Chapter 27

"Ba't kasi 'di nila pinapasa kay Bennett? Siya lang 'tong nakasho-shoot nang sunod-sunod kanina pa!"

"O, ba't ka nagagalit, Isel? Baka strategy lang nila 'yon?" Natatawang usal ni Tessa.

Nakabusangot na rin ako at hindi maipinta ang reaksyon ng mukha ko. "Pa'nong strategy? Kanina pa sumisigaw si Bennett na ipasa sa kanya 'yong bola pero hindi nagagawa kaya naaagaw tuloy ng kalaban. Kaasar." Napahalukipkip na lamang ako dahil banas na banas na ako sa third quarter ng game.

"Wait ka lang kasi! Mamaya bibira na 'yan ng super lakas si Bennett!"

Napasinghal na lamang ako. Sa tuwing matatapat kasi ang ang camera kay Bennett at siyempre nakatutok ang lahat sa itaas ng screen. Nakasalubong na ang kilat ni Bennett saka pawisan na rin siya.

All throughout the game sa tingin ko ay hindi siya pauupuin ng coach nila since he's an integral part of the team, malakas at tirador ng three point pero sa napanonood namin ngayon, lamang na lamang na naman ang ADMU. Natuwa pa ang lahat kasi naungusan nila during second quarter pero umaariba na naman ngayon ang kalaban. Bibong-bibo.

Well, FEU had the most number of winning sa Men's Basketball Championship at pumapangatlo lamang ang ADMU, but they had their win last UAAP 87th season and that was 2015-2016 pa. ADMU just want to continue their winning streak and I can see that Bennett wants to break that record at mabawi muli ng mga taga-Morayta ang kanilang titulo. They want to get that 21th championship.

In terms of our university naman, we've won two title sa Men's Division., but that was 17th and 77th season pa. And even though hindi nakaabante ang aming university sa basketball ay meron pa rin namang 15 titular awards ang sa iba't ibang division. But I believe, next week sa cheerdance competition, NU will slay again.

"Ayan na! Pinasa na kay Bennett!" anunsyo ni Tessa. Hinawakan pa ako nito sa kamay ko.

Gano'n din naman ang ginawa ko kay Archie. Saglit lang din ay napansin kong tumatawa siya kaya mabilis ko siyang pinagtuunan ng pansin.

"Bakit ka tumatawa?" tanong ko, sabay tingin ng mabilis sa court at muli kong ibinalik sa kanya.

"You're holding me too tight." Pagtukoy niya sa pagkahahawak ko sa kamay niya. Agad ko rin namang binitiwan 'yon. He couldn't stop chuckling.

"Sorry na, nadadala lang ng emosyon."

"I know, I know. That's alright. We just want Bennett to win."

"Tama..." Matapos kong sabihin iyon ay muli kong binalik ang tingin ko sa court and there we saw Bennett aiming for a three-point-shot and when he positioned himself then jumped and threw the ball towards ring, our eyes followed the ball until it finally shoot. "Yes!!!" I exclaimed, too much excitement. Hindi lang din naman ako 'yon pati na rin ang ibang nakapaligid sa amin. But I was the only one standing with my friends around me.

"Kanina parang wala kang pakialam, girl. Ngayon bigay todo ka na, a!" komento ni Serron.

Hindi ako sumagot at inirapan ko na lamang siya. Binalik ko na lang ulit ang atensyon ko sa laro. Because of Bennett, their team is getting closer to their opponent's score. Sa tuwing makapupuntos si Bennett, hindi ko rin mapigilang magdiwang kasabay ng malalakas na hiyawan ng mga school mate niya.

This time, kapag natatapat na sa kanya ang camer ay kitanng-kita na ang determination at sobrang fired-up siya to finish the quarter on their side. Naka-daop lamang ang kamay ko sa bawat segundong lumilipas. I was really hoping they would this one and I was so relieved that at the end of the third quarter, nangunguna na ang FEU with 62 scores while ADMU only gets 55. At this moment, kailangan na lang talaga nila ma-maintain ang pagkalalamang sa kalaban.

"Do you think they'll finally earn the championship again?" Archie asked.

I turned to look at him. Napakibit-balikat naman ako. "Hindi ako sigurado... but their team has been dominating the Men's Division naman so I there's a high chance na makuha ulit nila ang title. Dapat kasi sumali ka sa team ng school natin, e! Nandito sana tayo ngayon."

"And then what? Kalalabanin ko sina Bennett?"

"Why not?" I countered. "Hindi naman porque magkaibigan kayong dalawa ni Bennett, hindi na kayo pwedeng magkalaban sa basketball. After all, this is school competition naman and should be friendly game between the two of you."

"I—yeah..."

Our attention caught when the fourth quarter started, at this point, para sa iilan ay ito na ang pinakamatagal at crucial part of the game. Nasayang ang unang mga minuto dahil halos pasahan lamang ng mga bola ang nangyayari. Ilang free throws ang naganap sa magkabilaang team at halos hindi magkamayaw ang lahat kapag nasho-shoot iyon ni Bennett.

