Epilogue: Part 1
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“Ayusin mo, Giongco. Unang laro mo ‘to.” My hands turned cold as our captain told me those words. I have been loving playing for years now but this is the first time that I was given a chance to play in a league since I was accepted in the team.

Before coming here, I thought I was already good but I was rejected a couple of times before I got the chance to be where I am right now. I almost quitted and I’m thankful for my friends that they did not stop believing in me and because of them, andito pa rin ako.

I nodded at our captain. I’ll do my best in this game, lahat ng pwede kong ibigay, ibibigay ko to prove myself that I am worthy to be with the team.

Ilang minuto na lang, magsisimula na ang laban. I’m really nervous, I used to be confident but now that I’m here my heart was really throbbing.
When the game started, I already expected na hindi naman ako mabibigyan ng playing time agad and I’m fine with that, I just hope na mabigyan ako ng enough time mamaya to showcase what I can do.

For the whole first set, I did not get the chance to play. Okay lang, una pa lang naman e. Marami pang oras.

That’s where I’m wrong. Hindi palaging marami ang oras because at that moment my friend Teigan called me and deliver a message I don’t want to ever hear.

“Gian! May nangyayari kay Eric! Hindi ko alam gagawin ko pumunta ka dito natatakot na ako,” he said while sobbing really hard. It felt like everything crumbled down.

I can’t hear anything except for his cries. Hindi rin ako makahinga nang ayos.

“Asaan ka? Puntahan mo ako dito. Mag-isa lang ako.” I can’t even move. I can’t digest everything I hear from him.

“Andoon ‘yung mga doktor sa loob, hindi ko maintindihan ang nangyayari Gian, si Eric... ano na mangyayari sa kaniya?”

"Puntahan mo ako please," he pleaded but I'm so scared. Ano na mangyayari kay Eric?

"I can't I have a game." I ended the call unable to say anything that will calm him down because even myself can’t calm down.

Tumakbo ako papuntang CR and I heard some of my teammates calling my name, some are cursing me but I don’t even care. I just can’t do anything. I could not function well.

Nakatulala lang ako when I reached the cubicle. Even breathing was heavy for me. I even want to throw up. I closed my eyes and thought about everything I heard and that’s when I started to cry.

No...this can’t be happening.

I’m not a religious person, I don’t even believe in God sometimes but I ended up praying to him like He was my last chance.

“Please... I’ll believe in you, just save Eric please...” paulit-ulit kong pagmamakaawa. I cried for I don’t even know how long. I was so scared that I couldn’t breath and move properly. It’s as if my body isn’t cooperating with me.

Paulit-ulit din ang pag-ring ng phone ko but I don’t want to answer it. I’m afraid of what I’ll hear from Teigan. Hindi ko matatanggap. Ayoko marinig, sure ako na may pag-asa pa. Hindi dapat ako ma0aghinaan ng loob.

Eric will survive that.

But no matter how hard I try to avoid it and how hard I try to run from it, it will always...always find its way to me.

From: Tei
Wala na siya. Wag ka na magpakita.

When I received Teigan’s text, that’s the only time I had the courage to run and go to him. Ayoko. Hindi ako payag. Hindi ‘yon totoo.

We planned a lot for our future he also promised me he’ll watch my future games, it can’t end like this. Hindi pwede.

When I got to the hospital, Eric’s parents are there already. Mourning.

Teigan saw me first and looked at me with disappointment in his eyes. He looked at me from head to toe, noticing that I’m still wearing my jersey.

He took a step towards me and gripped on my shirt and I receive a punch as if I’m the one to blame for what happened though, I still feel like I deserve it.

“Sabi ko ‘wag ka na magpakita ‘di ba? Bakit kung kailan wala na saka ka magpapakita ha? Maglaro ka na lang habang buhay!”

