Zilong's POV
"I would like to announce that there would be an upcoming competition in district level, namely the battle of the brains. I want this class to have its 2 representatives," Miss Salazar announced in front of the class.
Obvious stares from my classmates lingered around the classroom. They stared at me and Ling back and forth, indicating that we were already chosen, despite not speaking it out loudly.
"By the looks of it, obvious naman na who's going to join. The two of you, are you in?" Miss Salazar darted her gaze to the two of us. Mukhang wala na rin naman kaming choice kung hindi sumali.
"Yes, of course. We'll be joining, ma'am." Ling smiled as a confirmation of us joining the contest.
What the hell? Pinangunahan pa ako sa desisyon ko.
He turned his head to me and uttered, "I know you'll join. That's why I made the decision for the both of us."
That made me roll my eyes. Kairita talaga.
Days passed until the competition finally arrived. We were both in the campus vicinity before leaving for the venue of the said competition.
"Sorry, Zil. As much as we want to go after our class, we have many things to do pa. I'll supervise the publication today," Hanabi sighed heavily.
"It's okay. Knowing how busy you guys are, your support is what matters to me naman." I said that made their lips curved up.
"We will just celebrate after, okay? May training kami for volleyball eh. You know unit meet is around the corner na rin kasi. Ang strict pa ng captain diyan sa trainings," Kagura turned her gaze to Lunox and playfully glared at her.
"Okay, sige. 10 laps para sayo mamaya," Lunox playfully talked back.
"Baliw, sige na. May gagawin pa kayo. See you later." I waved my goodbye to them and walked towards where our van is.
"Finally done bidding goodbye with your friends? Parang 1 year 'di magkikita." Bungad niyang sabi while his attention is on his phone.
"Why do you care? Wala ka bang friends at tsaka hindi pa naman aalis."
"Whatever." He then entered the van and settled himself in.
While traveling, I felt dizzy. I didn't get over of my motion sickness until now. Oh, I hate this so much. Please, I don't want to throw up.
"Water. Bonamine." He stated beside me and offered me what's on his hand.
I looked at him with confusion painted on my face.
"Inumin mo. You have motion sickness, right?" He said as if he knows me. I didn't tell him that only my friends and my sister knows that, but how did he?
"I just knew." He said as if he read my mind and answered my question.
The competition started with us having the upper hand. Our opponents were clearly behind as our scores grew wider as the competition went through.
Nang ibigay ang final question sa amin, dali-dali akong nag-solve pero ang katabi ko ay nakatitig lang.
"What are you doing? Mag-solve ka nga, dali!" I instructed and brought my attention to my scratch paper.
"Isn't obvious to you? The answer does not exist." He exclaimed confidently.
"Huh?"
"The limit does not exist, geek. Take a look at the equation. If you graphed that in your head, it will form an asymptote that makes it undefined, hence, does not exist." He explained and wrote down our answer.
And he was right.
He, again, formed an annoying smirk on his face. Pinapamukha na naman niya sa akin na palagi siyang tama and it was infuriating.
"Thank you for not letting our team lose. You've got some guts there." Asar niyang sabi kaya hinampas ko siya nang malakas sa braso. Imbes na masaktan siya ay lalo lang siyang tumawa.
Panalo na nga siya sa contest na 'to, panalo rin siya sa pagiging pinakanakakainis na taong kakilala ko. Walang araw na hindi siya pumalya sa pang-iinis at pang-aasar sa akin.
"You two, come here. Awarding ceremony will start in a few. Congratulations, again." Miss Salazar said and made our way to the hall of the campus we're in.
"And for the champion of the battle of the brains, we present to you the ML University with their two competitors, Mr. Zilong and Ling. We hereby grant these certificates and trophies to recognize their immense ingenuity in the field of mathematics. Congratulations to the both of you," the emcee announced and we took our step to the stage after we were called.
It was a tiring day parang naubusan ako ng brain juice. We went back to our campus grounds. Throughout the ride, I was asleep because I didn't want to give him any attention.
Pagkarating namin ay pumunta kami sa faculty upang mag-celebrate kahit papaano. The co-members of the faculty delightfully congratulated us. We gave them smiles and thank them for their kind words.
After having our mini celebration, we both excused ourselves and go to our respective groups that we were meeting.
As hapless as I am, madadapa na sana ako pero agad akong hinawakan ni Ling sa braso para hindi ako matumba sa sahig.
"Geek ka na nga, lampa ka pa," he remarked and let go of me. He walked away, leaving me behind and not able to reply to him.
"But that's what I love about you, though." Ling whispered, which I didn't get a chance to hear what he's murmuring about.
For sure, pang-aasar niya lang sa 'kin 'yon. Why would I bother 'di ba?
I was welcomed by my friends with huge smiles on their faces. Akala mo talaga sila yung nakipag-compete eh. Joke.
"OMG WE KNEW YOU CAN DO IT!" Bungad ni Gura. Nakakabasag ng eardrums ang sigaw niya sa totoo lang.
"We'll feature you in the school's paper. I'll assign Wanwan to write about your triumph," singit ni Hana. I smiled with the thought of my sister writing my article, but it vanished immediately when I remembered na kasama ko pala si Ling.
"Tara celebrate tayo. Syempre sa bahay nila Zil hehe," sabi ni Natan at tumango naman si Granger.
"Lagi naman eh. Order na lang tayo ha?" Sabi ko sa kanila.
"Wait na lang natin si Luns dito. Nag-shower lang saglit. Andami niyang ginawang sets ngayon. Tatlong batch binigyan niya ng sets eh." Kagura said.
Lunox, it may not seem like it, but she is an athletic person. She's the one who always insist that I should join a sport, but I decline her offer since I am for the books. Kaya sila Gura na lang yung kinulit niya. Look, they both enjoy playing together-with Gura as her spiker.
She loves volleyball as much as she loves doing volunteering stuff and outreach programs. She went a long way before achieving what she has now. I remember nung time na na-cut off siya during our first year hindi agad siya napasok sa team kaya sobrang lungkot niya non.
Pero ngayon, siya na ang captain ng volleyball team namin and she's doing great at it. I'm proud of her what she've become.
"Andito na pala ang champion natin eh. Isang 'eyyy' naman diyan," Lunox said at sinalubong kami.
"Baliw." I commented, which earned a laugh from Natan.
"Ang tagal mo. Akala namin nalunod ka na sa shower room eh." Kagura said.
Umalis na kaming lahat papunta ng bahay para mag-celebrate. I informed my sister as well na darating ako with my friends, which excite her.
We celebrated my success na parang success na rin ng lahat. After all, we share each other's success. No matter how big or small it is.
"Congratulations ulit!" Hanabi said as they make their way out.
"Ingat kayo pauwi." I waved at them and closed our door.
Many things happened, as usual, but I will sure treasure this day.
YOU ARE READING
In every lifetime
FanfictionZilong and Ling have been lovers since the beginning of their lifetime. In every lifetime they lived, Zilong always forgets and Ling always remembers as the God's way to condemn the lovers.
