Hold on, Baby. (Thomara)

cinco

"Hey. Wake up. You have to see this." Nagulat siya ng makita na mataas na pala ang sinag ng araw sa labas, and Mika was nudging her.

Pumunta sila sa salas ng dorm dahil doon lamang nakalagay ang TV.

"Axel Torres speaks up on the recent rumors circulating that he and his brother are fightin over the same girl."

"No. Not really. We never did fight in the first place...so please, athletes kami and not showbiz persons, don't involve us with this. Especially to all fans, stop harrassing my girlfriend."

"The Torres behind the spotlight could even admit publicly the truth. Why cant your goody two shoes pseudo boyfriend do it as well, Ars" Kim said as a matter of factly while scrolling through the channels

"San ka pumunta kagabi, Kim?" I forced a smile

"Divert pa more ars. What the hell? Umalis ako para di ako masurround ng mga tanga sa pag ibig, specifically, you and Mika. Yun nga lang, ibang lalake at ibang sitwasyon"

"Tanga talaga ako sa paningin mo no?"

"Duh."

Tinapunan ko siya ng unan. "Wala man lang digression?! Iharap pa sa mukha ko?"

"Di ka nadadali eh. Yan na oh. Nasa harap mo na. Harap harapan ka ng ginagago pero ikaw paniwalang paniwala pa rin sa make believe truth na ikaw ang mahal. Bullshit Ars, you're so much better than that"

"Kim!" I shouted her name like a child and hugged her so tight. "Yan napapala niyo. Hay. Stress kayo sa fallopian tube."

"Hello??? Mika Reyes kanina ka pa walang imik dyan? Wont you join the hug?"

"Nanahimik na nga lang ako para di ako mapagalitan mo nay Kim e" Mika grinned and hugged as both.

Oh how comforting can this be...just like the calm before the storm.

---

We went on with our daily sched. Training. Klase. Training. I exhausted everything in hitting the ball, bawat palo, bawat serve. I was giving it my all.

Nagulat kami in the middle of training ng may beach volley players na dumating. I dont personally know each one pero their shirts said beach volleyball so I assumed it.

Kinausap nila si coach saglit na panay ang paglingi sa direksyon ko. And each time we met eyes they would shrug it off

"Ars ano ba yan? Bakit parang ikaw pinaguusapan?" sabi ni Mika habang nag aayos ng tali.

"I have no idea, Miks."

Pero minutes later I was given the most roller coaster summary of how I could burn and go through hell.

"Ara, they're offering our team a cameo role in one sports film. Sa campus kase isshoot. And as much as I hate the idea, we have no choice. Approved na ng board. One way of advertising din."

"That's great coach! Bakit naman tayo hihindi?"

"Thomas is included in the actors ara." I froze. "And Arra San Agustin as well."

Double kill.