“Ang gusto ko lang naman samahan mo 'ko, puntahan mo kami, Gian! Tangina mahirap ba ‘yon? Sobrang hirap ba talaga iwan ‘yung lintek na laro na ‘yan?” I can’t bother to explain myself kasi tama naman talaga siya.

I should’ve been here pero naduwag ako kahit na alam ko na mag-isa lang siya kanina dito. Kahit na natatakot na siya sa mga pwedeng mangyari at kahit na alam na naming dalawa na malapit na talaga, pinili ko pa rin na tumakbo palayo at ‘wag maniwala.

“Hindi naman ako nag-demand sa ‘yo noon ah kahit kailan, inintindi namin ni Eric ‘yung passion mo. Ngayon lang naman, Gianni. Hindi mo pa kami napagbigyan.” Hiyang-hiya ako sa kaniya, hiyang-hiya ako kay Eric na hindi ko na siya nagawang silipin for one last time sa ospital. Nakita ko na lang siya noong sa lamay niya.

I can’t even comfort myself nor Teigan.

I was just there self pitying and hoping that this misery will end or else it would end me.

***

Before entering college, I was in a huge dilemma. Will I still go to West Hill kahit na ako na lang?

Eric, Teigan, and me promised to enter West Hill University together, it was mainly because of me. I persuaded them and it was okay for the both them.

I realized they really did support me all throughout, lahat ginawa nila para sa akin tapos no’ng kailangan nila ako, ni hindi ko nagawang magpakita.

I really am a bad friend.

Ever since my parents left for the states, I was left all alone. Ako naman ang may gusto nito kasi nga ayoko iwan sila Eric and Teigan. They are my only friends and now I lost the both of them.

Sumunod na lang kaya ako ng states? Ano pa bang point ng pag-stay ko dito?

Noon, wala dito ang mga magulang ko but I was never lonely but now, I am alone and lonely.

I also think that I should really give up volleyball already. It wasn’t for me.

Pero kaya ko ba? A part of me don’t want to give it up. Iyon na lang ang mayroon ako sa ngayon.

Kaya ko ba? Magiging masaya pa rin ba ako?

“Give me a sign please, help me decide. Nakikita mo naman siguro ako,” I said sounding crazy because I am asking for Eric’s advice. Kahit noon pa man, siya na talaga ang tumutulong sa akin at nagbibigay ng advice whenever I need it.

Walang araw na dumaan na hindi ko yata siya kinakausap. Everyday, I am asking for his forgiveness, sa lahat ng pagkukulang ko bilang kaibigan niya. And I hope the time would come that he would forgive me.

Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman ko nang makita ko sa laptop screen ko na pumasa ako sa entrance exam ng West Hill University. I thought I wouldn’t make it because I barely reviewed for it. Wala na kasi akong gana, I just tried it just because it was my plan before everything happened.

“Is this the sign I’m asking for?” Gulong-gulo ang isip ko habang nakatingin lang roon.

I thought about college for a long time before I decided to finally enrol at West Hill. Naisip ko kasi, Eric was the one who pushed me to continue what I started before. He believed in me. Siguro mas lalong hindi siya matutuwa at hindi niya ako patatawarin if I give this up because of him. He won’t be proud of me.

I’ve been through a lot of rejections before kaya hindi rin ako masyadong confident if I’ll be able to ace the try outs. Hindi naman kasi yata ako ganoon kagaling, hindi nga ako pinapasok masyado sa laro noon e.

But at the end of the day, I still want to do this so bahala na kung anong mangyari.

Luckily, nawala lahat ng kaba ko no’ng try outs na. Just by hearing the sound of the ball against my palm really excites me. It burns the fire in me. Whenever I am in the court nararamdaman ko na I still belong somewhere. This is where I belong. Volleyball is a part of me.

How could I think that I could give this up?

And so I got in.

My first year was wild. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito kabilis ang mga pangyayari though, I’m happy that a lot acknowledge me for being a good player. My first year playing for PCAA boosts my confidence to its highest.

