It Was Always You

IX

Mika Reyes

"Hello babe? Yes, nasa loob na ako ng Araneta. I'm with Ara, Aly, and Lau." I was talking to Kiefer over the phone.

"Sabi na kasing sumabay ka kanina!! Ugh, I can't see you from here sa dugout entrance." He said on the other line.

"Hey, calm down. I'm already here nga. We're just finding our seats." Kiefer can really be hard sometimes.

"Yeah, I saw you already! Wait, are you wearing shorts? Miks, sabi ng magjeans ka eh! You know it's a basketball game at puro boys then you'll wear something like that? Pasalamat ka talaga at kami ang Game 1, kung hindi pagpapalitin talaga kita ng jeans." And his rants goes on and on and on.

"Good luck to your game, bye! I love you!" I hung up the phone.

"Was that Kiefer?" Laura said, trying to control her laugh.

"Sino pa nga ba?!" Ara butted in.

"Hahahaha! Si Kiefer pala hindi pa rin nagbabago. College days palang ganyan na yan ah?" Aly said. I just nodded because it's true. Malala talaga yan sa dress code ko.

"Umiiral na naman ang pagka-overprotective nun." I hissed and at last, we found our seats just in front of their bench.

Team mates kasi sila Thomas at Kiefer in Purefoods while Von and Jeron are in Ginebra. Good thing, first game Purefoods vs. Alaska. Later on, San Miguel vs. Ginebra.

The announcer called the players. As usual, Kiefer got the crowd. Oh, I think I cannot handle this game. I'm getting nervous for real.

"Go Kief!" I shouted my lungs out. Di ko makaya ng nananahimik lang.

"Naks, ever supportive bae naman 'to!" Ara told me.

"Ikaw rin, cheer mo na si Thomas." With that, Ara stood up and shouted, "Go TORRES! WOOOH! I LOVE YOU TORRES!" The rest of the girls laughed.

Purefoods was 5 points ahead at the end of the first quarter. Kiefer was deeply staring at me while waiting for the start of the second quarter. Yung mga tinginang  nakakatunaw.

"Talaga naman, pasulyap sulyap pa si Kiefer dito." Aly teased me.

"On and off court talaga may connection kayo ha!" Laura added too.

"Ganyan talaga yang dalawang yan guys, sa mata palang nag-uusap na." Ara said and so I laughed. Totoo naman kasi, it's like Kiefer and I can understand each other through glances.

In the middle of the second quarter, Kiefer did a lay up. But before he could land, he was hit by another player from the other team. Kiefer fell pretty bad and he was not able to stand properly. I got nervous so bad that I cannot move. Laura shook my arm and it helped me get my senses back.

"Hala! Ano kayang nangyare?" Ara and I fussed about it. We stood near the bench just to get a closer look at Kiefer.

"Kief! Please. Get up." I put my hands over my mouth to stop whatever sound may come out. My eyes are watery enough to let my tears roll.

"Shhh, Miks okay na si Kiefer. Nakatayo na oh." Aly consoled me as she soothes my back.

We returned to my seat as Kiefer made his two free throws. For a moment, he glanced at my direction and winked at me. I shook my head simply because even though he fell somehow really bad earlier, Kiefer was still able to smile.

The game ended, with a score of 93-84, in favor of Purefoods. As expected, Kiefer held the title as the Player of the Game.

"As expected, you are the Player of the Game! How does it feel, Kiefer?" The courtside reporter was doing a telecast interview with Kiefer the minute after their game.