SHAWN AXCEL'S POV
"Break time muna tayo. Nakakapagod naman mag-five rounds ng walang pahinga."
Hinagis ko ang bola papasok sa ring at saka kinuha ni Mark para ilagay sa lalagyan. I sat on the bleachers and get my tumbler beside me. Naubos ko ang lahat ng laman pero hindi pa rin ako kuntento at nauuhaw pa ako. Damn it. We've been practicing basketball since we arrived here in the University. Hindi nga kami pinapasok ni Mr. Rivera kahit isang subject man lang. Haist.
"Coach, pwede ba kaming bumisita muna sa auditorium para panoorin 'yong mga nagpa-practice?" biglang tanong ni Jake kay coach.
He raised his brow while looking at him."And why? Makikita niyo pa rin naman ang performance nila sa Sabado. Besides, we're not yet done."
"Iniisip lang po nila ang kapakanan ni kuya. Maybe they thought that he misses ate Zeriel and they asked for your permission for him to see her," dire-diretsong sambit ni Akken na ikinatigil ko sa pagpupunas ng pawis.
Anak ng talong! Ba't ako na naman?!
"Ano? Wala naman akong sinabing ganyan, ah! Dinuduga niyo na naman ako." I put down my towel and faced them.
They all burst out of laughing, making me pissed. Ayan na naman sila! They didn't stop teasing me since they caught me staring at her lately.
"Aminin mo na kase, may gusto ka sa model na 'yon. She's so pretty gorge---"
"Gago! Ang sama nga ng ugali no'n. Seems like I can't breathe whenever I'm with her." I cut off Mark's words.
Palibhasa kase hindi pa sila kinakausap ni Zeriel. I even swallowed my pride just to talk to her in a nice way but it didn't work out. Kapag maldita kase, maldita talaga.
"Pero baka matulungan ka ni coach. 'Di ba pamangkin mo po 'yon? Palakad daw po si Shael kay Miss Model." Tumawa pa si Clarence at hinampas pa ang likod ko.
I just rolled my eyes on them."Takte! Kayo na lang, ulol! Ayoko do'n. I have many girls out there and I don't have a plan to make her as one of them. Mahirap siyang pakisamahan."
After the 15 minutes break, we continued playing and this time with techniques. Kailangan kase talaga 'to para manalo kami sa laro. We don't know our opponents. They might cheat on the game without anyone noticing it. Mas mabuti na ang sigurado kaysa wala kaming panangga 'di ba?
"Eto ang dapat niyong tandaan. While playing the game, be sure to observe the actions of your opponent. Hindi sila dapat mawala sa paningin niyo kundi mawawala sa inyo ang bola. It's like you're protecting your base which is the ball. If your opponent stole it from you, then you don't have the power. Kung gusto niyo pa ng ibang example, pwede namang 'yong girlfriend niyo na lang. Gusto niyo bang ipahiram sa iba ang girlfriend niyo? Hindi 'di ba? So think of it." Pabalik-balik lang sa paglalakad si coach habang nage-explain sa'min.
How could I relate on it?! I don't have any serious girlfriend. At isa pa, marami kaya sila tapos pinaglalaruan ko lang din. Aish. Sa dinami-daming example, ba't ba kase 'yan pa.
"Yan ka na naman coach, eh! Don't talk about girlfriends, we can't relate on it. Palagi na lang si Shael ang pinapatamaan niyo." Napakamot si Jake sa ulo niya na ikinatawa naman nila.
Abat! Ginagago ba nila ako?!
"Tang'na naman! Why are you guys always hunting me?!" inis kong tanong at pinatalbog ang bola sa gilid ko.
"Kase ikaw lang naman ang source ng mga babae. Palagi ka kayang may reserba," sagot pa ni Mark at saka ako tinawanan.
"Isa pa, si Daron lang naman ang may girlfriend dito coach. Nananadya ka ata eh!" singit pa ni Mark.
I ate lunch with my brothers because we separated from our teammates. Sa cafe lang kami kumain dahil marami-rami ang tao sa cafeteria kapag lunch break. We just have one hour freedom and after that we're going back to our training. Hindi namin dapat sayangin ang oras na meron kami lalo na't nalalapit na ang contest. We should win this.
