Chapter 7
Days passed but I am still thinking about that date night moment with Jairus. Hindi ko na siya nakita simula nung gabing iyon at hindi na rin ako aasa na manonood siya ng laro ko mamaya.
I am completely aware of how busy he is. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit sinabayan niya yung trip ko nung gabing iyon. Siguro naawa sa kakapalan ng mukha ko.
We are already here at Spin Davao, stretching. Marami-rami na rin ang mga dumating, wearing the signature color of their schools. I can see familiar faces of players that has been my opponent since then.
"Remember to watch your language, especially Caia." Paalala ni coach. Hindi ko naman kasi mapigilan magmura kapag nagkamali ng tira but I'll try to keep it on my mind.
"Lalo na kapag kalaban mo yung Caroline Lopez, huwag na huwag ka talagang magmura. May chismis na sobrang observative niyan sa mga kalaban para makahanap ng makakapag disqualify." Bulong sa akin ni Hanna.
"Is she on Singles A now?" She nodded. Caroline Lopez is a player from our rival school. Dati hanggang doubles category lang siya, didn't expect that she would suddenly be on the Singles Category.
Pagkatapos mag stretching, umupo ako sa isang plastic bench na nakapalibot sa paglalaruan. There are 5 tables in the middle and some players are already doing a drill. Mamaya na muna ako makikisali.
"Kinakabahan na naman ako." Padabog na umupo si Hanna sa tabi ko at pinagpapawisan na nang marami kahit na hindi pa nakakapaglaro.
"You've been doing this since high school. Kailan ka pa ba masasanay?"
"I won't probably get used to this."
"Paano na lang kapag nakapasok tayo sa Philippine team tas ite-televise ang game?"
"I don't know. Hindi naman siguro ako makakapasok dun." Me and Hanna have a goal to enter the Philippine team after we graduate. Kailangang lagi kaming nakaka gold medal for us to have a record at makapagpasikat sa Philippine team.
"Stop thinking about negative things. It's mind over matter, Hanna. You can do it." Binigay ko sa kanya ang kanyang hydroflask dahil namumutla na siya sa kaba.
Hindi pa nga inaanunsyo kung kami na ba ang naglalaro, ganyan na ang reaksyon niya.
A commotion from the entrance made me glance there. Nakatayo si Oliver doon habang iginagala niya ang kanyang paningin. Nang makita niya kami, he smiled and went to approach us.
Agaw-pansin. Sino ba namang hindi mabibigla na may artista dito? Almost everyone is looking at him pero mukhang wala siyang pakealam.
"Hey guys!" Bati niya.
"Oli, why are you here?" Tanong ni Hanna.
"Napadaan lang tas nabalitaan kong may laro kayo ngayon. I just wanna say good luck!" The cute smile is still on his lips. Oliver is really a charming guy pero mas pinili ng puso kong tumibok doon sa supladong si Jairus.
"Thank you, Oli." Sabi ko at nginitian siya. Nagpasalamat din si Hanna sa kanya na medyo nahihimasmasan na ngayon.
"Sige. Alis na ako. May lakad pa ako eh." Paalam ni Oliver. He hugged me before walking outside.
Sinundan ko siya ng tingin and there I saw Jairus' dark menacing face with crossed arms. Nakatayo lang siya doon at agaw-pansin din ang kanyang presensya. Who wouldn't notice a guy this tall and hot? He is wearing a white dress shirt na nakatupi hanggang siko, black pants and brown leather shoes. He's like straight out of the office. Nakabukas pa ang dalawang butones niya. Is he modeling or what?
