Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing

39th League: Maghahabol

39th League: Maghahabol

IRIS COULD not find a way to focus on what their professor was teaching. She was just scribbling on her notebook as she thought about what was bothering Travis lately.

Ayaw din naman kasi niyang kulitin ang binata kung hindi nito gustong mag-open up. Hindi niya lang talagang maiwasan na hindi mag-alala.

"Girl, are you okay? You've been spacing out since morning," Alex said worriedly.

"I'm fine. Wala lang talaga ako sa mood ngayon," sagot ni Iris.

"Are you sure? Do you wanna go to the clinic?" Yuri asked.

"I'm good. Don't worry about me," Iris told them.

Hindi nagsasalita si Elerie but she was evidently worried as well based on her facial expression. When lunch break came, Iris immediately stood up and bade goodbye to her girls.

Agad siyang nagpunta si Quadrangle to see Travis. Nagulat siya nang makitang may kausap na babae ang binata. It was Karen. Nagtago muna siya sa isang puno ng acacia malapit sa dalawa.

"Karen, please, bigyan mo pa 'ko ng ilang araw. Hindi gano'n kadali i-open kay Iris 'to," Travis said.

"Why? Pipigilan ka ba niya? Ang selfish naman niya kung gano'n! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Travis!" Karen huffed.

"Alam ko! At hindi selfish si Iris, Karen. Please, 'wag mo siyang pagsalitaan ng ganyan," wika ng binata.

"Hindi naman pala, bakit hindi mo masabi?" tanong ni Karen.

"Ang alin? What do I have to know?" sabad ni Iris. She felt it was her time to step in.

"Iris..." gulat na wika ni Travis.

"Well, there's your beauty, Prince Charming. Sabihin mo na sa kaniya para maisakaso na—"

"Karen! Please! Hayaan mo 'kong gawin 'to!" singhal ni Travis. Natahimik naman si Karen sa pagkapahiya.

Iris didn't mind the latter's presence. She wanted to hear what Travis had to say. Ito na ba ang bagay na hindi masabi-sabi sa kaniya ni Travis? Ito ba ang hindi ma-open up sa kaniya ng binata?

At some point, she was hurt. Why did Karen have to be the first person to know? Bakit hindi siya? Siya ang girlfriend.

"Iris..." Travis called.

"Travis, what do I have to know?" mariing tanong ng dalaga.

"Ano kasi... Iris..."

"Tell me! Bakit hindi mo masabi? Bakit alam ng ibang tao pero ako, hindi?" Hurt was evident in Iris's voice.

"Iris... m-may offer k-kasi sa akin galing sa isang record label sa London. Binigyan lang ako ng isang buwan para... Para magdesiyon. Kapag pumayag ako, sagot na nila ang pagpapaaral sa akin. Pero... pero kailangan kong mag-stay doon," kabadong paliwanag ni Travis.

"Then why couldn't you tell it to me? Do you honestly think that I'd be selfish and won't let you go?" tanong ni Iris.

"'Yon na nga, Iris! Kaya hindi ko masabi sa 'yo kasi hindi pa ako handang malayo sa 'yo! Natatakot akong marinig na pumayag ka. Iris, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kapag nagkalayo tayo," malungkot na wika ng binata.

Iris was silenced for a moment. She couldn't keep her tears at bay. They all came brushing down her cheeks. Maging siya rin. Hindi niya rin alam kung ano ang mangyayari kung sakaling magkalayo sila ni Travis.

"Travis... Ayoko rin naman na magkalayo tayo but... this opportunity... I don't want to keep you from doing something that I know will do you best," Iris said as he held Travis's left cheek.