I was called a star player on my first playing year and earned the rookie of the year. It was so rewarding.

I did not know Teigan was a volleyball player already since he cut ties with me since Eric died. Hindi ko pa malalaman kung hindi ko siya nakita during our PCAA game though we did not really meet inside the court since he wasn’t given enough playing time, I still saw him there.

He’s with RVU, maybe because he pursued VetMed. Dati pa naman iyon na talaga ang pangarap niya-- to build a small veterinary clinic and take care of animals all day kaya nagulat talaga ako na he’s playing. He never showed interest before and he hates that game because of me. I wonder what happened.

If only I could ask.

My world revolves around volleyball and studying. I am a PolSci student kaya busy rin talaga ako because of reading and writing various papers. I’m actually sick of it but I have to.

I chose PolSci because I’m interested in it, not that I have a plan to pursue it. After graduation, I’ll definitely play for professional league that’s my plan at wala na akong plan B.

I just really have to finish this degree, gusto ko pa rin naman makatapos kaya kahit araw-araw akong gumising ng maaga just to do my papers since I’m too tired at night after training, okay lang. I just need a cup of coffee to function.

One day, I went to the café near my school to get my coffee when I saw someone familiar. She was at the counter looking at me suspiciously.

Nagtaka tuloy ako, may nagawa ba akong mali sa kaniya? Inisip kong maigi kasi she really looks someone I know hindi ko lang mapinpoint kung sino. May atraso ba ako dito?

Red hair? Dimples? SHU?

Hindi nagtagal umalis na rin siya habang hawak-hawak ang tray ng order niya. I tilted my head. I really know her but shrugged it off kasi hindi ko naman maisip.

“Where are you?” Niccholo asked. Out of the blue naman lagi ‘to tumawag. He’s bored most of the time kaya ginigulo niya ako whenever he likes.

“Why? I’m on my way to school.”

“Saan banda?”

“Bakit muna? Wala ka bang klase?” iritable kong tanong. Kung saan-saan nanaman ako isasama nito for sure.

Niccholo has a lot of friends. Almost everyone knows him. Kahit saan kami magpunta may nakaka-interact siya. He wasn’t just famous for being an athlete, he is also famous for being super friendly kaya hindi ko alam bakit sa dinami-dami ng kaibigan niya laging ako ang ginugulo niya.

“Wala lang. Wala akong kasama bakit ba?” Hindi ko siya inimik at nag-ayos na ako ng gamit para makalabas na ng café pero bigla siyang tumawa sa kabilang linya.

“Never mind, I already know where to find you ‘wag kang aalis.” Nailing na lang ako at lumabas ng café habang nakatingin sa phone ko wondering kung alam talaga ni Niccholo na andito ako ngayon

Kapag hindi dumating agad si Niccholo dito, bahala na siya sa buhay niya.

While waiting for Niccholo someone called me at pagtingin ko it was the same girl earlier.

“Anong pabango mo?” she asked. I wasn’t able to answer immediately. Medyo na-weirduhan ako na tinanong niya ako ng gano’n but in the end I thought it was a compliment. Maybe I smell good.

I was about to answer when Niccholo came and drag me out of there.
Hindi ko tuloy siya nasagot.

Days passed and Niccholo Antonio is still pissing me off. I ditched him last time as he was dragging me to play pool again. Okay lang naman kaya lang minsan kasi nagkakainitan doon. Ayoko madamay baka magka-injury pa ako dahil doon.

Pero ngayon nagpagkaisahan nila ako ni Ilanna. I saw Ilanna playing pool on her phone, curious daw kasi siya nang ikwento sa kaniya ni Niccholo na naglalaro kami. Kaya ayon, Niccho wanted to bring her there and play with her. Medyo duda na nga ako diyan kay Niccho e. Feeling ko he’s making a move to Ilanna.

