21 Minutes

Eighteenth

--- Continuation of Flashback ---

"Totoo ba 'tong nakikita ko?", Ara blurted out when she saw her best friend in the laundry area of their dormitory.

"Hindi, multo ako.", Mika replied, her eyes not leaving the light green pair of long sleeves in her wet hands.

"Anong ginagawa mo?", Ara asked, ignoring the other's sarcastic remark.

"Naglalaba.", Mika simply responded.

"Kita ko nga. Pero anong meron? Sa four years nating magkasama sa dorm na 'to, ngayon lang yata kita nakitang tumuntong dito. Pati knee pads mo, inuuwi mo sa bahay niyo, diba?", Ara wondered.

"Eh rush kasi 'to. Sa weekend pa ako makakauwi. This Friday na yung thesis defense ni Jeron.", the taller girl explained.

A smirk was immediately formed on the Taft Talent's face.

"Aha! Kay King Archer pala yan ha. Iba talaga ang pag-ibig, 'no daks? Mapapalaba ka nang di oras?", Ara teased.

"Heh!"

Mika heaved a sigh as Ara let out a laugh.

"Gusto ko lang naman na kahit paano, maramdaman niyang nandoon ako eh. Ininvite niya kasi ako kahapong manood. Kaya lang sabay sa training eh. Kahit sabihin niyang ok lang, feeling ko disappointed pa rin siya sa akin.", she said in a sad tone.

"Awww, Ye."

Ara hugged her from the side.

"Hindi yun disappointed sayo. Sa situation siguro, oo. Pero hindi sayo. Wala ka namang kasalanan doon eh.", she tried to comfort her.

"Kahit na. Hay, bakit ba ganito? Dati naman kebs lang ako kahit ano pa mangyari sa higanteng yun. Nagiging OA na yata ako.", Mika complained.

"Nako, te. Alam mong tawag diyan?"

Mika only stared at her teammate in confusion.

"L-o-v-e.", Ara spelled. "Trust me. Yung kaba mo ngayon? Wala pa yan sa pwede mong maramdaman in the future, lalo pag kayo na. At mas marami ka pang gagawin na di mo lubos akalain."

"Talaga? Medyo scary pala... Pero alam mo... Excited din ako.", Mika admitted.

Ara beamed, knowing that her best friend is now in it with Jeron, as she is with Thomas. She felt happy and proud because gone is the Mika who was frightened to fall in love. The girl she's talking to is someone willing to go out of her way to make her beloved happy.

"May karamay na ako.", Ara said, still smiling.

"Huh?", Mika's forehead creased.

"Sabi ko, may karamay na ako sa pagpapaalam kay Coach. Teka, kailan ka pala nagka-oras bumili nyang damit? Eh diba may ginagawa ka pang paper kagabi?", Ara asked.

"Tinapos ko na. Madaling-araw na nga ako nakatulog eh. Ayun, nakapunta ako sa mall kaninang lunch para maghanap ng long sleeves. Ipapadala ko na lang 'to bukas sa dorm nila."

"Grabe, Ye. Iba ka pala ma-in love ano? Sumisipag ka pang mag-aral.", Ara said with a smile.

"Siyempre 'no, priorities pa rin. Takot ko lang kay Mama, baka kurutin ako nun sa singit.", Mika cheerfully replied before wringing the long sleeves out. "Sige, sampay ko lang 'to."