"Oh? Ba't ganyan ang mukha mo kuya? Is there any problem?" biglang tanong ni Cohen kay kuya.
His brows frowned, still typing on his phone."Katria's not replying on my messages. She's also out of reach."
"Baka naman busy lang kuya o kumakain. It's lunch time already, just gave her some time." Raizer took a bite on his pepperoni pizza.
Kuya just let out a sigh and played his food on the plate."Hmmm, maybe. Nawalan nga lang ako ng ganang kumain. She's the only one who lightens up my mood."
Bigla naman akong naubo sa iniinom kong shake kaya napahampas ako sa dibdib ko."Kuya naman! Respeto naman sa'ming mga single. Aish. I haven't heard you saying like that and it sucks."
"Hindi ka kaya single kuya! You have a lot of girls but it's just that you're not stick to one," pagtukoy pa sa'kin ni Akken.
"Wait nga lang! Tingnan niyo sa bandang do'n oh! Is that Katria and Zeriel? Are they eating together?" May tinuro si Cohen kaya napatigil kami sa pagkain at tumingin sa tinuturo niya.
My brows furrowed while looking at the both of them. Bakit sila magkasama? I didn't remember that they had a good communication towards each other. An extraordinary and a maldita? Nah. I don't think if they will be friends in that state.
"Ate Katria has it all so there's no way they couldn't be friends," komento pa ni Raizer.
Pinagmamasdan ko lang silang dalawa na mukhang nagkakapikonan base sa reaksyon nila. They're both facing here so they could see us anytime. Hindi naman ako nagkamali dahil nang mapatingin si Kat sa'min ay kinawayan niya kami at ngumiti pa. Zeriel noticed her that was looking on us so she couldn't help but to turn her gaze on us. When her eyes landed on mine, I expected her to roll her eyes like she saw the ugliest guy on earth. Antokwa!
"Ano bang problema niya?! Para namang ang laki ng kasalanan ko sa kanya," bulong ko at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain.
Nang matapos kaming kumain ay nagkahiwalay muna kami saglit ng mga kapatid ko dahil may iba't ibang pupuntahan. My phone suddenly vibrated so I get it from my pocket and read the text. Si mom?
From: MommyEli
Can you bring Zeriel to the mansion for dinner? Ask her, we're going to talk about the endorsing thingy. Please, nak?
To: Shawnyy
Pinaikot-ikot ko ang phone ko gawa ng kaba. Our schedules are both fully occupied so I don't really know if she'll agree or not. Besides, it's mom who ask me this and I couldn't disagree to her. Minsan lang humiling sa'kin si mommy kaya pagbibigyan ko na lang siya. Langya! Sermon na naman ang aabutin ko kay Zeriel neto.
"Kat! Where's Zeriel?" tanong ko nang makapasok ako sa auditorium.
Nginisihan niya naman ako saka tinuro ang stage kung saan siya nagtuturo."She looks so stressed. Mainit ang ulo niya kase matitigas daw ang ulo ng mga trainees. Alam kong sasabog na 'yan kapag nakita ka niya ulit. She's allergic on your presence."
Napalunok ako ng paulit-ulit bago naglakad papunta sa kinaroroonan niya. Shet lang! Katria's making me nervous.
"How many times do I have to tell you?! Walk softly and don't run. Kailan pa kayo nakakita ng rumarampa tapos tumakbo, ha?! You guys were so ridiculous!" Hinampas ni Zeriel ng stick ang stage na gumawa ng malakas na ingay.
Ngayon pa lang parang gusto ko nang tumakbo at maihi sa takot. Putek!
"Uhm...Excuse me, Zeriel. Can I have a little conversation with you?"
She looked at me angrily that made me struck."You again?! Can't you see that I'm busy lecturing this hard-headed trainees?! Ang titigas ng ulo nila kagaya mo!"
W-What?! Bakit naman ako nasama sa kanila?!
"Ay gagi! I just want to talk to you for a minute but you shouted at me right away. Chill ka lang kahit saglit, pwede ba?!" I raised my both hands, surrendering.
She pointed the stick on my face, looking so strict."If your intention wasn't valid, I'm going to kick your balls rapidly. Follow me!"
