Chapter 9
Now, I am certain. He likes me. Jairus Pimentel likes me!
This is like a dream come true. Hindi pa ako kailanman nagkagusto nang ganito kalalim sa isang lalake and my feelings are reciprocated. This is really happening!
"Huy! Late ka na nga, tulala ka pa diyan." Tinapik ni Hanna ang aking braso kaya nabigla ako at napatingin sa kanya. Lutang na lutang ako sa training namin ngayon. My mind keeps on replaying to that sudden confession earlier.
"Yes. You're that rude girl. Don't be embarassed now." I almost choked on my own saliva. Tiningnan ko siya sa mata at nakikit kong sinsero naman siya sa kanyang sinabi.
"Y-you want to be in a relationship with m-me?" Caia, stop stuttering!
"Yes, Caia." His left hand is now at the backrest of my chair as he stare at me intently.
"W-why?" He chuckled at my question, still looking at me in the eye. My heartbeat is now in a race because of this momentum that we have.
"Because I like you." He likes me! Damn, he likes me. I can already picture myself in a wedding gown walking in the aisle towards him.
My thoughts are really advanced but damn it, who cares. Jairus likes me.
"Won't you say anything?" Sabi niya na nakangiti pa rin. Sobrang lapit namin sa isa't isa na siyang nakakapagdagdag sa kalabog ng dibdib ko.
"I-I-I.." I can't even say a sentence right now. What sorcery is this?
"It's okay, Caia. No pressure. I know you don't like me—"
"No!" I cut him off. Napalakas ang pagsabi ko noon na ikinabigla niya pero naibalik niya kaagad ang ngisi sa kanyang labi.
"I-I like you too." Nagbaba na ako ng tingin dahil hindi ko na kayang salubungin ang kanyang mga tingin. This is driving me insane.
He cupped my right cheek to guide my face to look at him again. I can now see his wide smile with what I just said. He licked his lips and shook is head. He chuckled when he saw my hands pinching each other.
That moment was cut off by a fake cough from somewhere. Napayuko ako nang makitang may dalawa nang waiter sa gilid at handa nang ilagay ang mga pagkain sa aming mesa.
"Go back." Utos ko kay Jairus na sinamahan ko pa ng marahang tulak sa kanyang braso. He obeyed and lift his chair to its original place.
"Tulala na naman." Hanna pulled me out of my reverie. I am just sitting here in the bench as of the moment because I am too lightheaded to play.
"Ano ba talagang nangyari sa'yo?" I smiled widely at her. Kumunot naman ang noo niya sa akin. She probably thinks that I am going crazy right now.
"Hey, crazy! What's with you?"
"He likes me, Hanna!" Paimpit akong tumili at niyakap ang sarili ko. Umawang ang kanyang labi at umusog pa lalo palapit sa akin.
"You mean...." Hindi niya na natapos ang tanong dahil tumango na ako. Tumili siya at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.
My teammates are now looking our way but I just smiled widely at them. Masama na rin ang tingin sa akin ni Coach Roger but I just also smiled at him widely.
"Oh my God!" Hanna is now fanning herself using her hand.
"I am so happy for you girl. Oh my God!" Tumili ulit siya.
"Hey! You two. Mag practice na kayo." Sabi ni coach na kunot ang noo sa amin. Napakamot naman si Hanna sa kanyang ulo at inirapan si coach.
"Si coach naman eh panira ng moment!" My teammates laughed at what Hanna said. Napatayo naman si coach na akmang susugurin kami sa aming kinauupuan kaya naman hinila na agad ako ni Hanna patayo at nag peace sign kay coach.
