All my life I have to live with rules. Yes rules. Ultimo pag-upo ko, may rule. Lahat ng movements ko, calculated. Lahat kailangang maayos. Prim and Proper, I should bare that in mind.
“Ayaw mo ba talagang sumabay sa amin for dinner?” I asked Kim who was driving.
“Nope.” She said, still focused on the road. “I really have to meet my friends.”
Minsan na-iingit ako sa pinsan kong si Kim, to think we are just on the same boat, yun nga lang, she can do anything she would want. Kung bawal man niyang gawin, she still does it whenever she wants, kasi she has her own principles, she hates to be dictated, she wants to do things by her own. Eh ako, dependent pa masyado sa parents ko, lalo na sa mom ko. Until now, I’m still afraid to fight for what I really want.
I looked at her. “Gabi na ah, di ka ba hahanapin sa inyo?”
She chuckled and shook her head. “Wala rin naman silang magagawa eh.”
Kim’s my cousin slash, my bestfriend. She just came from the States three days ago. Earlier this day, we processed her papers kasi she’ll enroll herself sa business school where I am studying. After we processed everything, I asked her to accompany me to UST’s game.
I have never watched any games of the Tigers nor any of the basketball games. Bawal kasi akong gumala, especially if hindi naman tungkol sa studies ko ang pupuntahan ko. But this time, this would be the very first time na nakita ko silang mag-laro. Especially Teng. Jeric Teng.
Jeric Teng. The very first time I have encountered this name was during that time na dumating ako galing States, that was three years ago. During our ride home, may malaking billboard with him on it. I knew right then and there na magaling siyang mag-laro, kahit di ko pa naman nakikita. Since that time, I learned to be a fangirl. Yun nga lang, I just had to fantasize about him through net. Bawal kasi akong lumabas to watch his games.
“Buti at nakakapasok ka pa rin sa bahay niyo.” I commented.
I remembered the very first time na hindi ko sinunod yung mommy ko, was that time na may game ang UST against Ateneo. My classmates invited me to watch the game with them. I took it as an opportunity para makita ko si Jeric in person, kaya pumayag ako.
Tinakasan ko yung driver ko. Just when I thought na makaka-panood ako ng game ng Tigers, yun pala, pinapasundan ako ng mommy ko sa mga guards. That day ko lang na-realize na eversince pala dumating kami ditto from the States, may body guards na pala na hinire ang parents ko. Kaya ayun! Hindi ako naka-panood, worse, grounded ako for two months.
“I know I’m such a brat.” She chuckled again. “Pero di nila ako mititiis eh. Mahal ako ng parents ko.”
She’s lucky. Ako? Mahal din kaya ako ng parents ko? But why don’t they trust me?
“You lucky brat.” I mumbled.
“Alam mo couz, sobrang bait mo kasi.” She said. “Sometimes you just have to learn how to break rules.”
I pouted. “The last time I did that, grounded ako for two months.”
She chuckled. “Eh why don’t you just explain to them na matanda ka na? You’re 18 for Pete’s sake. Kaya mo ng mag-decide for your own.”
“Hindi ganun ka-dali yun.” I said. “Kilala mo naman sina mommy eh.”
“I know. Pareho lang sila ni mommy at si tito Zach eh. Magkapatid eh.” She said. “But seriously, you need to get out of your comfort zone.”
I shook my head and chuckled. “Yan ba ang natutunan mo sa States?”
“Medyo.” She said. “Eh ikaw? Ba’t di mo natutunan yung mga natutunan ko ha?”
“Eh bawal nga kasing lumabas.” I said.
She stopped the car, medyo traffic eh. She then looked at me. “Look couz, you need to learn things through experience. Trust me. It’s fun.”
“Bad influence ka talaga Kim.” I said and chuckled.
“Oy hindi ah!” she mumbled. “I was stating a fact. Look at me, eh di I’m free to do things I want to do.”
“Eh di ikaw na!” I commented.
She smiled. “Pero couz, anong feeling mo ngayon?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She focused back her attention to driving. “Nakita mo na si Jeric eh.”