But there's one moment nang tumapat muli kay Bennett ang camera at kitang-kita sa screen, not far behind him ay nakaupo si Cinema. This time, nag-mask siya pero nakilala naman siya ng ilan. Kinalabit pa ako ng tatlo dahil alam nilang si Cinema iyong nakukuha ni Bennett. Wala naman dapat akong ipangamba ro'n. Katabi ko 'yong taong nagpakikita ng interes sa akin and Bennett doesn't have an interests towards me. Siguro kahit katiting ay wala. At bakit ko nga ba ina-assume 'yon?

Sa dami ba naman ng mga nangyari nakuha ko pang isipin 'yon.

In the middle of the game, they stopped the game for a second when Bennett fell on a bad note. He sprained his ankle to what we've heard. Itinuloy si Bennett sa bench side at may pinalit sa kanyang ka-team niya. I was literally worried about him dahil pansin ko, kahit nasa malayo ako ay iniinda niya 'yon.

Tessa, Dolly, and Serron aggressively tried to wave and get his attention at hindi naman sila nagkamali dahil napansin sila ni Bennett. With his small wave back at our direction, he knew we were here to support him. Though we're worried he might not be there to end the game dahil sa injury niya.

Losing Bennett from the set of players na naglalaro sa inside court, ADMU starting taking over the scores by four and they will keep coming over of the FEU team won't have continuous three point shots. ADMU's chant kept going and alive when they keep dominating the game. Mukhang sila na naman ang makukuha ng title this year, and not only us who's losing hope for FEU to win it.

But not until Bennett entered the inside court along with his injury. Bukod sa pag-aalala at takot na dala sa kung anong mangyari sa kanya, we saw how determined Bennett to win the game. Nang makasabak muli si Bennett sa game, he came not to play, but to win dahil sunod-sunod nga ang three points na nakuha ng FEU sa kanya. While everyone's cheering for their anticipating win, I tried not to overthink kung anong pwedeng mangyari kay Bennett after this game.

Tinitiis lamang niya 'yong sakit at pinupursigi niyang makalamang muli sa opponent. When the time comes na less than a minute na lamang at halos nagkapapantay na sa score ang magkabilang kampo, bigla pang nabigyan ng foul shot ang ADMU. It's 77 between 75. Unang bato kabilang team ay pumasok at ilang segundo na lamang ang nabibilang ay malalaman na kung sino ang mananalo sa Men's Division this season.

I crossed my finger so hard na parang mababali. Walang humihinga. Nanahimik ang buong paligid sa huling bato ng ADMU sa free throw. And into the last seconds, everything went slowly, but when ADMU missed their shot, the last thing we knew that everyone's jumping, screaming, and celebrating the win of Bennett's team.

It was such a relieved when they missed their shot and it's actually satisfying knowing that they won the game. That Bennett win the game. Nang magdiwang ang mga basketball team ng FEU, binuhat nila si Bennett which he brought the team to win the game. Everyone see how their team immediately got behind the opponent's scored pagkapasok niya.

"I guess, it's a double celebration," Archie said. "You're not going home yet, guys! Bennett sure to have a celebration, come and join us there."

"Ay, naku! Siyempre hindi namin 'yan palalagpasin!" sabik na tugon ni Serron.

"Nando'n din ba ang lahat ng team?" tanong pa ni Dolly.

"For sure!" Tango-tango pa nito. "Though we'll have to go first dahil sasabay 'yan si Bennett sa team niya. I've already know where the place is so there's nothing to worry about."

"So, parang napagplanuhan niyo na 'to?" tanong ko.

Archie nodded. "Yup. It's either they will win or lose, celebration is a must."

"Nice, nice! Excited na rin ako. Hoping to see his condition closely."

"Yup, I guess, he'll be attending some medical support bago rin siya makaalis ng arena."

"Ah, I see... sana maging okay lang siya."

"Strong 'yon si Bennett. He'll carry this one out."

When the ceremony of awarding the championship title has been given to FEU, sobrang overwhelming para sa karamihan ang nangyayari. When the game ends and everyone started leaving their seats and the area, nagpaiwan muna kami sa loob at pinapauna muna namin ang ilang tao na lumabas dahil ayaw naming makipagsisiksikan.

"Do you guys have any surprise gift or plan for Bennett?" tanong ni Archie. Umalis na rin kami sa pwesto namin dahil kauunti na lang din naman ang natitira loob. Wala na rin naman ang mga players sa court at bumalik na sa kani-kanilang designated premises.

Tinuro naman agad ako ng tatlo kaya naman slight akong nagulat sa ginawa nila. "Ba't ako?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"E, 'di ba, ikaw lang naman 'tong palaging nakasasama ni Bennett, siyempre aside from Archie, kayo 'yong magkasama lately. May pa-surprise ka ba?"

Umiling naman ako. "Wala akong surprise 'no. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung bet ba niya 'yong mga gano'n saka hindi naman niya ako girlfriend in the first place para mag-effort."

