Doctor: Well, Kairi, it's actually very good of you na hindi mo nakakalimutan ang schedule mo for your monthly shots. I think that's very responsible especially that like you've said hindi pa nga kayo prepared to start a family.
Kathryn: Doc, everything is in my planner po kasi para makasiguro na hindi ko po talaga nakakalimutan.
Doctor: That’s good! Some of my patients tend to forget their schedule kaya ayun tuloy unwanted pregnancy ang nangyayari.
Bilang kasagutan ay ngumiti na lamang siya.
Doctor: Anyway, just keep it up. We'll meet again after a month. But if you noticed some unusual changes call me anytime. Okay?
Kathryn: Sure, doc. Uhmm... I think I'd better go now. I'm running late na rin po eh. Ngayon po kasi ang second launching ng foundation.
Doctor: Ah yeah, it's the playoffs as well, right? I remember your husband telling me that the second launching is a sportsfest for everyone in the company. I was actually invited. But as you can see I'm pretty busy right now.
Kathryn: Uhm, okay lang po 'yun. Naiintindihan naman po namin eh....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kanina pa siya inip na inip na nakaupo sa backseat ng kotse habang nagmamaneho ang driver. And it's barely moving. She's literally stuck in the middle of the traffic. Naiirita na siya nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone niya...
Kathryn: Yeah?
DJ: Babe, where are you? Everyone is here now. Ikaw na lang wala dito.
Kathryn: Kaaalis ko pa lang sa clinic eh. Then, got stucked in the traffic. Anyway, it's just a basketball game. Pwede na kayong magsimula kahit wala pa ako.
She heard him sigh.
DJ: Are you sure?
Kathryn: Yes, babe. Win the game for me, okay?
DJ: Absolutely... But don't be too long. I can't win the game if I can't see your face here...
She smiles.
Kathryn: Opo, bolero kong asawa...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ang 30 minutes lang sana na byahe ay inabot na ng halos isang oras bago niya narating ang lugar. It's actually a resettlement area near the metro . Dito nila nilipat ang 100 families mula sa mga squatter's area. Dito ay nabigyan sila ng sarili nilang mga tirahan. But at the same time ay binibigyan ang mga magulang ng pagkakataon para i-explore ang anumang pwedeng marangal na pagkakitaan.
The sportsfest being held here is actually the idea of DJ. It is his way of encouraging the employees to participate and immerse themselves into the community. Matapos kasi ang laro ay magkakaroon din ng feeding sessions and everyone is encouraged to help.
The moment she reaches the court ay mukhang kanina pa nga nagsisimula ang laro. Pasimple na lang siyang umupo sa mas mataas na bahagi ng mga bleachers na kung saan ay marami pang bakanteng mga upuan. Karamihan sa mga nanonood ay nasa ibabang bahagi at patuloy na nagchi-cheer. And yeah, most of them are girls.
"Go! Sir Jake!"
She keeps on hearing that from different girls. Sinulyapan niya ang mga naglalaro sa court. Truth be told. Her husband is the one who seems to be outshining. She may be bias for she's the wife. But that's not the case here. DJ has a different aura from most guys. She can't exactly explain it. But her husband is simply breathtaking. And speaking of breathtaking, she really needs to capture the moment…
Inilabas niya ang camera mula sa bag and starts to take pictures. And from time to time, she can't help but admire him even more... The way he moves and runs... The way he defends and shoots... The way his muscles flex showing his strength and agility... and to think that those same arms had cradled her so comfortably for the rest of the night... He's just gorgeous... At hindi lang miminsan na lumilingon ito sa mga bleachers and seems to be looking for someone... She can't help but smile…
Nasa kasagsagan pa rin ng laro ang koponan nila nang may dalawang magagandang babae na umupo sa may bandang harap niya. Ang isa ay morena. Ang isa naman ay mestisa.
