What Destiny Lies for Us (Esperanza Series #1)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17
Eighteen
raeminiscence | #WDLFUwp

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"I didn't accept the scholarship, Chai."

"H-Huh?"

Napalingon ako sa kanya kasi bigla niyang iungkat sa kalagitnaan ng pag-uusap namin. Bakit hindi niya tinanggap? Nakapagdesisyon na agad siya? May ilang araw pa bago ang enrollment namin.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Let those who need it more have it."

Basketball didn't inspire Maddox anymore? I wasn't ready to hear the confirmation spill from his lips. I couldn't carry the hard truth at this moment. Sa kanya na mismo nanggaling; this sport was his redemption arc—from being this lanky elementary student who was believed by no one to the college freshman that was recognized by many talents. Nandito na siya e pero 'yun na 'yun? Wala na agad lahat nang 'yun?

"You don't want it anymore?"

He paused then stared at the ground, contemplating. His mouth agape, as if he already knew the answer but was hesitating to let it out. I wished he hesitated more, then we'd be unready together.

"Hindi kasi porket magaling ka sa isang bagay, kailangan mo nang gawing career e." He faced me with hopeful eyes. "'Di ba, Chai?"

I muttered, "Oo..."

"Iba 'yung fulfillment ko sa pagbabanda. Alam ko 'yun. Dito ko na ibubuhos lahat ng oras ko. Magiging masaya ako dito."

Desidido na siya. Sino ba naman ako para pigilan siya sa gusto niyang gawin, sa bagay na alam niyang ikasasaya niya? It wasn't like he was heading in the wrong direction, he just took another route. Perhaps I was the unready one here between us. I shouldn't define him merely by the sport he grew up with. He was growing and expanding his dreams; I should be happy for him, right?

"Malapit na 'yung birthday mo, Chai!" Maddox announced in surprise, looking at the calendar on his phone.

"Oo nga..."

"Magpapa-party ka?"

I sighed. "You know I don't make a big deal out of birthdays. It's just like any other day. I didn't celebrate mine last year. You were there."

Humarap siya sa'kin. "Kaya 'di ka na mag-de-debut?"

"Tsaka wala nang oras para makapaghanda pa. The preparation takes months tapos next month na 'yung birthday ko."

"E... Parang gusto mo e." Nilapit niya ang mukha niya sa'kin. "Gusto mo ba, Chai?"

"Okay lang... kaso baka bitin na sa oras e."

Kahit na ayaw ko, hindi naman masama kung magkakaroon nga ako ng debut. Graduate na kami ng senior high kaya baka ito na 'yung huling pagkakataon na makasama ko ang mga ka-batch ko. Hindi ko man sila naging close lahat, may mga naging malapit din naman sa'kin sa kanila kahit bilang lang sila.

"Kaya nating gawan 'yan ng paraan! Tutulungan kita!"

I smiled. "Is it okay if I don't want something grand?"

"Onaman. Bakit naman hindi e debut mo naman 'yun? Kung anong gusto mo, 'yun dapat ang masunod, 'di ba?"

Nagsimula na kaming dalawa ni Maddox sa pagplano. Tinipa niya sa notes ng phone niya 'yung mga detalyeng napag-usapan namin. Paulit-ulit kong ni-remind sa kanya na baka hindi 'yun matuloy dahil kailangan ko pang kausapin si Papa rito. Okay lang daw, kung hindi naman daw matuloy, e 'di nagkaroon kami ng ideya sa kung paano gaganapin 'yung debut. Kumbaga, at least sa imagination namin nagkatotoo.