Chapter 28

"Kaloka naman 'tong mga tweets about Bennett! Mga uhaw na uhaw!" kwento ni Serron. "Iyong iba pang nababasa ko, gustong-gusto nila sila na lang daw magbubuhat kay Bennett kasi na-injured. Mga echosera 'tong biglang fan girl ng mga 'to. Anong masasabi mo rito, Isel?"

Itinapat naman ni Dolly sa akin ang nakayukom niyang kamay na tila bang itinapat sa akin ang imaginary microphone. Umiling naman ako.

"Ay, no comment! Panalo!" Halakhak pa ni Tessa.

"Feeling celebrity, girl?" komento pa ni Dolly. "Mag-uusap pa ba kayo no'n mamaya or uuwi ka na lang ng luhaan kasi quicky lang din 'yong naging usapan niyo kanina."

"Ano naman?" sagot ko sabay taas ng kilay. "Parang hindi naman kami magkikita next week sa session namin? Pwede naman kami mag-usap do'n. Saka binati ko lang din naman siya. Walang big deal do'n, guys."

"O, sige na, payag na kami sa sagot mo. Papalapit si manliligaw, e," ani Serron. Sabay-sabay naman kaming napatingin kay Archie na patungo nga kung saan kami nakaupo ngayon. Kung saan-saan siya naglalagalag since marami-rami siyang kakilala lalo na't kaibigan din nila iyong ibang parte ng basketball team.

"Inip na ba?" tanong ni Archie sa amin..

"Nope, enjoy kami super, Arch. May magpapa-bj ba riyan?"

"Huh? What?!" His face looked so shocked.

"Arch! Iba siguro iniisip mo 'no? Ang sabi ko, may buko juice ba riyan? 'Yong fresh para swak na swak sa lalamunan."

Archie shook his head. "I still get what you mean, but I think not." He chuckled. "Anyway, kung naiinip na talaga kayo at gusto niyo nang umuwi, we can go ahead na naman. Paalam na lang tayo kay Bennett. I think they'll be spending until midnight here. A lot of things actually would happen because winning back the championship is such a big deal. What do you think, guys?"

Nagkatinginan naman kaming apat at hindi alam kung ano ba talaga ang pagkasusunduan naming tatlo.

"Maybe we should really go na," I stepped na kasi sa tingin ko bet pa nilang mag-stay. "They must be doing a lot of things and celebrate their win and we shouldn't intervene them. Tara na, guys!"

"Cool!" ani Archie. "I'll just go meet Bennett."

"Pwedeng sumama?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Tinanguan naman niya ako at iniwan muna namin saglit 'yong tatlo para hanapin si Bennett at makapagpaalam kami. Binalingan ko ng mabilis na tingin 'yong tatlo and they're giving me provoking grins and I already get what it means. Mga loka-loka talaga 'to. For sure, pinagpupustahan ako ng mga 'to kung kanino ako bibigay at the end of the day. Isang oo kay Archie or confession kay Bennett. I know that's what they are anticipating for me to go through.

Hindi naman binigyan ng ibang kulay iyon ni Archie. 'Yong tatlo lang talaga ang gumagawa ng malisya pagdating sa dalawang 'to. Though bet na bet nila si Bennett for me knowing for the fact na single na ulit siya. Friends lang daw kasi ang tingin nila kay Archie for me and who am I to stop Archie sharing his feelings towards me? Alam ko naman na ang intensyon ko talaga ay ang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral and Archie's not doing anything bad for me not to achieve that goal. Hindi siya bad influence, baka 'yong tatlo pwede pa.

"You sure na gusto mo ng umuwi?" tanong ni Archie sa akin.

Tumango naman ako. "Yes? Kaya nga natin pupuntahan si Bennett para magpaalam, 'di ba?"

Natawa naman ito. "Yup. I just thought gusto mo png mag-stay rin. That wouldn't be a problem though."

"Eh? Feeling ko wala rin naman akong gagawin kahit mag-stay ako rito."

