21 Minutes

Seventeenth

--- Continuation of Flashback ---

"Wow, graham cake!!! Guys, may pa-merienda si Ate Ye!!!", Kianna shouted upon seeing her senior plating her well-loved dessert.

Mika wasn't able to do anything when the rest of her teammates barged inside the kitchen.

"Ugh, Kianna! Para kay Jeron 'to eh. Mamaya ko pa gagawin yung sa inyo.", Mika exclaimed.

"Aba-aba, Mika Reyes! Tama ba itong naririnig ko? Inuuna mo na si Jeron Teng kaysa sa amin? Kaysa sa amin na teammates mo?", Ara responded dramatically.

"Kami na kasama mo, manalo man o matalo?", Justine added.

"Kami na katabi mong matulog sa iisang bubong?", Majoy.

"At kasama mong mapagalitan ni Coach?", Kim.

"Kami na---"

"Tantanan niyo nga.", Mika cut Carol off. "Sige na, sige na. Sa inyo na 'to.", she said as she finished putting the rest of the fruit slices on top.

"Yeheeeyyy!!!", the lady spikers cheered as the seniors went to get the utensils. Everyone sat on the table and helped themselves.

"Alam mo, buti nga kami yung unang titikim eh. Para sure ka na pasado kay King Archer, diba.", Kim commented.

"At ano namang alam niyo sa panlasa ni Jeron?", Mika replied.

"Simple lang. Tao kami. Tao siya. Kaya alam namin.", Carol answered, earning a light hit from her.

Mika heaved a sigh as she watched her teammates taste her dish.

"So...?", she blurted out.

"Waaahhh, Ate Ye! Ang sarap!!! Tama lang yung tamis!", Des exclaimed and the rest of her teammates seconded.

"Parang pag-ibig ng isang Mika Reyes, di nakaka-umay. Boom!", Aduke said and everyone laughed.

"Yiiiieee, Ate Yeye! Pwede nang mag-asawa...", Dawn teased.

"Ano ka ba, edi nagka-tonsilitis si Teng? Ito lang kakainin nila araw-araw.", Ara joked.

"Heh! Marunong naman kaya akong magluto ng basic 'no! Saka matututunan ko rin yung iba.", Mika quickly retorted.

There was a pause before her teammates stared at her, making her blink.

"You mean, ate... Gusto mo nang mag-asawa?", Kianna voiced out what everyone was thinking at the moment.

Mika's eyes widened, realizing her words. She composed herself before answering.

"Hindi ah! Hindi pa nga kami tapos asawa agad?", she said defensively. Her teammates couldn't help but tease her more.

"Championship muna bago asawa, uy!", Kim told her.

"Gagi, oo naman 'no! Kumain na nga lang kayo!"

After eating, the lady spikers helped her in cleaning up and preparing the dessert for Jeron.

"Sige na, dalhin mo na yan. Di yan pwedeng magtagal sa ref natin ng isang gabi. Alam mo namang milagrong nawawala mga pagkain dito eh.", Carol told Mika, as their teammates laughed and agreed with her.

Half an hour after 7, Mika stood nervously in front of the Archers' dorm. The sky was already black, but the stars shone brightly, in contrast to the darkness.