I was like a puppy that aims to follow my master. When we reached at the back stage, she immediately turned around to face me that made me step backwards. Grabe! Kapag hindi pa ako nakaatras, baka nahalikan ko na siya.
"Mom invited you to eat dinner in our mansion," diretso kong sambit sa kanya.
Her brows furrowed and hit the floor with the stick."Ginagago mo ba ako, babaero?! If it's one of your pranks, I don't have time for that. Masyadong mahal ang oras ko---"
"It's her text a while ago. Naniniwala ka na ba?!" Pinakita ko sa kanya ang text ni mommy at sumeryoso para kunwari hindi ako nagbibiro.
Hinampas niya ako bigla ng stick na hawak niya kaya napatalon ako."It's your fucking picture, you jerk!"
Nanlaki ang mata ko at tiningnan ang phone ko. I bit my lower lip when I realized that it was my picture on the beach, not wearing something on top. Tangek! Anong kahihiyan ang ginagawa ko?!
"P-Pasensya na, hindi ko alam."
She didn't argued with me again and agreed to my mother's invitation. Kilala niya raw kase ang mommy ko dahil minsan na itong naging ka-sosyo ng mommy niya. But it won't change the fact that she still considered me as her enemy.
Bumalik ulit ako sa covered court 5 minutes before our training. Baka mapag-initan na naman nila ako kesyo saan daw ako nagpunta. They will always think that I visited Zeriel or something that involves her. Totoo naman na sa kanya ako galing, ang akin lang ayoko ng issue.
"Kung sino ang may hawak ng bola ay siya ang dapat protektahan laban sa kalaban. If you're want to win the game, then go for it. Do your best," paalala na naman sa'min ni coach.
Every two hours, we're going to have a short break then back to game. 'Yon lang ang palagi naming ginagawa, routine na namin kumbaga. We need to practice hard for us to have the bigger chance to get the crown.
"Gago! Maraming babae ang nagsisidatingan dito. Mukhang si Shael ata ang hinahanap." Dumating si Clarence na galing sa labas at humahangos pa. He bought mineral water for us since it's our last break before the last training.
"Lock the doors. We shouldn't get distracted by the girls because we're still in the middle of training. Hindi kayo makakapag-concentrate," utos ni coach na kumuha ng tubig sa dala niya.
Tumakbo si Mark para isarado ang mga bintana habang si Jake naman ay sinarado ang magkabilang pinto. We even heard the loud shouts of my name and screaming to enter the court. They turned on the lights since we couldn't see each other because of darkness. Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo ko habang pinupunasan ang pawis ko. I hope that they won't blame me for this.
We ended up at 5:30 and so with the trainees in the auditorium. 'Yon kase ang patakaran ni Mr. Rivera na kung kailan kami matatapos ay gano'n din sila. Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, mukhang wala namang sinusunod si Zeriel eh. She can do everything whatever she wants. No one could stop her and that's for sure.
"Hindi pa pinapakawalan ni Zeriel ang trainees. Tsk, that brat!" rinig kong bulong ni coach at naglakad patungo sa ibang direksyon. Wala naman kaming magawa kundi sumunod na lang sa kanya.
"Contestant no. 5 versus Contestant no. 10, enter!" We heard Zeriel's voice inside so we hurriedly enter the auditorium.
Nakita namin 'yong dalawang contestant sa stage na naglalabanan ng titig sa isa't isa kapag nagkakasalubong sila. Seems like they were asked to act like they were opponents. Maybe to boost their confidence in order to be tough whenever they're already in the contest. She's really a great mentor, isn't she?
"Hmmm, it's good. Hope you won't forget what I taught you. Ayokong magturo ng paulit-ulit, nakakapagod." Tumayo siya mula sa upuan at lumapit sa kanila.
"Nagawa po ba namin? Okay na po ba?" tanong no'ng isa sa mga tinuturuan niya.
"Nakuha niyo naman ang sinabi ko pero kailangan niyo pa rin ng ensayo. You can't get the right way in just a short period of time. May mga kulang pa rin pero babalikan natin 'yan bukas. For now, you can go home." She gestured them to fix their selves and turn her back on them.
"Paano ba naman nila hindi makukuha kung minu-minuto galit ka?! You always scold them whenever they did a little mistake. Para ka namang ewan!" sermon naman ni Katria sa kanya habang naka-cross arms siya.