"Nakakainis naman eh! Wala ng space sa baba. Gusto ko pa man din makita yung mga cute boys!"
Sabi ng morena.
"Naku, hayaan mo sila! Mamaya rin naman eh magkakaroon ako ng chance na makilala sila."
Narinig niyang sagot ng mestisa.
"Oo na noh! Uy! pakilala mo naman ako mamaya ha!"
"Sure! Ano pang silbi at executive assistant ako ng foundation..."
Bahagyang napataas ang kilay niya.
"OMG! Thank you talaga ha!.... Pero teka nga pala, nasan pala jan 'yung may ari ng company? Daming nagsasabi pogi daw eh! Masyado lang kasing mailap sa media..."
Sa sinabi ng morena ay nakita niya ang pagtaas ng kilay ng mestisa.
"That one... with the number 26 on his shirt."
"Oh. My. Gosh!!! They're so right! He's so cute!!!"
"I know, right?... But don't get your hopes up, girl..."
"Bakit?! May gf na? Sus! girlfriend pa lang naman eh."
"Not that I know of. Kaka-sign ko pa lang ng contract kahapon eh. I haven't fully done my research yet especially about the owner."
"Eh kung ganon, bakit mo sinabing don't get my hopes up?"
Mukhang pareho sila ng katanungan ng morena...
"Because he's going to be mine..."
Kulang na lang ay sugurin niya ang tisay at pagsasabunutan dahil sa sinabi nito. But she tries her very best to control herself...
"Wow! Ambitious much? How can you be so sure?"
"Well I just know... Hindi naman imposible di ba?... Obviously, I'm the most beautiful girl here... With my looks and charm, he can easily fall in love with me... And do you know how rich he is? I may not know much about him. But seriously, he's big time rich!"
"Well, whatever you say, girl... as long as pakilala mo ako sa kanila mamaya. Why don't we cheer para mapansin nila tayo?"
Before she has any time to prepare ay sumigaw na agad ang morena...
"Go! Team Vincent!"
Sakto namang walang ibang mga sumisigaw nung time na sumigaw ang bruha. Kaya bahagyang napaangat ang mukha ni DJ sa kinaroroonan nila. Halatang nagulat ito ng matanawan siya. Pero agad din itong ngumiti at mukhang nagniningning na ang mga mata. Kumindat muna ito bago nagpatuloy sa paglalaro.
"What the?!!! Did you see that?! Did you see that?! He winked at me!"
Sabi ng mestisa. Well, obviously, hindi siya napapansin ng mga ito. At dahil sa halos magkalapit lang sila ay mukhang may maling akala pa ito.
"Yeah! I saw it! You are sooo lucky!"
"Well... I know, right?"
And now, she's literally pissed! Hinihigpitan na niya ang pagkakahawak sa katabing railing para lang pigilan ang sarili sa pagsugod. On second thought, bakit ba niya pinipigilan ang sarili?...
Bago pa niya masagot ang katanungan ay nagsigawan na ang mga tao sa ibaba. Kasalukuyang naagaw ni DJ ang bola sa kalaban... He's now dribbling the ball while running fast papunta sa kabilang court. Nasa lagpas kalagitnaan na siya ng court ng may makahabol sa kabilang team. He can't push through them... And the time is running out... He seems to have no other choice... On instant ay mabilis siyang napatayo...
Kathryn: Go Jake!!! Come on! You can do it!!! Shoot the ball!!!
Hindi niya sigurado kung narinig siya nito dahil sa ingay ng crowd. But after she said it, he automatically pauses and shoots the ball.... The noise of the crowd is defeaning... Team Vincent won with a three-point shot! Nakisali na rin siya sa ingay at nagtatatalon mag-isa sa mataas na bleachers. But while doing that ay hindi nakaligtas sa kanya ang bulungan ng dalawang bruha...
"May tao pala sa likuran natin. Ngayon ko lang napansin."