Napakibit-balikat na lang din naman ito sa akin. "Ikaw bahala."

Napakunot na lamang ang noo ko sa kanya. "Para 'tong baliw."

Nginisihan na lang ako nito hangga't sa mahanap namin si Bennett na kausap ang ibang ka-team niya. Well, he's the star of the night and actually awarded as the MVP of this season. Kahit injured si Bennett, he still made his team win the game and that's kind of attitude should be an inspiration to others.

Ang sabi pa kasi ng iba, ang jowa ang nagiging inspiration ng ibang player to shoot or to play the game, but I guess it's different from Bennett and I wonder what could it be.

We waited until Bennett saw us and then he immediately excused himself from them para lapitan niya kami. Iika-ika pa rin siya maglakad and I think tinitiis niya lang 'yong sakit na nararamdaman niya.

"Are you guys going home?" he asked, looking at me then Archie, going back and forth.

"Yes, we are," Archie said. "They came with me here so I guess it's better we leave altogether. I just don't know with Isel if she's coming home with us."

Nilingon ko naman si Archie at tinaasan ng kilay. "Sabi ko naman sa 'yo sasama ako, e. Kulit, a!"

"You can stay here if you want," Bennett proposed. Nilingon ko naman siya. "Though I wouldn't be to take you home since I didn't bring my car here and I'm sprained so... yeah."

"I understand, but you don't have to worry about me."

Archie then nudged me. "I know you really wanted to stay, so go on. I trust Bennett, he's my friend so he'll look after you."

"Hindi naman kasi..." angal ko pa sabay ikot ko ng mata ko. "Fine! Ang kulit mo talaga, Chie. Sige na nga, magpapa-iwan muna ako. Tell them I'll be staying na lang muna. Sasabay na lang ako kay Bennett in case."

"Sure, sure. I'll see you next week or tomorrow?"

"Sa Monday na! May discussion pa ulit tayo sa research natin! Bawal um-absent that time, okay?"

"Sure, sure!" Hagikgik pa nito na para bang nang-aasar pa sa akin. "We'll be going, bud. See you na lang ulit at isang malaking congratulations! You really deserve it." Tinapak naman niya ang balikat nito.

Tumango naman si Bennett at tinapik din ang kamay ni Archie sa balikat niya. "I really appreciate it, bud. I'm not sure how long this sprain would last, but everything's worth it. Thank you guys for coming, this is such a big achievement for all of us."

"Well, to your school." Archie laughed. "But, of course, we're proud of you! One we're looking forward to one upcoming event soon."

"Yeah, yeah! I'll be preparing for that next, but I guess, I deserve to have a little rest after this game."

"Archie, akala ko ba aalis ka na? Ang dami pang sinasabi?" singit ko sa usapan nilang dalawa.

Natawa na lamang silang dalawa sa akin at muling nagpaalam si Archie sa kanyang kaibigan. When he left and I was left with Bennett alone, he then invited me to his team and then I tried to mingle with them. Hindi naman ako umalis sa tabi niya dahil ayoko ring ma-out of place bigla. But being the center of the attention tonight, mas ibinigay niya sa akin ang atensyon niya ngayong oras na 'to.

"Why do you want to stay, Sel?" he asked, giving me a plastic plate with two slices of pizza on it at isang can ng soft drink. Tinanggap ko naman iyon at sinimulang kainin din.

Kumusot naman ang mukha ko sa tanong niya. "Pinapauwi mo na ba ako?"

He scoffed, shaking his head. "No! No. That's not what I meant. Hindi naman kita pinapauwi and I love that you stayed here with me. Nagtataka lang naman ako."

"Hindi ko rin alam kay Archie. Sabay-sabay rin naman kasi kami pumunta rito so we're leaving altogether. But this is great. Mukhang masaya naman ang after party slash birthday celebration mo. I kept forgetting that it's your birthday dahil nasapawan ng game mo ngayon, but you did so great today. Nakabibilib ka talaga, ha?"

