If This Lasts (If This #2) Published Under Bliss Books)

Zion

She called me baby. She was jumping with happiness from winning the game and beating me... and then, she unconsciously called me baby.

My heart was squeezing with so much happiness when I heard her say the word. Ilang beses ko pinangarap na marinig iyon mula sa kanya kaya nang magkatotoo iyon ay halos sumabog ako sa nararamdaman na saya.

I wanted to kiss her then. I wanted to taste the lips that whipped me with just uttering a word. But then her phone rang and Axhole Cheating Velarde called.

I wish I could have stopped her from going. I wish I could make her stay. Pero paano ko magagawa iyon kung alam kong wala lang naman ako sa kanya?

I'm nothing to her. I'm just the guy who annoys the hell out of her, desperately hoping that she'd shower me with bits and pieces of her attention─because I know I could never get her whole.

I heard a loud buzz that occupied the whole basketball court that signalled time out from the game but I couldn't care less.

Kanina pa ako nakaupo dito, wala man lang gana na manuod ng laro. Ipinaalam ko kay Coach na hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko kahit na ang totoo ay hindi ko lang magawang maglaro dahil lumilipad kay Savion ang utak ko.

I saw Leviticus walk towards me from my peripherals. I didn't bother looking at him and continued staring into space.

"Damn, man. We're about to lose the fucking game and your fuck is still missing." narinig kong sabi ni Levi, hinihingal pa siya habang nagsasalita dahil galing sa laro.

Pinili kong h'wag sumagot. Nang maisip ni Leviticus na wala akong balak magsalita ay umiling na lang siya at uminom sa water bottle na hawak.

Narinig ko ang pagsigaw ng isang babae sa pangalan ni Levi sa 'di kalayuan. Ikinatuwa naman ito ng gago. Nakuha pang humalakhak. Natigil lang siya sa pagtawa nang bumalik sa pag-inom. Ilang saglit pa ay bigla siyang nasamid.

"What the... Is that..." Levi mumbled to himself. I just rolled my eyes and lazily looked at the guys wearing all black who are quickly mopping the floor. "Savion?"

Nang marinig ko ang pagbanggit niya ng pangalan ni Savion ay tumingin ako sa kanya. Inalis niya ang tingin sa kung saan at inilipat ang mga mata sa akin.

"Shit, man, Savion is here." rinig ko ang pagkamangha sa boses ni Levi.

My heart fucking jumped. I quickly snapped my head at the direction he was staring at earlier. I searched for the crowd for her face. She can't possibly be here. She doesn't have a reason to. Why would she...

Natigilan ako nang sa wakas ay natagpuan ng mga mata ko ang mukha niya. Napatayo ako dahil doon. Hindi ko magawang alisin ang pagtitig sa kanya, lalo na at nakatingin din siya sa akin pabalik.

Why... What is she doing here?

Is she with someone? Wala naman siyang katabi. Is she really here? Or is it just my mind playing tricks on me?

Umuwang ang labi ko ang iangat niya ang kamay at nakuha pang kumaway sa akin. May tipid na ngiti na nakaguhit sa mga labi niya. Fuck. It's like something's squeezing my heart dry.

What is she doing here? Did she come here for me? Fuck. Bakit naman siya pupunta dito para lang sa akin? Napatakip ako sa mukha ko, iritado sa sarili at naguguluhan.

Then why else would she be here? Savion is not a sports enthusiast. She watches but she won't trouble herself into attending a game. And she doesn't know anyone from the team aside from me. Wala rin pumilit sa kanya na pumunta. That's it. She came here for me. I'm sure.

Inalis ko ang dalawang kamay sa mukha ko at napakagat sa labi para pigilan ang malaking ngiti na tumatakas mula sa labi ko. Bahagyang umiling ako hanggang sa hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili sa pag ngisi.