Take A Chance On Me | A Juan GDL Epistolary (Completed)

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Javi and Juan were blessed with a chance to be featured in Sports U and be interviewed by Dyan Castillejo. But with it, came a busy ruckus in the Gomez de Liaños' house. Tita Anna asked me for a helping hand in running errands and welcoming the production team with her. Really, it was an honor.

In the interview, the boys talked about their humble beginnings and then, their aspirations. Tita can't help but be melodramatic as we listened. More so, when the production team shot some additional footage of the two brothers playing one-on-one at the basketball court where it all began, both Tita Anna and I were hit with a wave of nostalgia.

"I'm so proud of them." She said, almost having to shed a tear.

"I bet you are, Tita. You should be proud of yourself too. Raising all that talent in your family? It's... amazing." I responded in awe and with a bit of envy. Because truly, I think their family's better, if not perfect, compared to mine.

"Don't worry, dear. Sooner or later, you'll be one of us too." I didn't quite get her reply but I think I know where this is going.

"What do you mean po?" I asked.

"I can see that he really adores you, Penny. And I would really be more than happy to welcome you to the family! I am in dire need of another daughter. Mara needs to have a sister too." Tita Anna could go on and on for days stating reasons why she wants me to be part of the Gomez de Liaños but it wasn't technically up to her.

"Uumm, Tita? Juan and I aren't together po." I clarified and she was a bit stunned.

"Oh, is that so? But... he clearly likes you." She said with full on confidence but also kind of dismayed her dreams of having Penelope Tiongson as her daughter-in-law aren't bearing any fruit yet.

"He hasn't explicitly told his feelings for me, Tita. Pero nagpaparamdam naman po." I gave her a sense of hope with my answer.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na. May pagkatorpe rin kasi yan si Juan. Mana sa tatay niya. Don't worry. Just let him ease in. Hindi mo rin masisi. He's under a lot of pressure lately." Tita Anna's ecstatic attitude went downhill as she finished her sentence. I approached her with an understanding tone, letting her know that I am also sharing part of the pain and frustration.

"Yeah, he told me, Tita. About his injuries. And, to be honest po, I'm also worried. I searched it up. Jumper's knee. It says that in order to treat the injury, one must stop doing what's causing it." I took a breather to emphasize my point. "Tita, Juan can't quit basketball. The game's his passion. He loves it."

Tita Anna reached for my hand. The warmth in her firm grasp showed her complete trust and confidence in me.

"I'm glad you're on the same side as we are, Penny. You're right; we can't let him throw away what he loves. We can't give up on him. Not now, not ever.

Would you promise to always support and have his back? That would mean the world to him."