“Let’s not get into trouble, Antonio,” I warned Niccho. Tumawa lang siya at tumango. Kargo namin si Ilanna kapag nagkainitan nanaman ng ulo ang mga naglalaro.

Inaya kami ni Casimir, RVU volleyball player kasama raw si Noah na SHU player naman. Isa pa ‘yang si Salviejo, mahilig din makipagbasag ulo. Maswerte siya matibay ang bungo niya, hindi pa siya nakakatikim ng injury.

Nang makarating kami sa table nila natigilan pa ako nang makita ‘yung babaeng nakita ko sa café no’ng nakaraan na kasama nila Noah. Her hair's tied up while some of it are loose na kumakawala sa pagkakaipit ng buhok niya and she's also holding a cue stick.

“C’mon, Kaia.” I heard Noah talking to that girl.

Kaia?

Right! She’s Kalila Rafaella Go, SHU’s libero. How could I forget. Isa siya sa pinag-uusapan nila coach one time. I also got curious kasi I wonder if she’s a threat to our women’s volleyball team.

We played against them. At first I was wondering why Noah wanted to team up with her kaysa kay Casimir but while we are playing I realized why. The woman can really play.

I want to laugh at Noah kasi napapagalitan siya because of his bad shots. I seriously played the game and focused on it, I wanted to win. Maybe I am competitive after all.

“Excuse me.” Kalila Go was on the side of the table kung saan ako titira so lumipat siya sa tapat ko.

Her other hand is placed on her waist while her other hand is holding the stick. Nakakunot din ang noo niya before she lowered herself to look at the angle of the ball I was about to shoot.

I didn’t notice that I was too focused with her kaya nang magkatitigan kami mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya.

That’s when I knew I was taking too long kaya I just shoot my shot. Kalila Go smirked as it was a bad shot.

In the end we still won the game. Thanks to Noah.

Pagkatapos ng game I approached her. She was standing on the side of the table habang nagpapagpag.

I cleared my throat and told her my perfume. Mukhang nagulat pa siya. With the look on her face, mukhang hindi niya in-e-expect na maalala ko siya. If it was another person baka nakalimutan ko na but then since she was familiar from that start, I did not forget.

We are just standing side by side while stealing glances from each other. I can say it was awkward kaya kinausap ko ulit siya.

“By the way, nice game, Go.” I got her attention when I spoke. She slightly raised her brows.

“Kilala mo ‘ko?” she asked and so I nodded.

Gusto ko pa sana siya makausap kaya lang nag-aya na si Niccholo na umalis and since kasama namin si Ilanna, we really have to go.

I got busy with training since PCAA season is fast approaching.

Nagpapahinga kami before another set of drills nang lapitan ako ng isa kong teammate. “Hanep talaga ang impact mo tol, pati sa pabango mo daming naghahanap.” My forehead creased.

What’s with my perfume these days?

“What are you talking about?” Pinakita niya sa akin ang shared post ng isa sa friends niya ng isang online shop.

When I looked into it mukha namang normal na post lang iyon ng online shop but when he showed me the comment section, ang daming nagbabanggit ng pangalan ko.

Napatingin ako sa account na nag-post. “Kaia’s closet” I nodded my head.

“So that’s the reason.” I chuckled.

“Huh?” tanong ng teammate ko. Umiling na lang ako sa kaniya at binalik ang phone niya.

Pumupunta ako sa bilyaran every chance that I get just to see her, gusto ko lang magtanong kung ginamit niya ba talaga akong marketing strategy, wala namang problema doon I just want to know what’s running on her mind para maisip ‘yon.

Dati iniiwasan ko pa si Niccholo para pumunta rito but now I’m here almost everyday.

Gusto ko nang i-contact si Noah dahil hindi ko talaga naaabutan si Kalila Go dito kahit ilang araw na ako pumupunta but then mukhang nakatsamba na rin ako isang araw dahil pagdating ko sa bilyaran, I spotted her immediately.