I feel like I was blushing furiously. Kinikilig ako pag-napag-uusapan si Jeric.
“Wa..wala.” I stuttered.
“Sus!” she exclaimed. “Alam mo, nakakatawa ka nga kanina. You were forcing yourself not to cheer for him. Kahit halata namang gusto mo ng sumigaw.”
I sighed. She’s right. Gusto kong mag-cheer for him. Pero hindi ko kaya. It’s not my thing.
I heard her sigh as well. “Since I’m here na naman, may reason ka na to go out.”
“Kaya don’t worry, you’ll him more often.” She added.
“Really?!” I asked and grinned.
She nodded. “But.. there’s one thing I want to ask you.”
“What is it?” I asked while still grinning.
She sighed. “Wag mo akong i-pair kahit kanino sa mga players, okay?”
Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. “Bakit?”
“Eh ayoko.” She said.
“Eh bakit nga?” I asked.
“They’re not my type.” She said. “So ano? Payag ka na sa offer ko?”
I crossed my arms. “Well sige. Atleast favorable pa din naman sa akin eh.”
“Oh sige na. Baba ka na.” she said as she stopped the car. I just realized na nasa harap na pala kami ng restaurant namin.
“Thanks couz, really.” I said. “Basta ah! Yung usapan natin?”
“Oo na.” she said. “Baba ka na. baka ma-traffic pa ako on the way eh.”
I chuckled. Impatient talaga siya.
“Okay okay.” I said as I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Thanks ulit couz.”
“No problem.” She said. “Paki-sabi kay tita hi.”
“Sure.” Sabi ko as soon as I got out the car. “Ingat sa pag-drive ah.”
She smiled I closed the door and watched her leave. I heaved out a heavy sigh before I faced the restaurant door. I started walking in as I noticed some familiar faces.
“Archers?” I whispered to myself as I gazed to my mom who was talking with someone.
“Hi mom.” I went near my mom and kissed her cheek.
“Hey honey.” She said then she shifted her sight to the man in front of us. “By the way coach, this is my daughter, Eliza.”
“Oh, nice to meet you hija.” Sabi nung coach. I smiled back.
My mom looked at me. “Nasaan na si Kim?”
“Uh, she’ll be meeting her friends kasi, kaya di siya makakasama sa atin for dinner.” I said.
She shook her head in frustration. “Nothing changed. Pasaway pa rin yung pinsan mong yun.”
“I’m lucky, to have a diligent daughter like you.” She said.
“Mom, nakakahiya.” I mumbled.
She chuckled. “What? I’m just proud of you.”
“I guess, you did a good job in raising your daughter mrs. Yap.” Sabi nung coach.
“Ofcourse.” My mom snapped. “And I’m really proud of her.”
Nahihiya ako sa pinag-sasabi ng mom ko. I smiled awkwardly at the coach then I wandered my eyes around, when I spotted someone staring at me.
OMG si Jeron Teng!
He smiled at me. I just smiled back. Naalala ko si Jeric sa kanya.
“Uhm, excuse me, magpapa-hangin lang ako sa labas.” I said. They both just nodded.
I immediately made my way to the open area ng restaurant. Walang tao sa labas. I think exclusive ang restaurant for the team tonight.
I fished out my phone from my bag. I scrolled over the photos na kuha ko kanina during the game. Lahat ng kuha ko, siyempre, nandun si Jeric. Siya lang naman ang pinunta ko dun eh. Although I feel bad kasi natalo sila. But nevertheless, I think magaling pa rin yung pinakita nila, especially my Jeric.
“Ang feeling mo talaga Yza!” I mumbled to myself.
Feeling ko I’m blushing. I just cant help myself. I just got a huge crush on Jeric Teng. It’s been years, pero siya pa rin.
“Pwede ba akong tumabi?” nagulat ako sa nagsalita. I looked up to see who it was.
“Je..Jeron?” I stuttered.
He chuckled as he sat beside me. “Kilala mo pala ako?”
