Chapter 26

Huminga ako nang malalim habang naka-tayo sa labas ng gate. I looked at my watch and realized that I'd been standing there for five minutes already.

"Karms."

I sighed when I heard that voice. Nakita ko si Jed na naka-tayo sa gilid ko. Mayroon siyang hawak na cup mula sa Cafe Dominiqué. He was already in his jersey minus the jersey shirt dahil naka-suot siya ng puting t-shirt.

"Punta kang gym?" he asked.

"That's the plan," I replied.

"Okay," he said, his brows furrowed. "Gusto mo sabay na tayo?"

Normally, I would not say yes to anything that Jed would offer. But I had been standing here for five minutes already and any minute more would make me late for the training.

Sabay kaming naglakad ni Jed. He was talking about how they would destroy Brent sa unang laban nila. And he was very particular about Juanico and how he's an asshole because apparently, he's from SCA and he just transferred to Brent para maging captain siya dahil so far, puro GDL ang mga nagiging captain sa team.

Pagdating namin sa court, nandoon na iyong mga players. Jed announced our arrival kaya naman napa-tingin silang lahat sa amin. I just ignored them as usual at saka lumapit ako kay Serj para tulungan siya.

"Morning," he greeted.

"Morning," I replied using the same tone.

Walang nagsalita sa aming dalawa at tahimik lang naming inayos ang lahat. Saktong 9AM dumating si Coach Aldrin. He looked different than his usual demeanor. His voice sounded more stern. I just stood on the side and listened to everything he said.

After ten minutes of berating the players, nagsimula na iyong practing game. They were just practicing the old techniques, pero mayroong mga bagong technique sila na ginagawa—most of them involving Saint and Austin Archangel, probably because they're siblings and they really do have a great chemistry in court. I wondered kung paano nung nandito pa iyong si Psalm. Nagkaroon kaya ng pagkakataon na lahat sila ay nasa court?

That would probably have caused a serious meltdown given how popular the siblings are in and out of school.

"Hi," Austin Archangel said nang ilabas siya sa laro. Lumapit siya sa akin.

"Hi," I replied.

He was looking at me. "Uh... can I get a bottle of Gatorade?"

I nodded and then grabbed a blue bottle of Gatorade for him dahil iyon ang lagi niyang kinu-kuha.

"Thanks," he replied as I handed him the drink.

He was standing beside me. I was watching the game. Kung manalo sila sa unang laro, kapag nanalo sila sa pangalawa ay champion na iyong team. That would mean—

"What is the probability of SCA winning the first game?" I asked.

Napa-tingin sa akin si Austin Archangel. Hindi pa niya nabubuksan iyong Gatorade. "What?"

"The probability of winning tomorrow's game," I repeated the question I just asked.

"I can't say," he replied. "Games are unpredictable."

"I see."

"Why are you asking?"

"I'm just making a mental computation kung kailan ko dapat sagutin iyong tanong mo," I said. He was in the middle of opening the cap of Gatorade nang mapa-tigil siya. Napa-tingin ako sa kanya. "It's either I have four more days or seven more days."

He blinked twice before his lips parted. "O...kay?"

"I researched."

"About what?"

"What allowing you to court me would entail."

He blinked twice again. "Care to share?"

I nodded. "Kung liligawan mo ako, based on Filipino tradition, kailangan mo akong haranahin. Sanay ka bang kumanta?"

His lips parted. "No, not really... and I don't think anyone does that anymore."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Talaga?"

Austin Archangel nodded. "Pretty sure... but if you want me to serenade you, I will try but no guaranty that you'll like what you'll hear."

I nodded. "Noted," I said. "So, I suppose hindi mo rin ako ipagsisibak ng kahoy?"

Austin Archangel pressed his lips together. "I mean... if you insist?"

I shook my head. "Not really," I replied. "Wala naman akong paggagamitan sa mga kahoy."

He nodded. "Noted," he said. "So far, no harana and no kahoy," he continued.

"I think mali iyong napuntahan kong site," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, your research sounded pretty outdated."

"Agreed. So, ano ang mangyayari kung sakaling payagan kitang ligawan ako?"