“Andito ka nanaman? Napapadalas ka ah,” Noah commented upon seeing me pero hindi ko siya pinansin as my attention is focused on the girl seating on the bench.

She saw me pero hindi niya ako pinansin at busy lang siya sa phone niya kaya nilabas ko rin ang phone ko para hanapin ang facebook account niya na binebenta ang pabango ko.

“This. You?” I showed her the post and the comments.

“Bakit mo tinatanong? Bibili ka?” masungit na tanong niya sa akin.

This girl is really unbelievable.

“How did they know?” I asked regarding my perfume. Wala naman talaga akong pake, I just find it amusing to make it a business.

“Ang tawag doon ay marketing strategy,” sagot niya na as if hindi ‘yon big deal sa kaniya. So she really used me as a marketing strategy? I guess we can say that she’s creative on that manner.

“So that marketing strategy of yours worked?” I asked.

“Oo, ubos na nga e.” I want to smile at how proud she sounds but I stop myself as it was weird of me to do that.

“I should have a commission then,” I joked and looked at her face. Hindi siya naka-react. May be she wasn’t expecting that from me. Me either though.

We just talked about it hanggang sa matapos na ang laro nila Noah with Noah winning. Mukhang iyon na lang din ang hinihintay ni Kalila Go.

“Swerte mo yata si Kalila e.” I looked at them nang marinig ko iyon. Noah smiled widely and nodded. “Alas ko ‘yan e.”

Oh? Oo nga no? Bakit hindi ko napansin ‘yon?

“So you’re dating Noah?” I asked directly but I just got a “So tsismoso ka pala?” as a response.

Why am I even curious in the first place?

***

My 2nd salubong party came. Actually, wala naman ako masyadong ginagawa doon besides drinking a bit and talking pero napapagod agad ako.

I appreciate the socialization and nakatutulong din talaga 'to sa buong PCAA community. Wala masyadong beef with each other because of this. At the end of the day, we're all athletes and we play our own games with the goal of winning so dapat no hard feelings.

I even saw Teigan but of course hanggang doon lang 'yon. I'm still glad though, at least nakikita ko siya minsan kaysa noon na I really didn't know his whereabouts. I hope he's happy.

After interacting with my co-athletes napagod na ako. It's not like I'm used to socializing like Niccholo. I'm drained kaya umalis muna ako sa matao na part and rest for a bit.

I saw Kalila Go right there unexpectedly.

Akala ko hindi na ulit kami magkikita pero maliit lang naman ang West Avenue at lalo na ang mundo ng mga athlete. One way or another, we'll see each other again. Hindi ko lang talaga naisip na ganito kabilis.

"Inaantok na ako," she answered when I ask her why she's alone. Apparently, she's waiting for Noah kasi 'yon ang maghahatid sa kaniya pauwi.

They're really dating.

Why am I even disappointed? It's not like I'll date her.

"You want a ride? Just tell your boyfriend that I'll bring you home," alok ko. She really looks sleepy and I'm also tired and si Noah for sure pumaparty pa 'yon so kung gusto na niya umuwi pwede naman siyang sumabay sa akin. Hindi rin naman ako uminom masyado since dala ko ang sasakyan ko.

"Si Noah?" tanong niya pa sa akin.

"Yeah. May iba ka pa bang boyfriend?" She looks offended with what I said. Gusto kong bawiin tuloy, minsan talaga 'tong bibig ko hindi makontrol e.

"Gago. Hindi ko kasi boyfriend si Noah." She rolled her eyes on me which I deserve.

That night, while waiting for her to decide, I learned some things about her like why she's playinh volleyball.

Bago sa akin ang dahilan niya, it was an answer I never knew I'll hear from an athlete but maybe someone like her really exists hindi ko lang alam kasi I grew up in a different environment.

With what she said ang taas na agad ng tingin ko sa kaniya. No matter what her reasons for playing, it really motivated her well kasi I have watch some of their games and she plays really well.

