"Napansin mo ba the way she looks at you?" Maddie asked Deanna habang papasok sila sa bahay ng mga De Leon.
"Huh?!" Sagot ni Deanna looking blankly at Maddie.
Hinarap ni Maddie si Deanna bago niya buksan ang pinto.
"Look Deanns, you need to open your eyes and heart sa mga bagay na nangyayari sayo ngayon. I'm not pressuring you. It's just that I care about you and most especially kay Jema. Now, if there is something that seems na nakakagulo sa isip mo or questions na parang di mo masagot, never hesitate to let me know. Lagi akong andito para sayo. Okay?" Maddie explained and gave a comforting smile at the end.
"Salamat ate Madds. I'm thinking about some stuff na super new talaga for me. I sometimes question myself if tama ba yun but instead of facing it. I dismiss it, maybe because I really don't understand. I wanted to tell Pongs but I'm afraid that she won't understand." Deanna replied tapos ay napabuntong hininga.
"It's okay Deanns. Sometimes,may mga bagay na we can't understand by ourselves lang. That's why we have friends who will be there to guide us and listen to us when we ourselves don't know what to do." Maddie continued.
"I know ate Madds. And I'm really thankful that you are there for me and..." Naputol ang sinasabi ni Deanna ng biglang bumukas ang pinto ng mga De Leon.
"Oh, you're here na pala Deanns! Ikaw naman Madds, di ka naman nagsasabi na lumabas ka pala. I was looking for you." Bea said.
"Sinundo ko lang si Deanna. Hinatid sya ni Jema." Matipid na sagot ni Bea.
"Jema was here?!" Halata ang pagkagulat sa mga mata ni Bea.
"Yes Bea. She was here." Matigas na response ni Maddie.
"Sana ininvite mo na sya. It's been awhile since last syang pumunta dito sa bahay." Bea said.
"Pumunpunta si Jema dito sa inyo before ate Bea?" Deanna asked.
"Yes! Madalas after practice..." Naudlot ang sinasabi ni Bea ng biglang sumingit si Maddie.
"We're in the same club kasi before so dati dito kami nagmemeeting after ng practice namin nila Bea." Maddie explained.
Tumango lang si Deanna.
"Hoy De Leon! Asan na ang surprise?!" Tanong ng biglang sumulpot na si Aly.
"Ate Ly, wait lang. Tara na Madds and Deanns at excited na 'tong si ate Ly sa surprise ko." Aya ni Bea.
Pumasok na silang lahat sa bahay ng mga De Leon at isa isang nakipagbeso at nakipagkamay sa ibang myembro ng pamilya De Leon.
"So iha, I heard you're doing well sa practices nyo ahh. I'm glad may papalit na kay Denden." Sabi ng mama ni Bea.
Napangiti lang si Deanna at sumagot, "I'm trying my best po tita."
"That's good! Medyo mahirap din kasing palitan si DenDen pero I'm sure you're a good successor." Sabi naman ng papa ni Bea.
"Hey mom and dad! Wag nyo gisahin yang si Deanna. She's really doing well and I'm sure mag iimprove pa sya." Masayang sabi ni Bea.
"Why don't you go for your surprise na anak." Sabi ng papa ni Bea.
"Good idea!" She answered while giving a grin.
"Guys! Listen up! Everyone, let's go to the living room for my surprise." Announce ni Bea.
Nagsiputahan naman lahat sa living room ng mga De Leon.
Tumayo naman sa harapan si Bea.
"As always, my supportive parents invited all of you so we can bond and know the rookies as well. I am so thrilled so I asked someone to join us today which I think will hype everyone out. I'm pretty sure most of us missed her especially our captain, ate Ly." Sabi ni Bea while pausing and looking at Aly.
"Without further ado, Ate Den tara na!" Sigaw ni Bea.
Lumabas naman si Denise from one of the rooms malapit sa living room.
Nakangiti itong bumati sa lahat, "Hello Lady Eagles!"
Nagkatinginan naman agad si Den at Aly at nagkangitian. Tumakbong payakap si Aly kay Denden at sumunod na din ang iba for a group hug.
"Ayyiieeee!" Sigaw nila Bea, Jho, at Jia.
Matapos ang masayang asaran at group hug ay magkahawak ang kamay ni Aly and Den na humarap sa lahat.
"Meet our rookies this year, alam ko dapat bukas pa, but since dito ka na. Might as well, do it now para mas comfortable na lahat." Explain ni Aly.
Inisa isa ni Aly ang mga rookies, "So this is Ponggay, she's the sister of Therese."
"Hi po ate Den!" Nakangiting bati ni Ponggay.
Ngumiti naman si Den at yinakap si Ponggay.
"And this is our next big thing!" Pagmamalaki ni Aly when it was Deanna's turn.
"I'm Deanna po. Hello po!" Magalang na bati ni Deanna.
"I'm so excited to see you! I heard a lot and I am so proud. It's nice to meet you Deanna." Sabi ni Denden habang niyayakap si Deanna.
"Hala. Don't expect po too much, first time ko po as libero." Sagot ni Deanna.
"It's okay Deanna. When I started din sa volleyball, I used to be a spiker pero our coach back then, reassigned me to be the libero so I know exactly how you feel. I think you are a great addition to the team kasi yung height mo and the spirit. Besides, I trust Jema's recommendations." Kwento ni Denden.
"Jema?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Deanna.
"Hindi mo ba kilala si Jema?" Tanong ni Denden.
"She knows Jema, Den. She often watch our practices eh." Sabi ni Aly to cut the conversation.
"Jema and Denden are friends kasi talaga. Jema is very close sa team and she supports all the Lady Eagles." Hirit ni Jia.
"Tara let's eat!" Sabi ni Bea sa lahat.
Hinila na ni Aly si Denden papunta sa kitchen, while inakbayan ni Jia si Deanna.
"Ikaw haaa, si Jema pala kasama mo kanina. Bakit di mo pinapasok si Jema?" Tanong ni Jia.
"Ahhh kasi hindi naman ako yung house owner eh. Nakakahiya kay ate Bea." Matipid na sa sagot ni Deanna.
"Make sense pero mukang okay na kayo ahhh. Nawala kayo bigla after nung sa club prezi." Patuloy ni Jia.
"Ate Jia, I'm wondering gaano kaclose si Jema to all the Lady Eagles na parang part sya ng team." Sabi ni Deanna.
Natahimik si Jia.
"I mean, I know president sya ng isang club and it seems na madaming volleyball players ang member nito pero why do I have a feeling na she's more than just a fan?" Deanna asked.
"Deanna!" Tawag ni Ponggay kay Deanna.
"Tara na! Hinahanap ka ni Tita." Sabi ni Ponggay habang umangkla sa braso ni Deanna at hinila si Deanna papunta sa living room.
