coffees + jeno

xxxii

（   LILAC   ）

Game day. Full support ako sa DLSU ngayon dahil finals na nila laban sa AdMU. Wearing a #9 J. Lee shirt and Jeno's La Salle jacket, I sat on the front row, right above the seats of the archers.

I'm nervous for all of them, actually. I know Jeno is also nervous although he's showing a strong facade. Tinawagan niya ako kaninang umaga para lang sabihin na parang hindi na niya kaya, and I had to sing for him until he hushes down. I don't know how to comfort people. How I wish I could hug him right now!

Nang nagsisimula nang magtawag ng starters, bumaling sa'kin ang ulo ni Jeno at ngumiti naman ako nang malaki at nag-thumbs up. Kaya mo 'to, Jen.

The game started in La Salle's favor. Mas malakas ang depensa nila Taeyong, Jeno at Mark kaya nakaka-atake nang mabilis sila Lucas at Johnny. But it wasn't easy although sila ang nakakalamang. Maxwell knows how to break free from tight blocks, so he could stop Lucas' or Johnny's momentum. A low-scoring quarter, as expected. 1st quarter, 6-4 with DLSU on the lead.

Pagkabalik nila sa bench ay agad silang inabutan ng mga tubig at tuwalya habang kinakausap sila ng coach nila. Ipapasok din si Jaemin at Jaehyun, replacing Jeno and Mark for the 2nd quarter.

"Lilac," tawag sa akin ni Jeno. Agad ko siyang nilingon at nakita kong inaabutan niya 'ko ng tuwalya. "I can't move my hands that much," sambit niya nang mahina kaya pinunasan ko naman siya, like he tells me to do. Taking care of him will always be one of my favorite hobbies.

"Time to dominate the game, baby," I whispered when AdMU called a timeout. Napansin kong namula ang mga pisngi niya kaya napatawa ako nang bahagya.

The quarter resumed, Jeno back in the game replacing Jaemin. Kent became more competitive when Jeno came in and I don't know the reason behind it, but all of them seem to know why.

Jeno and Kent didn't take their gazes off each other the whole quarter. It felt like they were the only ones competing on the court. "Lilac. If you're wondering why they're like that, their game is a different one from the actual game," sambit ni Jaemin habang nakangising nanonood ng laro. Naguluhan naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"What do you mean?"

"Kent likes you. You have 3 men wrapped around your finger, Lilac, I salute you. Haha!"

Eh, who's the other one?

Humarap si Jaemin sa'kin at kumindat. "Harris," bulong niya na dahilan ng paglaki ng mga mata ko. No, definitely not. We're just friends.

"Not believing anything you say, Na Jaemin," sabi ko at tinaboy siya nang pabiro.

"Bahala ka. Haha! Basta ako sinabi ko na sa'yo, ah. Lee Jeno, Harris Bisset, Kent Lai. Mga magpapatayan 'yan para sa'yo," sabi niya at bumaling na ulit sa game.

Sa kakaisip sa sinabi ni Jaemin, hindi ko napansin na patapos na pala ang 3rd quarter, at lumalamang na ang AdMU. Lucas' face shows that he's pissed, but he didn't say anything about it. Jeno ㅡ well, as usual, he's keeping his blank face as if it's his signature face.

The last quarter started in a blink. Taeyong looks worn out since he's been playing since the start, working hard on his defense for Lucas' momentum and also on rebounds. Jeno just fixed his gaze on Kent like he's his prey, and Kent returned the favor.

78-86, AdMU on the lead. Ironically, La Salle's team is more energetic compared to their atmosphere in the start of the game. Sweat dripping from their face, they played like there's no tomorrow.

A minute left on the clock, and I could see Jeno gradually getting weaker each second. Don't lose hope yet, baby. You're going to win this.

La Salle called for a timeout. All you could hear in the arena are screams from Ateneo's supporters as if they've won the match already.

Mataimtim kong tiningnan ang Archers na seryosong nag-uusap at nang matapos sila, nahagip ng mga mata ko ang mga mata ni Jeno na tila nakikiusap sa akin. "Puoi farlo," bulong ko, at bumalik na siya sa court.

"Jeno's going to be a mess when they lose, Lilac," sabi ni Jaemin sa'kin na ngayon ay seryoso na ang mukha kumpara sa mukha niya kaninang malawak ang ngiti. "Can you handle him?" tanong niya sa isang seryosong tono at tumango naman ako.

"I still believe in his capabilities for this game to be a victory," bulong ko at ngumiti naman siya. "He chose the right girl," bulong niya pabalik at binaling ang tingin niya sa laro.

10 seconds left on the clock with an 8 point difference, AdMU on the lead. I put my hands together and prayed as I watched every second go by.

And the match's done. AdMU's fans cheered because of their victory, and the archers were devastated. Tumakbo ako papunta sa pwesto nila at niyakap si Jeno nang mahigpit. "You did well, Jen," sabi ko at naramdaman ko naman siyang yumakap pabalik at nabasa ang damit ko dahil sa mga luha niya.

"I lost the battle, Lilac," he whispered in a broken voice, and I hugged him tighter.

"You still have me."

I don't care if he loses all of his matches, or if everyone looks down on him. At the end of the day, he's still the only person I'm going to watch. My heart belongs to him, and to him alone. No one can snatch it away like he did. There's no other Lee Jeno in my life, after all. No matter what happens, I'll always believe in him.