Not as if she was just after the benefits.

That's some real talent right there.

***

Since wala pa kaming laro, we're just busy to train. After ng ilang oras na training I got home immediately and arranged everything that I have to do for school. Ayoko na nga sanang gawin at isipin, I just want to focus on the season but failing my program would not be good on my volleyball career kaya no choice talaga.

After organizing everything that I have to do for the rest of the week, I opened my television. Ang alam ko may replay ngayong gabi ng laro kanina.

It was the SHU vs CDSG game.

Sakto dahil kaka-start pa lang ng replay pero women's volleyball na iyon. Tapos na ata ang sa men's. Sa facebook ko na lang siguro panonoorin iyon. For sure, our coach would require us to watch din naman.

I was busy reading some comments and tweet from the previous game of SHU men's volleyball since they won. May possibility na makakalaban namin sila since same bracket talaga kami kaya I was curious how good they are on their first game.

"In jersey number 9, libero, Kalila Rafaella Go."

The TV caught my attention when I heard Go's name being called.

She's wearing a different jersey as she is a libero. Her red hair's tied into a tight ponytail and she's also wearing a white headband. Of course, she's bare faced.

This is not the first time I watched her. I got curious with their team when I overheard our coaches talking about them kaya napanood ko na siya but this is actually the first time that I payed attention to her.

Her eyes makes her look fiercer.

I put down my phone on the center table and watch as the game started.

Both teams are really playing safe or I guess both are focused on keeping the ball up which makes the rally really long. Ang tagal bago may maka-points. It's not like it is a bad thing pero as much as possible dapat pumuntos na sila cause it'll drain their energies.

My attention's always drawn to Kalila Go while she's doing her best to save the ball. Kahit out na sana, she managed to bring it back to the court. Hindi ko alam kung dahil lang ba sa uniform niya or what but my eyes are just following her while she's out there saving the ball unless may i-focus na ibang players.

Huge respect to all liberos. I mean we all have to save the ball pero they are the ones who really focus on saving them.

SHU managed to end the game with 2 sets. It was a good game for their first game though a bad start for CDSG.

Nagdadalawang isip ako kung i-co-cogratulate ko ba si Go but in the end, I decided to message her. We have a thread of message already, kaya lang sa business account niya iyon.

Kaia's Closet: Thank you. Akala ko naman may buyer ako

I smiled when she replied to me.

Gianni Giongco: Then allow me to add you on your personal account

I find it weird messaging her in her business account kahit na hindi naman niya ako customer.

I thought she'll just let me add her on her personal account but she demanded me to put a profile picture.

Wala pa naman ako masyadong picture but I really don't want to continue messaging her on her business account. Nakakahiya rin at some point.

I immediately look for a decent photo to put on my profile picture. I really don't have a reason to put one kaya hindi ako naglalagay, I just have that facebook for personal purposes like messaging her.

I had a hard time looking for a photo na medyo iba sa mga usually ginagamit ng fan pages or posers. I just want her to notice agad na it's me and not someone na poser.

After picking the best photo I can provide, I sent her my friend request which she accepted immediately.

I stalked her but she does not have a lot of post as well.

I clicked her profile picture. It was her of course but she looks different on the picture. She's smiling bright while her hands are cupping her cheeks. I think someone took the picture for her and it looks like she's in the library.

She has a pretty smile. I wonder why she's not smiling often. Or maybe hindi lang sa akin, it's not like we're that close for her to be smiling brightly at me.

But yeah, so pretty.

***

Our first game came.

I'm not nervous, maybe because it is our first game and I trust my teammates that we're not gonna fuck our first game. Hindi rin naman ako papayag na talo agad ang una naming game.

Thankfully, Niccholo isn't annoying inside the court like how he is off court.

