Softly, you whisper

Three

"Aw..." My sisters almost moaned in awe.

My thoughts got interrupted as I stared at the movie. It was a gift giving scene, where the man gave the leading girl a pair of tights...with a bumblebee design? She looked so happy.

"He remembered her favorite, Mom! What a lovely man!" Si Ate Suede iyon at halos maiyak.

I just chuckled at them and continued watching. I never knew it was such a sad but good movie. My sisters were crying about the ending and I was just staring as the credits rolled over.

"Next time huwag na nating papiliin si Zoe!" Ate Shil retorted as she grabbed the remote control from me.

"What?" I laughed. "Hey, it's my turn tonight, Ate!" Sinubukan kong abutin ang remote control but she stood up on the couch so I wouldn't get it.

"Ako na lang ang pipili. Baka mag-iyakan tayo buong gabi."

I had no choice but to let them choose what they want. We all opted for a comedy romance so it's a good watch.

"Oh, saan na naman ang punta ng goodie boy namin?" Vernon placed his wet arm on my shoulder. I was still wearing my jersey. Kumapit agad ang pawis niya sa aking balikat.

"Damn it, Vernon. You're so gross!"

"Gago pareho tayong naglaro ngayon. Walang nakakadiri rito. Mabango kaya pawis ko." Halakhak niya at mas idiniin ang braso sa aking balikat.

We both went inside the locker room. Si Kieran ay nandoon na at mukhang tapos ng maligo. His eyes narrowed down on me and Vernon.

"What's up with you, two?" he asked.

"Sama ka sa pub? Gusto kong makita 'yong crush ni Zoe." He chuckled.

"Hey!" suway ko.

Vernon removed his arm on me still cracking a chuckle. "What? You're always there after practice! Akala mo ba ay hindi namin alam? You're smitten goodie boy!"

"I'm no goodie boy." I rolled my eyes.

"But you're always there, huh? Bakit hindi mo itinatanggi?" He raised his eyebrows.

Kieran smirked when my eyes shifted on him. "What happened to 'I don't want to be in a relationship on my last year in high school?'" he mocked.

"Ganun pa rin."

"Sus," Vernon muttered with disagreement laced on his voice. "Maniwala ako sa'yo, Sweven Golveo."

"I don't like her," agad kong sinabi.

Nagtaas silang dalawa ng kilay sa akin. "May nagtatanong ba kung gusto mo siya?" Vernon chuckled. "Huli ka balbon!" Halakhak niya.

Before I could even utter something, he ran towards the bathroom hall. Napailing ako at ipinasok ang iilang gamit sa locker room.

"Don't listen to your cousin," sabi ko.

"Why are you in denial though?" Kieran chuckled. "There's nothing wrong with liking a girl and breaking your promise."

"A promise is a promise, Kie." I uttered. Kumuha ako ng tuwalya at isinabit sa balikat ko.

"You'll swallow it, Zoe. Promises are meant to be broken."

I just shook my head and entered the bathroom hall. Rinig ko ang pakanta-kanta ni Vernon habang nababasa ng tubig.

I settled on the last cubicle. Habang nagbababad sa tubig ay hindi ko maiwasang isipin ang ginawa ko sa buong linggo.

Vernon was right. I was ways there at the pub after practice. Dati-rati naman ay hindi ako lagi roon. I'd just go there when I'm not in the mood and will drink my favorite root beer. Even at the age of eighteen, I can still consider myself as a minor. Pinagbabawalan ako ni Mama na uminom ng alak o beer kaya hindi ako sumusubok. At least, not now.