Austin Archangel capped the bottle again. I saw him take a deep breath. "I will take you to lunch or dinner sometimes."

"Will I choose which restaurant?"

"Always," he replied. "I will text and or message you at least three times a day—good morning text, have you eaten lunch text, and are you home already text. It's up to you if we'll text more in between those proposed times."

I nodded. "Okay."

"If you're up for it... FaceTime."

"Because you want to see my face?"

"Always," he replied.

I blinked. "Okay."

"I will ask at least once a week if I can visit you at your house."

"You have to ask my parents."

"Already asked them before I asked you if you'll allow me to court you."

I blinked again. "You did?"

He nodded. "Basic courtesy."

Tumango ako. "Is that it o meron ka pang idadagdag?"

I looked at him and saw his Adam's apple move up and down. "If you're up for it... I would like to post your photo on Instagram stories... Not your face if you're not comfortable—just your back or silhouette."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why?"

"Because."

"Because what?"

He cleared his throat. "To tell people that I already have my eyes on someone," he said before his name was called and he put the Gatorade bottle on the bench and jogged back to the court.

"Okay ka lang?" Serj asked.

I looked at him. "I don't know," I said as I tried to focus on the game.

* * *

After the practice, mabilis kaming nag-ayos ng gamit ni Serj dahil may kailangan pa siyang puntahan. Gusto ko nang umuwi para kumain ng tanghalian dahil 2PM na. Hindi umattend sa klase iyong mga players—apparently, they're excused. What a privilege.

"Hi," Austin Archangel said. Napa-tingin si Serj sa kanya at kumunot ang noo. Austin Archangel cleared his throat. Iniwan kami ni Serj. "Are you headed home?"

I nodded. "Gutom na ako."

"You want to have lunch somewhere?"

"Hindi mo pa naman ako nililigawan," sabi ko sa kanya dahil kasama iyon sa mga gagawin niya kapag niligawan niya na ako—ang ilibre ako ng pagkain.

"Yes but... as friends, I can still buy you food."

I nodded. "As friends, hindi mo ba pwedeng gawin iyong ibang mga sinabi mo kanina na gagawin mo kapag niligawan mo ako?"

His lips parted. "I think can... but I'd feel weird."

"Why?"

"Because I really don't do those things for friends."

"Para sa nililigawan lang?"

"Not necessarily."

"Why not necessarily?"

He cleared his throat again and looked at the door of the gym imbes na sa akin na kausap niya. "I only intend to do that with you."

I blinked. "Oh."

"Yeah," he said, still looking at the door of the gym. "So... what about lunch? As friends?"

I stood there, thinking if I would say yes dahil nagtext na si Ate Gina na sinampalukan iyong ulam sa bahay and I already planned my lunch. I was about to tell Austin Archangel about the sinampalukan when someone called him by his nickname Arch. Napa-tingin ako roon at nakita ko si Gisele. She was by the door of the gym and she was waiving at Austin Archangel. She looked so casual with her attire—mom jeans, white shirt na naka-tuck-in, white Oran sandals, and black Chanel shoulder bag. She looked like she had no make-up on maliban sa pulang lipstick niya.

"Hi, Karaminah!" she greeted nang lumapit siya.

"Hi, Gisele," I replied.

Tumingin siya kay Austin Archangel. "Was calling you, but you're not answering so... I'm here. I'm bored. You wanna have lunch?"

Tumingin sa akin si Austin Archangel. I furrowed my brows. Tumingin siya kay Gisele. "I already have plans," he said. Tumingin muli siya sa akin.

"Uuwi na ako," I said.

Austin Archangel blinked. "Oh."

I looked at Gisele and said goodbye. Nagpaalam na rin ako kay Austin Archangel at umuwi sa bahay para kumain ng sinampalukan.

* * *

"Di ka ba kakain?" tanong ni Ate Gina nang maka-pasok ako ng bahay.

Umiling ako. I just wanted to take a half-bath and stare at the ceiling. Pero biglang dumating si Kuya Robert at lumapit siya kay Ate Gina. They're married. They love each other. What made them decide?

"Dumaan kayo sa boyfriend-girlfriend, 'di ba?"

