Say You Won't Let Go (Donny Pangilinan)

Chapter 10

Donny

"Okay, boys. Take 10!", Coach Leo whistled as he told us to have break. I jogged to the bleachers where my gym bag was placed next to Chris' bag, then I drank water. We've been training for about an hour straight after our last period, so medyo nakakapagod na, pero of course, kakayanin. I sat down for a while then ran my fingers through my hair. The rookies were gathered in a circle together with Coach, my other team mates were on the other side of the court, then Chris and Hans sat next to me. Oh, by the way, I've known Chris and Hans since 7th grade, super tight na ng mga pinagsamahan namin. Wala lang, share lang.

"Yo Dons, Chris is throwing a party pala at their clubhouse on Friday, after classes. G ka?", Hans asked, out of the blue. Common na ang party sa buong batch namin kasi every year ito nagaganap.

"Last na 'to, mga bro. We'll be in different schools na next year.", Chris mutters, stretching.

"Who's invited?", I asked, not sure if game ba ako, or nah.

"The whole batch, pare. C'mon, game na.", Chris says, parang bata.

"Sige, pero walang inuman ah. Lagot tayo kay Coach.", the three of us laughed as I responded.

"Napaka-good boy mo talaga, Dons.", Hans said, while giving me a high five. Coach Leo whistled again, meaning that it's time for training again.

4:45 pm

We were all at the locker room, changing our clothes, refreshing ourselves, before heading out. The usual, yung daldalan na walang katapusan, the guys talking about girls, I was like eh.

"Boys, 7 pm , Friday, Bernardo Residence.", Hans announced. So ayun, naghiyawan lahat sa narinig nila.

I bid my goodbyes to the other members as well as with Chris and Hans. "I'll text ya'll the details nalang, bro. Ingat!", was the last thing he said.

Sophie

It's almost 5 pm, patapos na din ako sa calendar of activities. I bid my goodbye and thank you to Ms. Perez, our librarian, for letting me stay overtime. I went downstairs while using my phone to book an Uber for me to go home. The moment I reached the ground floor, I heard soft whimpers of a little girl. Oh my goodness, napakatakutin ko talaga na nilalang. Hala, baka guni-guni ko lang yun. I slid my phone on my pocket then I turned to my right and saw a little girl standing by the entrance. I walked towards her and slowly grabbed her hand.

"Hey, little girl. Are you lost?", I asked as she turned around and cried a little louder.

"Sshh, it's okay.", I dropped my bag on the ground then knelt down to wipe her tears. "What's your name, baby?", I asked. She still didn't stopped crying, oh my goodness. I reached for my bag then opened it to get some sour tapes. I thank God for someone like Janina for being my supplier for everything. I took 3 pieces of it and also 2 cloths of tissue paper. "Calm down, little girl. Come here, seat with me.", I said as we walked to the nearest bench. I wiped her tears using the tissue that I took from my bag, then I gave her sour tapes. "T-thank you, a-ate. My name is S-Solana.", she replied, stuttering. But still, she's such a cutie. "It's already late, what are you doing here?", I asked, curiously. Maaga uwian ng kindergarten, hmm. "I was waiting for my kuya, but I still haven't seen him. I think he left na.", she frowns as she replied. Sino kaya kuya nito? Grabe naman siya iwan kapatid niya. "Well, does your kuya know that you're waiting for him?", I asked again, "No-,", we were interrupted with a voice calling her then she ran to the the middle of the hallway. I left our bags on the bench and went after Solana, who knows what next could happen to her?

"Solana!", I heard a familiar voice, then I stopped on my tracks.

"Kuya!", she ran up to the tall guy who happens to be Donny.

"What are you doing here? It's already late.", Donny knelt down and brushed Solana's hair.

"I was waiting for you, I want to go home with you. Sabay tayo. I thought you left already.", Solana said as I was watching them from afar. Donny looked at her as if he did something wrong, and he didn't know why his sister was still here.

"Don't do this again next time ah? Mom and Dad might be worrying right now. Do you promise?", Donny speaks with a concerned voice then held out his pinky. My gahd, napaka-caring niya. Dagdag points, bes. Chos! Ano ba, Sophie?

"I promise.", then they locked their pinkies together and smiled at each other. I was about to turn around and leave but Donny saw me.

"Solans, were you just with her?", Donny asks while he slowly stood up, holding Solana's free hand. She turned to my direction and smiled, "Yes, kuya! She saw me then she stopped me from crying, she told me to calm down, and she gave me sour tapes.", Donny smiled at me as Solana answered.

"Thank you, Sophie.", he showed me off his pearly white smile and I did the same.

"It's no big deal.", I giggled. Then Solana went to me and hugged me.

"Kuya, can she sabay to us when we go home?", my eyes widened with what she just asked.

"Of course. Don't be shy na, Soph. Let's go?", Donny said as he looked at me again flashing his goddamn smile.

Don't look at me like that, Donny. Nakakamamatay.

Donny

I really have no idea that Solana was still here, it's been 4 hours after her dismissal. I'll just explain it to Mom and Dad once we get home, so that they won't worry. Solana insisted Sophie to ride with us to go home, and sakto paglabas namin, kuya Manny was there na agad. I let the girls go in first before I did, then we're off to go.

Solana was really madaldal all the way home, she made kwento of how her day went, asked some questions to Sophie which Sophie answered naman with a laugh, knowing that she made a new friend. I was just smiling at them during the whole ride. I was about to take a nap since 15 yung travel time pauwi, but then I was aroused with what Solana just asked Sophie.

"Do you have a boyfriend, ate Sophie?", I stared at Solana and took a glance on Sophie. She took a bite of her lip before she answered, "No, baby girl. I don't have.", with a smile. It didn't look like she was faking it, but hey, uh, nevermind. "Really?! Kasi you look good with kuya Don-", I cut her off by tickling her. "Solana, was it necessary for you to ask that question?", I asked, teasing her. Sophie just laughed at us and joined me while I was tickling Solana, who's laughing so dang hard right now.

Kids never lie, Sophie. We look good daw together oh.

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home.