PIS #1: My Almost Perfect Girl

Kabanata 1

It was four o'clock in the afternoon.

After my class, I went to gymnasium to meet my friends, and watch basketball practice. While walking, my schoolmates greet me with different names, even though I hate it, I still smiled at them—sweetly.

When I entered, I saw Adam. He was wearing white jersey, black shorts, and white rubber shoes. He looked so serious while dribbling the ball.

"Korin!" Lumingon ako sa kaliwa kung nasaan ang tumawag sa akin, si Mitch—one of my best friends. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at maya-maya pa ay dumating si Sophia. Nagbeso-beso kaming tatlo.

"How's your day, girls?" Sophia asked. Nagpaypay siya gamit ang isang kamay at inipit ang mahaba at wavy niyang buhok sa likod tainga.

     "Same old shit," Mitch answered and crossed her arms.

Mitch and Sophia are my best friends. Childhood friends sila at nakilala ko lang sila nang first year pa lang kami. Hindi kami magka-classmate because we have different courses.

     "You're staring at him again," Sophia caught my attention. "Why don't you just tell him na gusto mo siya," she added.

I shook my head to her suggestion. "Duh! Kahit may crush ako sa kan'ya, hindi ko sasabihin. I'm not desperada." I crossed my arms and legs. Baka mamaya wala siyang gusto sa akin, mapahiya pa ako.

Mitch clapped. "That's right! Remember girls?" The three of us looked at each other. "Don't beg. Let them beg to you," we said in chorus.

Bago ko pa sila maging kaibigan ay "motto" na nila ito. And, I agree to them naman. We're all beautiful kaya alam kong sila ang maghahabol at magmamakaawa na pansinin namin sila.

"You know what, okay na sana 'tong si..." Mitch paused, sinundan ko ng tingin ang tinuturo niya, "...de la Mora, kung hindi lang pangit." We laughed because of what she said.

I agree to her. Sa ilang beses na nanuod kami ng game at practice nila ay nakikita ko na magaling siya at matalino rin. I know, because he is my classmate. Like what Mitch said, okay na sana kaya lang pangit.

Bago pa sumakit ang mata ko sa kaniya ay binalik ko ang tingin kay Adam. I have a crush on him since the first day I saw him. Sino ba'ng hindi magkakagusto sa kaniya? Eh, halos lahat na ay nasa kaniya. Almost perfect. Gwapo, matangkad, maputi, matalino, mayaman, at magaling sa sports, mga katangian na hinahanap ko sa isang lalaki.

"Ouch!" Hindi agad ako nakaiwas sa papalapit na bola. Tinamaan ako sa noo at masakit iyon! I raised my left eyebrow habang hinahanap ang may kasalanan.

"Hey Korin!" I froze when I heard Adam's voice. I slowly turned to where he was. Papaakyat siya sa bleacher kung saan kami nakaupo. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

Hindi ako agad nakasagot dahil natulala ako sa kaniya. Adam is in front of me and talking to me. My God! Kilala niya ako!

He snapped his fingers, at doon pa lang ako bumalik sa katinuan ko. "Are you alright? May masakit ba sa 'yo?"

Nag-thumbs up ako. I tried to speak but nothing comes out on my mouth. I'm so nervous! Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. At mas lalong lumakas ito dahil sa kaniyang ginawa: hinawakan niya ang noo ko kung saan ako tinamaan.

"Will you wait for me until we finish our practice?" Without a second doubt, I nod. Duh, crush ko na ang lumapit mag-iinarte pa ba ako? Just grab it! Before leaving, he smile at me and pat the top of my head.

Nagpaalam ako sa mga kaibigan ko na pupunta lang sa restroom. Sumigaw at nagtatalon ako pagpasok. Buti na lang ay walang ibang tao kung hindi, iisipin nilang nababaliw na ako.