A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

Chapter 24

Clarissa's POV

Permission

"So, how was your first interaction with him?" Zedi asked.

Kararating ko lang sa boot camp. As in kaka-park ko lang sa garage ay tumawag siya. It's a quarter to ten PM, and I'm guessing she's only just woken up. I got out of my car; my phone was placed to my ear as I hastened my entry into the boot camp.

"Lalo siyang pomogi, girl," napahalakhak ako.

"Sige," she sounded really sarcastic that I can even envision her sneering.

"Chariz, wait lang," I said laughing. "Kararating ko lang. Hindi pa ako nakapasok ng kwarto."

Nagmadali akong umakyat sa kwarto para makausap siya nang mabuti. I switched on the lights and only took off my shoes once I was inside my room. Then, I sat on the couch to talk to Zedi. Syempre mamaya na ako magbihis dahil kanina pa ako kating kati na mag-kwento sa kanya.

"Ito na nga, Zed. 'Di ba nagpa-practice kami?" Eksaherada kong sinabi. "It started when our opponent wanted to play with me. That particular player uses Granger, and alam mo naman kapag Granger ang hero."

I heard her chuckle. "Oo, lalandiin mo 'yong user."

"Luh, hindi! Kay Granger na hero lang ako attracted, sarap kasi sa ears ng boses niya." I faked a cough and imitated Granger's voice line in a very deep and husky voice. "Wanna take a look inside?" I spoke and giggled. "Tangina, yes na yes for you, my love!"

Napahalakhak siya. "Baliw ka talaga!"

We both erupted in laughter. Alam kong lahat ng ML players na babae ay makaka-relate sa akin kapag naririnig nila ang boses ni Granger. 'Yong tipong boses pa lang ulam na.

"Ituloy mo na nga! What happened next?" Zedi asked, there's still a hint of laughter in her voice.

"Pabiro kong sinabi na pwede kaming maglaro next game kapag Granger hero niya. And girl, I have very nosy teammates kaya ayun, hindi sila tumigil kaka-usap tungkol kay Granger. At ito na!"

Para akong baliw habang inaalala ang nangyari kanina. Hindi ako kinilig, medyo lang. Don't get me wrong, I was impressed by how good Gasper is at using Granger. Mala-Zyro ba naman ang galawan.

"Dae, biglaang nag-auto lock si Gasper ng Granger," sabi ko na kunyari naiiyak. "Nagulat ako, pota!"

"Hala, kinilig 'yan siya."

"Oo, sorry." I covered my mouth playfully.

Kung nagkausap lang kami through chat, nag-spam na ako ng emoji na umiiyak.

I don't want to overanalyze my feelings for him right now; I just want to express my emotions freely without worrying about it. I feel confident that I've moved on from him based on how I've faced and acknowledged my feelings without fear.

Ibang-iba ang nararamdaman ko noon at ngayon kaya't masasabi kong wala na akong nararamdaman para sa kanya. I used to do everything to bury my feelings before, but now I disregard any concern and embrace them instead. It's like I know that these feelings I harbor for him won't put me in danger.

Hindi pa gising ang mga kasamahan ko nang nagtungo ako sa dining kinabukasan. I didn't forget about the rule, but I am now hungry, so I searched for something to eat in the fridge. Tama lang din ang desisyon kong huwag silang hintayin dahil umalis nalang ako ng boot camp ay hindi pa rin sila nagigising.

I was now in front of Gaviel's boot camp, waiting for someone to open the door. I rang the doorbell once and waited, but minutes ticked by with no response. I pressed the doorbell to try again, yet there was still no sign of movement from inside. Medyo nakaramdam na ako ng inis, pero kinalma ko na muna ang sarili.