Splash Love

Homecourt 2

Everything was a blur during our time at the book fair. Hindi pa rin maalis sa isip ko yung sinabi ni Jay. I love you too. Did he mean it? But how? And why so sudden? Dahil lang ba sinabi ko sa kanya na mahal ko siya? Was he pressured to say that? Does he pity me that much?

Napapitlag ako when Jay touched the tip of my nose to catch my attention. I looked over at him.

I can see that your mind is working overtime, Dei. Relax. I promised that this day will be yours. So enjoy this okay? Mamaya na yung mga tanong. We'll talk later. Promise.

I heaved a sigh and gave him a small smile. He smiled back.

So what do you think I should buy? This one or this? He asked me while showing two self help books in his hands. One titled "Idiot Guide on How to Know if you are in love with your best friend" and the other "Face it: You are in love with her."

I was speechless. Nananadya ba ito? It is as if he wants to tell me something. I looked at him questioningly.

What? You don't want these? Ito kaya? And then he showed me another fictional novel titled "Say Something Like I Love You Too."

I just rolled my eyes at him before I gave my answer. Hindi mo na kailangan ang mga yan. Just say what your heart feels. It won't lead you anywhere but the truth.

He just smiled at me and lead me to the counter to pay for the books we picked.

We then went back to the car to put all our packages and I was about to alight his car when he stopped me. I looked at him with my eyebrow raised.

Lipat tayo diyan sa kabila oh! Sabay turo sa establishment sa harap namin.

Araneta? Wait. Don't say... I asked him with my eyes wide.

Yup. Alaska versus Ginebra, second game. We just have about twenty minutes before tip off. And here's our tix. He showed me two tickets for the game.

Because of the happiness I felt, I jumped on him and gave him a big hug. He was laughing but hugged me back. It took us about ten seconds to realize what we were doing. And I suddenly went down and looked away.

I can see that you're happy, Dei. I am happy that you are.

Thank you, Jay. I really appreciate all these. I sincerely thanked him and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then I happily hooked my arm around his and lead him to the game.

It was a jampacked crowd given that Ginebra plays. But I root for Alaska though. Gatas Republik represent. I know Jay likes Ginebra so this will be fun.

I was amazed the whole game. How the crowd cheers for every play and shot. I get to watch this on TV but it seemed intense when you are the arena watching live. I laughed a little harder looking at fans clubs going at each other, heckling the other team.

It was a close game. Di ko na mabilang kung ilang beses nang mag lead change sa laro. When it seems that Ginebra would pull away from the game, Alaska would make a run and tie the game. The game will be wire to wire down the stretch.

I was busy praying fervently during a timeout when I feel the familiar poke on the tip of my nose. I looked up and saw Jay pouting at me.

What? I asked him.

Di mo na ako pinansin buong first half. Maktol nito.

Natawa naman ako sa hitsura niya.
Bakit ba eh ang gwapo ni Banchero oh! Look at that face! Go, Banchie! Pang-iinis niya rito. Natawa pa siya lalo nang lalo itong napasimangot. Di na niya napigilan ang sariling kurutin ang magkabilang pisngi nito. Tampo naman agad. Mas gwapo naman itong si Faulkerson kesa dun. Mas yummy nga lang si Banchie. Heheh.

Ah ganun ha? Yummy pala ha? Inalis ni Jay ang mga kamay kong nakahawak sa mga pisngi niya at ang pisngi ko naman ang pinanggigilan nito. Natigil ang pagtawa ko nang nilapit nito ang mukha sa mukha niya. Napatingin siya sa mga mapupulang labi nito at napalunok.

Pakiramdam niya silang dalawa lang at wala sila sa Araneta. Agad siyang napapiksi nang makita ang sarili at si Jay sa Jumbotron screen. Agad na nag-init ang mga pisngi niya sa eksenang nakita. Napayuko na lang siya sa hiya.

I turned my attention back to Jay when he poked me on the cheek. Tinuro siya nito sa big screen at napatingin din siya. Nabigla na lang siya nang makita at maramdaman si Jay na hinalikan siya sa pisngi. On live TV. Napatunganga na lang siya. Nabingi siya sa hiyawan ng mga tao sa loob ng arena. Everyone's entertained with what Jay did. Nahampas ko na lang siya sa braso nang makitang nakangisi lang ito sa kanya.

Hindi na tuloy ako makapag-concentrate sa laro. Lagi ko na siyang nililingon. Mukha namang nag-eenjoy ito at ngingitian lang siya kapag napatingin siya rito.

The game came down to the last possession. Ginebra was up 78-77 with 15 seconds left to go in the game, Alaska ball.

I grabbed Jay's hand when it's time for the Aces to inbound the ball and execute what play Coach Alex has drawn during the last time out.

My heart is beating hard with anticipation. Iba pa rin pala talaga ang feeling pag nanonood ka ng live kumpara sa TV. The intensity is ten folds stronger.

The ball is in Casio's hand, dribbling and signaling for the play. Thoss came out and offer the pick. Casio has able to break free and drives to the lane and momentarily open for a lay up. But Aguilar and his long arms was there to make it difficult for him and Casio eventually missed. The Alaska crowd was silent for a moment. Ginebra fans can now smell their victory.

I was up on my feet when out of nowhere Abueva soared and got the rebound out of the Casio miss and tipped the ball in. Then the buzzer sounds. End of the game. Alaska wins 79-78. You can here the disappointment from the Ginebra fans. Pero ako nagtatalon-talon sa tuwa. Ang saya!

Natigil lang yung pagsasaya ko nang may humila sa kamay ko. Hindi ko napansin na hawak ko pa rin pala ang kamay ni Jay. Tinangka kong kumalas sa pagkakahawak pero hinigpitan lang nito ang kapit. I looked at him and he just flashed me a smile.

Congrats, Dei. Hug? He lifts his other hand and gestures for a hug.

I happily put my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

Thank you, Jay! For this game and today.

You are welcome, Dei. This is end game. You are my end game. And he planted a kiss on top of my head.

It's the best first date ever.

***
Hello po! I know, super tagal ng update. Sorry na po. Nilamon ng realidad na itago natin sa pangalang katamaran. Char! Naaliw kasi ako sa Tap. Meron akong MaiChard story dun. Yung Tap version nitong Splash Love eh drawing palang kasi wala namang nagcomment na gusto nyo ng ganun. Hahah.

Again, thank you po sa lahat ng mga readers nito. I love you all! Pa hit naman po ng maliit na star sa ilalim. 😊

P.S. And yes po, Alaska fan po ako since birth. 🤗