Persia's Prayer

chapter two

"That was intense. Ikaw ba talaga 'yon?" Emily approached me after the game. Nagsisimula na kaming mag-empake dahil practice na ng basketball practice. Nakaupo lamang ako sa may bench at saka umiinom ng tubig.

"I just did that to get Alastair's attention. Then, voila! I got Alastair's attention. He looked at me," mayabang kong tugon kay Emily. Kaagad namang namula si Emily.

"Maharot ka, ang lakas ng loob mo!" hindi makapaniwala niyang tugon. "Paanong tingin ba ang ginawa sa'yo?" kinikilig niyang tugon.

"'Yung tingin ba na hinuhubaran ako," natatawa kong biro. Mas lalo siyang namula at saka hinampas ako sa braso.

"Kyaaah! Napaka mo! Hindi ko inakala na ganyan ka ka-obvious!" tawang tawa niyang tugon.

"Duh, he just looked. There's no meaning behind that."

"Pero kahit na, ang lucky mo. Ano kayang feeling kapag tinitigan niya ako," nangangarap niyang tugon.

Naputol lang ang usapan namin nang dumating si Celestine. Taas noo itong nakatitig sa amin ni Emily at ipinaparating na minamaliit kami.

"What a stupid trick," iritado niyang pasaring bago kinuha ang gamit at saka ako tinalikuran. Hindi ko naman pinansin dahil ayokong magsimula ng gulo.

"Paano ba 'yan inis na sa atin ang team captain.." Emily said.

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi ni Emily. Hinanap ko si Alastair at nakita kong kausap ng ka-teammate nito. He was still expressionless. What do I expect from him? It's not like magkakagusto siya sa akin sa unang tingin. That's why I have to earn that spot. I have to make him like me.

"By the way, don't even think of stalking or courting him. It doesn't work that way," paalala ni Emily sa akin.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Huh? Why is that?"

"I just heard from girls near the restroom on the gym. Nagtangkang ligawan si Alastair. And it ended so bad. I dunno what really happened but don't try it. Baka umuwi kang luhaan," she replied.

"But giving up isn't in my vocabulary, Emily. Alam mo iyan. You will never know unless you try."

"That's why I'm telling this to you. That doesn't apply on this situation. Baka mas lalo ka lang niyang hindi magustuhan. Some boys think it as a total turn off."

"That's why I have to try it. If i-turn down niya ako, I can try until he give up on rejecting me. Kesa naman, magregret ako na hindi ako nagtry.."

"But is that okay? That's not your thing.." she hesitantly answered.

Naisip ko din naman iyon. Ayokong gawin ang mga bagay na iyon. But this is really exciting for me. Pakiramdam ko ay buhay na buhay ang dugo ko sa iniisip. Me courting Alastair is a major achievement. I'm expecting him to reject me but I won't give up that easy.

"Getting out of my comfort zone.." I packed up my bag at saka tumayo. "Alastair isn't the type to make a first move. Kung hindi siya ang gagalaw, then I'll take the first step. And that is to claim him.."

Lumipas ang mga araw at nagpatuloy lamang ako sa paghahanap ng impormasyon sa kanya. Minsan ay sinusundan ko siya sa pag-uwi pero dahil sa kilalang subdivision ang bahay niya at kilalang tao lang ang nakakapasok, nanatiling lihim ang address niya. Aside from school and basketball, umuuwi din kaagad siya ng bahay.

I found his favorite food. Strawberries. He love strawberries. Nakikita ko siyang kumakain ng lollipop during breaks. He also like to order strawberry shortcake kapag nasa cafeteria. I also happen to see him drink a pink smoothie which I though is strawberry. Kaya naman maaga akong gumising ngayong umaga para magbake ng strawberry shortcake.