Almost, But Not Quite (COMPLETED)

Chapter 36

#ABNQ36 Chapter 36

Psalm was biting his lower lip so hard na medyo nagworry ako na baka dumugo na iyong labi niya. Pero at the same time, gusto ko ring matawa... Ganito ba kiligin si Psalm? Sobrang halata na pinipigilan niya kasi ang daming tao, e.

"Balik ka na dun..." I said. The game was about to start and I also could hear his brothers calling his name.

"But you're serious, right?" ulit niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Oo nga," sabi ko kasi kanina pa kami paulit-ulit. Tanong siya nang tanong kung seryoso daw ba talaga ako at hindi nagjojoke. Mag-e-effort pa ba akong pumunta dito at isuot iyong varisity jacket niya (for the entire school population to see) kung hindi ako seryoso?

"Alright..." he said, nodding his head. He took a step back, but his eyes were still on me. Like he was afraid that I'd vanish if he blinks.

Natawa ako. "Go," I said. "Tinatawag ka na nila," sabi ko kasi ngayon, coach naman nila iyong tumatawag sa pangalan niya. Psalm didn't even turn around nung sinigaw ng coach iyong Gomez de Liaño. Pati number niyang #16 sinigaw na rin ni Coach, pero diretso pa rin sa akin iyong tingin ni Psalm.

"We'll talk. After the game."

I nodded. "Yes."

"You'll wait for me."

I nodded again. "Yes."

He still stared, not minding that his coach was already sounding mad dahil hindi siya pinapansin ni Psalm. Ang pasaway din ng Broccoli na 'to.

"Stay where you're seated," he reminded.

"Opo," sabi ko kasi parang si Papa na siya na maraming bilin. Sinabi na nga na naiintindihan ko pero ang kulit.

He groaned. "Don't use opo. It's dangerously distracting," sabi niya. Inirapan ko na lang siya. Mabuti na lang at maingay dito sa gym kaya wala masyadong nakakarinig ng mga lumalabas sa bibig niya. "I'll see you later, okay?" he asked again. I nodded. "Okay?"

"Oo nga, ang kulit. Bumalik ka na 'dun at baka magbago na talaga ang isip ko sa kulit mo," sabi ko. Natakot yata kaya tumakbo na pabalik sa bench nila. Pagbalik niya, kitang-kita ko na pinapagalitan siya ng coach nila pero ang magaling na Broccoli, naka-ngiti lang kahit halos mapatid na iyong litid ng coach nila kakasigaw sa kanya.

I shook my head while smiling. Bumalik na ako sa pwesto namin ni Kitty. She was eyeing me pagbalik ko.

"So... kayo na?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe? I don't know. We'll talk about it after the game," I replied. Kitty just nodded, not saying anything at all. It kinda freaked me out because she's usually very opinionated about things like this. But right now, she looked like she's pondering on something.

But I didn't ask her. This thing with Psalm, I wanted this to be easy. I chose this to be easy. I promised I wouldn't overthink things, and for once, just try to enjoy things.

When the game officially started, I quietly sat there and watch. The game was good, but my eyes mainly were just watching the running Broccoli on the court. Kahit 'di talaga ako mahilig sa basketball, napapapalakpak ako tuwing nakaka-shoot si Psalm. At tuwing ang lakas ng sigaw at palakpak para sa kanya, naiisip ko kung ano ba ang nagustuhan niya sa 'kin? Because frankly, he could get whoever he wants.

I mean, he's a Gomez de Liaño for crying out loud!

"Ayos ka lang?" I asked Kitty who remained silent during the entire game. I was just worried baka may iba siyang iniisip.