Air Ball

VI: Hello Tigers, Hello Shobe!

JILL

"Himala, Jill! Isang kanin ka lang ngayon." Kevin commented when he saw my plate.

"Grabe ka naman! Minsan lang naman ako mag-extra rice." I replied back.

"Parang hindi naman minsan. Mas minsan ka pa mag-one rice e." Aljon added.

Two months ago, I was a stranger to them. But when Coach Pido introduced me to the team, they immediately made me feel like I am part of the family.

"Growing kid kasi ako." I told them. "Tsaka hindi ako pwede mabusog talaga kasi may class pa ako later. Baka antukin ako." They laughed at what I said and continued eating.

Of course I was shy for a few days after meeting them but they always asked me to have lunch, merienda, or hang out with them after training. Just a week after the introduction, we were already fooling around and making fun of whoever the unlucky Tiger is.

Kevin, Aljon, Kim, and I decided to eat somewhere in P. Noval after their training since the four of us had time to spare. The other Tigers already went to their respective classes.

"Jill, hindi mo naman inupload yung pictures namin sa phone mo." Kevin said.

I rolled my eyes playfully at Kevin. They have a habit of taking pictures of themselves and setting it as my home and lock screen wallpaper whenever I fail to notice my phone.

"Tsaka bakit mo pinalitan wallpaper mo? Gwapo kaya namin dun!" Kim, who was sitting next to me, complained.

"Sa sobrang gwapo kailangan ko palitan kasi baka nakawin phone ko. Mahirap na. Alam niyo naman, heartthrobs kayo." I joked.

"Kaya gustong gusto kong kasama 'to si Jill e. Very honest." Aljon remarked.

"Kaya gustong gusto ko kayong kasama e. Very gullible." I chuckled.

As expected, I was met with a lot of disagreements from them. This is a normal thing for us - I feed their egos, try to take it back, and they would put up a fight.

"Tara na, I have a class pa." I told them as I checked my watch.

"Kami rin e. Sabay-sabay na tayo pumunta ng building." Kevin said and stood up.

"O, Kim. Ikaw naman magdala ng books ni Jill." Aljon stated while handing over my books to Kim.

"Ito lang ba, Jill? Kayang kaya 'to ng muscles ko." Kim flexed his arms before carrying it.

"Showoff." I said to him.

Even if they're very maloko and pasaway, I can say that they are real gentlemen. Before, I used to refuse their offer to carry my books 'cause I'm capable of carrying it myself but they always dismiss my arguments and insisted on their offer. Eventually, I got tired of arguing with them because they win every single time. Just like how Jeric wins in his offer to drive me home.

While we were walking towards the P. Noval gate, my phone rang.

"Hello, Kent." I greeted.

"Hi, Jill. Kasama mo ba si Kev? Hindi ko kasi ma-contact e." he said on the other line.

"Yeah, kasama ko siya. Wait." I said as I handed the phone to Kevin. When we got inside the university, I told Aljon and Kim that I was going to the CR in Calderon since Kevin is still busy talking to Kent. I got held up a bit since I bumped into a high school friend who I haven't seen in years.

Huge smiles were plastered on their faces when I walked over to where they were sitting. Kevin, who was sitting between Aljon and Kim, was holding my phone in front of them.