Because jealous and clingy Menggay is lyf #YU13
•RICHARD•
"I expect you to at least practice your individual shooting dahil doon tayo nagkukulang," Coach Ayo looked at me before proceeding. "Except for Richard here. Hindi dahil wala tayong training, magpepetiks na kayo. We'll start the training next month for the division meet and I still expect you guys to be in full shape." We all nodded in agreement. "Sige na, you may go."
Coach Ayo dismissed us after our short meeting. Pinaalala niya na kailangan pa din naming magpractice. Kaya naisipan namin na magpractice muna sa gym kahit wala si Coach Ayo. Not the whole team muna since we need to focus on our individual shooting kaya nagtanong ako kanina na kung sino ang pwede at walang gagawing importante, pwedeng sumama. Tutal tapos na rin naman yung classes at wala pa rin kaming napapag-usapan ni Maine tungkol sa gagawin naming talent for Ginoo at Binibining Agham.
"Poks, nagpaalam ako kay Coach kanina. Pwede daw tayo dito sa gym mag-practice shooting." sabi ni Kevin. "Pero half court lang daw. Umuulan kasi kaya dito din daw yung training ng cheerleading team."
Nangunot yung noo ko. "May training sila?"
"Oo daw eh," Kevin answered. "Nagpatawag daw ng biglaang training si Coach Lena. Ipapakilala na din daw yung first year members," tinapik ako ni Kevin sa balikat. "Hinahanap ka nga pala ni Maine, nasa locker room."
"Sige, pupuntahan ko muna," tumayo na ko at nagsimulang maglakad papunta sa locker room. Narinig ko pang sumigaw sina Kevin. "Naks, boyfriend duties!"
"Mga siraulo!" sigaw ko pabalik sa kanila. Tumakbo na ko papunta sa locker room at pagdating ko, naabutan kong nakakalat yung gamit ni Maine sa may couch. Buti na lang walang tao. She was sitting beside her things on the couch. Lumapit ako sa kanya, knelt in front of her then held her hands. "May problema ba, Maine?"
"Akala ko kasi may naiwan akong damit for training kaso inuwi ko pala last week, rubber shoes and socks lang naiwan tapos wala na naman akong time umuwi kasi umuulan tapos 10 minutes na lang before training huhu nagulat ako kanina nagsabi si Coach Lena na may training hindi pa ko nakapagsabi kay nanay na may training kami nakakastress ano ba naman kasi—"
"Meng."
"Ha?"
I stood up and went to my locker. Binuksan ko at kinuha yung extra basketball shirt ko. Inabot ko sa kanya saka ako umupo sa tabi niya. "Gamitin mo muna yan," I told her. "Gusto mo ba tawagin ko si Karla? Nasa labas siya, kasama ata ni Paolo. Baka may leggings siya."
"Uhm...hindi na. May suot naman akong shorts eh. Pwede na siguro yun—bakit nakakunot na naman yang noo mo?"
"Shorts?"
"RJ, wala akong leggings. I can't go home right now to get one. And I train naman wearing shorts even before pa."
"Pero kasi—"
"Hep, wag kang manong nga. Hindi naman ako masisilipan no. Subukan lang nila," I sighed. "Relax nga. Nasa school naman tayo saka nasa gym ka din naman mamaya right? But please do your thing okay? I'll be fine naman, don't worry. And thank you dito sa shirt ha? Ibabalik ko na lang pagkalaba—"
I smiled at her. "Wag na, take it. Sa'yo na yan. May mga ganyan pa naman ako sa bahay."
"Sure ka? Nakakahiya naman, RJ. Ibabalik ko na lang to."
"Pag binalik mo magtatampo ako sa'yo, sige ka."
"Hala, sige na nga hindi na!" nagsimula na siyang ayusin yung mga nakakalat niyang gamit sa couch pero pinigilan ko siya. "Ako na mag-aayos niyan. Magbihis ka na."
"Pero kasi..."
"Baka ma-late ka pa. Sige na, ako na diyan."
Kinuha na niya yung shirt at shoes niya. "Sige. Sunod ka sa gym?"
"Yup. May shooting practice kami nina Kevin ngayon. One hour lang yun kaya hintayin na lang kita matapos para sabay tayong umuwi. Okay ba?"
She smiled at me and pinched my cheeks. Nanggigil na naman siya. "Okay! Una na ko ha?"