Bakit naman hindi? Eh kapatid ka ng babes ko?
“O—oo naman.” I stammered. “Sikat ka eh.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Hindi naman.”
Somehow, he looks like Jeric. Again, he reminds me of him.
“May dumi ba ang mukha ko?” he asked.
Oops! Nakakahiya! I just stared at him.
“Ah? Wa..wala.” I said and looked away. “Ba’t ka nan—nadito?”
He sighed. “Wala. I just need some fresh air.”
I keep quiet. I can sense that he’s looking my way. Alam ko yun kahit di ko siya tinitingnan.
“Kilala mo na ako, pero ako, di pa kita kilala.” He said. “Anong pangalan mo?”
Should I say may name? Pwede pwede! Baka ipakilala niya ako kay Jeric pag-nagkataon.
“Eliza.” I said as I faced him. “Eliza Yap.”
“So, is this your family business?” he asked.I just nodded.
I don’t know why but I feel comfortable with him. Kahit ngayon ko lang siya nakilala, in person.
He was about to ask something when someone called. “Paps.”
We both looked at the person who called. Yung teammate pala niya. I just don’t know his name. UST players lang kilala ko, at siyempre si Jeron.
“Paps, pinapatawag ka ni coach.” He said.
Jeron nodded. Then he shifted his gaze to me. “Puntahan ko lang muna si coach.”
“Sure.” I said.
He stood up and started walking away, but he stopped and looked back again. “Nice meeting you Eliza.”
I smiled. “Nice meeting you too Jeron.”
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Since that night I met her, I can’t get her off my mind. The way she smiles, the way she talks – she’s simply perfect. She looked so simple, yet, beautiful.
Last week lang yung game namin against my brother’s team, and that time, I felt like I won the championship. Nakilala ko lang naman si Eliza. I just don’t know why, but she makes me happy everytime I’d see her.
I remembered how she got my attention that night. Ewan ko ba, I just had the urge to know her more, kaya naman sinundan ko siya when she went out the restaurant. She’s nice, kahit di pa naman niya ako kilala masyado. She just know me simply because I’m playing for DLSU, yun lang.
“Coach, ba’t niyo po ako pinatawag.” I asked.
Kaharap namin yung mom ni Eliza. She’s pretty as well, halatang mag-ina nga sila.
Coach looked at her. “Mrs. Yap, this is Jeron Teng, our star player.”
“Teng? Ikaw ba yung anak ni Susan Teng?” she asked.
This is great! Kilala niya ang parents ko. I smiled at her and nodded shyly.
“Kaya pala you looked familiar.” She said. “Paki-sabi nga pala kay Susan, she should visit me here some time.”
“Sige po Mrs. Yap.” I said.
“Oh, tita Jane nalang hijo.” She said. “By the way, have you met my daughter?”
I nodded. “Well, actually, we talked awhile ago.”
“That’s great.” She smiled. “Oh, baka may pag-uusapan pa kayo. “
I smiled back. “Sige po tita. Balikan ko muna siya.”
I left the two and went back to Eliza. I heard her humming as soon as I got near her. I don’t know why but I’m fascinated by her actions.
“Nandiyan ka pala.” She said when she saw me.
I smiled at her. “What song was that?”
“I do.” She answered.
I sat beside her. She looked straight at the sky. She’s really beautiful.
“Ang ganda nung stars oh.” She said.
I shifted my gaze to the sky. Ang daming stars. Then a memory hit me.
“Je! Tingnan mo oh!” she said as she pointed the sky.
I looked up and saw the twinkling stars, I’m awed because of its beauty. I looked back at the girl beside me, but I’m more awed of her beauty.
“Kim.” I called.
She looked at me. “Hmm?”
“I love you.” I said and smiled.”And I will love you till those stars die.”
She chuckled. “That’s impossible.”
“What? That I will love you that long?” I asked. “Hindi impossible yun.”
“Hindi naman namamatay ang mga stars.” She said. “They might just lose their light.”
“Then I’ll love you until all those stars lose their light.” I snapped.
