That evening, Faith received a text message from Raf. Halos hindi pa siya makapaniwala na magte-text itong muli matapos ang ilang araw na hindi siya nito pinapansin. Parang maiiyak pa nga siya nang basahin niya ang mensahe nito. It was just a simple hello.
Nagkamustahan sila sa text and she felt too awkward. Raf apologized for being aloof to her. Hindi na siya nag-usisa kung bakit dahil alam naman na niya ang sagot. She just told him it was okay and that she understands him.
You'll gonna watch my game tomorrow? tanong nito.
Napaisip siya saglit. Oo, gusto niyang manood ng laro nito pero siguradong manonood din si Roxanne. Obvious naman dahil girfriend ni Raf ito. Just the thought of that ay parang ayaw na lamang niyang manood. Siguradong magseselos lang siya.
I'll try, reply naman niya.
I'm looking forward to see you tomorrow. :)
Hindi niya maiwasang mapangiti sa message nito. Para bang excited itong makita siya. Nakakatuwa sanang isipin ang ganoon pero pilit niyang ipinapaalala sa sarili na may girfriend na si Raf at iyon ang uunahin nito kesa sa kanya. Roxanne will be at his side, while her? She will be just watching from a far distance. Parang nawawalan na lang tuloy siya ng ganang manood. But Raf was like really expecting her to be there so she have no choice kundi ang pagbigyan ito. Hindi naman niya siguro ikamamatay ang pagseselos. Maybe she should just learn the art of dedma like what Patricia adviced her.
~~
Raf was really hoping that Faith would watch his game. He also invited Roxanne but they already agreed to stop pretending as a couple. Ayaw na niyang saktan pa ang feelings ni Faith. He knew it was a stupid move but at least he got to know that she indeed have a thing on him. She wouldn't be affected if she doesn't have feelings for him, right? Raf was quite sure of it.
He reached the basketball court together with his team. Nauna nang nandoon ang mga kaibigan niya at nakapwesto na ang mga ito. He smiled at them as he drew near and Rox gave him back the sweetest smile she always has plastered on her face.
"Raf, akin na ang mga gamit mo," wika ni Rox sa kanya sabay abot ng mga dala niya.
"Thanks, Rox." he smiled again.
Umupo siya saglit sa tabi nito at inilibot ang tingin sa paligid. Nagbabakasakaling mamataan niya ang taong kanina pa niya inaasam na makita. Pero halos puno na ng mga tao ang loob ng gym kaya bigo siyang makita ito. Inisip na lamang niya na marahil ay hindi pa ito dumadating.
But deep inside him, he was really wishing that Faith would show up. She didn't promise him but she said she will try.
Ilang sandali'y nagsenyas na ang coach nila na magsisimula na ang laro. Tumayo na rin siya mula sa kinauupuan niya.
"Kick their asses, bro" birong wika ni Mark. He jolted up nang tinapik pa nito ang puwet niya.
"Uy, Mark, wag ka kang naghahawak ng puwet!" saway ni Rox sa ginawa ng kaibigan. Raf just chuckled.
"Sige, 'yung sa'yo na lang hahawakan ko," birong wika ulit ni Mark.
"Bastos ka, ah!" bulyaw ni Roxanne. He could see her face flushed into red.
Nagtawanan lang ang mga kaibigan niya at pati na rin siya. Pagkatapos ay lumapit na siya sa mga kasamahan niya para mag-warm-up. Then the game started. Kalaban nila ang sophomore team. Ang team ni Raven. Ramdam na ramdam ni Raf na nagngingitngit si Raven sa kanya sa tuwing mag-aagawan sila ng bola. He nearly lost his balance when he tried to push him off.
Lamang ang team ni Raven sa first and second quarter ng laro. Magagaling naman kasi ang mga ito at halatang bihasa na sa paglalaro. Pero hindi siya nawawalan ng pag asa na mananalo sila. His team are not that pro but he knows they can kick them. At kung sana ay naroon din ang tinuturing niyang lucky charm. His only motivation.