I pushed her lightly out of the locker room. "Dali na, Maine," I told her, chuckling. "Late na yung captain, tsk."
"Ito na nga oh!" And she stormed out of the room.
Sakto namang papasok sina Karla at Paolo. "Oh, saan punta non?" tanong ni Paolo habang binubuksan yung locker niya.
"May training din sa gym, hindi kasi sila pwede sa labas kasi umuulan," I said as I put Maine's things back inside her locker. "Sino pa kasama natin mamaya para sa shooting practice?"
"Marco and Joshua lang daw," Paolo answered. "May mga school projects daw na gagawin yung iba eh."
Nakita kong nakatitig sa'kin si Karla, her brows furrowed. "Bakit?"
"0716M yung locker mo diba?" she asked and I nodded. "Bakit ka nandiyan sa 0716F—hoy!!! Nagpalit ba kayo ng locker ni Meng?!"
Nginitian ko na lang si Karla pero binato niya ako ng notebook. "Walangya ka ang landi mo!! Wag mo nga akong tawanan, Pokerson! Nagpalit kayo ng locker?!"
Narinig kong tumatawa si Paolo sa gilid ko habang nagpapalit ng shirt niya. "Baliw, hindi ah. Inayos ko lang yung mga gamit niya kasi sobrang gulo kanina pagdating ko. E kailangan niya nang magbihis kasi baka ma-late pa siya sa training. Ako na nag-ayos kasi hindi naman ako nagmamadali," I put the last of Maine's things inside her locker and turned to them. "Ano? Tara na?"
•MAINE•
I was leading the team's warm up exercises nung napansin kong pumasok sina RJ sa gym, with Karla and Gio. The girls went to sit on the bleachers malapit sa side namin while RJ and the guys started to practice. Napansin ko din na napatingin sa kanila yung mga freshmen girls na nasa likod, and the girls watching us from the bleachers at the other side of the gym. I clearly saw their lingering look towards RJ who is now dribbling the ball. Psh. I am not amused with these girls.
"Guys, ayusin niyo naman. We're here to practice. Wag kayong petiks please," I told them. "Focus! Now bend your body forward and reach your toes. 8 counts!"
I'm starting to get pissed as I see Marie and Jennica, two of the new freshman recruits, giggling and obviously not doing the proper warm up as they were looking at RJ and the boys.
We were already doing jumping jacks and I still see the two giggling, making glances at RJ. Nakakapikon na to ha.
"Guys, stop," I told the team as we finished doing the jumping jacks. "Everybody wiggle your arms and legs then sit down and take your water break," tinuro ko sina Marie at Jennica. "Except you two." I motioned for them to go in front so I can talk to them.
"Ano bang pinag-uusapan niyo doon sa likod?" I asked as they got in front. "Kanina pa kayo tawanan ng tawanan. I told you to focus right?"
Now they can't even look at me while I'm talking to them. Ugh, kids. Hindi marunong makinig. "Hindi dahil wala si Coach Lena dito at ako yung nagli-lead ng warm up exercises natin, hindi na kayo magseseryoso. I told you to focus pero anong ginagawa niyo? Nagtatawanan kayo sa likod. Sino bang tinitingnan niyo sa likod, mga basketball players?" Hindi sila sumagot but I knew they were looking at them earlier. "I'm so disappointed in you two. Jumping jacks, 50 counts. Go."
They went to my side and did what they were told. After doing their jumping jacks, I let them have their water break and sit down. Dumating na rin si Coach Lena pagkatapos.
I sat down in front and listened to Coach Lena when I heard Aly gasp behind my back. Napalingon ako sa kanya. "Why? What happened?"
"Are you wearing Richard's shirt?" she asked. She was looking at me intently, waiting for what I would say. Shit, paano niya nalaman na kay Richard tong suot ko?
"Paano mo nalaman?"
"Girl, ang laki ng Faulkerson diyan sa likod ng shirt na suot mo no!"
Ugh lagot sa'kin tong RJ na to kainis! Kaya pala nakatingin yung ibang teammates ko sa'kin kanina my god, even Gio and Karla at the bleachers in front of us. Grabe yung friends ko, hindi man lang ako sinabihan. Inuna pa talaga nilang tawanan ako mga walangya.
***
I saw Richard, Kevin and Paolo sit beside Karla and Gio with their things. Tapos na yata yung practice nila kasi nakapagpalit na rin si RJ ng shirt. Ang fresh niyang tingnan huhu nasaan ang hustisya?! Ako nga hulas na rin. Kainis.
