"I had a crush on Aj."
Natigil kami ni Cel ng marinig ko 'yon. Bea is crushing the football player. Damn! Masakit.
"Thirds."
"Oh Cel, tara bigay na natin."
I was holding a burger and a soda for Bea. She's blushing while confessing to Maki. Cel is the one who caught their attention.
I met her eyes, alam ko awa ang nakikita ko.
Ysa, dont be sorry for me. Ginusto kong gustuhin ka. Hindi ako humiling ng kapalit. Liking and loving you is my choice.
That day we continue to try rides and as much as possible i try my best not to be awkward. Thanks to Maki and Cel cos somehow their jokes light up the tension between us two.
"Haay pagod na ko. Upo muna tayo." Cel complained and sat on the bench.
"Girls, do you like popcorn ba?"
"Thirds, samahan na kita." It was Maki.
We are now walking towards the popcorn stall and suddenly speak.
"I assume you heard it."
"Yeah."
"Thirds, i hope this wont be the reason for you to give up."
Giving up will never be an option but i'll stop.
Mula nang araw na 'yon, iniwasan ko nang makausap ng matagal si Bea. Hindi sa nasaktan ako sa narinig ko pero napaisip ako, kung para sya talaga sakin, hindi ako mahihirapan.
Sometimes, i smile at her kapag nasa Poveda ako but i will never talk to her.
Years passed nalaman ko rin she choose Ateneo. Grabe lumiit ang mundo namin. I still have a crush on her but i choose not to let it grow.
"Babe, hows your day?"
It was Lie my girlfriend. Bago pa lang kami. She's nice. My friends love her but Dani doesnt like her.
Kung si Bea lang sana sya, walang magiging problema.
You see everyone likes her. She's a natural charmer.
"Babe, would you mind if we take a shuttle nalang? Dad will use my car kasi eh." We are planning to go to our house to visit my parents.
"But Babe, use my car nalang. Mainit kasi eh."
Kung si Bea to im sure she'll get excited pa 'cause she loves to be spontaneous.
Ewan ko lahat na ata maganda kay Ysa.
"Bro, sino bang tinitingnan mo dyan sa naglalaro?"
It was Anton. Nandito kami sa BEG kasi may dito ang training. The ALE is here also. Hinihintay nalang namin sila matapos.
"Huh? Wala kaya."
"Sus Anton, nakita mo 'yong naka 14? Si Bea 'yon. Crush ni Thirds dati."
"Oh talaga Manong? Iba ka rin Thirds ah!"
I just smiled at them and continously watch how she plays. I saw that her seniors are giving them instructions.
It was her time to spike na. She look at my direction, ewan ko kung ako ba tinitingnan nya pero duda na rin ako. She's Bea De Leon, she will never give any attention to somebody like. Highschool nga na ang lapit nya sakin di nya ko napansin, ngayon pa kayang nandito na kami sa Ateneo whereas there are many guys better than me.
"Ouch."
"Bea are you okay?"
I saw Bea lying on the floor while holding her right foot. Mukhang masama ang bagsak nya ah. Lumapit na ko. I left Anton and my teamates im the bleachers. Hindi ako makatiis eh. Si Bea 'yon.
"Bei, should i call Tito Elmer na ba?" I asked her. I think she was shock seeing me near him.
Dumistansya kasi ako after i learned that she likes the football player. I just dont want her to feel guilty for not liking me back.
Wala syang kasalanan na di nya ko gusto. When i accepted that i like her, i did not ask for return. Di ba ganon naman talaga? My love for her is pure and contented. Seeing her smile is enough.
She will always be the one i will continously admire from a far.
"No Thirds, im okay." She smile at me assuring me she's okay. Inalalayan sya ng seniors nya makatayo at makalakad. Kinuha ko isang arm nya kay Maddie and place it in my shoulder for me to support her. Im glad she let me help her.
I look at the PT when they massage Bea's foot. Hindi ako aalis dito hanggat di ko nasisiguro na okay sya.
"Uh uhm Thirds okay na you can go back na to the court. Maybe they're looking for you na." She told me while smiling.
"No Bei. I'll see muna if you're okay na. Besides Manong will call me naman."
I dont want to leave her here alone.
Ang awkward sa totoo lang pero ayoko naman syang iwan dito lalo na nakikita ko napapahawak sya sa chair everytime dinidiin ng PT ang massage.
"Thirds nagmerienda ka na?"
"Bei saan ka magmemerienda?"
Sabay namin tanong tapos sabay nalang kaming tumawa after. I miss her. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na nakakamiss sya talaga. I miss being this close to her.
"Bei, okay na 'to. You can go home na. I'll give you nalang the slip para makauwi ka na at makapagpahinga."
The PT told her. Ibig sabihin we can eat na.
"Thank you po." She hugged the PT pa. Inalalayan ko sya palabas ng clinic. I grab her bag na rin at kinuha ko 'yong akin sa bleachers. I told Manong na aalis muna ako since matagal pa training ng ALE.
"Ano Ysa saan tayo?"
"Sa Gonzaga nalang Thirds para malapit. I'll book a grab na din para makauwi."
I just nod at her. Gusto ko pa sana syang ihatid pero saka nalang baka maawkward sya sakin. At this point i want to rebuild my friendship with her. Kahit yon lang since I have Lie na naman.
I guess having her as a friend is possible other than the other way around.
Maging malapit lang sa kanya ng ganito. Okay na ko.
