The Gap Between Us (SSG SERIES #1)

Chapter 35: Coen

Coen Mikael Reyes

"Let us welcome, the new rulers of this campus. Everyone, pay their respects."

I stood there, proud and tall while watching everyone applauding us as we won the places for the student government. Hindi ko malaman kung ano ba ang dapat maramdaman ko sa oras na 'yun. Dapat ba masaya ako? Gusto ko ba talaga 'to?

Not that I can take back the time. Nandito na eh, haharapin ko nalang.

It's not as bad as I thought it would be. For now. May naging kaibigan ako bukod kay Via, si Eliezer. Madaldal siya, I can't keep up with his energy. Hindi pa kami ganoon ka-close pero bigla nalang siyang nag kwento na may gusto siya kay Natalia. Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya ginawa 'yun. He trusts me that much?

The next thing I knew was everyone was calling me 'Kael'. Everyone liked me as their president, and I didn't hate being their leader, too. I felt appreciated as a person, the feeling was overwhelming, pero hindi naman puro pa-sarap ang student council. Dunating sa point na sobrang nakakapagod na, at hindi na akong nag abalang ngitian ang kung sinong madadaanan ko.

I was about to go to the office, then suddenly, I saw this girl peeping to the office. She's a lower grade, I see.

Dahil nga sa pagod at ang bagal niyang mag lakad, kinausap ko siyang bilisan ang pag lalakad.

"Can't you walk any faster?"

She apologized, but she looked shocked. Hinayaan ko nalang siya doon at pumasok sa office. It's none of my business.

Mas naging busy pa kami dahil sa darating na sports fest. I decided to let everyone join, so everyone wouldn't be left out, and have fun. I thought it was the right thing to do.

"Mag v-volleyball ka ulit?" tanong ni Via.

Pinag isipan ko rin 'yon. Kung hahawak ba ulit ako ng bola at sasalang sa court. But the disappointment and unpleasant memories just keeps on going back.

Sabi nila hindi ko kasalanan ang pag ka-talo ng team. But I blamed myself for three years, 'til now.

"Hindi. I won't play." sagot ko.

"Napaka-daya mo naman! Akala ko ba lahat!?" tanong sa'kin ni Eliezer.

Now I regret every decision I made to the meeting. Inuna ko ang kapakanan ng iba na mag saya sa sports fest at nakalimutan ang sarili. Oo nga pala, wala na 'kong ibang sports. Buti nalang nauto ko si Eliezer at sinabing busy ako sa araw na 'yon.

"Edi samahan mo nalang ako! Nood tayong girl's volleyball!" sabi niya at agad naman akong ngumiwi sa idea niya. I thought he was going to watch the girls, but turns out he's doing his friend a favor.

"'Di ako manyak, prez. 'Wag mo 'kong tignan ng ganyan,"

"This friend of mine has a huge crush on you," sabi nito at inakbayan ako.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. I know where this is going.

"What do you want?" tanong ko. Lumaki ang ngisi niya sa mukha.

"Just watch! 'Yun lang!"

Ofcourse I said yes. I'm interested in volleyball afterall. Dumating ang araw ng sports fest at mabilis pa sa mabilis akong hinila ni Eliezer papuntang gym. We sat there habang hinahanap niya ang kaibigang sinasabi. Nang makita niya ay tinawag niya 'yon.