Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Sketch

Sinundo ako ni Kuya at dinala sa campus nila. Bumalik siya sa gymnasium para ituloy ang laro. Sinundo n'ya lang talaga ako dahil ayaw n'yang naghihintay ako sa school nang mag-isa, at saka pagabi na rin kasi.

At dahil ayaw n'ya akong manood sa loob dahil wala akong kasamang babae, naiwan ako sa kotse n'ya, sa passenger's seat habang pinapanood sila mula sa nakabukas na double door ng gym. Hindi nakabukas ang bintana ng sasakyan dahil sa oras na ibaba ko, makikita nila ako kung titingin sila.

I've always wanted to go home right after school, but since I get to see Rejo play, I don't mind staying here for a couple of hours.

I think this is normal if you like someone. You compromise. You change your perspectives and break your comfort zone.

Kuya Mooze made sure I have snacks inside. Pinanood ko sila habang naglalaro.

Kuya Mooze is really a good player. Simula bata pa lang kasi ay ineensayo na siya mi Daddy. When we were younger, Mooze always plays with our cousins. Si Tiago ang lagi niyang kalaro noon. He also plays with the boys, pero madalas talagang si Tiago lang at ang kapitbahay. They're like twins. Nakakapagtaka nga kasi hindi naman sila magka-edad. Tiago is years older than him.

I focused on Rejo. His moves are smoothly sharp. Kahit hindi naririnig, alam kong maingay ang sapatos n'ya dahil makulit siya sa court. He could easily trick his opponents, and whenever he shoots the ball, it's always in. Maliban lang kung na di-distract.

Pinindot ko ang button at bumaba ang bintana ng sasakyan, kalahati lang. I'm chewing the mallows that my brother brought for me. Sumandal ako sa upuan habang pinapanood si Rejo. At dahil nakabukas ang bintana, dinig na dinig ko ang boses nila.

"Pass naman, Mooze! Greedy talaga neto," tawa ng isang player.

Tumawa lang si Kuya habang tumatakbo papunta sa kabilang court. Natawa rin si Rejo, alam ko namang kumislap na naman ang mga mata ko. I am not smiling. Relax ako ngayon, ineenjoy lang ang view.

My heartbeat is calm right now. Siguro dahil masarap ang hangin. I smirked a little when he scored three points. Tumatawa siyang naki high five kay Kuya, nagkakantsawan yata sila. Ginulo ni Rejo ang buhok n'ya at saka yumuko, hawak ang dalawang tuhod.

Napalunok ako nang dumiretso ang tingin n'ya sa akin. His intense eyes made my heart beat speed up, but my expression remained calm. I didn't tear my eyes off of him.

"Tangina, pagod na yata si Rejo! 'Di na nakatayo nang maayos!"

Or maybe he's busy watching me, too.

He stood straight. Kahit malayo, I saw how his tongue poked his inner cheek before he turned around to play again. Kalaro nila si Raiko, ang Kuya n'ya. Dati kasing player ng campus kaya anytime pwede siyang maglaro rito.

I know Rejo is good, but he's playing better right now. Humigop ako sa juice ko. Nagkatinginan kami pero saglit lang dahil pinasa sa kan'ya ang bola. He stepped back, jumped, then shoot the ball. He used his fingers to gesture 3 points. Nag high five ulit sila ni Kuya habang humahalakhak.

"Yabang. Pakitang gilas," his brother said and eyed me.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Oh, c'mon! Mas lalo lang lumama ang pagiging assumera ko.

They continued playing. Tuwing nakaka-shoot si Rejo ay tumitingin sa akin. Bulag yata si Kuya Mooze, hindi ako napapansin. Buti naman.

When their game was over, I closed the window. I watched him remove his jersey shirt to wear a new printed black shirt. Kahit saglit lang ay nakita ko ang abs niya. Hindi naman big deal sa akin kasi nakikita ko na 'yan noon pa.