21 Minutes

Nineteenth

--- Continuation of Flashback ---

MIKA

The UAAP Women's Volleyball finals ended with us bowing to Ateneo. I guess hindi pa ito ang panahon para mabawi namin yung crown.

It was indeed a tough season for my team as well as Jeron's. But all through out, King Archer himself stood by my side.

Ako na ang may mahabang hair, hehehe.

And literally now, nakatayo siya sa tabi ko as we celebrate thanksgiving mass for the end of another lesson-packed season.

As I looked at him, nag-flashback yung mga ginawa niya para sa akin when he began courting me again. Sobrang busy ko nun kasi extra effort na kami sa training. But he did not demand anything more than what I could give. I juggled training with acads, at sobrang limited lang ng oras na naibigay ko kay Jeron. But he understood.

He patiently waited for me at the end of all practice nights but one, and yun yung gabing nagkasakit siya at hirap makabangon. Nagpipimilit pa nga daw na sunduin ako, according to Tita Susan. Ang sarap lang sapakin.

I could count the times on one hand na nag-away kami. One, nung nagkasakit ako. Two, nung nagkasakit siya. Bale pinagalitan lang namin yung isa't isa for overworking. But we still ended up taking care of each other. At ang huling away namin, nung natalo kaming dalawa sa Monopoly. Totoo nga, nakakasira yung game na yun ng pagkakaibigan. Ara and Thomas kept on teasing us na kulang pa daw kami sa teamwork kasi masyado daw kaming sanay na magkaaway. Hmp, palibhasa yung tandem nila yung nanalo. But Jeron, being the warm-hearted and makulit guy that he is, stayed outside our dorm until I made peace with him. Naabutan pa nga siya doon ni Coach Ramil, grabe lang. Since I'm not one who holds grudges, nagbati din kami before the night ended. And hello, lolokohin ko pa ba sarili ko? Alam ko namang di ko kayang tiisin si Jeron Teng.

My most recent remarkable memory of him though was during the last game of the finals. Mga mag-na-9 na yata kami nakalabas ng dug out, but Jeron kept his promise to wait for me. The moment I stepped out of the room, I saw him with a bouquet of fresh flowers in his hand. I approached him and he welcomed me with a kiss on the forehead before hugging me tight. I recognized the action immediately. He was trying to absorb my downcast emotions.

Jeron didn't say a word, but his smile was enough to give me the assurance that it was not the end for us. As a fellow athlete, naintindihan niya na walang salita na makakapagpagaan ng loob ko in that instant. He knew that I needed time to process things over with my team.

He refused to join the team dinner because he wanted me to just be with my family. And true enough, I found solace in the presence of my parents.

Akala ko the night would already end with that, pero naabutan namin si Jeron outside our gate when we went home. Nagpaalam siya sa parents ko na kausapin ako sandali. And as expected, game na game silang pumayag. Minsan talaga parang gusto na nila akong ipamigay eh.

Once my family entered the house, Jeron and I walked to the court located between the streets of our homes, and he ushered me to the bench. Pinaalala niya sa akin yung time na natalo sila at ako yung nag-comfort sa kanya. Pinaalala niya yung effort ko na manligaw, and said na he can't do the same change in position, since he's already courting me now. But his words were so clear, and they resonated in my mind.

"Liligawan pa rin kita. Win or lose, liligawan pa rin kita. Broken or whole, liligawan pa rin kita. At kahit pa sagutin mo na ako, liligawan pa rin kita."

I remember not responding, but my heart was hammering inside my chest.

"All I want you to know is, I'm here for you, Ye. Even if I don't say the three words now... Believe me, I want to. But I know you're vulnerable and I don't want to take advantage of the moment. Darating din ako doon. When you're ready. Still, I hope you get the message across."

I did. Hindi naman ako manhid. And I did extra training in receiving, in case he remembers our volleyball metaphor.

My trip down memory lane was halted when Jeron suddenly turned to me. He must have noticed that I was staring at him way too long.

"You alright?", he asked a familiar question. I nodded at him with a smile.

Because of those two words, I was again brought back to the time when he asked the same question.

We were still in the gym and no word has come out of my mouth yet. I was too overwhelmed by his words.

"You alright?", he asked.

"How can there be such a guy like you?", I finally voiced out.

A sincere smile formed on his face and I saw the look of admiration in his eyes. Jeron was staring straight at me. His hand landed on my cheek and caressed it.

"How can there be such a guy like me, you ask?", he took a deep breath and continued. "Because such a lady like you exists."

My forehead creased at his answer.

"I'm not perfect, Ye. Pero promise ko sayo, I'll always be here for you. Na-prove ko naman na siguro yon, diba? Buong buhay mo, hindi kita nilubayan.", he let out a chuckle. "You've already seen so many sides of me, pero gusto kong ipakita ko sayo yung Jeron na isang boyfriend, and God-willing, yung Jeron na isang husband, and father of your children. I can go about the future person I want to be because of you, but it's been a long day. You don't have to say anything now. Just know that my words will stand true. Ok?"

That night, kahit wala akong sinabing 'oo', sobrang sigurado na ako. And I've never been this sure in my whole life.

My second reminiscence ended just as the priest spoke.

"Let us offer each other a sign of peace."

Both Jeron and I said peace to the people around us before looking at each other. And instead of saying the five-letter word, something different came out of my mouth.

"Yes."

"Huh?", he asked, forehead creased in confusion.

I moved closer to his ear and whispered.

"I give you my yes, Jeron. Sinasagot na kita."

--- End of Flashback ---

Author's Note:

Flashback within a flashback. The present scene is based on my two friends' love story :) A week delayed, but happy birthday, King Archer! :)