"Zeriel! It's already late, don't you have a plan to go home? Nag-aalala na si tita sa'yo, ilang araw ka nang hindi umuuwi." Someone suddenly emerged on our back and I bet it's her cousin, Alina.
Napadako ang tingin ng lahat sa'min, simula sa trainees, kay Zeriel, at kay Katria. Kinuha ni Zeriel ang bag niya sa inuupuan niya kanina at lumapit sa'min. She looked at me from head to toe and winced. Pagak naman akong natawa sa ginawa niya at dinilaan ang labi ko. Nakakailan na siya ah!
Mamaya ka talaga sa'king babae ka!
ZEKIAH XYRIEL'S POV
"Tell her I'm busy, Ali. I have so many works to do, she could still breathe without me."
Nilagpasan ko silang lahat at saka lumabas ng tuluyan sa auditorium. They're supposed to go home right now but why are they here?! Nakiki-tsismis?! Tsk.
"Your mouth, Zeriel. It's your mom that we're talking to and not an ordinary person," pangangaral pa sa'kin ni uncle.
I suddenly stopped walking, still turning back on them."Whatever you say, I still don't want to talk about it. Aalis na ako."
"But Zeri---"
"I'm tired, Alina. Umuwi ka na lang muna, sa condo muna ako tutuloy." I cut off her words and throwed my bag inside my car.
When the basketball players left and so with uncle and Alina, I immediately faced Shael. Isa pa 'to eh!
Kanina pa ako naiinis pa pagmumukha niyang palagi ko na lang nakikita. Kulang na lang pati sa panaginip ko nando'n rin siya. Argh.
"Uuwi na ba ako after dinner?" tanong ko sa kanya habang nakataas ang isa kong kilay.
He smirked, probably teasing me."Ikaw ang bahala. You're welcome in our mansion anytime. Pwede ka rin namang matulog do---"
Dahil sa inis ko ay tinapakan ko ang paa niya sa sobrang gigil kong saktan siya. He's getting off my nerves! Saktong-sakto pa at nakasuot ako ng heels kaya damang-dama niya ang sakit. An asshole like him deserves it.
"Hala! Mukhang masakit 'yon kuya ah. Okay ka lang?" His brother, Akken asked him.
"Tang'na! You're a soon to be doctor right? Malamang sobrang sakit, diniin kaya ng malditang 'yan!" Turo niya pa sa'kin na ikinairap ko lang.
"Nice! Inimbitahan ka pala ni Tita sa mansion. Mukhang mas mapapahaba ang pagsasama natin, ah." That Katria interrupted with her devilish smile.
"Stop it. You're so annoying Katria." Binuksan ko ang pinto ng kotse ko at saka pumasok.
I was about to start the engine of my car when Shael suddenly knocked on the window."Sumunod ka na lang sa kotse kong pula. Don't take off your eyes on my car so that you won't be lost. Hindi naman ako mabilis magpatakbo kaya alam kong makakasunod ka lang.
I didn't talk back even though I had GPS on my car. Mapapahaba lang ang usapan at mas mabuting sumunod na nga lang ako sa kanya. In fact, it's impossible for me to get lost because I'm following three cars and it was all his brothers. Malabo nga.
"I'm going to be your tour guide for now. Kahit kyut ako magbababa na lang ako ng pride para sa'yo." She clings her arms on mine like we were best friends even if we're not.
"Let go of me. Hindi pa ba sapat sa'yo na buntot ka nang buntot sa'kin buong araw?! And stop smiling, you look so weird." Pinilit kong tanggalin ang kamay niya sa braso ko pero sinamaan niya lang ako ng tingin.
Ugh. Why are they so hard to be with?!
"Oh, hi! I'm glad that you're here, Ms. Knoxville. Mabuti at tinanggap mo ang imbitasyon ko. I'm Mrs. Elizabeth Helveryst." A woman came out from the room and I think she's on the mid 30's.
I felt uncomfortable when they all turned their gaze on me so I just gave her a light smile."My pleasure, Mrs. Helveryst. Are we going to talk about the endorsing of products for your marketing project?"
