Dying Embers

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen: Date

"Who's the next?" Tatawa-tawang tanong ni Chance kina Henry at Nimbus. Lumingon ang dalawa sa kaniya tsaka sabay nila itong sinipa ang kaniyang paa. Nakarating na kami sa field at umupo ako sa tabi ni Jilliana. Mabilis ko namang ibinigay sa kaniya ang tubig na ipinabili niya kanina.

"In a minute, huh?" She teased.

I just sneered at her.

"Ouch, dude! That was a harsh move!" I heard Chance exclaimed. Nasa harap lang namin sila at halos isang metro lang ang layo namin sa kanila.

"Where were you, turd? Be thankful hindi pa tayo depensa." Inis na wika ni Henry.

"It's obvious that he left us. He doesn't love us anymore." Sabat naman ni Nimbus.

He tsked. "Bitters. As long as we're still in the offense, there's nothing to worry about." Aniya at umupo sa gitna ng dalawa kahit wala naman nang space ay pinilit niya pa rin ang sarili niya roon hanggang sa sina Henry at Nimbus na lang rin ang nag-adjust para sa kaniya.

"Gago ka talaga."

He just chuckled. Lumingon siya mula sa likuran niya rason para magtama ang paningin namin. Nagtaas ako ng kilay. Ngumisi siya.

"Cheer for me and we might win." Sabi niya habang nakangiti.

"My cheer depends on how good you are."

Mas lalong lumapad ang kaniyang ngiti. Umiling siya at kinagat ang labi. "Then, I will do my best. For you."

I was about to say something when Jilliana giggled and scream. "Kinikilig ako!"

"Kilig ka niyan? Ang landi niya kaya." Sabat ni Henry kay Jilliana. Jilliana just rolled her eyes at him before she faced me. Habang si Chance naman ay abala na sa pambabatok kina Henry at Nimbus dahil panay na ang asar na ang mga ito sa kaniya.

"Sagutin mo na kaya siya." Aniya tsaka pasimpleng napatingin kay Chance.

I sighed. "Probably not the right time. They're in the middle of a match. How can I do that?"

"Trust me when I say it's the right time. For sure mananalo sila."

"They're good at it. Mananalo sila kahit hindi ko sabihin."

"Come on, make your guy happy."

I stared at him. He's at his playful remarks again. His smiles are always been friendly and charming. His contagious laughs.

"He already is."

"Happier."

Is that even possible?

"By what?"

"Sagutin mo siya."

I looked at Jilliana incredulously. "That's it?"

She rolled her eyes. "Ang laking impact 'to sa isang lalaki kapag sinagot na siya ng nililigawan niya. Besides, this is your plan, right?"

I looked up at the back of Chance. Kitang-kita ko mula sa likod ang tawa niya habang ang isang kamay nito ay pinaglalaruan ang mga damo at binubunot 'yon tsaka ilalagay sa mukha ni Henry.

"I'm really going to kill you!" Iritadong wika naman ni Henry.

"You're only good at talking." Tawa niya tsaka siya napabaling sa isa niyang kasamahan na na-strikes out at mukha siyang mapapagalitan.