Game Plan (COMPLETE)

20

The following day, it seemed like he was trying his best to make up for everything—because he picked me up from the house.

I couldn't help but think: Will he only ever show this kind of affection whenever there's conflict between us?

Si Dad pa nga ang tumawag sa akin mula sa kwarto ko. "Ven's outside."

Before stepping out, I asked, "Wala kayong training?"

"Wala muna. May event na paggagamitan ng field."

I nodded. Dad kissed the top of my head before letting me walk out the door. True to da'd words, Ven was there, standing by the car in a casual outfit—navy blue polo shirt, white shorts, sneakers.

Well, this is a view.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa... paa ko? My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Then, he asked, "Are you going to wear that?"

My eyes dropped down to my feet as well and... putangina. With my pursed lips, I went back inside, grabbed my slides, and removed the barbie slippers off of my feet.

I went back outside. I could see there was still a ghost of amusement and laughter in his expression. Hindi ko napigilan ang mga mata ko at umirap ito habang papalapit ako sa kaniya.

"What? It's a pretty slipper." 

I groaned. It was a slipper that I got when I was thirteen or fourteen. I only use it here at home because it really looked like it belonged to a six-year-old.

Ven slightly raised his hands. "Sorry, okay, I'll stop."

He proceeded to just open the door for me. Then, instead of going around to the driver's seat, he went to the backseat and grabbed something.

My mouth parted slightly when he handed them to me—flowers. I accepted them with two hands, like a kid, immediately bringing them closer to my nose.

I smiled. "What's the occasion?"

He shrugged. "Nothing."

Last one... Maybe my decision last night was right. 

I hope so.

"You're heading to training na, right?" I nodded, still staring at the flowers. "Then I'll take you there... and pick you up later."

"Saan ka muna pupunta?" Four hours din ang training ko kaya napatanong ako.

"I might run errands. Then later, let's go on a real date. Hindi fast food or drive-thru lang."

Just the thought of how tonight could go made my lips curve into a soft smile. "Sounds good to me."

I could feel Ace's gaze drilling into us when Ven dropped me off at IRRI.

"I'll probably arrive 10 minutes early," he said. "But basta, I'll be here."

I nodded, waved goodbye, and walked toward Ace who was already lacing up her cleats.

"Oh, ano?" she started.

I looked at her, confused. "Ano?"

"Putcha," she muttered under her breath. "Totoo pala 'yung sinasabi nila na dapat nire-record ang advice."

I only shrugged. If it ends badly, then so be it. If it works, then good.

Like what Coach told me last time: Bawi ka. So I gave it my all during practice. Pawis na pawis ako pagkatapos at ramdam ko na halos manigas ang binti ko, but it felt good.

It was the kind of sweat and pain that validated that I worked hard today—not just floated through it.

After cool-downs and changing, I was walking beside Ace again. This time, siya ang busy sa phone niya, while my eyes scanned the area.