She came closer to me that's why Katria let go of my arms."Hmm, if you'll agree. Will you mind if we seat first?"
"Magtitimpla lang po ako ng juice, Tita." Dumeretso si Katria sa kusina ay sumunod naman sa kanya si Daron.
"Of course, madam. I already agreed on it but I haven't talked with my manager yet. Papayag naman siguro 'yon kaya 'wag po kayong mag-alala." I sat properly on the sofa ang roam mg eyes around.
"As far as I know, it's just 5 products that we're re going to used for the marketing project. Hindi naman siguro 'yon matatagalan kaya makakapagpahinga ka pa," nakangiti niyang sambit.
"Okay, po. By the way, what's the exact time for it? I have to attend a contest in the morning and afternoon so I'm just free by the evening. Hindi na po pwedeng ipagpabukas pa dahil may photoshoots na naman ako sa Sunday," paliwanag ko pa.
Nilagay niya ang hintuturo sa pang-ibabang labi niya na parang nag-iisip."Okay, I got it. Ikaw na ang bahala tutal ikaw naman ang mage-endorse. Just inform Shael about it."
"Mom, 'yong allowance ko po paubos na. Kailan ko ba matatanggap ang next allowance ko?" biglang sulpot ni Shael sa gilid ko.
I looked at him annoyingly."Can't you just set it aside for a minute?! Hindi mo ba nakita na nag-uusap pa kami ng mommy mo?! So rude!"
"Alam mo kanina ka pa, ah! Napapansin ko na padalas nang padalas ang pagkainis mo sa'kin. I didn't even do anything wrong!" He sounded mad and his brows were frowned.
His mom chucked like she saw a very interesting scene."She's right, son. You can call your dad if you want. May pinag-uusapan pa kami ng kaibigan mo."
"Uh...Sorry to say Mrs. Helveryst but he's not my friend and I'm not his friend. We're enemies po. I don't like mingling with others especially guys." Tiningnan ko siya na para bang pinandididrian ko siya na ikinanganga niya naman.
"Ikaw alam mo, sumusobra ka na. You're below the be---"
"Dude, tara na. Usapang babae 'yan, bakla ka ba?! Uminom ka nga muna ng tubig at nang mahimasmasan ka!" Pinutol ni Cohen ang sasabihin niya at hinila siya paalis.
"Is he giving you so much trouble, Ms. Knoxville?" baling niya sa'kin.
"As always. Palagi siyang nakabuntot sa'kin at iniinis ako. I don't know what to do with him," pag-amin ko naman.
"Oh, I see. You two must be the new target, huh?"
I looked at her, confused about what she'd said."P-Pardon?"
"Nothing, hija. Let's continue."
After a little discussion, she handed me a folder about the other informations regarding the project. Sa Cebu City dapat gawin kaso wala na kaming oras para mag-travel pa papunta roon kaya dito na lang. They asked me if it's okay to do the photoshoots in their company but I think it's better in our entertainment. Mas malaki ang space at maraming angles ang pwedeng pagpipilian.
"Kain na muna tayo, hija. After this, I'll ask Shael to drive you home."
I shook my head and stood up."Let's not bother him, Mrs. Helver---"
"It's Tita, hija. Tita Elizabeth,"pagtatama niya pa.
"Okay, T-Tita. I brought a car with me and I have my GPS to guide me home."
I ate dinner with them but I didn't talk. Ayokong makipag-usap sa kanila dahil hindi naman kami gaanong close at hindi rin ako madaldal. It's just Katria who's always talking to me and kept on asking for my opinion even though I'm not listening to her. I didn't know that she's like this. Usap-usapan kase na maldita rin daw siya pero sa pagkakakilala ko ay may bahid lang siyang gano'n. She's really the girl that all of the students usually calls her 'an extraordinary one'.
"Anong nangyari sa'yo, kuya? Napipi ka na ata," Akken said that made me raised my head and take glance on him on the other side.
Padabog niyang nilagay ang kutsara niya sa lamesa kaya napaigtad ako saglit."Nawalan na ako ng gana. Akyat muna ako."
Nagkatinginan silang lahat na para bang nag-uusap gamit ang mata. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin dahil nagmumukha silang timang sa ginagawa nila. When I felt like the atmosphere is getting heavier, I put down my utensils and faced them. Little did I know, they were all looking at me intently. Kumunot naman ang noo ko saka sila iniisa-isa ng tingin.
