Our favorite place (Book 1 and 2)

Sixteen

Jema took another step but stopped when a girl approached Deanna. She wiped her cheeks. The girl then hugged her and tapped her back. The other girl asked Deanna something, and the latter nodded yes and spoke.

I think that girl is familiar.

Jema squinted and then she was right. Ate Cy. It was Deanna's sister, the one that manages the hospital in the island. She found herself walking towards them. She really did missed her Ate Cy.

Cy was the first to talk when she saw Jema walking near them. She released Deanna from her hug.

"Jema!" When Deanna heard Cy called her, she had to look away, towards the sea, and wiped her cheeks again. She don't want to be seen like that.

"Ate!"

"Wow! Long time no see."

"Oo nga po ate, kamusta po kayo?"

"Okay naman." Cy tapped Deanna's shoulder. "Deanns, you didn't mention na nandito den pala si Jema." Deanna looked at both of them, the tip of her nose was colored red on crying.

"Yes." She sniffled. "Diba sabi ko naman sayo Ate I was hosting a volleyball camp."

"But I didn't know that Jema is here, too."

"Ma'am excuse po. Dra. Wong, Dra. Maure needs you daw po." Rod approached and talked to Cy.

"Well, duty calls. See you later J, Deanna."

"Okay ate." Just like that they were alone, again. Silence, and the only thing that they hear was the water crashing towards them.

"Deanna."
"Jema."

They said in unison.

"Ikaw muna." Jema said.

"Ladies first." Deanna said.

"Aren't you a lady?"

"Hmmn." Deanna just raise her brows and shrugged.

"I saw you. Kanina. With the bottle of alcohol and shot glass." Jema was the first to sit and Deanna followed suit.

"Oh. Uh. James..." She hesitated to continue cause she knows her voice will crack. "James, died."

"Oh my God."

"Yea, just this morning."

"Oh my God Deanna. I'm sorry." She sniffled and subconsciously Jema side hugged Deanna.

"Well, that's why I don't want to go there in the first place. I don't want to get attached to the kids. You know how I love kids. But Ate, she persuaded me, saying na kelangan ko den daw makita yung pinuntahan nung pera. For Jade. She has a point so I went and visited. Then ayun na nga. I got attached."

"God, this must be so hard. I mean malakas pa yung bata. We played pa."

"Yea. That's cancer. Traitor. I had hopes on that kid. Feeling ko gagaling talaga sya."

Again, there was silence in between them, Jema still side hugging Deanna and caressing her arms, stroking up and down. She thought that this is not the right time to discuss her side.

"Your turn." Deanna said. On cue.

"Uhm, wala naman, they are finding you kasi kanina sa loob." That is the first lie that she could think of.

"And you volunteered to find me?"

"Uh.. I was going to get a towel kasi. So sinabay ko na." What a shitty, lame excuse. Jema said to herself.

"Ahh. Well, kung ganon, balik na tayo."

"Okay." They both stood up and then removed the sand on their shorts. Tomorrow, I'll definitely talk to her tomorrow. Jema again whispered to herself.

Once they got back the food is already removed and the players are packing up. They went back to their respective teams. At 5pm the practice resumed and as usual it ended at almost 7pm.

The following morning started just like the same with the other mornings on their camp, but this time it was their last 2 training days, then they will stay there for another 3 days before going back to Manila.

They were at the pantry eating. Fhen, just like every morning, said good morning to Jema. Deanna approached her also, saying that they will held a small funeral for James.

"It would be lovely if you come. "

"Uh. Sure, I'll just mention it to Coach Tai."

"Okay just make sure not to mention the hospital thing."

"Anong sasabihin ko?"

"Uhm, just say I need your help with something."

"That's a lame excuse Wong."

"Hey! I'm not good with lies!"

They laugh loud together. "Get a room guys." Bea walked pass their back.

"BEA!!"
"BEI!!"

They both shouted.

"I'll meet you out front."

"We'll be back before afternoon practice don't worry." Jema just nodded and proceeded to finish her breakfast so they can go to the hospital.

15 minutes later they were on 4x4 going to the hospital. Deanna was wearing a white polo, shorts and rubber shoes, while Jema wears a black dress and sneakers.

"I heard that Coach Tai is planning a tournament for all the teams." Deanna shouted against the roar of the 4x4.

"Yea, he is. Binanggit na nya saamin."

Exactly they arrived and Deanna turned off the engine. "First time, our teams will face. I mean not the first time as player but first time as coaches, right?"

"Yea. You excited?" Deanna ran around the car to help Jema go down.

"To win? Oh yes." 

"Kapal." She held Deanna's hand that offered help then immediately pushed her face.

When they arrived a lot were already gathered outside together with Dra. Wong. There were no casket as they already asked the body to be shipped to Manila. This is their tradition here whenever they lost someone. Just the most important people were given a chance for eulogy.

Deanna, Dra. Wong, Brian and Dra. Maure were the once who gave a speech for him.

They stayed cause the staffs prepared some meals for the attendees. Then they went to the shore. Jema's idea so she can say her side of the story.

"Hey. Uh. Yesterday morning was a bit weird for both of us."

Deanna stiffen cause she know what she did yesterday morning. Ayan duduwag duwag kasi. She whispered to her.

"Yea? Paanong naging weird?" Deanna asked trying to sound innocent.

"Deanns, you were looking, no, staring at me. Then you haven't talked to me since that morning. You even called me Coach Jema."

Deanna sighed. She thought if she really want Jema back. She needs to be honest. "Talaga ba?" Jema raised her brows that made her scratch her nape. "I was about to approach you, to talk syempre, I had a great time, but then, uh, I saw you and Fhen. You seem... happy to what she did and gave to you. So hindi na lang ako lumapit. Baka makaistorbo pa."

Jema was smiling the whole time Deanna was explaining. "What?!" Deanna asked her.

"You really are so cute when you are jealous."