The Space Between

Chapter 13: Birthday Wish

I could already smell the competition in the air... it's the Shakey's Vleague, and the team will be participating. We have started the practices. Well, except for me. Management, trainers, doctors and even Coach Tai wanted me to take a rest. They wanted me to be in tiptop form, and not break me in the process.

I do appreciate their concern, but I'm itching to practice with the team. I wanted to feel that burn in my muscles, and the mental challenge of the plays...

I was about to leave the BEG after I dropped by to check on the girls, when I saw Kiefer enter the gym. For the life of me, I could not explain why I was rooted to the ground. He has done this a thousand times, and yet...

"Phenom!" He greeted, with that big charming smile of his.

"Kief," I responded, smiling back self-consciously. "I was about to leave, so yeah," I continued, tripping on my words and thoughts.

"Eto naman, dumating lang ako, aalis agad?" he joked, and we started exiting from the gym.

"Uh, kase kanina pa ako dito. Nakakainggit lang. Gustong-gusto kong sumali, pero pahinga daw ako."

"So, what are your plans today?"

I shrugged. "Siguro tambay lang muna sa condo, I dunno. The Tpeeps wants to see me, but I don't feel like going out. I mean, yeah," I sighed, trying to contain my restlessness,"'Di nga ako nakapagpractice, lalakwatsa pa ako."

Kiefer playfully punched my shoulder, ever so lightly,"Ang OA mo. Niyaya ka lang makipag-meet, ganun na agad naiisip mo?"

"Well, let's just say I don't know. I'm freaking bored, yet I have all these pent up energy in me..."

"Alam mo, Ly..." he said, putting his arms around my shoulder. So casually. But why the sudden conscious feeling for my part? Why am I consciously counting my breaths?

"... maybe you should take this time to relax and get connected with your friends. You know, enjoy ka muna while you were given this reprieve. Before you know it, balik ka na naman sa practices and sa game... Just to pass the time, and para makapag-unwind ka na rin," he explained. We have reached my car, and we both leaned on it to continue our conversation.

"Alam kong alam mo ang nararamdaman ko, Kief. It's not that easy to pretend that you are having fun when you know in your heart, you want to be somewhere else," I explained, playing with my car key. I accidentally dropped it, and Kiefer bent down to pick it up for me. He repeatedly tossed it in the air, playing with it. And all the time, he was looking at me.

I felt so awkward, yet I was drawn to his face. This is getting harder and harder for me... just as he tossed it, I immediately caught it in one hand, and I could feel the heat of the friction. And I really had to blush. Gawd, what's wrong with me?

I dropped my face, and pretended to check on the key, when I felt his forefinger touch my chin to raise it so I am looking at his face.

"Ly?..." he started. I gulped. "Ba't may hugot ka?"

I laughed. Hard. He really knows how to make me laugh.

He went back to leaning on my car, just beside me, shoulders touching. "Walang akong hugot, Ravena. I was just saying what I wanted to say..."

"Iniiwasan mo ba si Alfred?"

That got me confused. What has Alfred got to do with our conversation?

Kiefer sighed, and said, "He seems to be smitten with you."

I chuckled, "Kief! He is not! We're just friends, good friends," I explained.