TAKE A CHANCE (MikhAiah AU)

3

We are now here at the university gymnasium waiting for the players of the student council team and art team for their first ever training with us. Our team was the one that arrived first, and as a team captain, I oriented them about what the coach wanted us to do in helping the two teams, and because we are also required to participate in the said event, we decided to do a vote for those who will represent our team for the student festival while waiting.

“Based on the results of the voting, Colet, Gwen, Jhoanna, and Captain Mikha will be the representatives of our team for the upcoming student festival.” The team was cheering loudly after our names were mentioned.

“Sure win na talaga to!” Sigaw ng isa sa kanila.

“Mga kababayan asahan niyong aming ipaglalaban ang ating dangal at pangalan. Ang inyong boto ay hindi masasayang sapagkat gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming kakayahan.” Jho confidently said while standing in front of all of our team members, acting like a politician in a campaign rally.

“Gagawin daw ang lahat. Hindi mo nga kayang maligo.” Gwen jokingly said that makes everyone laugh while Jhoanna gave her a death stare.

"Ugh. My precious rest days." I grunted.

"Wala ka ng choice Mikhs kasi tayo ang pinili ng taong bayan.” Sabi ni Jhoanna. 

"I think it will be fun, Mikhs, to do things aside from doing volleyball training." Sabi ni Gwen.

“Lumabas ka rin ng condo mo Mikhs para hindi ka magmukhang furniture na naka tengga lang.”  Jho said.

“What’s tenga?” I curiously asked.
“Tengga. Yung naka stock lang. Yung…wag na nga lang binibigyan mo pa ako ng trabaho.” She answered, and I just rolled my eyes at her.

"Uy bai balita ko sa dancing competition sasali yung volleyball boys. What if sa band competition tayo?" Colet said while the two nodded repeatedly as they agreed with the idea.

“That’s nice idea! Nakakamiss yung mga jamming sessions natin when we were young sa bahay nila Colet.” Jhoanna said with a smile as she reminisces about the past.

“Miss mo na mabalibag ni Colet ng gitara.” Gwen teased.

“Ikaw Gwen nakakarami ka na ha!” Jhoanna said as she tries to smack Gwen that the latter easily dodge.

"We will just talk about it at another time.” Sabi ko sa mga kaibigan ko at tumayo.

“Everyone, get ready. They are here." I said in a serious voice as I saw some people walking towards us.

"Are the captains of both teams already here?" I ask, waiting for the response.

"I am the team captain for art team po." Sabi ng babae then nagpakilala.

"How about the team captain of Student Council?" I asked again. Walang kumibo sa team ng student council na kanina pa iniikot ang tingin na para bang may hinahanap.

"Hello, po. I am the vice president of Student Council." A girl from the student council team said. She is wearing eyeglasses and a red ribbon in her hair.

"The president of the student council will be our team captain, pero baka ma late siya nga-" She wasn't able to finish her sentence when suddenly, out of nowhere, a girl showed up panting, as it seems that she came from running, which caught our attention.

"I-I'm so-sorry for being late." Hingal na sabi ng babae.

"I'm Maraiah Queen Arceta, the student council president and the team captain of our group," she added after she stabilized her breathing.

Na pa kunot naman ang noo ko ng mamukhaan ko ang babae.

"Okay. Since both of the captains are present now you can start the draw lots na." I commanded that they immediately obliged.

"Now that the draw lots were done lahat ng player ng art team and varsity player na nabunot nila will use the volleyball court of building C dahil yun ang na bunot nila while the team of student council will use this court. Remember players safety first and good luck everyone."  I said in a cold voice bago umalis ang team ng art club para pumunta sa kabilang building. The four of us were picked by the student council team, which is why we are just sitting at the bench while waiting sa kanila na ngayon ay nag papalit na ng damit nila sa lady’s room.

"Hey, Capt. What's with that cold aura?" Sabi ni Colet.

"Kaya nga. Para ka na mang villain sa mga stories na umiigting ang panga." Na tatawang sabi ni Jho.

"It's her." Walang gana kong sabi.

"What do you mean by it's her?" Nag tatakang tanong na man ni Gwen.

"The girl in the cafeteria, it's her. The president of student council," I said with annoyance as I recall what happened.

"You are really bothered by her, huh?" Sabi ni Gwen at bago pa ako makasagot nag salita naman si Colet.

"Oo nga Mikhs. This is the first time that you are bothered by a girl eh parang dati na man wala kang pake sa mga babae sa lahat ng tao nga eh." Colet said.

"Wait, you like her, no?!" Malakas na sabi ni Jho na dahilan ng paglingon ng iba naming kasama sa amin. I gave her a death stare kaya agad niyang tinakpan ang bibig niya at nag peace sign.

“Love at first sight?” Colet said joining Jhoanna in teasing me.

"They are here na." Pagputol ko sa kabaliwan nila at tumayo.

"And for the record, I'm not bothered by her," I said before leaving them.

Am I?