Breaking Ice

Breaking Part: Twenty

"Take these chances to turn it around."

TWENTY

    Humigpit ang hawak ni Ice sa file folder. They were all waiting for her to talk, waiting for an answer, an explanation. But she couldn't talk.

She can't even open her mouth.

How is she going to start this?

How is she going to explain to Dos and Uno why Cast is here in her house, wearing a white shirt and basketball short at mukhang bagong gising lang?

Anxious thoughts filled her head. The mere thought that weren't in good terms had her nerves shaking. Lalo na't ang DMU pa ang nanalo ngayong season. What the two Romeros felt after still weren't clear to her. At hindi niya din alam kung ano ang tunay na tingin ni Cast sa rival nitong players.

Malay ba niya kung anong nangyayari off court. Malay ba niya kung ano ang tingin talaga nila sa isa't isa pag walang naka tutok na camera.

Syempre after DMU's win hindi smooth sail ang nangyari sa fans ng both teams. Of course there's fan wars kahit na alam ng lahat na it was a clean win. Bitter ang ibang fans ng SAU since the crown has been in SAU's turf for three years tapos naagaw na naman ng DMU.

"So this is why she's on the other side," Dos let out a dry laugh, his eyes darting to Ice then to Cast. "Ikaw ang nag bigay sa kanya ng ticket?"

Cast lazily took a sip of his water again. "It was Stellar actually."

"Altamirano's sister?"

"Yes."

Ice can feel Uno's eyes on her... burning her. As if he's willing her to explain everything to him and him alone.

But out of the three, si Dos itong mukhang nasaktan. He looks so betrayed.

Ice's heart pounded. She sent a silent plea to Cast, hoping he can understand.

When he lowered his glass and a small smile played on his lips, Ice knew he got it.

He nods for her to come down. Nilahad pa nito ang kamay para kuhanin ang dala niyang folder.

"I'll handle this," Cast gave her an assuring smile. "Sa kitchen ka muna. Sige na."

Ginawa niya kung ano ang sinabi nito dahil hindi niya na magawang tignan pa ang dalawang Romero sa mata.

Alam niya ding nakatingin ang lahat sa kanya habang naglalakad siya palayo.

Ice stop mid step when she realizes... she's walking away again. Iiwas na naman ba siya sa problema niya.

Eto na naman ba?

Bumalik si Ice pero hanggang pinto lang siya. Alam niyang may gagawin si Cast. He pushed her away because he doesn't want her to see it.

He's not that hard to figure out but still, he's one of the most unpredictable people she knows. Alam niya na ang gagawin nito ay para sa kanya because she asked for his help.

"Look, Ice doesn't need this right now." Panimula nito. "And I'm not up for confrontations either kasi halata namang kakagising ko lang at kulang pa ako sa tulog."

"So it's better if we leave?" was Uno's snarky answer.

"Wala naman akong sinabi pero mas better nga 'yon."

"Still sarcastic as ever, Elizeo."

Nanlamig si Ice nang marinig niya ang sinabi ni Uno.

Alam niya sa dalawang Romero, si Dos ang pala salita. That's why he's got the spotlight on him everytime. He's more out going and open habang si Uno itong closed off at hindi mo ma tantya ang mood palagi.