"Hayaan mo siya. Solo flight ang trip."
Nangingibabaw ang tuwa niya sa natapos na game kaya dedma na lang siya. Kasalukuyang binubuhat ng mga kasamahan sa team si DJ and everyone seems to be in gratitude of him... He's smiling brightly... But he's just looking directly at her... She smiles back... Then, he suddenly puts his hand on his lips and immediately blows her a kiss...
"Awww... He blew me a kiss..."
Okay, that's it! Kakalbuhin na niya talaga ang tisay na 'to. Nasa akto na siyang naghahanap ng gunting sa bag nang marinig niya ang boses ng asawa mula sa microphone... Napahinto siya at napatingin dito...
DJ: Uhmm... Well, this is totally unexpected... I didn't really think that we'd have a chance from these guys out here... But yeah, fortunately, we won! And just like what was promised more incentives will be given to all Team Vincent!
More cheers from the crowd...
Emcee: Yeah!!! Sobrang swerte naman ng lahat ng Team Vincent dito!.... Well, syempre kasali na ko dun noh! So happy! And just to remind, guys... Every Team Vincent employee will receive P8,000 bonus cash and additional freebies like gift certificates... Kaya pasalamat tayo kay Sir Jake dahil sa kanyang amazing 3-point shot!
Marami ang nagsigawan trying to thank him... And he's just smiling...
DJ: Well, no problem, guys... I'm just glad that you're all here to support the launching of the foundation... We should not forget why we're all here in the first place... And that is to reach out to those who need us... And regarding the game... Well, that 3-point shot wouldn't all be possible if I hadn't heard the beautiful voice of my wife cheering me up back there...
Pasimple siya nitong tinuro. At halos lahat ay nagsilingunan...... pati na rin ang dalawang bruha... Hah!
DJ: As you can see, she's a bit late awhile ago... But I told her that I couldn't win the game if I wouldn't see her face...
Sunud-sunod na ang panunukso ng mga audience.
DJ: You're all looking at me as your boss. But as you can see, I also have my own boss right there... And I'm thankful that I get to see her lovely face everytime I wake up in the morning giving me strength just right before I get to work... So, babe, thank you for being here... Thank you for finally being my wife...
She's now smiling so wide...
DJ: So instead of thanking me... Why don't you all thank her?... Besides, these wouldn't all be possible if it weren't for her...
Everyone from the crowd is clapping and thanking her at the same time.
DJ: Come on down here, babe... I need you to do something...
Nakangiti pa rin siyang humahakbang pababa. Pero sinigurado muna niyang lumingon sa dalawang bruha... Both of them look so shocked with their mouths hanging open while staring at her... She just smiles smugly... She doesn't need to talk to them and stoop low... Everything is crystal clear. And reality is slapping them... bitches!...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nang makababa na ay agad siyang sinalubong ni DJ... He's still smiling... But the smile seems to have a purpose...
Kathryn: What are you up to, babe?
DJ: Just relax... I want you to do something...
He whispers... Kinuha nito ang microphone...
DJ: Okay, guys... Although Team Vincent won and will go home happy today, the other team lost and I hate to think that some of my employees will go home empty handed... So, I'm going to add another bonus for everyone... If my wife will be able to shoot a 3-point shot three times in a row, there will be an all expense paid island getaway trip for everyone...
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa narinig. Lalong tumindi ang ingay ng mga tao... Mabilis siyang lumapit sa asawa...
Kathryn: What are you doing?... You don't know what you're talking about, Jake...
Mahina niyang bulong.
DJ: Relax, babe... You can do it...
Kathryn: At pano kung hindi ko magawa?... Do you realize how disappointing would that be for them?...
Humawak ito sa isa niyang kamay. At mabilis na humalik doon sabay pisil sa kanyang pisngi...
