CHAPTER NINE
Quarterfinals had begun. We were placed in Bracket A alongside with teams from Ust and Adamson University. 1st game, halos lahat gumawa kaya natalo namin ang Adamson in straight sets. But, just a day after that, came Hell Week. Kaya almost everyday wala kaming pahinga, aral-practise-aral-practise lang ang ginagawa namin.
For that whole week I tried to behave myself. Im keeping my promise to stop this feelings for Den. Kahit nakakapagod, it made me glad na pareho kaming busy. Nakalimutan na nga rin ata nya yung tungkol sa pinapahulaan nya, hindi na rin kasi nya ako kinukulit kung nahulaan ko na raw ba kung sino yung crush nya. Ofcourse, I wouldn't admit to her na meron na akong prime suspect. And that is Me.
Jovee arrived three days ago and I kept myself busy with him. Everyday lumalabas kami right after practise to have time alone with each other and to made up for the lost time. I planned to give all my attention to him. He was the man I needed, and I made sure na nakakalimutan ko si Den pagkaharap sya. He even teased me na masyado na raw akong sweet sa kanya.
"Bakit? Ayaw mo bang sweet yung girlfriend mo sayo?" I asked on the second night we went out for dinner.
"Syempre gusto ko. Nakakapanibago lang." He said, amused and smiling.
"Alam mo Jovee, gusto ko ligawan mo ako ulit."
He looked surprise. "Girlfriend na kita ah, bakit liligawan ulit?"
"Eeh, namimiss ko na kasi yung dati, nung nagcocourt ka pa lang, everyday may flowers akong natatanggap sayo. Yung mga ganun."
He looked even more amused. "Gusto mo ulit yun? I thought nahihiya ka sa mga teammates mo kaya tinigil ko yung pagpapadala sayo ng flowers dati?"
"Okay lang kahit maghapon pa nila akong tuksuhin. Basta gusto ko ulit yun."
He laughed. "Okay, sabi mo eh."
I have to do this kasi nakakalimutan ko na kung pano mainlove uli sa kanya. Gusto ko uling kiligin nang dahil sa kanya, to smile kasi napasaya nya ako or even to feel electrified kasi nagdikit yung mga balat namin. I'd like him to occupy my mind, to even appear in my dreams so that his alone is all that I can think about.
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"Sayang naman sila, bakit kaya sila nagbreak?" Ate Fille asked very seriously as if she was going to cry. It was Friday night, sa wakas natapos na lahat ng midterm exams namin. All of us, except Den and Bea Tan were chilling here in the living room. The smell of pineapple pizza, empty bottles of Coca Cola plus the empty cups scattered all over the place, used tissues everywhere, were enough evidenced para masabing parang dinaanan ng bagyo etong sala. No one's making a move, kahit si Ate Gretch na kilalang hater ng makakalat, lahat pagod- mentally and physically. Everybody seemed shocked by the news a while ago, for a moment, the group was silent, well except for me kasi hindi ako fan nila.
"Para naman kayong namatayan dyan," I said haughtily.
"Seriously, talagang dinidibdib nyo? Eh hindi naman nga sila bagay in the first place." I smiled modestly. It was wonderful finally to get a chance to teased them about their TVD fantasy couple. Mario Lopez on his Extra show announced kanina na break na raw sina Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev. The now ex-couple even confirmed about their break up during their interview kanina.
"Shut up Aly," Ate Gretch said.
"Who asked your opinion anyway?" It was Ate Fille glaring at me.
