That Summer When She Cried

That Summer When She Followed

She was late.

Sobrang late na last quarter na lang ang inabutan ni Karl. Puno ang arena when she entered and it was a good thing that she found a nice position kahit na late na sya dumating.

She knew it would cause her and Jeric to argue pag nagkita sila. She promised she would see his game but she was too busy sa resort kaya hindi sya nakaalis ng maaga. She brought some cupcakes for him and felt excited na magkita na sila. She has some good news for him.

The trick though is that Jeric didn't know that she was seeing that game. What she told him was that she will watch the next one.

It wouldn't be so bad to surprise your guy anyway, she thought.

But what surprised her was the overwhelming support that the crowd gave him. There were banners for him and a lot of girls were screaming for him, nasa side man nya o hindi.

All the time that she was there, Teng for 2 or Teng for 3 lagi ang nadidinig nya. 'Ang gwapo ni Teng', 'Mahal ko na si Teng' - yan pa din ang laging nadidinig ni Karl sa mga babaeng nasa paligid nya.

She knew that he is an excellent basketball player but she never knew that he was that big when it comes to collegiate basketball.

She never had an idea that the guy she fell in love with is a superstar, a dream of every girl in his world.

And she has him.

She continued cheering for him. May kalayuan sya sa unahan kaya naman ng natapos ang laro ng mga ito, hindi nagawang abutan o harangin ito sa daan. Her shoulders fell.

"Miss, paano mo makikita o makakausap kaya yung player?" she asked the teenager beside her.

"Pwede nyo po sya hintayin sa labas. Dun sila sa kabilang wing dumadaan. Medyo matagal bago sila lumalabas ng dug out pero yun lang yung way kung gusto mo makita," the lady answered.

Karl didn't have any choice but to do what she has been told. She went on the other side of the arena and sat on the stairs to wait. May mga iba din na naghihintay. Her mind was drifting somewhere when she heard some noises. Napatingin sya sa likod and saw that some players were already heading out. Napatayo sya sa inuupuan at inayos ang suot na damit.

She saw him na napapalibutan ng mga tao. Meron din na isa pang player na nasa malapit na hinihingian ng pictures ng mga naghihintay.

But she was patiently and silently waiting for her Jeric.

But he seemed not to have noticed her. When he was done, he walked his way going to the carpark. Hindi pa ito nakakalayo when she shouted his name.

"Teng!"

--

It was a tiring game for me.

Other than that day as a game against my brother's team, natalo pa kami by five points. We have to give more effort on the next game para magqualify kami sa Final Four.

As expected, there were some avid fans who were waiting. I gave them some time for pictures and autograph. Hindi naman na sila ganoon kadami after I spent three hours inside para pahupain ang tao.

When I signed the last one, I looked on my right and I saw her. It made me smile. I missed her badly.

Somehow, I felt relieved to see my girlfriend after a while. She was smiling and I returned it.

Kahit na natalo sa game, having her surprise me this way made up for the loss. When I finished signing the paper of the last girl who waited, I checked on Jeron to see if he's done and if we could go. I know he has seen who I saw. He nodded and I turned to leave.