He smirked, he must be so proud of himself and I can assure him that I'm also proud of him. He's not just good pagdating sa sports kung hindi pati na rin academically ay maganda rin ang records niya. Siguro isa na rin 'yon sa dahilan kung bakit nagpupursigi talaga si Bennett na gawin ang mga bagay na 'to. No just to prove to anyone that he can do it, but for self-fulfilment.

"Akala ko manonood din ate mo sa game tonight?" tanong ko sa kanya.

We settled together on the corner. Kaming dalawa lang ang nag-uusap kahit na napaliligiran kami ng mga malalaking boses mula sa kanyang teammate. They were all having fun and celebrating their triumph. Kahit hindi ako part ng cheersquad ng university namin, I'm excited to win our another winning streak again next week.

He shrugged off. "She's in Laguna, though I said to her she should be here by Friday so she won't get stuck on traffic, but she didn't listen to me so she just stayed there and missed the game."

"I see..." komento ko, hindi ko kasi alam kung pa'no ko susundan 'yon.

"I thought you'll be sitting somewhere I thought you should be," Bennett said. "I agve you a ticket, right?"

Tumango naman ako. "Ah, yes, about that..." Napangiwi na lamang ako bago sumagot. "Sa totoo kasi niyan, ayoko rin mahiwalay sa mga kaibigan ko kung ako lang ang nando'n sa seat na 'yon. So Serron treated us din naman so hindi na ako umangal. Para tabi-tabi na rin kami."

Napasinghal na lamang siya at umiling. "I was expecting to see you there."

"Sorry na kasi."

He smirked. "Fine. Anyway, what about you and Archie?"

"What about me and Archie?" balik kong tanong sa kanya kasabay ng pagkunot ng noo ko.

"Is he your boyfriend now?" he asked.

Agad naman akong umiling sa tanong niya. "No. We're not there yet. Hindi ko pa nga sigurado kung mararating naman 'yong point na 'yon. I don't want to reject Archie while we're in the middle of our research project and he's being so nice to me naman so I don't think he deserved to be rejected, but I also believed that this is not the time for that."

"Ah, so pinapaasa mo lang siya?" Ngising tanong nito sa akin.

Bahagya ko naman siyang hinampas sa braso niya. Umaray pa ito na parang bata. "Ang arte naman nito! Paa naman ang may sprain sa 'yo, hindi ang balikat mo. But anyway, hindi nama gano'n 'yong tingin ko. Hindi ko siya pinapaasa. Wala rin naman akong binibitiwang salita sa kanya. Ito lang 'tong mga loko-loko kong kaibigan 'yong nagbibigay ng malisya siya, e."

He chuckled. "I see... so if you and Archie aren't still a thing, then you're free to come with me to Batanes, right?"

"Hala?! Anong gagawin natin sa Batanes?"

He raised a brow. "To unwind, relax, and have a post-celebration for my birthday. Do you want to come with me, Criselda?"

"Ha... e. Hindi ko sure? Tayong dalawa lang ba?"

"If you'd like that, sure. Just the two of us."

Napatungo ako. Iniisip ko kung anong gagawin namin do'n. I've never been to Batanes pero bet na bet ko ring pumunta ro'n since iyon na ang isa sa pinakadulong isla ng Pilipinas. Gusto kong mag-explore. Gusto kong mag-travel, hindi langs a Pilipinas kung hindi sa buong mundo.

Tinapik ako ni Bennett at saka ako nakabalik sa ulirat ko. "So, what do you think?"

"Next next week. It's a week-long holiday and we can spend some time there."

"Ah... okay naman pala pero wala naman kasi akong pambili ng ticket. Mahal 'yon, 'di ba?"

He scoffed. "Sel, just like what I've said, you don't have to worry about anything. I'll handle everything... just come along with me and you'll be fine."

"Bakit hindi na lang si Archie ang sinama mo?"

"Well, I could've asked him, but I've asked you first."

"E... wala bang magagalit?" taka kong tanong.

He smirked. "What do you think?"