Napa-tingin sila sa akin. Kumunot ang noo ni Kuya Robert at napa-ngiti si Ate Gina. Hinatak ni Ate Gina iyong upuan at naupo roon. Si Kuya Robert naman ay binuksan iyong ref at kumuha ng pitsel at saka nagsalin ng tubig sa baso.

"Ilang beses ko na kayang na-kwento sa 'yo kung paano ako niligawan nitong si Roberto!" sabi ni Ate Gina.

Tumango ako. "Binibilhan ka niya ng pandesal kada umaga," sabi ko dahil limang beses ko nang narinig iyong kwento na iyon at sa tuwing ikinu-kwento niya ay mas lumalayo iyong pinagbibilhan ng pandesal ni Kuya Robert. Iyong unang kwento niya ay sa labas lang ng subdivision iyong bakery. Sa pinaka-huli ay nasa kabilang bayan na iyong tindahan.

"Dun napupunta sweldo ko dati," singit ni Kuya Robert at inirapan naman siya ni Ate Gina.

"Bakit mo naitanong?"

"Gusto raw ni Austin Archangel na maging boyfriend ko."

Napa-tingin ako kay Kuya Robert nang bigla siyang mabilaukan sa iniinom niyang tubig. Agad na tumayo si Ate Gina at tinapik iyong likod niya. Ganito ba kapag magboyfriend? Kapag nabulunan ay kailangan mong tapikin iyong likod? Paano kung ayoko?

Aalis na sana ako dahil isang minuto na ang lumipas ay hindi pa rin okay si Kuya Robert, pero sabi ni Ate Gina na 'wag daw akong gagalaw. Naka-tayo lang ako roon at pinapa-nood sila.

"Sinabi 'yun ni Austin?"

I nodded. "Kaninang madaling-araw."

"Ano'ng sabi mo?"

"Pag-iisipan ko," I replied. "Ano'ng consideration nang pumayag kang maging boyfriend si Kuya Robert bukod sa pandesal?"

"Grabe, para namang mukha akong pandesal niyan," sabi niya. "Pumayag ako kasi gusto ko siyang kasama. Nag-e-enjoy akong kausap siya. Kasi kapag ganyan na boyfriend, makakasama mo 'yan sa mga gagawin mo. Kumportable ka naman ba d'yan kay Austin?"

I nodded. I actually liked doing things with him. He does not force me to do things I do not like. He always gives me alcohol kapag may hinawakan ako. He cleans the things I'd use or touch. Hindi rin siya maingay. He lets me be quiet and does not force a conversation.

"Oh e 'di magpa-ligaw ka muna?"

"But I actually also feel those things with Serj and Dominic, too," sabi ko. I also enjoy their company and I like hanging with them. Ibig sabihin ba nun ay gusto ko rin silang maging boyfriend?

"Susko naman, Karaminah. Isa-isa lang! Mababash ka niyang online, tinuhog mo parehong sikat na basketball player!"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Tinuhog?"

"Nagtanong ba si Dominic na gustong maging boyfriend mo?"

Umiling ako. "Best friends na kami."

"Si Serj?"

Umiling ako. "Friends."

"Oh, ayon naman pala... E 'di si Austin lang ang dapat ikonsidera."

I sighed. "Aakyat na ako."

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto. I took a full bath instead of the half-bath planned. Tinuyo ko iyong buhok ko habang nanonood ng movie sa laptop. I was watching the two characters... because Austin Archangel said that that was how he likes me...

I sighed again and ended the movie.

I opened the Microsoft Word to write. I needed to write today. I needed to be consistent in writing—if I slack off for one day, tatamarin na ako sa susunod.

Pumunta muna ako sa Instagram. I watched the stories at nakita ko iyong story ni Dominic na naglalaro siya at bigla siyang nagdunk. I watched the other stories of the cat accounts I followed. Then I went to the explore page and I saw Gisele's face again. May picture siya roon na suot niya iyong damit niya kanina. I clicked on it. The caption was 'As always, comfort over style. 📸 austingdl'

I closed the window and stared at the empty Microsoft word screen again. 

**

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