To be honest, I highly respects Niccholo when it comes to volleyball. He's a really good player. I feel like people appreciate me more because of his sets. He knows my capability well, he knows the type of set na perfect para sa akin at sa iba pang hitter ng team. And he himself can be a good hitter as well. He really deserves the volleyball gem title.

We won our first game against CDSG. That's enough for me to be in a good mood for the week.

After the game, umuwi rin ako agad. I just want to rest immediately. May mga gagawin pa ako for school para hindi ako matambakan for next week.

While I was lying on my sofa my phone pinged. I thought it was just someone who congratulated me but it was Go.

Kalila Go: Napanood ko interview mo. Hindi ka naman mukhang delighted.

I read her message a couple of times bago ako napailing. So she watched the post-game interview and now she's teasing me. I can't help but smile kahit inaasar niya ako. I think she's comfortable with me now.

Gianni Giongco: What do you want me to do then?

Kalila Go: Smile?

When she said that, I took a mental note to smile on my next interview.

We also won our 2nd game which resulted to a West Hill vs SHU game. CDSG lost both game with women's and men's that's why we are against SHU for both of the games today.

Naka-stand by lang kami sa may waiting area while prepping for the game. Napatingin lang ako sandali sa pinto at nakita ko si Go roon. It looks like may hinahanap siya kaya lumabas ako.

"Are you looking for someone?" I asked.

She's wearing a green SHU hoodie and volleyball shorts. Her hair is still on her usual tight ponytail and a headband. 

"Hinahanp ko waiting room ng SHU men's." I don't know why I felt disappointed with what she said. E malamang Gianni, taga SHU 'yan ano bang in-e-expect mo?

"Good luck-- ay hindi pala, hindi pala ako mag-g-good luck sa 'yo." My brows furrowed at what she just said.

Pati ba naman good luck 'di ko makukuha?

"Helenian po kaya ako," she answered, showing off her hoodie that's too big for her.

"Ano na lang...hmm...play well, Giongco." She smiled a bit after she said that to me.

"I always play well, though," I answered and she rolled her eyes on me.

Ang maldita.

"O edi sige good luck na lang nga." She waved her hand on me before turning her back.

I'm sorry Kalila Go but with that, I'll make sure the luck is really on my side.

Nagmamadali na ako pabalik sa waiting area after ng game. Dapat kanina pa talaga kaso kailangan nanaman ako ma-interview. I hate interviews to be honest pero tinanggap ko nang part na rin iyon ng paglalaro sa mga ganitong klase ng conference.

Nakita ko si Go na nasa hallway nang makabalik ako sa loob. Ang daming tao, ang sikip tuloy at ang ingay.

She's biting her hair tie while her hands are busy fixing her dark red hair. For a moment, I forgot why I was here.

Natinag lang ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya nang salubungin niya ang tingin ko. Tinapos niya ang pag-aayos ng buhok niya at lumapit sa akin.

"Ngumiti ka kanina," she commented.

Nababaliw na ata ako. Why does that mere comment from her makes me happy. The fact that she watched my interview again makes me giddy.

The fuck?

"Congrats pala," she greeted even though her beloved SHU team lost. Sorry not sorry.

"Your good luck seems to work." She rolled her eyes again on me and it's starting to be attractive.

"Kaya nga ayoko sana mag-good luck sa 'yo e."

I smirked a bit. "Don't worry I'll give it back to you."

"Huh? Alin?"

"Your luck," I answered. I held her shoulders and was about to wish her good luck on her game when I was pushed by someone passing by but I maintained looking at her and didn't bother to look at whoever pushed me.

Actually, I want to thank whoever that is. I get to see Kalila Go's face this close. Seeing her this close is something I never thought I actually needed. I can't help but smile while looking at her face.

"Good luck and play well, Go," I told her bago ako umalis at pumasok sa room kasi baka kung ano pa ang masabi't magawa ko kapag nag-stay pa ako roon.

Kalila Rafaella Go, are you bewitching me?