"W-What's with that stares?!"
"May LQ ba kayong dalawa?" Katria pointed me her fork, accusing me.
"Are you nuts?! We always fight not as lovers but as enemies. Aren't you aware of that?!" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay na parang nanghahamon.
"Why don't you try to talk to him, ate Zeriel? Baka nagtatampo lang 'yon," Raizer interrupted, still focused on cutting the pork.
A-Ate Zeriel? Wtf!
"Why would I freaking fo that?! First, we're not friends. Second, I don't have a valid reason to talk to him. And third, I don't wanna talk to him, never!" I gave them a light smile and stood up from my chair before leaving the dining room.
"Kaasar! Palagi niya na lang akong pinapahiya!"
Napatalon ako dahil sa gulat at napahawak sa dibdib ko. What the hell! I'm just walking here in the hallway and then he suddenly shouted. His voice changed to a serious one. Gano'n ba siya kagalit?!
"I told you, don't come near me. Masama ang ugali ko at kung ayaw mo sa trato ko sa'yo, 'wag kang lalapit-lapit sa'kin." Humakbang ako ng isang beses para makita niya ako.
"I understand if you're not fond of talking to others because I don't really know you. Ang akin lang naman, bakit ba galit na galit ka sa'kin?! Did I say something bad on you or offen---"
"You never know and I'm not going to tell you. Sinabi ko na 'di ba, ayoko sa mga lalake. Kahit na sino...ayoko. I guess, you have to remember that." Hindi ko siya tiningnan at humakbang paalis pero bago pa man ako makalayo ay may sinabi siya na ikinatigil ko saglit.
"You can't let go of that feeling if you keep on hiding it by yourself. Trust me, it hurts a lot knowing that you want to forget all of it yet you're afraid to risk."
Mahina akong napatawa at tumingala saglit."I tried it for so many times but it's all useless. And just to tell you, I can do all of it by myself. Look where I am right now. It all happened without seeking for the help of others."
After what just happened earlier, I bid goodbye to Tita Elizabeth so that I could go to our entertainment. I already texted Carol that I'm on my way so I know they're preparing for my arrival. Why not?! I'm their very special guest so they should fix themselves if they want to see me. Ayoko kase sa lahat 'yong hindi prepared eh.
"So, what brought you here?"
I throwed my bag on the swivel chair as I sat on it."Do we have any event here on Saturday?"
"Uh...no? Maghahanda lang kami para sa dalawang photoshoots mo at isang endorsement kinabukasan. Why do you ask?" kunot-noo niyang tanong.
I played my finger on her table and gave her a wide smile."Then, prepare the whole studio on Saturday morning because we're going to use it on the evening. The stockholders and the clients together with the CEO of Helveryst Company will be here on that day. I agreed to their marketing project so I'm going to endorse their products. Is it clear?"
"What did you just say?! You agreed for a project without telling me that your manager and the head of our entertainment?! Nag-iisip ka ba?! What about the important things that you're going to do on the next day?! Magkakahandarapa na naman tayo para sa paghahanda?!" Para hindi siya makapaniwala sa ginawa ko at sinabunutan pa ang buhok niya.
"Alam kong padalos-dalos ako pero hindi ko kayang tanggihan ang alok nila. Even if those products came from a not so popular country, I still had to accept it. Wether you like it or not, I signed the agreement so prepare everything. My bukas pa naman para mapag-isipan niyo pa," walang gana kong sagot at nagpaikot-ikot sa swivel chair.
"And what about our head?! Magpaalam ka sa kanya, Zeriel. Kahit na pumayag ako, kapag hindi ka humingi ng permiso sa kanya ay wala rin. Better tell her the stupid thing that you just did!" inis niyang singhal sa'kin.
I just let out a sigh and get my bag."Nah. You can do that, Caroline. I trust you so I gotta go. Bye!"
"Damn you Zekiah Xyriel! I swear, you'll go to hell!"
I smirked as I heard those words from her. Hell? Well, galing na ako do'n kaso mas demonyo pa ako kay Satanas kaya pinabalik na lang ako rito. Funny, isn't it?
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