How To Love And Be Loved

Chapter 30

#HTLABLLabel

Naabutan namin ang boys na nag wa-warm up. Nandun narin si Gino pero wala si Lian. Umupo kami sa gilid kung saan nandun ang mga gamit nila Dwayne.

And they are back at it again. Staring and judging us for being friends with the children of the richest families.

This is why I only have few friends. Nung una naman talaga, sila Yam, Jacob, Gabriel, and Jessa lang ang kaibigan ko. But two years ago, nakilala namin sila Keira at Dwayne at mga kaibigan din nila which is sila Abby, Nica, Sam, Xian and Matt.

"Hi. Nandito na pala kayo." Bati nila Abby at Nica samin.

I just smiled at them. Umupo sila sa tabi namin at nag simulang mag kwentuhan. First time pupunta ni Lian dito sa school if ever, for sure siya nanaman ang center of attraction lalo na sa mga babae.

I'm still trying to understand things. So sana hindi na to dumagdag.

Ang gusto ko lang naman maging okay kami pag balik niya. I can even stop myself for asking questions about him and Ruth kung kinakailangan. I just want to be okay, I want us to be okay.

When they're done with their warm up they quickly approached us. They waved at us and we smiled at them. I can see Gino's having fun here, but I'm still worried about his decision, I've been living here for almost three years and I swear manila life was never easy.

Tsaka pano si Tita? Pano yung buhay niya sa Cavite?

I stood up and excused Gino. "Can we talk?" I asked him and he just nodded.

Lumabas kami ng court dahil medyo maingay. Sa School Garden ko siya dinala dahil konti lang ang tao dito palagi.

"So..." He started.

"What are we going to talk about?" He continued.

"I just want to ask you something.."

"Are you really going to study here?" I asked.

He looked at me. "I am.." He answered.

"Why?" Naguguluhang tanong ko sakanya.

"It's a great opportunity.. You know Basketball is my life and I heard I can get a scholarship here and be a varsity player like Dwayne."

"But what about your life in Cavite? Si Tita paano?" I asked and looked at him straight.

"Alam ko sinabi ko noon na ayoko dito sa Manila, ayoko ng buhay dito. Pero satingin ko mas lalaki yung mundo ko at dadami yung opportunities na darating kapag nandito ako. Isa pa hindi narin maganda yung buhay ko sa Cavite,
simula ng maaksidente kami ng mga kaibigan ko hindi na ulit kami nag sama sama."

"At si Mama, na pag desisyunan na namin to. Sabi niya ibebenta daw niya yung bahay natin sa Cavite at mag ko-condo nalang kami dito." He added.

"O-okay. Sure na talaga?" Tanong ko ulit.

"Oo nga. Bakit ayaw mo na ba kaming kasama?" He asked.

"Syempre gusto ko, no. Nakakagulat lang. Pero masaya ko, masaya ko na mas lagi ko na kayo makakasama." I answered and smiled.

"Ikaw wala ka bang sasabihin? Kamusta na kayo ni Lian?"

"Uhm, okay lang." Sagot ko.

"Anong okay? Kayo na ba? Nililigawan ka ba niya?" Sunod sunod niyang tanong.