"Lastly guys, not until the pageant night of Ginoo and Binibining Agham, we'll only have 90 minutes of practice three times a week to give way to your teammates na kasali din sa pageant. Practices will only be on tuesdays, thursdays and saturdays. Warm up exercises will be lead by Maine. Understood?"
Everybody nodded. "Yes, Coach."
"Okay, you may go." she told us and dismissed the team.
"Maine," she called my attention. Tumayo ako para lapitan siya. "Please make time for an audition para sa dalawa pang flyers, kahit mga 1 hour lang bukas after your classes. We have to pick out 2 more since bago yung routine natin at may dagdag na dalawang flyers. Pick it out with Aly, Jessy and Jace para hindi ka mahirapan."
"Yes po, Coach."
"Sige na, hinihintay ka na yata," she said and looked at Richard who is waiting at the bleachers.
"Grabe naman si Coach," I smiled shyly. "Mauna na po ako."
I ran towards the bleachers and went to my friends' side. Hinampas ko sa braso si Richard. "Ikaw! Bakit di mo sinabing may Faulkerson 02 pala na malaki dito sa shirt?! Pinagtitinginan tuloy ako!"
"Akala ko yung isang basketball shirt ko yan na walang surname sa likod eh," he said. "Dalawa kasi yung ganyan ko."
"Ay, ang arti arti," I heard Gio. "Ang pabebe mo, girl. Kainis. Dinaig mo pa si Karla."
"O bakit ako nadamay diyan?!" Karla said. "Nananahimik kaya ako dito."
"Nananahimik katabi ni Paolo?" sabi ni Gio habang nakangisi. "Kanina pa kaya kayo naghaharutan diyan. Akala niyo di ko napapansin no?"
"Bakla ang usapan kasi dito sina Maine diba?" she said as turned to me. "Si Maine na nagselos yata dun sa dalawang freshman."
"What?! Hindi ah!"
"Anong hindi?" Gio stood up in front of us, crossing her arms on her chest. "Bakla, warm up exercises pa lang yun pero ang hard mo na dun sa dalawa. Palibhasa tumitingin kay Richard eh."
Naramdaman kong nag-iinit yung mga pisngi ko. Si Richard, tinatawanan lang ako sa gilid ko. Nakakainis! Hinampas ko ulit siya sa braso. "Aray ko naman, Maine!" reklamo niya habang hinihimas yung braso niya. "Ang sakit ah!"
"Judger ka eh. Makatawa ka diyan." I pouted.
"Hindi ah! I'm just amused on how you reacted. Kinuwento kasi nina Karla sa'kin kanina."
"Hmp. Ewan ko sa'yo. Tara na nga, umuwi na tayo," I told them as I stood up. Tumayo na rin silang lahat.
"I got your clothes already," he told me as he gave me my bag. Sinabihan ko kasi siya na wag na siyang mag-abala magtanong kung pwede ba niyang bitbitin yung bag ko kapag magkasama kami kasi hindi ko talaga ibibigay. "Nilagay ko na sa loob ng bag mo."
"Thank you," I told him. May nakita akong dumi sa gilid ng mata niya kaya pinunasan ko gamit yung likod ng kamay ko. "May dumi ka na naman."
He chuckled and linked my arms to his before starting to walk. Nginitian ko na lang siya kahit deep inside kilig na kilig ako.
Paglabas namin, nakita naming tumila na yung ulan. The grounds were already drying up kaya hindi na kami nagbukas ng payong. As we were walking our way out, I noticed some juniors looking at us.
"Oh, anong nangyari sa 'keeping it lowkey' niyo?" narinig naming sabi ni Gio. Napabitaw akong bigla sa braso ni RJ.
"Guys, kahit magbitaw pa kayo may malalaman o masasabi pa din," Kevin told us. "Ang laki ng Faulkerson 02 sa shirt na suot mo, Maine."
"Si Poks lang naman ang Faulkerson dito," sabi ni Paolo. "Keeping it lowkey pa kayo pero may shirt shirt pang nalalaman." Umiiling-iling na lang silang apat sa amin habang nauna nang maglakad.
Nagkatinginan kami ni RJ and both shrugged our shoulders, sabay tawa sa kalokohan namin. Nah, so much for keeping it lowkey.