She chuckled once again. “Ikaw talaga, puro kalokohan.”
“Hindi yun kalokohan.” I said as I rested my chin on her shoulder. “Bare that in mind.”
“I will.” she said as she turned her face to see me.
“Jeron.” I was snapped back to my senses when Eliza called. “Okay ka lang?”
“Huh? Ah, yeah.” I lied.
She smiled at me and looked up once again. “Sorry. Nawe-weirduhan ka ba sa akin?”
“Huh?” I mumbled. “Hindi naman. Why’d you ask?”
She shrugged. “Because I find the stars fascinating.”
“Hindi naman yun weird ah.” I said. “I myself find them fascinating.”
“Ba’t mo naman naisip na weird yun?” I asked as I looked at her.
She looked back at me then sighed. “My mom used to tell me not to waste my time on this.”
“It’s better daw na mag-aral nalang ako, or take a beauty rest instead.” She continued then chuckled. “This is just a waste of time.”
Her words struck me. I can feel the sadness in her tone of voice.
I gave her a smile. “Trust me, this is not a waste of time.”
“Alam mo, you just have to enjoy things, gaya nito.” I said as I lay down and looked up the sky. “This might not be a productive thing to do, but I guess, this is a good way to think.
“Alam mo, pareho kayo ng pinsan ko.” She said as she lay down as well. “Simple things like this makes her think.”
“Pero pag ako, I tend to be worried.” I said. “Baka kasi mahuli ako ng mom ko eh.”
She looked at me. “This is the first time na naka-pagstar gazing ako, without any fear na mahuli ako ni mom.”
I looked at her intently. She seemed to be miserable with her life. Pero as I see it, mahal naman siya nung mommy niya, and I know mahal niya rin yung mom niya. I just don’t know about her dad. Pero, she’s got some issues of her own, and I pity her.
“Thank you.” She said.
“For what?” I asked her.
She looked up again then shrugged. “For joining me here. Kahit ngayon lang tayo nagkakilala.”
I smiled. “Friends na naman tayo diba?”
She looked at me again. “Oo naman.”
“What’s up bro? Kanina ka pa tulala ah.” I was snapped back to my senses when my brother spoke.
“Shut up.” I said as I checked on my phone. “Mind your own business.”
“I’ll meet my cousin later, gusto mo sumama?”– Eliza.
I got her number that night. Ewan, bigla nalang kaming naging close. I guess everything’s going well between us. Pati nga si tita Jane, she would joke about me and her daughter everytime I would visit her sa bahay nila or sa restaurant.
Yes, I do visit her pag may time ako. We go out more often. I even asked her to watch our game next Saturday. She turned down my invitation, bawal daw kasi. But I didn’t stopped there, ako mismo yung humingi ng permiso sa mom niya, and I was glad pinayagan naman siya.
“Sure.” I replied.
“Alam mo namang strict si mommy sa mga ganyan.” I heard my brother say.
I looked at him. He’s scanning through a magazine.
“Mom would surely like her.” I said.
Binaba niya yung magazine. “Really? So finally, may ipapakilala ka na talaga?”
By chance, Eliza would be the very first girl na ipapakilala ko sa family ko. My parent’s are very strict when it comes to having a relationship. Nasa right age na naman ako. Hindi rin naman nakiki-alam ang parents ko sa mga nagugustuhan ko, ang sa kanila lang, they have to know whoever she is.
“Pwede.” I said.
“Si Kim nga di mo pinakilala eh.” He commented as he took the magazine again.
Napakunot ang noo ko. Why does he have to mention her name again?
“Buti nga hindi diba?” I said.
“Kasalanan mo rin naman.” He whispered, but enough for me to hear.
I shook my head and left him. I don’t want to talk about her anymore. She’s my past, and I don’t want to go back to my past.
I stopped from my tracks when I received a message.
“I’ll just call you later. Okay?” – Eliza.
I smiled. “I’ll wait for your call.”
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HOHOHOHO Heyah readers???!!! What can you say about this chappy??
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