16 & 16

9: Walang Palo/Pangit Sets

"Belen, sige na, akin na lang 'yung 4!" Detdet says, frowning at Bella, "Kung talagang mahal mo ko! Champion naman na kayo eh!"

I watch in amusement as Bella and Detdet argue over who gets the jersey #4. For the longest time, pareho nga rin pala sila ng jersey number.

"Luh, kaya nga dapat ako makakuha ng 4 eh," Bella says, "Kasi ako 'yung champion."

I laugh, pero agad akong tumigil once I see Cassie walking towards me. I know pareho kami ng iniisip.

"Dibs sa 16." We say at the same time.

Lord, save me.

"Bakit?" She says right away, nakataas na kilay niya, "Alam mo naman na 16 ako, diba?"

"Alam mo rin na 16 ako, wag kang magkunwari," I answer, rolling my eyes, "Ano, gagawin ba natin 'yung dati?"

[FLASHBACK: AGE 15]

"Ito na naman 'yung ultimate friendship test natin." I say, looking at Cassie.

For the longest time, palagi kaming nasa ibang team ni Cassie pag sa school tuwing intrams kasi hindi kami magkaklase. Pareho kami ng jersey number, which is #16.

Pero ngayon, sasali ulit kami ng liga dito sa Silay, and oras na naman na magiging teammates kami. Which means, may discussion kami ngayon kung sino gagamit ng #16.

"Sayo na lang." Cassie says right away.

"Ha?" I answer, shaking my head sideways, "'Di ako pumapayag. Sayo na lang, Sie."

Ganito lagi 'yung eksena tuwing sumasali kami ni Cassie ng league or tournament. Hindi namin pinagaawayan 'yung #16. Instead, pinagaawayan namin kung sino 'yung magpaparaya.

"Sayo na, y/n," She answers, crossing her arms over her chest, "Lucky number mo 'yun eh."

"Lucky number mo rin 'yun!" I say, "Sayo na lang, please?"

She sighs. Palaging ganito 'yung nangyayari sa usapan namin tuwing pilian na ng jersey number. Pero alam na alam ko na magiging ending nito, kasi it always ends the same way.

Kunwari lang naman na nagtuturuan kami on who gets the jersey #16. Pero in the end, we both know what happens.

"Kunwari pa tayo," Cassie laughs, as though she's read my mind, "Ano, ganun ulit tulad ng dati? Akin 1, tas sayo 6?"

"Or gusto mo bang 6 ka naman tas 1 ako?" I ask, laughing too.

"Sige, para maiba naman." She smiles.

I smile back at her. For as long as I can remember, ganito na kami ni Cassie. Never kami nagdamot, and we always make sure to consider each other. I hope we never change.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"Anong tulad ng dati? Tig-isa tayo ng number?" Cassie says, raising an eyebrow again, "Ayaw ko. Akin 'yung 16."

"Akin, Cassie," I answer sternly, "Nakapag-champion ako na 16 'yung jersey number ko. Kaya dapat ako gumamit ngayon."

Lumapit samin si Detdet, at suot na niya 'yung jersey na may #4. Pagtingin ko kay Bella, #15 'yung suot niya.

"Inisip ko na lang na 5 minus 1 equals 4," Bella laughs, "Pinagbigyan ko na si Det, ngayon lang naman."

Agad akong tumingin kay Cassie, to see na nakatingin na rin siya sakin.