Patience and Affection

#12 - ❝The Game Of Hearts❞

Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear, the campus alive with the buzz of excitement. It was Sportsday, a much-anticipated event where students from all departments came together to compete in various sports. The usually serious atmosphere of the school was replaced with cheers, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie.

Maxwell arrived at the pavilion early, the excitement of the day already bubbling within him. He spotted Andrea and Scarlett near the entrance, waving at him to join them.

“Maxwell, andito ka na pala!” Andrea greeted him with a bright smile as he approached.

“Of course, hindi ko palalampasin ‘to,” Maxwell replied, grinning back. “Excited na nga ako, eh.”

“Perfect timing,” Scarlett said, her expression more composed but with a hint of amusement. “I have news for you guys. Wayne joined the basketball team.”

Maxwell’s eyes widened in surprise. “Talaga? Hindi ko alam na mahilig siya sa basketball.”

“Surprise nga rin sa akin,” Andrea chimed in, her tone teasing. “Pero narinig ko kay Scarlett na Wayne specifically asked her to make sure you’d be there to watch.”

“Ha?” Maxwell felt his face heat up at the thought. “Sinabi niya ‘yun?”

Scarlett nodded, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, sabi niya, ‘Make sure Maxwell watches.’”

Maxwell could hardly believe it. The idea that Wayne wanted him there, specifically, sent a wave of warmth through him. It was one thing for them to hang out regularly, but this felt different—more personal, more significant.

“Ang sweet naman,” Andrea teased, nudging Maxwell playfully. “Mukhang may admirer ka na, Max.”

“Tumigil ka nga,” Maxwell muttered, though he couldn’t hide the smile that was spreading across his face.

They made their way to the court where the basketball games were set to begin. The Engineering team, clad in their department colors, was warming up, and Maxwell quickly spotted Wayne among them. His heart skipped a beat as he watched Wayne dribble the ball with practiced ease, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a focused intensity.

Beside Wayne were Dean and Derrick, both of whom were equally skilled and energetic. But what really caught Maxwell’s attention was the presence of Joshua Hong, Rhiannon’s older brother, who was the team captain. It wasn’t surprising—Joshua was known for his athleticism, and the Hong siblings were a force to be reckoned with.

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As the game began, the crowd erupted into cheers, with each department’s supporters rallying behind their teams. Maxwell found himself glued to the game, his eyes following Wayne’s every move. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as he watched Wayne skillfully navigate the court, making passes and taking shots with a cool confidence that Maxwell admired.

Scarlett and Andrea cheered enthusiastically, their voices rising above the crowd. Maxwell, caught up in the excitement, joined in, his usual reserved nature slipping away in the heat of the moment.

“Naku, Max,” Andrea teased during a timeout. “Baka naman sumisigaw ka diyan ng ‘Go Wayne!’”

Maxwell laughed, though he felt a slight blush creep up his neck. “Bakit ba, Andrea? Parang masyado kang excited na magtukso.”

Scarlett, who was usually the voice of reason, decided to join in. “Wala lang, Maxwell. It’s just cute to see you so invested.”

As the game progressed, it became clear that the Engineering team was dominating. With Joshua’s leadership and the combined efforts of Wayne, Dean, and Derrick, they steadily pulled ahead. When the final buzzer sounded, declaring Engineering as the champions, the crowd went wild.

Maxwell felt a rush of exhilaration as he watched Wayne high-five his teammates, a rare smile breaking across his usually stoic face. Scarlett nudged Maxwell again, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Well, Max, looks like you owe someone a congratulations,” she teased.

Maxwell hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding. He wanted to go down and congratulate Wayne, to share in his victory. But before he could make up his mind, something—or rather someone—caught his attention.

Lily, who had been hovering near the sidelines, suddenly made her move. She darted towards Wayne, her face lit up with excitement, and without warning, she flung her arms around him in a tight hug.

Maxwell’s breath caught in his throat. The scene played out in slow motion before his eyes—Lily clinging to Wayne, while Wayne, caught off guard, seemed unsure of how to react. The sight sent a pang through Maxwell’s chest, a mixture of surprise and something he didn’t quite want to acknowledge as jealousy.

Scarlett and Andrea, who had been about to encourage Maxwell to approach Wayne, also noticed the sudden development. Scarlett frowned slightly, her usually composed expression showing a hint of disapproval.

“Wow, she’s fast,” Andrea muttered, clearly unimpressed by Lily’s actions.

Maxwell swallowed hard, trying to push down the unexpected emotions that were rising within him. He had no claim over Wayne—Lily had every right to congratulate him just as much as he did. But still, seeing her so close to him, seeing her take the moment he had been hoping for, stung in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

“Max, okay ka lang?” Scarlett asked, her tone gentle as she noticed his silence.

Maxwell forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Okay lang, Scarlett. It’s… okay lang.”

But it wasn’t. As much as he tried to convince himself otherwise, seeing Lily with Wayne made Maxwell realize just how much he had been looking forward to sharing that victory with him. It wasn’t just about watching the game—it was about being there for Wayne, about celebrating with him in a way that felt special, unique to them.

And now, that moment was gone.

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Maxwell stood there, rooted to the spot, as the crowd began to disperse. Wayne had finally untangled himself from Lily’s grasp, but the opportunity had passed. The conversation, the congratulations, the connection—everything he had imagined in his head—had been snatched away in an instant.

Scarlett and Andrea exchanged a look, both understanding the unspoken emotions that Maxwell was grappling with. They didn’t press him further, instead standing by his side in silent support.

As the day drew to a close and the celebration continued around them, Maxwell couldn’t help but feel that something had changed. The realization that he wanted more from his relationship with Wayne had been simmering for a while, but now it was at the forefront of his mind, undeniable and impossible to ignore.

And it left him wondering—what was he going to do about it?

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