DJ: Just do it, babe… Show me how tough my girl is… just like old times…
Kathryn: But the last time I played a ball was when we’re 14…
DJ: No, babe… The last time you played a ball was last night… and it’s not just one ball but two hard balls…
She laughs...
Kathryn: You know that’s not what I’m talking about…
He’s also laughing while he goes near her ear whispering…
DJ: I want to remember how we were before… Come on, I know you so well and you know you can do it...
Naglalakad na ito paatras... Nakaharap ito sa kanya habang papalayo. He’s still smiling but she sees something in his eyes… He wants to remember their childhood… The way they were before… young… carefree… and no care in the world…
And he's right. She can do it. After everything that happened in the past, shooting a 3-point shot ball three times in a row is no feat for her. Napangiti siya sa naalala. DJ may be better than her in almost everything but when it comes to playing balls, she's the best... And she's quite sure, her husband will not contradict her...
She fixes her stance and starts dribbling the ball... There may be cheers everywhere but she tries to mutes her surroundings... The moment she stops dribbling, she holds her breath and aims......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a moment the time seems to stop... Then, the next thing she realizes, the crowds are roaring with cheers....
Emcee: Oh.my.God!!!! Mam Kairi had done it!!!!!! She did it, guys!!! Straight 3-point shot three times in a row!!!!! Gosh!!! I'm shocked!!!! Wow!!! Was that even possible?! Guys, can you believe it?!!!
She can hear the crowd happily responding.
Emcee: Wow!!! This may all be our lucky day huh?!!! An all expense island getaway trip for all of us!!!!! Sa wakas, masisilayan ko na rin ang mga abs ay este mga curves ng mga sexy ladies na katrabaho ko!
More laughter. She's just smiling... still elated from the 3-point shots...
Emcee: At dahil jan mahahalikan ko talaga si Mam Kairi!!! Kiss and hug natin sya, guys!!!
Akmang lalapitan na siya nito. But DJ is suddenly on her side while holding a microphone....
DJ: Hey! There's no way I would allow you to do that!
Nasa tono nito ang pagbibiro. But with the way he's tightly holding her waist, he may actually be serious....
Emcee: Pero Sir Jake... Bakla naman ako eh!
More laughter...
DJ: Kahit na... I should only be the one touching my wife...
More noise. There are even squeals coming from girls...
Emcee: O sige na nga! Kainis naman... Asan ba makakahanap ng kasing-possessive ni Sir Jake?... Hay! Di bale na! O siya sige... Kung ayaw mo siyang pa-kiss, kiss mo na lang siya! Sa lips ha! Sa lips!!!!
She's smiling but she's biting her lower lip... DJ looks at her with fondness in his eyes...
DJ: Nah! I'll kiss her tonight when no one's watching...
Emcee: Ay!!! Ang KJ pala ng boss natin!!! Sige na Sir... Please?!!!
Nakigaya na rin ang mga tao sa pakiusap ng emcee... But her husband is shaking his head...
DJ: When I kiss my wife on the lips, it could lead us to rated SPG...
Nakisabay na rin siya sa pagtawa...
DJ: And there are kids here... So, I'll just give her a kiss on the cheek, okay?...
They seem to be complaining. But he's looking at her... And he doesn't seem to care about them... She can see that he's definitely proud of her. She smiles back and prepares her cheek to be kissed... But to her surprise, he holds her chin and faces her toward him... then, kisses her on top of her nose for just a brief second...
There are noises everywhere...
Kathryn: You must be too proud of me huh?...
Mahina niyang sabi... He's smiling while shaking his head... Bahagyang nawala ang ngiti niya sa ginawi nito...
Kathryn: What? You're not proud of me?...
DJ: You know I'm always proud of you...
Kathryn: Then why are you shaking your head?
He leans into her ear...
DJ: Because I'm incredibly turned on right now... And it's so hard to hide it... I just want us to go home...
She looks discreetly down there...down below the front of his shorts... And he's trying to hide it with the lower part of his jersey shirt... But she notices it...
