In the sidelines

With you I found home

CAY'S POV

December 20, 2013. Paskuhan.

Not just ordinary Paskuhan, but my last Paskuhan as a Thomasian student. Time really flies when you're having fun. Those 5 years of sleepless nights, cramming or having a good time with friends after a toxic day is about to end. I will be saying goodbye to this place I once called home. Memories of me running through Dapitan gate just to be on time for my 7 AM class in Med building, spending time chatting with my friends in the Quadri while having our milk tea and kwek- kwek, enjoying the Christmas lights and decors during Christmas season. And sympre, the UST crowd that can make any court their homecourt.

Sige na nga, I'll also miss Jeric and his jaw- dropping, game- saving three points shots. Sympre, proud bestfriend ako no! :) Aside from the free tickets, gate passes, fangirl moments with other basketball team, I also had a second family with the coaching staff andthe. Tigers. Instant only girl ako in Coach Pido. 😜

From: Kevin Ferrer

Ganda, saan ka na raw? Punta na tayo backstage. Wala kasi signal si Papi.

To: Kevin Ferrer

Aalis nalang ako sa March inuuto mo parin ako Kev. Kasama mo ba siya? Tawagan niya kamo ako. Thanks!

*ring ring ring*

Kevin Ferrer

Cay: Hello, Kev? Bakit?

Jeric: Best, saan ka na? Tara na punta ka dito. Malapit na kami umakyat ng stage eh. Dito na rin si Shoti hinahanap ka rin.

Cay: Grabe, ano ako.. Taga- tanggal kaba? Kaya mo na yan, Teng!

Jeric: Sige na please punta ka na. Ganyanan na ba? For four years magkasama tayo manuod ng fireworks, ngayon pang last na natin di tayo magkasama? Grabe ha. Sinanay mo ako.

Cay: Kanino mo ba natutunan yang mangonsensya? Sige na sige na papunta na po, Master. Bye.

Fast forward.....

Ilang minutes nalang, fireworks na. Secretly I was hoping na makakapunta si LA today. Para naman kahit La Sallista siya, ma- experience man lang niya yung Christmas Thomasian style. Pero hindi naman pwede. Ngayon kasi yung parang welcoming party/ initiation rites ng PBA team niya. So I guess, I'll stick with the tradition: Jeric Teng and the Tigers.

Jeric: Tulala ka na naman dyan...

Cay: Hindi naman. Masaya na malungkot lang ako. Isipin mo, five years, five years tayong andito.. Nagkkwentuhan, nagtatawanan, mas lamang pa nga yun kaysa sa pag- aaral natin eh, dba? Ang bilis ng panahon, Je. Parang kailan lang Welcome walk natin, wala kang fan girls na every chance they get nagpapa- picture sayo, tayong dalawa palang. I started in this university with you as my friend, tayong dalawa pa lang. Na look at us now, you gained every Thomasian's respect, gazillion fangirls. We met new friends and gained our second family. *looks at the Tigers who happily sings with the band*

Jeric: Emo mo naman! This is our home Cay. Lagi naman tayong welcome dito eh. Kaya wag ka na mag- emo dyan.

Cay: Hindi ka man lang ba natatawa? Isipin mo, first Paskuhan natin, tayong dalawang mag- kasama in this very same spot. And now, after five long years, andito ulit tayo. Together. Nakakasawa na mukha mo, Teng! *smiles*

Jeric: Yabang mo! Yung iba ngang babae dyan eh, nag- kakandarapa makasama ako now eh. Ikaw nagsasawa? Wow naman! Ouch ha.

Cay: Hindi naman kasi ako tulad nila eh. *smiles*

Jeric: Bakit, naman?