Napabuntonghininga na lang din naman ako. "If you think this is a great plan, then go rin ako. Remember, hindi pa ako nakatatanggap ng una kong sahod sa 'yo so you'll know that I'm out of budget so please, please, 'wag ka sanang scam, okay?"

He laughed. "Believe me, I'm not. So, it's a deal?"

I took a deep breath and nodded to him. "It's a deal," tugon ko. He then held his hand out with his pinky finger poking out. Napatitig naman ako ro'n. "Oh? Para saan naman 'yan?"

"Just to assure you're not going to back it off."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Ang daming arte, sasama na nga kasi, e."

He giggled and then I locked my pinky finger on his pinky finger and that made a pact na walang talk shit o kung ano man. We made an agreement na next-next week ay pupunta kaming dalawa ng Batanes and he'll be handling everything for us.

Matapos ang usapan namin ni Bennett, umalis siya saglit para kausapin ang mga kasamahan niya. Inubos ko na lang din naman ang pagkain na binigay niya sa akin kanina kaya nang maubos ko rin ang pagkain ko ay saka bumalik si Bennett sa akin saka inanunsyo sa akin na uuwi na raw kaming dalawa para makapagpahinga na rin. Hindi pa nga ako masyadong nagtatagal sa pagpapaiwan ko ay gusto na niya agad umuwi pero dahil may injury nga siya at need na niyang ipagpahinga ang bugbog sarado niyang katawan gawa ng training ay deserve niya ang mahabang oras ng tulog.

While we're leaving the after game party, nagtatalo pa kaming dalawa ni Bennett kung sinong mauunang umuwi. Kung maghihiwalay ba kami ng ibo-book na car o magsasabay na lang din. Mga fifteen minutes din kaming nagdiskusyon dahil atras-abante kaming dalawa pero in the end ay nag-propose si Bennett na kung gusto kong mag-stay for the night sa condo niya ay okay lang daw sa kanya.

Siyempre, hesitant ako at first pero bumigay na rin ako sa dulo dahil pasado alas y onse na rin ng gabi. Sabi niya delikado kung uuwi akong mag-isa. Kung hindi lang daw siya injured at dala niya ang sasakyan niya ay ihahatid niya ako sa dorm ko pero gawa ng kondisyon niya ngayon, magbo-book na lamang kami ng sasakyan.

We waited for another fifteen minutes for the booked car to arrive. Sa biyahe pa lamang ay ramdam ko ang pagod sa katawan ni Bennett dahil nakatulog agad ito. Nanatili naman akong gising dahil ayokong pabayaan si Bennett. I'm sure he's happy how everything went today to his side. He might be in his worst state from the past few weeks, at least he's doing great this time.

As we reached his condo, just half an hour before midnight, we immediately went to his room and then he offered me some clothes I can wear so I can change what I'm still wearing. Of course, panlalaking damit ang ipinahiram niya sa akin kaya medyo oversize ang mga 'yon, but all felt comfortable for me kaya hindi ako umangal.

He then suggested he should take the sofa so I can sleep on the bed. Do'n ako umangal dahil deserve niyang magkaroon ng maayos na pahinga kaya hindi ako pumayag sa gusto niya. But in the end, he said, If I'm comfortable sleeping with him on the bed then it would be our state for tonight. Hindi na rin naman ako umangal so we both shared the bed together. Walang harang o kung ano man.

"Are you happy to what happened today, Bennett?" I asked him. Hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang mukha niya since madilim na sa kwarto ngayon.

"Yes, very satisfied," malumanay nitong sagot sa akin, ramdam kong antok na antok na rin siya.

"I'm proud of you... I won't keep you awake... have a nice rest and happy birthday ulit."

He made a little, soft giggle. "Thanks, Sel... thank you for everything."

And with that, it put a smile on my face. I may not aware of his existence for the past few years, but knowing him just in a matter of almost two months, Bennett's a nice person. I'm happy I got to know him better and deeper.

***

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

#RainySeasonInManilaChapter28 #RSIMChapter28 #WTS5

Interact with me on Twitter >>> @Imjacobxoxo