CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Empty

"OH my God, Ra! You're on the tv again!" my Mom yelled, getting all excited as she sat on the couch with Dad and Trev.

"I was also on tv yesterday, Mom. You weren't that excited," Trev complained, shaking his head as he pulled me to sit beside him.

I know Trev and I are adults now, but that won't change the fact that we are still the babies of this family.

I had fun with them the whole day. I had to make sure that we make the best out of it because tomorrow, I'm going to Greece to meet Coach John Miller, the famous coach of AIIAS Team.

AIIAS was a volleyball team that's consisted of players from different countries. Coach John invited me to attend a party and I didn't even know why it had to be me. Feem's the brain of our team, but I ended up being the only one that was invited to attend the party in Greece.

"Need a hand?" my twin asked me as he entered my room.

"Sure."

I let him help me pack my things. I know he wants to spend more time with me because he'll miss me for sure.

"Does Gonz know that you're leaving tomorrow?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I'll call him before the plane takes off, don't worry."

"Are you serious? He needs to know now to spend more time with you."

"Ayoko. Malulungkot lang 'yon panigurado."

"Alright. I'll go tell him."

Agad akong napatingin sa kanya. "There's no way in hell you're going to do that, Trev."

"He needs to know."

I hissed. "Fine. I'll go tell him."

It's not like I have much of a choice. My twin loves me but he loves Gonz too.

I let him finish packing my things for me and I put my sweater on.

Lumabas ako ng bahay saka ako naglakad papunta sa bahay nila Gonz na nasa tabi lang ng bahay namin.

It took minutes before he finally opened the door and he was stunned the moment he saw me standing in front of him.

"Hey," nagtatakang sabi niya saka siya sumilip do'n sa wall clock nila. "It's twelve already, Ra. Why are you still up?"

"I have something to tell you."

He raised his brow and let me in.

He crossed his arms above his chest as he sat on the couch. "Spill."

I cleared my throat as he was scrutinizing me. "I'm going to Greece tomorrow."

His eyes widened. "Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"And you're telling me this just now?"

"I didn't want to make you sad. I know you'll miss me."

I thought he'll get mad but he suddenly burst out in laughter.

"Don't underestimate me, Ra. It's not like you're the only one I'm hanging out with. I'm not like you. I'm not single."

"Ouch. Do you really need to point that out?"

"Oh. Sorry. Didn't mean to hurt you," he said sarcastically and laughed his ass out. Ugh. Annoying best friend, ever.

"Look. You don't have to worry about me. If you're going somewhere, just tell me. I just don't like the fact that I'm the last one to know."

I let out a deep sigh. He's got a point. "Okay. I'm sorry."

"We're good, don't worry. By the way, what time's your flight tomorrow? I can give you a ride."

"Nah. Trev insisted to drive me to the airport."

"Oh. So, can Madette and I tag along?"

Kusa akong napangiti nang malapad no'ng sabihin niya iyon. "Sure!"

Madette's one of our high school friends here in Belle Ville. Gonz and Madette ended up together and I didn't even know how. They weren't that close way back in high school. Gonz actually used to tease her a lot for being much of a studious person. She's really genius just like Trev. She's actually our valedictorian if I remember it right. I just can't remember anymore who ended up as the valedictorian. Basta, it's either Madette or Trev. Silang dalawa lang naman ang nagpapalitan ng ranking.

"Pagdadasal kita bago matulog," tumatawang sabi niya.

I rolled my eyes. "What for?"

"I'll pray for you to get yourself a boyfriend. Seriously, Ra. It's been a long time since you and Bell broke up. It's time for you to fall in love again."

Agad akong natahimik nang mabanggit niya ang pangalang iyon. Sobrang tagal ko nang hindi naririnig ang pangalan niya at kahit ano ay wala na akong balita sa kanya. Hindi na rin kasi siya nagpupunta sa De Grande para dalawin si Feem. Sa ibang lugar sila lagi nagkikita ni Feem. Hindi rin siya binabanggit sa 'kin ni Feem dahil alam niyang ayaw ko nang pag-usapan pa si Bell.

Napaisip tuloy ako.

Kumusta na kaya siya?

"Just call him already."

Napatingin ako kay Gonz nang sabihin niya 'yon. "Why would I? I'm not in love with him anymore."

"Really? I think he's the reason why you're still single."

"Hindi ah! Baliw ka ba? It's been years, Gonz. A lot of things can happen in a day. Of course, a lot of things can also change for years. And that includes my feelings for him."

His stare was to scrutinize me. I groaned in frustration. Bakit ba ayaw niyang maniwala?

