Miefer Short Stories

AMNESIA - The Ending

Finals Game 1 na. We're up against Far Eastern University. I'm a bit pressured knowing that a lot are expecting that this will be my game--- the game where I'll score high. The game where I'll be able to lead the team and prove to them that I deserved to be called as their captain.

I estimated that there were more than 19,000+ people watching our game here in MOA. I saw my family in the patron side which made me motivated to play well in this game. And not just that, I also saw Mika. She smiled at me and raised a banner that says "Go future babe!" I can't help but smile. Deep inside, I want to run to her side and give her a hug and also talk to her but now's not the right time knowing that I still have a game to play. I'm really determined that I-- we'll win this game.

Nasa 3rd quarter na, our team is up by 6 points. I only scored 13 points. Damn. Sobrang hyper ko raw kasi eh sabi ng ibang teammates ko. Sorry naman. ✌ All I have to do right now is ilagay sa tamang lugar ang pagkahyper ko and bumawi sa mga missed shots ko.

Nagtime out muna si Coach. I sighed. Nakakapagod. After that, naglaro ulit kami. Ngayon, nagpaulan ako 3-point shots. Todo hiyaw naman ang mga tao sa Arneo Lozol side. Tumingin ako kung saan naka upo si Mika, she's clapping her hands.

Okay. This is it. 4th quarter na, last 2 minutes left. We're ahead by 14 points. Pinasub na ako ni Coach, obvious naman kasing pagod na ako. Sila na ang bahala. Kaya naman na nila knowing that maraming seniors ang nasa floor.

+++

We won the game, 88-65. I was named as the player of the game. After the interview, I went to our locker room. I took a shower and nagbihis na.

"Dude, I have to go ahead." I said to Von na naka upo pa at busy sa phone.

"Okay. Sige dude." He said habang hindi inaalis ang atensyon sa kanyang phone. Tsss. For sure, si Laura ang katext nun.

I went out of the room and I noticed na may nakaabang sa may gilid ng way. I can't see her face clearly because she's wearing a hoddie. A part of me wants to go near her, kaya nilapitan ko na siya.

"Mi-mika?" What is she doing here? Is she waiting for me?

"Kief? Ikaw na ba yan?" She smiled at me.

"Yes. It's me, Kiefer. What are you doing here anyway?" I asked her.

She smiled again. Ugh! Nakakagigil ka Mika! "I'm waiting for you. Ang tagal mo kaya, na--"

"Waiting? You're waiting for me? Why?" I'm confused. Talaga lang ha? Oo, nga.

"I'm here because I wanna congratulate my future babe!" She said enthusiastically. Napangiti naman ako.

"Future babe? Are yo--" Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko because bigla nalang niya akong niyakap.

I froze. She hugged me tight. Automatiko naman rin akong napayakap sa kanya. My Mika's hugging me. My Mika's back.

"Sorry." She said to my ear. Kumalas naman ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanya.

"Why are you sorry?" I asked her.

"Kung nagpanggap akong wala akong naalala between the two of us. I mean, if pilit kitang kinalimutan." She said while nakayuko.

I let out a deep sigh. "Let's talk about that later. Wag dito, okay?" I said and hinatak siya patungo sa parking area kung saan nakapark ang kotse ko.

Pinagbuksan ko siya ng pinto pero tinitigan lang niya ako. "Get in." I commanded her.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "At bakit naman?"

"We're going to talk somewhere quiet." Lumapit ako sa kanya, sabay bulong sa tenga niya. "Sa isang lugar na walang makaka istorbo sa gagawin natin."