MY VOLLEY LOVE

Strangers

JAMES PAUL'S POV

I continued my old routine back when I wasn't a part of the volleyball team. I spend most of my free time in the library with my close friends and avoided the gymnasium where I could bump into one of the volleyball players.

Sinadya kong hindi na magpakita sa kanila, pero nagpaalam ako kay Coach and he respected my decision.

Minsan, accidentally kong nakakasalubong sina Christian at ibang part ng team but I limit the conversation to exchanging of pleasantries. Nagmamadali ako lagi para makaalis, dahil bukod sa busy naman talaga ako, baka umabot sa puntong mapunta sa kaniya ang usapan. Alam niyo na.

Pero hindi talaga maiiwasang mapansin nilang umiiwas ako. At kinausap ako ni Christian ako dahil doon, after a month of not seeing them.

"Why are you avoiding us, James?"

"I'm not avoiding you, I was just so busy these past few days because of my projects. We're both graduating so you probably know how voluminous our piles of paper works are."

"I know that but I can sense something. Did something between you and Captain back in his house that night?"

I was caught off guard.

"No no. I was just really busy, Christian."

"Okay, if you say so. I'm sorry if I have assumed something else."

Pero paano ako makakalayo kung magsisinungaling ako? Hindi ako lalayo sa kanila, kay John Vic lang.

Mas okay sana kung pati common acquaintance ay hindi ko pakisalamuhan pero obvious na masyado 'yon.

"To show that I'm not avoiding you, let's have lunch together. How's that?"

"Great! Okay, I'll pick you up at your room at 12." Nakangiting sabi niya.

"Nice, we'll be waiting for you. Would you mind if I invite my close friends?"

"No. Not at all. I'll be inviting the team over, too."

"Okay, I'll see you later then. My treat. Anyway, I have to get going, I still have unfinished works. Una na ako."

Tumango na lang siya.

At naglakad na ako nang mabilis, pinaninidigan kong busy talaga ako.

Sana hindi kasama si Captain mamaya.

Dumating ang lunch at nandito na kaming lahat sa Canteen. Lima ang isinama ni Christian at buong pasasalamat ko nang wala si Captain.

Great.

Nagkwentuhan lang kami at buti na lang puro reklamo sa dami ng paper works sina Fara! Unconsiously supporting me sa busy busyhan kong alibi.

Pagkatapos nun ay dumiretso kami ulit sa library.

Nang makaramdam ako ng tawag ng kalikasan ay nagpaalam ako sa friends ko at lumabas ng library.

Pagkatapos kong magbanyo ay mabilis akong lumabas pero laking gulat ko nang may mabangga ako sa labas ng banyo!

"Are you avoiding me?" Nakakunot ang noo niyang tanong sa akin.

Ang gwapo pa rin, lalo yatang gumwapo.

"No. Why would I do that?"

"Then prove that you're not avoiding me."

I was taken aback. I guess there's no need to lie to settle things down.

"Okay, fine. I'm avoiding you."

"Why?"

"To get things back the way they were, John Vic."