HIM
I was flooded by congratulatory messages as I made my way back towards the dugout after winning my first game for the season.
Kakatapos ko lang mainterview dahil ako ang player of the game.
"Grats, Manong!" sabi ni Thirdy na sinalubong ako sa dugout.
"Thanks, Thirds. Asan sila Mama?" I asked, my eyes searching for them.
"Nasa labas na kasama sila Bea at Dani. Gutom na yung mga bata," natatawang sabi ni Thirdy.
"Okay. Shower na ako tapos labas na tayo," sabi ko at tumango naman siya.
Hinayaan ko na muna si Thirdy doon dahil kausap naman niya yung mga teammates ko at halos lahat naman ay kakilala niya rito.
While I'm taking a shower, nagk-kwentuhan dito sila Kevin and Juami. Kaming tatlo lang kasi dito sa loob dahil nasa labas pa yung iba entertaining their fans and other interviews. Siguro nagmamadali din sila.
"Kevs, nakauwi na ba si Selena?" tanong ni Juami. Nakwento kasi sakin ni Kevin na nasa U.S daw si Selena nagv-vacation dahil binisita ang pamilya nito.
"Oo, Juams. Susunduin ko sa airport ngayon." sabi niya at tumango naman si Juami.
"Ikaw, Kief? Nagmamadali ka ba?" tanong niya at tumango ako.
"Oo. Kasama namin yung mga bata, gutom na daw." sabi ko at natawa naman siya.
"Naunahan ka pa nila Thirdy at Dani, anong nangyari sa Ravena moves mo?" natatawang sabi niya.
Natawa nalang din ako at napailing.
"Marami 'yan si Kief! Yan pa ba." sabi ni Kevin na nagpupunas na ng tuwalya.
"Wala noh! Focus muna ako." sabi ko sakanila at natawa naman sila.
"Di ka na college, uy! Wala nang ganyang rule si coach!" natatawang sabi ni Juami.
"Tsaka na." sabi ko sakanila para tumigil na.
"Asus. Alam mo na dapat 'yan, Juams! Walang tatalo kay Phenom." sabi ni Kevin at tumingin naman ako sakanya na kunot ang noo.
"You know, si Phenom, yung crush namin. Si Alyssa Valdez." asar sakin ni Kevin at binato ko siya ng hawak kong tuwalya.
"Wag ka nga! Sumbong kita kay Selena!" takot ko sakanya.
"Hinuhuli lang kita, Kief! Nagpahuli ka naman! Selos ka?" natatawang sabi niya.
Marami pa silang sinabi pero inilingan ko nalang at nagpaalam na ako para mauna.
HER
Ever since Nico told me about Kiefer, he never stopped.
He always talk about him and we would watch the games together, and I would always listen and watch na rin kasi I'm happy to see that he's this bubbly again after what happened with him in the past.
As each day goes by, mas nagiging masaya siya at nagkakaroon ng pag-asa habang hinihintay ang operation niya.
Although habang lumalapit ang araw na iyon at unti unting nanghihina ang katawan niya.
"Ate Ly, do you think I could survive the operation?" he asked me na namamaos pa yung boses.
"Is that even a question? Of course you could. You're my baby warrior." sabi ko at hinalikan ang ulo niya.
A tear fell from my face with his question.
How could I ever let him go?
I'm so attached to this kid because he's been my patient and he's been staying in this hospital for a long time now.
Nico's case is very rare and critical. There's only half a hundred percent that he would really make it in the operation but I'm not giving him up.
Nakasilip ako sa pintuan ni Nico habang pinanonood siya magdasal bago siya matulog.
I decided to check on him before I go home and I caught him praying so hindi muna ako lumapit.
"Dear God, thank you for the life that you gave me, I'm hoping that you can still let me enjoy it just for a little more while. Thank you for my teddy bear coco, thank you for my Ate Ly, thank you for all the nurses and doctors and friends here in the hospital. I wish I can be like my superhero Kuya Kief someday. And can I see him again in my dreams tonight, please? Amen." he prayed at nagsign of the cross tsaka humiga.
That suddenly got me thinking.
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