At the end of the Game || MaColet AU

01

Same day, but in a different scenario, a girl in her all white, nursing uniform went downstairs, all prepared to go to school.

"Ma, alis na po ako." Sabi nung babae at humalik sa pisngi ng kaniyang ina.

Casey's mom gave the kiss back and placed her hands over her daughter's cheek. "Ingat, Casey, ah? Mag-aral nang mabuti, 'nak." Paalala niya rito.

Casey gave her a smile and a nod before exiting their household. She started taking a short, 10-minute walk towards the train station in order to take a transportation towards her university.

Nang makasakay na siya sa loob ng tren, naaninag ng mga mata niya ang dalawang babae, who look like they're also MedTech students based on their all-white uniform, na nakaupo malapit kung sa'n siya ngayon nakaupo.

Casey wondered if they go to the same university as she does. She decided to step closer, holding onto the bars inside the train to prevent herself from getting out of balance, to have a clear view of the girls' ID lanyard.

Bago pa man niya makumpirma if sa same university sila nag-aaral, napansin na ka'gad siya ng isa sa kanila.

"Shei, look! Taga-SMU rin oh!" Sabi niya sa katabing may dimples sabay turo kay Casey.

Napatingin naman si 'Shei' sa direksiyon ni Casey, "Ay! Hello, ate! Upo ka rito, dali!" She invited, scooting over to give some space for Casey to sit between them.

Casey smiled towards them and said 'thank you' out of gratitude before gladly taking their offer.

"Hello! What year ka na, anteh? Parang bagong mukha ka, ah?" Tanong sa kaniya nung nakapansin sa kaniya.

"Second year na. Kaka-transfer ko lang kasi eh." Sagot naman ni Casey.

Sumunod namang nagtanong si Shei. "Oh?! Edi sa'n ka nag-aaral before?"

"UST."

"What?! Grabe! Ba't you transferred sa SMU?"

"Kinailangan kasi naming lumipat sa hometown nila mama. Last year kasi..." Casey heaved a deep sigh, "...namatay na si papa... so hirap si mama na masustentuhan pangangailangan namin nang mag-isa. So, ayon, nag-offer sila lola, mother ni mama, na makitira muna kami sa kanila para less gastos and may katulong si mama sa bahay."

Bigla namang nalungkot ang mga mukha ng katabi niya matapos niyang magkwento.

"Hala... Sorry to hear that. Sorry if na-bring up ko." Shei apologized.

Casey shook her head, "No worries."

"Well, ngayon 'di ka na mag-isa. We're going to be your new besties!" Inakbayan siya ng isa pa niyang katabi, "My name's Skylar pala! Sky for short. Sorry if ngayon lang me nagpakilala."

"And I'm Sheila! Shei na lang, for short." Pakilala ng babaeng may dimples.

"Cassidy. Cass, Cassy, or Casey, bahala na kayo kung alin itatawag niyo." Casey responded, letting out a chuckle.

"Casey na lang! It sounds cute!" Sky exclaimed, unconsciously pinching Casey's cheeks, which made the latter flinch.

"Aray- wait, ayokong may kumukurot sa pisngi ko!"

"Ay! Sorry!" Sky immediately apologized, retrieving her hand from Casey's cheek, "Cute kasi eh! It's very pinchable- pinchable?!"

"Gaga ka talaga, Sky! Kakakilala pa lang natin kay Casey ang FC mo na ka'gad!" Sumbat ni Sheila sa kaibigan.

"Okay lang 'yan! We're gonna get along with each other naman, feel ko. Pareho lang naman kayo eh, cutie na masungit."

Casey just laughed along with the two as they continue to banter like little kids. Looks like her new college life was off to a good start.