Played Without Rules

23. Basketball Game

Maybe things are not meant to happen for now

-pain

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Liam Ford Fortalejo

Nakatingin lang ako sa lalaking papaalis ngayon sa gym. Parang nakita ko na siya dati, hindi ko lang matandaan kung kelan at saan.

Kasalukuyan akong nagpapahinga  sa bench kasama ang captain ball ng basketball team. Nasa court naman sina Hemming, Archie at Darren kasama ang iba pang players. Wala si Denim kasi hindi naman siya naglalaro nito dahil mas hilig niya ang paglalaro ng chess.

"Siya ba ang assistant coach natin? Maganda a," sambit ni Jaypee,ang captainball namin. Fourth year tourism student.

"Yeah,that's Xyriel," sagot ko sa kanya. His eyes suddenly grew wide.

"Holy shit! You mean Xyriel? The Lady that punched Hemming? The suspect of all those unwanted events? You gotta be kidding me! I'm meeting a Legend."

I blow some air. "I ain't kidding. At isa pa, why should you be glad? Hindi ba't nabiktima ka rin ng mga kalokohan niya?"

Tumawa siya saglit saka sinulyapan si Xyriel na ngayon ay nagbabasa ng libro sa kabilang bench.

"Oo, honestly I can't believe it really happened to us. Wala namang nagtatangkang kumalaban sa inyo o kahit sa sino mang may pangalan o sikat sa paaralang ito. Pero anong nangyari? Why is she still standing? Why is she still fighting?I wonder what's making her tough," usal nito nang hindi inaalis ang titig kay Xyriel.

I don't know. I too wonder about that. Maybe she's made of iron and metal.

"May araw din 'yan," ang nasabi ko na lang.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay tinawag na ni Coach ang mga manlalaro sa gitna ng court. "Take a break guys."

Magkasunod naman silang kumuha ng maiinom sa tabi ni Xyriel, hindi nakaligtas sa aking mga mata ang matatalim na titig na ipinupukol ng tatlo kong katropa sa babae.

Maya-maya'y nagsi-upo na rin silang lahat sa tabi namin.

"Siya ba 'yong assistant ni coach?" tanong ng isa.

"Yup,"walang kagana-ganang sagot ni Darren.

"Maganda," another one commented.

"If I were you, you should not fall for her charms," sabad ni Jaypee.

"Bakit naman?" another man asked.

"That is Xyriel," was his quick response.

"Huh? Sinong Xyriel?"

"Xyriel, The Bad Girl. The sole reason of our fateful experiences," pagpapaliwanag niya.

"Man! That's her? But wait,why are you so sure that it was her? Tingnan niyo nga ang mukhang 'yan?"

Yeah, her face that looks so innocent and yet, behind those assets is a monster hiding.

"Don't be deceived by her looks, I am telling you even without evidence I'm d*mn sure that it was her. Simula ng lumipat siya dito nangyayari na ang mga bagay na dapat ay hindi naman," Hemming stated.

"Guys, I got a plan. Come," wika ni Darren and they hurdled all together except me and Jaypee. May kalokohan na namang pinaplano ang isang 'to.

"Okey na?"tanong ni Archie ilang minuto pa ang lumipas. Tumango naman ang lahat at walang ano ma'y nag hubad ng mga pang itaas.