The Sun in Her Eyes

10: Varsity Ace Van Doren

"Hello everyone, my name is Van Doren, and I'll be your new classmate, nice meeting y'all!" a newly transferred student smiled as he introduced himself.

Pinagmamasdan ni Waki ang lalaking transferee mula sa harapan. Nakatunghay ang mga kaklase niya sa pagdating nito, lalo na ang mga babaeng halos na-infatuate na agad dito hindi lang dahil matangkad si Van Doren o guwapo, malakas din ang appeal nito para sa mga ito. He's the type of guy who'll quickly receive a raining admiration by many.

"All right, Mr. Van, you may now occupy any available seat."

Van entered the aisle and sat down in the last row's open seat. Napalingon si Waki rito dahil sa harap nito, doon nakaupo si Harika. Sa pagdating ng transferee na ito, inaasahan na niya na pagtitinginan ito ng kababaihan, pagbubulungan, kakikiligan dahil sa palangiti at maamo nitong mukha. Tahimik lang si Waki na muling ibinigay ang atensyon sa guro mula sa harapan na itinuloy ang leksyon nang umagang iyon.

Makalipas ang ilang buwan ay lumobo na ang admirers ni Van Doren, mas nakilala na ito nang karamihan sa buong campus. The school's varsity basketball club even recognized his talent and invited him to join the team. Mas lalong gumawa ito nang ingay dahil hindi lang sa marunong itong maglaro ng basketball, he also has a three-pointer with excellent accuracy. Every time he's shooting a ringless shot, the crowd went wild. On the other hand, Waki can also play basketball, but he decided not to join the varsity team and joined the school publication instead, rather than being a student athlete, he decided to pursue his creative side by joining the club. Isa pang dahilan niya ay mas malapit ang school publication sa school broadcasting kung saan ay member naman doon si Harika.

Matapos ang mahabang araw ay ginabi si Waki dahil sa pagde-design ng layout kasama ng iba pang school publication member. The editor-in-chief dismissed them after a brief meeting.

"Waki!"

Napalingon siya nang may tumawag sa kanya noong naglalakad siya sa hallway palabas ng campus. Mabilis na naglakad papalapit sa kanya si Venus habang akap-akap nito ang ilang libro.

"Hindi ka pa nakakauwi?" tanong nito at sinabayan siya sa paglalakad.

He shook his head. "Tinapos ko lang ang final layout ng school newspaper at nagkaroon lang ng maikling meeting para naman sa date ng publication." Lumingon siya kay Venus. "Ikaw, anong oras na at bakit nandito ka pa rin sa school?"

Venus grinned. "Uhm... nakatulog kasi ako sa library," natatawang tugon nito. "Ginising lang ako ng mga librarian dahil closing time na ng library. They advised me to continue sleeping at home," kuwento nito. "Anyway, malapit na nga pala ang release ng school newspaper and you're the one doing the layout, so I know it will have a fantastic design," Venus wishes luck and hopes for a successful release.

Waki thanked her as Venus noticed a poster of the transfer student Van Doren glued to the bulletin board as they passed the area. "Grabe talaga ang ginagawang ingay nitong si Van Doren, ano? He's only in tenth grade, like us, but universities are rooting for him. Isn't he doing well on the court?Kaya na-scout na siya ng ilang university coaches noong may basketball tune-up games na naganap dito sa school," Venus started a discussion about the famous varsity ace Van Doren.

Waki was at a loss for words in the relation of Van and the publication. It was strictly confidential. Dahil ito rin ang halos laman ng newspaper na ire-release nila this month. Van wasn't just a student who has achieved a lot, made an impact, and gained popularity; he has also been remarkable in making their school known all over Windercoln.

"Usap-usapan nga nitong mga nakaraang araw na may gusto raw si Van Doren kay Harika. We all know they weren't going together or that close, so why does Van Doren still like her?"