari sa sports career ni Mika. Ng tuluyan na siyang makarecover at gumaling sa kanyang injury, diretso training na agad siya. She persevered hard para mas gumaling each day for the past three years. She never settled, she toiled to be the best. Dito hindi naman siya nabigo. Matapos ang heartbreaking lost nila against AUF during her first year, they managed to reclaim their crown from them the next year, at the same time gain a back to back title pagkatapos. Now this year, kakatapos lang ulit ng prestihiyosong competition na iyon, and they managed to get a three peat, under the leadership of Mika, na naging team captain na nila. She also managed to get the MVP award sa huling taon niyang paglalaro para sa St. Scholastica.

"Ate Jessey!" tumakbo si Miko papalapit kay Jessey saka kiniss ito sa pisngi.

Niyakap naman ni jessey si Miko saka binigyan din ng kiss. "Hi baby!"

"I missed you ate Jessey!"

"Agad? Parang nung isang araw lang nagkita pa tayo ah."

"Eh, I missed you nga eh, and I really do."

"Haha, I missed you more baby. Where is Tita and ate?"

"Oh, si mama, hmmm, I think she is in the kitchen, preparing me snacks. You want to try ate Jessey? It's delicious."

"Sure baby. Call me kapag luto na okay? Eh ikaw, anong ginagawa mo? You're playing alone here?"

"No ate Jessey. I'm done playing na, and I'm cleaning and keeping my toys so they won't get damaged."

"Oh, good boy. Keep that up baby, para matuwa si Tita."

"Of course ate Jessey."

"Baby is it fine if I leave you here muna? I'll go and climb up your ate Mika eh, she's in her room right?"