Cay: Sila kasi, they loved you because you're good in basketball or your good looking or both. Pero ako? I loved you kasi ikaw si Jeric Teng. Ang exact example ng Pride, puso, palaban. I never told you how thankful I am because of the wins you brought home to ust, how you made me proud to be a Thomasian whenever I cheer. I saw how you worked hard your ass during tranings and games just to get Coach Pido's trust as well as Thomasians' heart. Nakita kita how sad you are dahil na- injure ka in your last season.. How much regret you had na baka hindi ka makalaro and you can't bring home the crown back in Espana. Ilang PT sessions rin na ako sinungitan mo dahil sa frustrations mo no, *laughs* And I saw how much happiness you felt ng nalaman mo na you can play again for this season.. And take note, defied odds in 3 do or dies games. Puso, Je. Puso ang meron ka for your game. And that made me love you, that made me proud of you. Totoo yan, Je ha. Minsan lang kita i- praise sulitin mo na. *smirks*

Jeric: *speechless... Blushing*

Forts: Papi, Ganda.. Doon tayo o. Mas maganda view doon. *pull Cay's arms*

Cay: *looks behind* JEERRIIIC!! Tara na!! Malapit na magstart oh. Mas maganda rin dito!

Jeric: Sige I'll follow.

whispers: I love you, too Cay. I love you.

JERIC'S POV

I'm totally out of words. What Cay told me, just wow. Never naman kasi kami naging seryoso sa pag- uusap.. Or never niya ako na- complement. Five years spent in UST made me fall in love. With the place, with basketball and with the people who supported and believed us.. And most specially, with Cay.

Highschool palang ako, akala ko crush crush lang meron ako for her. Who would not have a crush on her? Maganda naman siya.. Simple. Akala ko typical crush lang and mag- fade away after sometime. Pero I was dead wrong. Every end of the game, I find myself looking for her, waiting for her bear- hug and comforting words. Odd it may seem, with her I found home. I don't know how, when or why I loved her. Sino ba namang gusto nasa ganitong sitwasyon ko dba? Everyday I found myself loving her, every bit of her I adored without her noticing it. If only I could just hit rewind and make you mine..

Cay: JERIC!!! Tingnan mo oh. Ganda ng fireworks!!!

Jeric: *akbay and smiles* Mas maganda ka nga eh.

Cay: Uy, bolero ng bestfriend ko. *laughs* Ayon oh, ganda rin! Gusto ko ng ganito sa birthday ko... Or kahit sa wedding nalang!! Waaaaahhh.

After the fireworks display, we decided to crash first at Cay's condo in Dapitan so we can all change and fresh up before heading to the after party/ Victory party for our Championship stint. Around 1AM we arrived in one of the clubs in Tomas. The placed was jam packed. And people were kind of tipsy. So instead of occupying our private room upstairs, we decided to stay here and interact with people around and joined the fun. Pero sympre, I will not let Cay of my eyes. Mahirap na, baka mapano pa to.

Cay: Huwag mo na ako bantayan. Sasama nalang ako kay Mikko at Tina. Mag- girls night out kasama friends nila. Let loose, Tiger! And have fun. Okay?

Jeric: Sure kang okay lang? Pwede naman ako di uminom eh. Samahan nalang kita baka mapano ka pa, eh.

Cay: Dehins na. Have fun, let loose King Tiger! Doon lang ako! Don't worry.. Ako mag- drive later! Ciao! :)

After excessive partying and alcohol in my system...

Tina: Teng, kaya mo pa ba mag- drive? Lasing na kasi si Cay eh. Knock- out na. Gusto mo tawagin ko si Ron? Hindi naman yun madali malasing eh.

Jeric: No Tins. Okay lang ako. Medyo tipsy but I can drive. Kayo talaga. Alam niyo namang di yan umiinom, nilasinh niyo pa. Asan ba siya?

Tina: Sure ka ha? Ayun oh. Tara.

Adik rin to si Cay. Sabi sabi pang I should let loose and have fun at siya na mag- ddrive pauwi samantalagang siya tong knockout. Tsk. I decided to carry her bridal style. Medyo hilo na rin ako kaya to the left to the right na ang lakad ko. Nako. Ang bigat parin pala nitong si Cay. Ma- aya ngang mag- jogging kami sa vacation...

*booooooogggggggsssssshhhhhh*

Ooopps. That lips. How many times I wished I could kiss and taste how sweet that is.

No Jeric, NO. Get a hold of yourself. Bestfriend mo yan. BESTFRIEND.

Wala namang masama dba? Hindi naman nya maalala, eh? Isang halik lang.....

*mwwwwaaaaaaahhhh*

JERIC?????!

Patay. I turned around..

LA?????!!!!!

Shit. Shit. Shit.