Lagot Ka Kay Coach

Chapter 31: [Liligawan Ko Po Ang Anak Niyo]

“I don’t think it’s any of your business Juami.” Sagot ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong balak niyang gawin sa sinabi niya sa akin on the phone the other day pero hindi ko na hahayaan na maapektuhan niya ako ng sobra. For once in my life I’m actually happy to be with someone. Hindi katulad noon na kinakabahan ako.

                “Well it isn’t but I am asking so why don’t you just tell me?” Pagpilit niya.

                “I don’t have to answer your question.” Sagot ko.

                Umiling lang si Juami. “Ok if that’s how you want it. Maybe I’ll just have to ask Raven then.”

                Hinila ko ang kamay ni Juami. I pulled him away from the entrance of our house. “Stop it.”

                “You’re the one who’s making things harder for yourself, you know. I asked you a question and all you have to do is answer it.” Si Juami.

                I sighed, looking at him from head to toe. He’s wearing his blue jacket, a white printed shirt underneath. Naka-pants siya and rubber shoes. That jacket… I remember that jacket.

                “Hinatid ako ni Jeric pauwi nung Monday. Hindi dapat malalaman nila Papa na hinatid niya ako kaso nakita nila si Captain nung nasa labas na kami ng gate.” Pag-explain ko. Sana naman tigilan na niya ako.

                “He’s being careless.” Sagot ni Juami.

                At this, nainis ako. “Careless? Hindi mo man lang ba naisip na baka ayaw ko siyang itago? That I don’t want to commit the same mistakes I did when we were still together?” I snapped at him.

                Tinitigan lang ako ni Juami, hurt was on his face. “That was a low blow.”

                I shrugged my shoulders. Papasok na sana ako nang bigla kong makita si Papa na naglalakad papunta sa amin.

                “Oh crap,” Hinila ko si Juami habang tumatakbo papunta sa gilid ng bahay. Tinakpan ko ang bibig niya. “Ssh!”

                He stared at my face pero hindi na siya umangal. Hinila niya pababa yung kamay ko but he didn’t let it go. “I’m sorry for this. But you’re not the only one who doesn’t want to make the same mistakes again.”

                Nagtataka ako sa mga sinasabi niya. But before I could ask, Juami was already walking towards the house. Nilalapitan niya si Papa.

                Sinundan ko siya, all the while thinking about an alibi or an explanation for Juami’s presence.

                Pero hindi ko na nagawang mag-salita because Juami made no room for lies. He rendered my possible explanations useless.

                “Good evening Coach Jarencio,” Simula ni Juami. He cleared his throat before smiling. “Nandito po ako para ligawan ang anak niyo.”

                Oh.

                My.

                God.

                “Ano nanamang ginagawa niyan dito?” Tanong ni Raven bago ako hilain papunta sa kusina.

                Grabe. Naiirita na talaga ako. “Ewan ko. As usual sumulpot nanaman bigla.”

                “Eh bakit manliligaw daw? Ang tapang niya ah! Nasabi niya kay Coach yun ng harapan.” Si Raven. First time kong makitang nabilib yan kay Juami.