21 Minutes

Fourteenth

J: Definitely... It's one of the most unforgettable memories I had in college. Gusto ko nga kasi talaga, sa kanya lang ako aamin (points at Mika). Turns out, naging audience pa namin ang UAAP (shakes head while smiling). Yung kaba ko before I said the words, imbis na mawala eh dumoble pa after I said them.

M: Ako, parang wala na ako sa mundo. (laughs) I don't even know how I still managed to read the names of the winners that night.

But this confession didn't really go public? Although there was a blind item about what happened, no one confirmed it.

J: Yeah. The people in charge were kind enough naman to grant my request na i-edit out yon sa TV feature. I didn't want to put Mika in the limelight that way. Ayokong ma-pressure siya sa confession ko just because the public knows that I like her.

So after that eventful confession, what happened next? Did things get awkward between the two of you?

J: That night, it was kind of awkward. She didn't speak at all on the way home.

M: Blangko nga kasi utak ko.

J: And then, I... courted her. (smiles at Mika)

M: Nung una, hindi ko talaga alam kung paano mag-rerespond. Sinusungit-sungitan ko lang siya kasi believe it or not... May believe it or not talaga 'no? Ganda ko eh! (laughs) But seriously, siya yung unang nanligaw sakin. Seryoso 'to ah.

J: (looks at Mika) Because you can be intimidating. Guys were afraid to give it a try.

M: (eyes Jeron) Hindi kaya!

J: (gives Mika a questioning look) Pinahirapan mo kaya ako.

M: (laughs) Fine. Pero gusto ko lang kasi talaga yung eeffortan ka, ganun. And that's what he did naman. (smiles) I guess I wanted someone na... tried and tested, kumbaga. I know nothing's certain, pero ma-feefeel mo naman kasi yun sa tao eh. And naramdaman ko yun sa kanya. (smiles at Jeron) I mean, kahit magkaibigan pa lang kami noon, I've always felt safe around Jeron. Yung feelings ko lang ang hindi, char! (laughs) Pero when he courted me, he made me feel secure in every way.

--- Flashback ---

The Lady Spikers marched inside the gym and didn't expect to see the Green Archers still practicing.

Ara moved closer to her best friend and whispered, "Kumusta naman kayo ni a date to remember? Hangover pa ba?"

"Tch, tigilan mo nga.", Mika replied as she went straight to the bleachers. She then turned to her teammates who were giving her teasing looks. "Tantanan niyo ah.", she told all of them as they waited for their turn to practice.

The coaches were in a two-day leadership seminar, leaving the teams on their own and the captains in charge.

Mika saw Thomas wave at Ara, while the latter giddily waved back. She then decided to look down and focus on putting on her kneepads, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Ye, nakatingin sayo si Jeron oh.", Ara said.

"Sure kang sakin? Dami kaya natin dito.", Mika responded, keeping her head down.

"Eh malamang sayo! Alangan namang kay Kimmy? May sayad ka rin talaga eh 'no.", Ara replied.

"Why not? Sila yung captains eh. Siyempre mag-uusap sila tungkol sa schedule ng practice.", Mika tried reasoning.