My Only Exception

Chapter 3

"And that was a marvelous three point shot from Seb Alvarez!" the commentator shouted beyond the roar from the crowd who were ecstatic.

They were on a reunion game held to help a recent calamity that struck a lot of places in the southern region. They would be donating all the funds they would get to send relief goods. New and veteran players for the past seven years have gathered for that special game. It was the fourth game from a series of seven and they have earned a million so far, excluding donations from other sponsors.

They were already on the last quarter of the game and Ethan's team was behind with ten points until Seb made the shot which lowered it to seven.

They still have five minutes left and they can still win it if they make sure that all the next shots would not be missed. Ethan made a two point shot while Seb made two free throws. Their opponent was also very hyped and got their shots too. The game ended with 85-88, with Ethan's team on the losing side.

They all went back to the dugout happy. The game that they played is for a very worthy cause. After taking a bath and fixing his gym bag, he headed straight to the parking lot where Allie was waiting for him with Seb.

"Hey," he greeted them, sounding tired.

"I came here to give you something," Allie said and handed him a book. The cover was a combination of red and black drops of blood from a heart. He doesn't know the book and he isn't that fond of reading.

"Thanks for this," he said, unsure why he even accepted it. "You shouldn't have bothered."

"Ethan, that's her book," Allie said, looking at him. "She's back."

"Ano na naman kung bumalik sya?" he said. His face was serious.

"Ano naman kung bumalik sya? Bakit kaya hindi mo i-try na makipag-ayos ka sa kanya?"

"Patch things up? What for? We're done, Allie. She's happy there with Seff and that little kid that they have. Hindi ako manggugulo," he said and opened his car para ipasok ang mga gamit.

"Hindi namin sinabing manggulo ka. Ang sabi namin makipag-ayos ka sa kanya. Para naman kayong walang pinagsamahan," Allie contested.

"Ayoko. Hayaan na lang natin sila. Seff is happy. She is happy. I am letting them be," he said.

"Hindi naman sila kasal. Haven't you asked yourself that question? Kung sila, bakit hindi sila nagpakasal? Bakit hindi sila magkasama sa bahay?" sita ni Allie.

"I don't know Allie, okay? Seff and I haven't talked for quite a while now. I do not want to know. I do not want to ask. I do not have any business of meddling with his affairs. Especially if it involves her."

"E paano kung nagkamali ka lang pala noon? Anong gagawin mo? Ganyan pa din paiiralin mo?"

Ethan took a deep breath. "I'll cross the bridge when I get there," he said and got inside his car, leaving them behind.

••

He was drinking his fourth shot with the rest of his friends. It was a Friday night and they all decided to meet. They were at a club relaxing to enjoy the last day of the month. Seb was with Allie, Jacob with Alexa, Marco with Samantha, Ryan with Bev, while Ethan came in alone.

"Find a girl now, man," Jacob teased him. "Lagi ka na lang loner sa mga lakad natin."

"Nah... I'm happy with my life," Ethan said and took a shot of his drink. "Okay na ako without complications."

"Don't tell me na you are waiting for the one?" singit ni Ryan.

"When would that happen if you won't move your butt?" Marco asked him. "Do something!"