TRIGGER WARNING! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Her stalker was becoming bolder and it was scaring her. He has been appearing everywhere she was - malls, parks, restaurant - literally everywhere. The only place he hasn't had the guts to go to was the gym where they practice at. Maybe he wasn't ready to face the glare of everyone of her teammates and coaching staff.
Yesterday, Xian was waiting on the lobby of her condo so Ara who was only supposed to get something back from her ended up staying overnight. She really hoped Bea didn't think anything about it during her surprise visit. She didn't want the scene to reach Alyssa and for Alyssa to think that she was already moving on because she wasn't.
She really wasn't.
No matter how hard she tried to forget the feelings she had for Alyssa, it just didn't go away. She tried going to a bar with Ara and Kim to see if she can at least be attracted to anyone but that didn't work out too well. She ended up disliking everyone who tried to flirt with her just because they didn't have dimples below their eyes or they weren't tanned or they didn't have a beautiful smile. That was a total waste of time.
She tried overworking herself in the gym or in practices but she was only scolded because it was risky for athletes. She didn't want to have a bad game or end up not playing because she liked to think Alyssa still watches her games from time to time.
It didn't seem like she had any other choice so she chose to accept that there was no moving on from Alyssa.
"Daks, magagalit ka ba kung ikaw na lang magugustuhan ko?" She asked Ara the next morning as they ate breakfast.
Ara's spoon stopped midway to her mouth and her best friend gave her an incredulous look. Giving her a raised brow, Ara put down her spoon and focused on her completely.
"Naturally or pilit?"
"Either?" She asked, still playing with the food on her plate.
The thought was something so random but seemed logical. Given that she and Ara were each other's back up plan, why not try to actually like each other before 40.
"Kung gradual mo akong magugustuhan or isang araw magising ka na lang na in love na in love ka na pala sakin kasi, let's face it, ka-in love in love talaga ako," she rolled her eyes so hard she could almost see the back of her head at that. But Ara just continued. "Hindi ako magagalit. Medyo expected naman kasi."
"Wow!" She was ready to burst Ara's baloon. The girl was way too full of herself. "Ibang-"
"Ops! Wag epal. Bawal violent reaction," Ara stopped her with a grin. "And back to the topic. Kung pipilitin mo lang na magustuhan ako para makamove on, oo, magagalit ako."
All the nasty retort she had for Ara disappeared. She looked at Ara seriously and sighed. Of course, she would be mad. She was practically suggesting using Ara as replacement.
"Daks, isipin mo naman? Sa gandang-gwapo kong 'to, panakip butas lang? Nasaan ang hustisya?"
Ara was very expressive in saying those that she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Gandang-gwapo pero walang girlfriend? Anyare?" She teased back, the weight of the initial part of the conversation lifted.
Ara suddenly turned serious.
"Hindi ako makaporma, eh. 'Yung gusto ko kasi, in love pa sa iba," Ara answered.
She frowned at Ara's answer. She didn't know Ara liked someone.
"Sino ba 'yan? Kailangan mo tulong?" She asked, suddenly concerned for her best friend.
"Bigyan pa kita isang clue. Best friend lang tingin niya sakin."
