Hushed

Narration 1/2

Written in Ellie Meiziah's POV.

Chasing is one of the things I would never try again. Pero kung kailan may naiintindihan na ako, palaging may sumisira para maguluhan ulit ako. I couldn't think straight after knowing what was on Spencer's senior application.

After winning against Atlas, we failed to maintain the momentum, and we had lost in the provincial games. And one month from now, we will be having our junior high graduation, kasabay na ang graduation ng mga seniors namin sa club.

To think that three of them would have to leave soon for their College application saddened me. Tuwing naiisip ko na hindi na magiging ganoon ang lahat, nalulungkot ako.

But I can't do anything about it.

Kahit gaano ko ka-gusto na rito na lang sila, wala na rin naman akong magagawa.

I let out a heavy sigh before letting a smile. At least, for the past four years, I've got the chance to be with them.

I've been with them from the very beginning. At all times. At their breakdowns, milestones, and everything. It did affect me for the first years that I became their manager, pero noong tumagal ay hindi ko na nagawang magkaroon pa ng pake sa iba. My friends supported me about it. Ayos na sa 'kin 'yon.

Lance was the closest to me ever since. I don't pick a favorite among the seniors, but I know that he is someone I can rely on. Well, all of them are reliable. But I felt a different connection, but not in that way with him. Madalas ay palabiro lang siya at panay ang pangungulit sa 'kin, irritating the hell out of me became his habit, and I'm not even mad about it.

"If you continue throwing rocks, mauubos mo na ang formation dito."

Nilingon ko ang pamilyar na boses mula sa likuran ko. I smiled upon seeing him. Mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa dulo ng boardwalk ay tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" I asked.

He looked away before glancing at me again. Ang isang kamay ay nasa likuran ng ulo at ang isa naman ay nasa kanang bulsa.

"Lance told me you want to ask me something."

My lips parted. I never saw it coming. Hindi ko sinabi kay Lance, pero alam kong alam niya na 'yon ang bumabagabag sa 'kin nitong mga nakaraang araw.

"Right." I sighed. "Can we sit for a minute?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Pero kanina ka pang nakaupo ah?" He said studying me.

"It would be peaceful," sambit ko na lang.

We sat on the trimmed green grass beside the boardwalk. It felt like a deja vu. From what I can remember, this was also the place where he confessed to me... through that Japanese phrase.

Ang magkaiba lang, ngayon palubog na ang araw at nasa harap namin pareho 'yon.

"So..." panimula niya.

"I wanted to ask you something about your senior application."

The way I stated it made him surprised a bit. Kita ko 'yon sa mga mata niya. When he recovered from it, one of his hands went up. It seems like he's adjusting the volume of his hearing aids.