Torn in Two (Elite Girls 2)

Chapter 35 - Troubled

"Bakit hindi ka naligo?" I asked.

"Sa bahay na. Let's go?"

I just nodded and naturally allowed him to take my hand. Sobrang at home na kami sa bahay ng isa't-isa kaya balewala na sa akin kung sa bahay siya makikiligo. Palagi naman siyang may dalang damit sa kotse niya.

Good mood si Dash habang naglalakad kami papunta sa parking lot. He's telling me something about soccer that I can't quite understand but it's making me smile since he seems so excited about it.

"Wait, ano ulet? Sino?" tanong ko nang hindi na talaga ako maka-catch up. I always try my best to aware of his sports side. Gusto ko kahit hindi ako super fan ng soccer ay nagagawa pa rin naming mapagusapan iyon. His world revolves around it so I want to be in it too.

"Kanina, habang nagpa-practice kami, bigla na lang ako tinawag ni Coach. Then he introduced me to some people wearing suit and ties. I thought they were new sponsors for the team but I was surprised when they told me they're from the country's federation for football players."

"Oh... What do they want from you?"

"They want me to to join the national team." Sobra ang ngisi niya nang sinabi niya iyon. I could see his eyes sparkling from happiness. "They said they've been watching me for the past few years and they've seen how I played. They were so impressed by my skills so they make a special trip here to personally invite me."

Napanganga ako sa gulat. "Dash, that's great! Wow! So did you accept it?"

Tumango siya. "Pagiisipan ko pa sana at hihingi pa sana ako ng permiso sa'yo pero naunahan ako ng saya kaya um-oo na ako agad-agad."

"You don't need my permission! You know I won't stop you from reaching your dreams ever! My life, sobrang natutuwa ako para sa'yo! Ang galing galing mo! Congrats! Deserve mo 'yan!" Niyakap ko siya at sinuklian naman niya ako nang halik sa pisngi.

"Thank you, my life. Hindi pa rin nga ako makapaniwala," natatawang sambit niya.

Alam ko kung gaano kamahal ni Dashiell ang soccer. It's one of the joys in his life. Honestly, I'm not that surprised this happened to him since I knew how good he is at what he does. Kaya nga siya naging captain ng Larkyn Bear ay dahil may talent talaga siya sa paglalaro. He's gifted.

"We should celebrate and eat something delicious!" I happily suggested.

"Ah, so ikaw ang kakainin?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad kong nilingon ang paligid sa takot na may makarinig sa kanya. Nakahinga naman din ako ng maluwag ng mapansing walang ibang tao dito sa parking lot.

When I looked at Dash, he burst out laughing. "Joke lang! HAHAHA!"

Hinampas ko nga ang braso niya upang magtigil siya. "Ang salbahe mo. Hay nako!"

I could feel my cheeks burning from his sudden dirty joke. He wasn't even flirting so I didn't see that one coming.

"Sorry na, hahaha." Hinawakan niya ang parehong kamay ko at tinitigan ako. "Pero masaya ako. Sobra."

"Bakit naman?"

"You're back to being my Iris." He smiled.

Nagulat ako doon. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"You were just so distant lately..."

"Palagi naman tayo magkasama ah."

"No. Not physically. Just the overall you. Parang ang lamim lamim lagi ng iniisip mo. Tuwing tinatanong naman kita, sinasabi mo wala lang."