"Bakit kailangan girlfriend lang ba mag-eeffort para i-surprise 'yong isang tao? Pwede namang kaibigan mo siya. Pwedeng 'yon naman ang sabihin mo pero bakit girlfriend pa ang binanggit mo? Nakahahalata na ako, a! Ikaw, Isel, a! May Archie ka na nga, e! Akin na lang si Bennett!"

"Dolly walang pipigil sa 'yo. Sa 'yong-sa 'yo na siya."

"Okay, guys, kalma muna tayo. May sasakyan ba kayong dala or did you guys commute?" Archie asked.

"Commute lang kami."

"Then good! Come with me then. We'll go there altogether," anunsyo ni Archie.

Nang makalabas kami ng arena, I was trying to look for Cinema around pero hirap nang mahagip siya sa dami ng tao sa paligid. Sinundan na lang din namin si Archie papunta sa parking lot. Madali rin naman kaming nakarating do'n at agad kaming umalis patungo sa lugar na pagdadaluhan ng kung ano mang ganap na sinasabi ni Archie.

It doesn't took us long when we finally reached the place he was talking about. Hindi naman siya bar, hindi rin siya isang club, but I think it's still a private venue dahil bilang lang din ang ilang tao sa paligid kasama na ro'n ang ilan sa mga invited na makapasok dito sa after part—or it is what I thought.

I'm not familiar to anyone around kaya hindi ako umaalis sa tabi nina Serron, Dolly, at Tessa. Si Archie naman kung saan-saan pumupunta kasi marami-rami rin pala siyang kakilala sa paligid. We stayed on the corner until we've heard na dumating na raw ang team at nang abangan naman namin silang lahat papasok ng pinto ay tama nga ang pagkaririnig namin nang isa-isang pumasok ang winning team.

Kahit taga-ibang university kami—hindi naman nila alam 'yon, we're having fun dahil ang tataas ng energy ng mga kalalakihan. Isa sa mga huling pumasok ng premises si Bennett na may benda sa kanyang ankle part at iika-ika kung maglakad kaya nakaalalay sa kanya iyong isa niyang ka-team. Bukod sa congratulations ay binungaran siya ng happy birthday. He tried to hide his face dahil nahihiya siya, but then he just thank everyone and because this win wouldn't happen because of him, he's the highlight of the evening.

Kinagulat din ni Bennett na may cake pa siya so he took his time to blow the candle and there's a celebration, food, and drinks everywhere. It was prepared by their team and we feel like hindi kami belong dito, but because we knew Bennett and he knows we're here for him, hindi kami itinaboy and so we spend our time with them.

Nang makahanap naman ako ng tiyempo na nag-iisa si Bennett na nakausap sa isang tabi ay agad kong iniwan ang mga kasama ko at saka ko siya nilapitan. He looked up to meet my eyes. Nginitian ko naman siya. He was about to stand up pero pinigilan ko na siyag gawin 'yon kaya nanatili siyang nakaupo sa silya.

"Congrats, Monkey-Bennett! I knew you'd win this!"

He chuckled. "Well, I missed that, but yeah, thanks even though I've got this in return." Pagturo niya sa sprained ankle niya. "But, it's worth it so you don't have to worry about it."

"Nice to know that. Iyon naman talaga ang mahalaga, 'di ba? At least, naibalik din sa Morayta ang championship!"

He nodded aggressively. "Yup, yup! That's what matters. Thanks for being there though. It helps."

I smiled when he said that. "Of course, support ka lang namin and you did so great there. Pwede ka ng pang-international."

"I don't think so." Ngisi pa nito. Pa-humble masyado.

"Pero okay ka lang naman talaga 'no? Hindi masakit?"

"I assure you, you don't have to worry about it. It hurts a little, but I can take it. It's just a sprained ankle, it's nothing, but winning this game matters the most."

"Anyway, happy birthday ulit sa 'yo! Uhm... did you receive my message ba?"

"Ah! Yes, I did. Sorry, hindi ako nakapag-reply. I was bombed with a lot of messages so I didn't got a time to respond to each one. Thanks, Sel. I appreciate you being here with me—with us today. This is our celebration even though we go to different school, but enjoy the night."

"I know I will!" I beamed a smile.

Bennett was called by his coach to join some people kaya naiwan akong nakatayo sa posisyon ko. A little while, Tessa came to nudge me with a hint of sneaky smile on her face.

"So... anong chika?"

I scoffed and shook my head. "Wala naman... ano na namang nasa isip mo?"

She grinned. "I know you like him... but what about Archie, Isel? There he is courting you pero nasa iba ang atensyon mo. You don't have to deny it, ramdam ko naman. Just... just trust your gut. Do what you think is right... don't let the thorns prick you so beware, alright?"

I don't know what she meant with that, but yeah, Bennett's a kind of storm who came into my life and now he's starting to make a mess, but Archie's there, my safe haven—or a bunker if there's storm. Why am I thinking about this?

Why do I have to deal with this when in the first place they're my priorities... or maybe because they starting to become one.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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