"I just can't afford to enter a relationship right now. I still have dreams to pursue," I told him honestly.

***

THE moment I landed on Greece and got settled in Santorini Palace, a hotel located in Fira, I had decided to go out for a walk. Hindi pa naman ako tinatawagan ni Coach John kaya may oras pa ako para mag-ikot na muna.

All I can see around me are Greeks, Americans, and Asians. They are easy to identify kaya sila ang nangingibabaw sa paningin ko.

I encountered no chain supermarkets, dance clubs, or movie theaters. But in every street I encountered, it was full of family-owned restaurant that serves traditional Greek cuisine.

Nakaramdam tuloy ako ng gutom nang maamoy ko 'yong mga pagkain sa bawat nadadaanan kong restaurant. Tabi-tabi lang kasi talaga sila.

I went to Meraki for my first meal in Santorini and wasn't disappointed. I had the Sagankai for starter which was great.

I had a Cretan pasta and Cretan risotto. Pareho silang masarap! Naka-dalawang meal agad ako pero ayos lang. Nakakagutom kasi talaga kapag nasa harap mo na 'yong menu, what more kapag nasa harap mo na mismo 'yong pagkain.

To be honest, natutuwa ako sa lugar na 'to kasi ang bait talaga ng mga tao dito. Kahit 'di mo kilala, makikipagngitian sa 'yo at babatiin ka. Also, the Greek food is on point.

While I was eating, I checked my phone if there's a text or a call from Coach John but there's still none so I instantly smiled. I still have time to finish my food.

"Oh. F*ck."

Napalingon ako sa biglaang nagmura sa gilid ko at nakita ko 'yong lalaki na nabuhusan ng juice sa shorts niya. "You should've been more careful," he told the waiter, annoyance was obviously written on his face.

He has hazel eyes, and although he's on his seat, I can see how tall he was. He's not the muscular type of guy, but he's not also thin. His body was just perfect. His hair was all messy. Much like gray eyes, hazel eyes appeared to change color from green to light brown to gold, and it made him so attractive the first time I laid my eyes on him.

"Stop staring."

I automatically looked away when he caught me staring at him.

Gusto ko na lang magpakain sa lupa, buti na lang biglang nag-ring ang phone ko kaya sinagot ko agad ito.

"Hi, Coach John," bati ko agad kay Coach, kunwaring hindi ko narinig 'yong sinabi no'ng lalaking tinitingnan ko kanina.

"Hey there, Keen. We're here at Santorini Palace. You here already? Sorry I made you wait." He had an American accent.

"It's fine, Coach. I actually had fun walking around the streets. I'll meet you there."

"Alright. Thanks for saying that. I thought you'd hate waiting."

I chuckled, shaking my head as if he can see me right now. "It's fine. Really. Don't worry."

I ended the call and took my bag with me.

I was about to stand up, but I halted when the guy with the hazel eyes was now standing in front of me.

"What did you just say?" he said. His face was all curious and serious at the same time.

"Huh?" I asked, a little bit confused.

"The one you were talking over the phone. You called him Coach John."

Natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Pinapakinggan niya 'yong mga sinasabi ko kanina?

"So, what?" I asked, raising a brow at him. Hindi puwedeng siya lang ang masungit dito.

"Never mind. There's a lot of John in the world," bigla niyang sabi saka bumuntonghininga.

Nakonsensya tuloy ako kasi biglang nagbago ang timpla ng mukha niya. Kung kanina ay ubod ng sungit at nangingibabaw ang tapang sa mukha niya, ngayon ay parang biglang umamo ang mukha niya.

"He's John Miller," bigla kong sabi kaya agad siyang napatingin ulit sa 'kin. "Are you looking for him?"

Agad siyang tumango. "I'm Veneer Quein Miller."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang sabihin niya 'yon. "Oh my God. You're his son?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko.

"Yeah. But he doesn't know," tipid niyang sabi saka umiwas ulit ng tingin.

"I guess you're Asian. Are you from Philippines?" tanong niya sa 'kin kaya napangiwi ako.

"How did you know?"

"Instinct and familiarity."

Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kanya. Hindi pa rin nawawala ang pagtataka ko.

"I'm also a Filipino," he declared.

Halos malaglag ang panga ko. "I thought you're American."

"I am," sagot niya. "A Filipino American."

I didn't know what to say anymore. Thankfully, he saw it on my face.

"Can I come with you? I heard you're going to meet him," pagbabakasakali niya.

Nagdalawang isip pa ako no'ng una, pero no'ng maalala ko ang sinabi niya kanina tungkol kay Coach John, agad akong napatango.

