Pakwan Shots

What About Us?

"Pst."

I looked up and saw Ara standing on the aisle, pointing to the empty seat next to me.

"Tabi ako sa'yo," She simply said, but it seemed as if she were waiting for me to answer. I nodded in reply as she sat next to me.

Pauwi na kami from SM Bacolod kung saan nagkaroon ng Meet & Greet ang PSL players. Nasa bus na kaming lahat on our way to the Silay Gymnasium for an exhibition match. Tahimik 'yung buong bus kasi lahat kami pagod na.

"Musta ka na?" Tanong ni Ara. "Hindi ka na nakakapagkwento sa'kin. 'Di ka na rin nag-r'reply sa GC natin nila Kim." She pouted. It was the first time she talked to me, and only me, for the whole day.

"Ay sorry," I said and laughed. "Katamad kasi."

"Ikaw, porket lumipat ka na ng team, kinalimutan mo na kami, ah..." Kunwaring pagdadrama niya.

"Grabe 'to! Hindi ah! Busy lang kasi."

"De, ayaw mo na samin, eh. Sige, dyan ka na sa bagong team mo." Tinuloy pa niya pagdadrama niya at nag-pout.

"Tampuhin mo talaga forever!" I hugged her at the side, just like I always did 'pag nagtatampo siya. "Sorry naaaa!"

She looked away. "Tapos kanina, sabi mo si Kim lang miss mo. Hmp."

"'Di pa kasi ako tapos nun!" Palusot ko. "Meron pang dagdag 'yun, eh. Miss ko na kasi si Kim... tsaka si Ara. Kaso tumili na agad 'yung fans, eh, 'di ko na natuloy."

"Palusot ka pa!"

"Tsk! Sorry na, Daks!"

Shet.

Pagkatapos ko masabi 'yun, agad akong kumalas sa hug ko kay Ara at umiwas ng tingin sa kanya.

Awkward silence. I mentally slapped myself in the face. Every time one of us accidentally calls the other "Daks", automatic na napapatigil kaming dalawa tapos nagiging awkward.

"Ano, musta na pala kayo ni Jerome?" Ara broke the uncomfortable silence. I sighed in relief.

"Okay naman," Tipid kong sagot.

Tinignan ako ni Ara nang pang-asar. "Ikaw ah, luma-love life ka na talaga, ah!"

"Luh. Ikaw nga, I lost count na kung ilang years na kayo ni Bang. Staying strong, grabe." I laughed, but Ara didn't laugh with me.

"Mika."

I was taken aback sa biglaang pagseryoso sa tono ng boses niya. "Vic?"

"Nandito na po tayo!" Napatingin kaming dalawa ni Ara sa harap kung saan nakatayo ang isa sa event managers ng PSL. Tumigil na rin ang bus. "Baba na tayo. Time check, 4:38. Mag-ready na kayo mga mamsh. Please proceed sa locker rooms and change na rin into your jerseys."

"Sige, mamaya na lang." With that, tumayo na si Ara at sabay bumaba kasama ang ibang F2 players. My heart ached at the sight of my former teammates, just like it always did when I'd see them. I just knew I needed to get used to it, and I can honestly say I'm halfway there.

At the exhibition match, I was relieved to be teammates with some of my former F2 teammates, but I was even more relieved to know that Ara wasn't one of them. As much as possible, ayaw ko na maranasan ulit 'yung maging ka-teammate siya, kasi baka mas mahirapan pa ako maka-move on sa buhay ko.

Pagkatapos ng exhibition match, nag-quick shower lang ako at sumabay kay Denden pabalik ng bus.

"Na-miss ko makalaro kayo! As in, 'yung tayo-tayo lang, 'yung mga galing UAAP," Denden said as we hopped on the bus and sat on our respective seats. Nasa may harap ko siya nakaupo, pero umupo muna siya sa tabi ko para makipagchikahan sa'kin.