21 Minutes

Sixteenth

Pretty much the whole world knows by now that they did end up with each other, right?

How long was the courtship stage?

M: 8 months. Buong UAAP season yun eh. (laughs)

J: Don't forget the week break.

M: Ha? (looks at Jeron)

J: Grabe, nakalimutan na agad.

M: Anong--- ahhh, ok, gets. (laughs) Yeah, may break ng one week. Pero tuloy pa rin yung courtship. Iba nga lang yung nanligaw. (smiles)

J: Proud ka ah? (smirks)

M: Naman!

--- Flashback ---

MIKA

"Ye, di pa ba kayo ni Jeron?", I heard my best friend ask. She's seated beside me on the green side here in the MOA Arena.

"Hay nako, ano namang klaseng tanong yan?"

"Yes-No question.", Ara shrugged.

"Hindi.", I answered briefly. She only nodded her head.

"Pero gusto mo siya?", she asked again.

I stared at Jeron as he was warming up with the team. I could see the look of focus and determination in his eyes. Lalo tuloy siyang gumwapo. On second thought, gwapo naman siya whatever expression he wears.

I felt a small smile form on my face.

"Ayiiieee! Ngumiti! Is that a yes?", pangungulit ng katabi ko.

"Tigilan mo nga. Saka hindi ito ang oras para diyan 'no. Do or die tayo kaya mag-focus ka sa pag-cheer.", I dismissed.

Yung totoo, kinakabahan ako. I want La Salle to win. I want them to win badly. Hindi lang dahil school ko 'to, but more so because I know how important this is for Jeron. Last year, the Green Archers didn't make it to the finals. Ngayon naman nanganganib kami sa Final Four.

Lord, give this to us, please.

---

JERON

Things happened so fast.

Hours ago I was in MOA surrounded by a huge crowd, and now I'm here in the quiet court of Crista Verde, where the only sound you could hear is the one caused by the dribbling of the ball.

Two things are certain though. We lost. And got eliminated.

We were almost there. Pero wala eh. Kinapos pa rin.

Pagkatapos kong umiyak kanina, hindi ko na alam kung sa papaanong paraan ko pa ma-rerelease 'tong frustrations ko.

I threw the ball mindlessly behind my back, but wonder came through me when I didn't hear it land.

I turned around and was surprised to see her standing across where I stood.

"Andiyan ka pala.", I blurted out.

Mika smiled and I felt the weight on my heart grew a little lighter.

"Gumagaling na akong mag-receive.", she said.

Gusto kong isiping double meaning yon, pero ayoko munang umasa ngayon. May mga times din naman na fragile ako kahit paano. Di ko pa kayang mag-risk ulit. Tulad ngayon.