"I'm Ramirrah Keen by the way. Call me Rara," I said, offering my hand to shake his.

He flashed me a small smile and accepted my hand. "Call me Quein."

Hindi na kami ulit nag-usap no'ng naglalakad na kami pabalik sa Santorini Palace. Hindi naman kasi kami close so hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong makipagkuwentuhan sa kanya. Isa pa, mukha siyang masungit at tahimik. Hindi ko mabasa ang ugali niya.

Pagkadating namin sa Santorini Palace, biglang huminto sa paglakad si Quein no'ng nasa lobby na kami.

I raised a brow at him.

Bakit siya biglang huminto?

"I don't think I can do this."

Napangiwi ako. "Are you sure? I thought you wanted to see him."

"Yes. But I'm not ready."

Blangko lang ang mukha niya. Hindi ko siya makitaan ng kaba o takot o tuwa. Ang hirap niyang basahin.

"Okay. But . . . if you ever change your mind, you can call me."

"Y-Yeah. Sure. Here," he said, handing me his phone. I entered my number and handed him back his phone. It's up to him if he's going to save my number or not.

"Thanks," he said before I went upstairs to change my clothes.

I'm wearing a red bodycon dress, paired by a red kitten heel sandals. I also put light make up on my face. To be honest, I feel weird everytime I wear an attire like this. I'm used to wearing athletic stuff.

Pagbaba ko sa lobby, napansin kong wala na si Quein. Iginala ko ang paningin ko pero hindi ko talaga siya makita.

Nasaan na kaya 'yon?

Sa bagay, baka umalis na.

I wanted to call him but I didn't have his number, kaya hinayaan ko na lang.

Pagdating ko sa pool area, iba't ibang lahi ang nakita kong nakasuot ng magagarbong dress. 'Yong iba naman, halos naka-bra lang tapos mahabang palda.

Hindi ko na gaanong tiningnan 'yong mga lalaki sa paligid ko kasi nahahagip sila ng gilid ng mga mata ko at alam kong nakatingin sila sa 'kin sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.

I'm well aware that all those people in here were all athletes from different countries. Katulad ko, they're also the selected players from their respective teams.

No'ng makita ko na si Coach John na umiinom ng wine sa gilid habang may kausap na lalaki, agad akong lumapit sa kanya.

Nang makita niya ako ay agad siyang nagpaalam saglit do'n sa kausap niya at bumaling sa 'kin.

"Gorgeous. Nice meeting you, Rara Keen," he said and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek.

Puti na ang buhok niya at medyo kulubot na rin ang balat niya. Sa tingin ko ay nasa 50 na ang edad niya.

"Out of all the athletes here, you're the most gorgeous one. No wonder why their eyes are all on you."

Agad akong nahiya nang sabihin niya 'yon. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit bigla akong nahiya, pero nasanay kasi ako kay Gonz na lagi lang akong nilalait.

"Thanks, Coach."

"Just call me John. My players usually call me that."

Ngumiti ako. "Sure."

Inalok niya ako ng wine at nagkuwentuhan kami saglit.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagpaalam na siya sa 'kin at pumunta sa gitna para kunin ang atensyon ng mga tao.

He had a little introduction and proceeded with the main purpose of this event.

"I invited you all here because you're one of the best players representing your countries. Tomorrow morning, I'll divide you into five teams and we'll have a match. The winning team will be the team that we'll be recruiting for AIIAS to compete with all the volleyball teams consisting of different nationalities per team. Meaning, your team won't be all American, it won't also be all Australian, and it won't also be all Asian. It will be mixed. That's all. Enjoy the rest of the night. We have a big day coming tomorrow. Thank you."

Napangiti ako. Isang karangalan ang maimbita sa ganitong event. Isa ito sa mga pangarap ko at hindi ko akalain na makakarating ako hanggang dito.

Nilaro ko ang wine na hawak ko saka ako napatingala sa langit.

I should be really happy right now, but why does it feel so empty?

_____

Tiana:

Two chapters to go before the Epilogue! ;)

Guys, btw, pipili ako ng 10 readers na may pinakamaganda/pinakameaningful post about Belle Ville Series sa facebook group natin. You can join our facebook group: TianaVianne's Readers and start posting. 'Yung 10 readers na mapipili ko, kayo ang bibigyan ko ng chance makapagtanong ng kahit na ano kay Bell, Rara and Gonz. You'll receive a message from me on facebook informing you if you're chosen and then you have to reply your question for Rara, Bell and Gonz. Rara, Bell and Gonz will answer your questions on the A/N before the Epilogue ;)