Kathryn: My God, Jake! Baka mahalata nila... nakakahiya...
He's still smiling...
DJ: Well, it's your fault...
Kathryn: I didn't do anything...
DJ: What? with the way you perfectly shoot those balls you wouldn't think it would be a turn on for me?... you were f**ckin hot out there, babe...
She rolls her eyes.
Kathryn: Pero nakakahiya pag nahalata ka nila... Try to think of something else para matulog muna yan...
DJ: I can't...
Kathryn: Think of Katsumi kissing you...
DJ: Eeewwww! That's gross!!! Why'd you even think of it?
Natatawa siyang naiinis...
Kathryn: Para nga matulog muna siya...
DJ: I can't even stop thinking about you when you're not around... What more now that you're here and I can smell your sweat... And you look really really tasty... Dammit! It's pointing at you now... It wants you...
She can feel the heatness on her face. Alam niyang namumula na ang mukha niya... Nakakahiya... DJ might be exaggerating because it's not really ponting at her... But she needs to do something before it really points at her...
Pumwesto siya sa bandang harapan nito. Her back is covering his front.
DJ: What.... are you.... doing?...
Kathryn: I'm covering it...
DJ: You're covering it... with your butt?... You know what that means, right? How can it sleep if your soft butt is just inches away from my boy?
Pinipigilan na niya ang pagngiti. At kinuha ang microphone...
Kathryn: Thank you all so much for coming here and supporting the foundation... I hope you all have fun as we try and help others... Maraming salamat po!
Naglalakad na sila habang nasa harapan pa rin siya ni DJ... She's trying her best na hindi maging halatado ang lahat...
The moment they stepped out from the crowd at nakapasok na sila sa loob ng bakanteng locker ay agad siyang niyakap ng asawa while he gently kisses her hair...
DJ: I missed you...
He whispers…
Kathryn: But we've just been apart for a few hours...
DJ: A few hours… a few minutes away from you seem like a lifetime to me... It's so damn hard to be away from you, babe... We've been through a lot… and i just want to savor each moment with you...
She smiles...
Kathryn: Ang asawa ko talaga... Nagiging makata pag nagigising ang alaga...
He laughs...
DJ: Well, you just gave me an idea... We could do it in here, you know...
Sunud-sunod siyang umiling...
Kathryn: Nope... We still have a mission here... That could wait tonight, okay?
Nakasimangot na ito na parang batang hindi nabilhan ng gustong laruan. Hinawakan na niya ang kamay nito at hinila papalabas ng office.
Kathryn: Come on!... It's time to help them... But seriously, I was really good kanina di ba? Wala pang practise sa lagay na yun ha! I think I'm even better than you!
DJ: You're good. But there's no way you're better than me. I could even shoot a ball with my eyes closed...
Kathryn: Ha! So yabang!
DJ: I'm just telling the truth... Want me to prove it tonight?
Base sa tono nito ay may iba itong ibig sabihin...
Kathryn: Alam mo kahit kelan talaga napakagreen-minded mo!
DJ: Hey! I'm really talking about the game. There's a basketball court at home di ba? Sinong green minded satin ha?
Pabiro niya itong binatukan.
Kathryn: Ah ganon ha? Ganon ha?... Sige pagbutihin mo pa yang ginagawa mo hanggang maasar na ko… tingnan ko lang kung maka “three points” ka mamayang gabi...
Agad naman siya nitong inakbayan…
DJ: Sorry na... Ito naman di na mabiro... Lam mo namang ikaw talaga pinakamagaling sa ‘tin di ba?...
Umiiling na lang siya at napapangiti habang naglalakad pabalik sa crowd...
_______________________________
Guys, thank you dahil may nagbabasa pa rin ng book 2 kahit slow update. Pasensya na po. Babawi na lang po pag lumuwag ang time. Your votes and comments are very much appreciated as well. Until next time…