Uncertain Something

20.

"Rhian! Hi, may ginagawa ka pa ba?" tanong ko kay Rhian na kakabalik lang sa office.

"Wala na," she answered with a wide smile. "Pabalik pa lang ako sa lib, magr-review na."

"Uh... Hehe, can I ask for a favor? Makikisuyo sana ako nito," I said then showed her my laptop. I edited the program invitation and arranged it on docs. Print na lang ang kulang no'n para ma-disseminate na. "Dadaan ka naman sa faculty, right? Pa-print." I smiled apologetically.

The smile on her face turned into a frown. Mukhang ayaw niyang gawin.

"Please! Please, please, Rhian. I still have a training at 10 and I don't have any more time," pakiusap ko habang magkadikit pa ang mga palad.

"Alright," she answered, heaving a sigh. "You owe me one!" Then she snatched the laptop from my hands.

"Yes! Thank you!"

She left, not looking back at me. I heaved a sigh of relief. Luckily, she still did me a favor. But I'm still unlucky! Late na kasi ako!

I ran to the locker room and quickly changed into my sport attire. After that, I rushed to the gym, silently hoping that the coach isn't there yet.

Things doesn't always go my way, though.

"13 minutes late. Run 13 laps around the gym," the coach authoritatively said. Argh.

"Yes, coach."

Gusto kong umirap ngayon pero kasalanan ko rin naman kaya wala akong choice. I started running around instead.

We've been training for a week now. Since then, halos wala na akong pahinga. Kung matatapos ang training, kailangan kong pumunta sa office o kaya naman pumasok sa klase. Excused naman kami sa mga klase pero pinipili ko pa ring pumasok dahil mahirap maka-miss ng lessons, malapit na kasing mag-exam.

I haven't been seeing Jade as well. S'yempre dahil busy rin siya sa training at iba pang schoolworks. I miss her already.

After running laps around the gym, I already started training with the rest of the team. Ilang oras pa ang lumipas at halos maligo na kami sa pawis.

"Water break!"

I walked towards the bleachers, panting. I wiped my sweat as I was drinking water. Napailing naman ako nang maubos ang tubig ko. Nasa kalahati pa lang ako ng training!

"Water pa?"

I looked at my side with furrowed brows. "Uy, Jade, ikaw pala... What are you doing here?"

She giggled. "Just finished playing chess. Hay, buti pa kami naka-aircon," sambit niya na tila iniinggit ako dahil pawis na pawis kami rito samantalang siya ay mukha pa ring fresh. "Sabi sa 'yo dapat nag-chess na lang tayo, e."

"I don't have regrets from choosing basketball," I replied, smirking.

"Nyenye, okay. Oh! Uminom ka na nga lang!" She handed me her tumbler. "Galingan mo sa training. Don't get injured."

I tried to hide my smile while drinking. That shit's making me feel butterflies in my stomach.

"Thank you," I said after drinking. Ibabalik ko sana ang tumbler niya but she insisted that I can have it.

"I'll head home na. Come over to my place later, sabay na tayo mag-dinner. Bye, Ace!" She waves as she walks towards the exit of the gym.

I just stood there, unable to speak but already having an inner celebration. She's finally inviting me to her place again!

"Your whole face is red right now. I don't know if it is because of the heat or because of a woman," Kier suddenly said. Kanina pa pala ito nakatingin. "Look at you, unconsciously smiling."