Challengers

38 : Irreversible Change

It was already 8:30 a.m. when I woke up. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung anong oras at paano ako nakatulog. Ang huling naaalala ko ay naghihintay ako sa couch dahil kinuhanan na lang ako ng dinner nila Arin para hindi na ako maglakad. I doubted my mind for a moment, and wondered if I had just forgotten some memories because I was too tired to remember them...when my stomach suddenly grumbled.

There goes the answer, I guess. Mukhang nakatulog nga ako habang naghihintay ng pagkain kagabi.

Lumabas ako sa kuwarto namin at naabutan ko naman si Zion sa couch na nagbabasa ng libro habang umiinom ng kape. Our eyes met but I immediately averted my gaze after recalling what happened yesterday.

"May breakfast ka na," he said, prompting me to look at him again. Itinuro niya ang nakatakip na plato sa may table. "Kinuhanan ka namin kanina."

"Oh. Thank you."

I carefully sat on the same couch and let the uncomfortable silence fill the room. Nagsimula akong kumain habang siya naman ay nagpatuloy sa pagbabasa. It was honestly still awkward, but at least he did try to start a small talk. Few minutes later, he stepped out of the cabin at doon lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag.

Dahil medyo ang bigat ng hangin sa loob ay minabuti kong lumabas na rin at mag-stay na lang sa porch. Medyo okay na rin naman ang tuhod ko at nakadagdag lang talaga ang pagod at shock kaya mas masakit kahapon.

"Elix!" Napalingon ako sa kabilang cabin at nakita ko sina Yena at Les sa porch nila. "Kumusta? Okay ka na?"

I waved back at them and smiled. "Yup. Nakakalakad naman. Ikaw ba?"

Nag-thumbs up si Yena sa akin. "Okay naman. OA lang talaga teammates ko," biro niya.

"Not OA," singit ni Les. "Worried lang. Hindi tuloy nakatulog nang maayos si Brian."

Bigla naman akong na-curious kaya pumuwesto ako kaliwang side ng porch para mas malapit ako sa kanila. "Oh?"

Yena shook her head, but was still smiling. "Feel na feel niya ang pagiging leader, eh. But I guess that caring side of his is quite charming."

Pareho kaming napangiti ni Les. Yena would always say that she couldn't see herself being in a relationship because she knew she'd be hard to deal with, but I think a patient guy like Brian could help her see a different perspective. The connection between them seemed sincere, kahit pa sabihin nila na hindi in a romantic context.

I was about to tease her but I caught Zion's figure in the corner of my eye and he was holding two cups of hot coffee. Our eyes met and for some reason, I couldn't tear my gaze away until he was standing right before me.

Inabot niya sa akin ang isang baso. "I figured you'd want one."

The warmth of the coffee spread through my fingers, yet my cheeks somehow felt hotter. It was normal for out team to get food and drinks for one another, but I just didn't expect him to do that without asking me first.

"Thanks," I said, almost in a whisper.

Doon siya umupo sa kabilang gilid ng porch at tahimik na ininom ang pangalawang baso niya ng kape.

Yena suddenly cleared her throat, prompting me to turn my head in their direction. "Matunaw 'yan," mahina niyang sabi habang nakangiti nang nakakaloko.

Napailing na lang ako at tinalikuran na lang sila pero muling bumaling ang tingin ko kay Zion. He had his usual calm demeanor as if nothing had ever happened, and for a moment, I felt a little envious.

I knew it was better to laugh off or ignore all the teasings and playful remarks by our fellow writers, but I'd get conscious of him sometimes. And honestly, I didn't like the uncomfortable tension that comes with it. Pakiramdam ko kasi, ako lang ang apektado.