So Into You (A JeDean / GaWong Story)

Her Smile

***

(Deanna said)

Luigi's call woke me up. I already snoozed my alarm a couple of times.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey sleepy head! Gising na!" Luigi answered. "May practice kayo."

I hesitantly got out of bed. "Nasa baba na ako in 10 minutes."

After Jema's last message to me, I stayed up all night stalking her profile. I only knew Jema by name and her skills in the court.

I've been checking my Twitter from time to time to see if she replied--but I've got no luck yet. I visited her IG one last time before leaving the dorm and could not help but smile.

"How could I have missed your infectious and killer smile all this time, Jessica Margarett Galanza?" I thought to myself.

***
(Jema said)

Aside from my commitment to the school's varsity, I also suited up for a professional squad. I was excited for training that morning when I realized my teammates were former Lady Eagles.

"Pwede ko sila tanungin tungkol kay Deanna,"  I said to myself, determined.

"Good morning Ate Jia and Ate Aly," I greeted as I sat near them during stretching.

"Hi ganda!" Ate Jia answered.

"Ikaw ang trainor ni Wong di ba?" I asked Ate Jia.

She nodded.

"Kaya pala ang galing niya. Tinalo kami kahapon. Grabe, 63 excellent sets!"

"Ha-ha. Magaling si Deanna. Noong una lang takot pa. At least ngayon she has her own style of play."

"Kasi naman she had big shoes to fill," Ate Aly said. "Pero bilib ako sa kanya kasi masipag siya."

"Tsaka mabait pa," Ate Jia added.

I didn't want them to speculate so I stopped asking.

***
(Deanna said)

I told Luigi what happened except the stalking part. We made it a point to catch up during our free time.

"Pinanood ko 'yong game. Wala namang masama sa ginawa mo," he said.

"I said sorry coz I felt bad," I answered, showing him my conversation with Jema. "Pero sa tingin ko kulang pa."

He returned a puzzled look. "Sabi naman niya dito okay na siya."

"I wanna do something for her. Please help me."

"Deans, do you hear yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tinamaan ka na."

"Huh?" I pretended not hearing what he said. Could I possibly fall so quickly?

"I know you're being nice because that's just how you are. Pero kilala kita. Iba na 'to."

Ding dong. I was saved by the bell. I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Baka malate ako sa class. Alis na ko ah. See you later!"

"I'll help you but only if you admit it." Luigi gave me a big smile as he waved me goodbye.

I checked my notifications for the nth time in class, covering my phone with a notebook. I tried hard focusing on the lesson. But the longer I waited for Jema's reply, the more frustrated I got.

"Tinamaan na nga ako," I finally realized.