I checked my phone for the time.
11:50AM
I browsed the notification to see if I missed any messages. Wala naman. I frowned at that. Ganitong oras usually nagte-text si Xavi. Either he'll tell me that he's outside or he's already on his way.
May practice sila ngayong araw. Ang alam ko ay hanggang 11:30AM ang training nila. He'll rest for a while and then take a quick shower before picking me up in my room for lunch. Maybe their training was extended?
It was five minutes later when our professor finally decided to dismiss us. Wala pa rin akong text na natanggap mula kay Xavi. Maybe he's already outside and he just forgot to text?
Kunot-noong lumabas ako ng room dala ang aking bag. I frowned after failing to see Xavi leaning on the opposite side of the room.
I checked my phone again. There's a text from Alana asking for our whereabouts but there's till no message from him. Did I miss something? May usapan ba kami na sa iba magkikita?
His last text, ipinapaalam niya sa akin na nasa gym na siya at susunduin niya na lang ako mamaya. Napanguso ako.
It's 11:57 now. I decided to send him a message.
Me:
X, where are you?
I waited for his reply. Fifteen minutes and there's still no word from him. It's not like him to be late or forget to text. I decided to call on Valen. He's part of the team kaya kasama rin siya sa training. Ilang ring lang ay sumagot naman ito agad.
"Hey, Vie. What's up?"
"Nasa training pa rin ba kayo?" agad na tanong ko.
"Training ended at 11:30. Why? Are you looking for Xavi?"
"Uh, yes. May usapan kasi kami... Do you know where he is?"
"Nung umalis ako ng gym nasa court pa rin siya. You can check if he's still there," he answered.
"Okay. Thank you, Valen."
Nagdalawang isip pa ako kung pupuntahan ko na siya ng gym. Baka magkasalisi kami? But then I'm starving like hell and I don't wanna keep on waiting in front of the room.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla ako kinabahan habang naglalakad patungo sa gym. My feet refused to move for a few seconds when I reached the main entrance of the building. The beating of my heart doubled its speed.
After willing myself to move, I entered the gymnasium. The dribbling of a ball welcomed me and it was quickly followed by the familiar sound of a ball passing through the net.
A heavy exhale came out of me when I saw an empty gym with only Xavi playing near the ring. He was too wrapped up in his world that he didn't notice that he has a new company. Kahit na lumapit ako lalo ay hindi pa rin niya napansin.
I let myself watch him from a far. His hair was heavily damp with sweat that looked like he just got out of shower. My eyes traveled down and I just realized that he's topless, left only with his jersey shorts. I found myself biting my lip as I examined Xavi's physique.
Ilang beses ko na siyang nakitang wala ang pang-itaas pero iba rin ang epekto nito sa akin. His body was every girl's wet dream. Defined muscles, firm chest, droolworthy abs, and the panty twisting v-line. Nakakatakot siyang hawakan. Hindi na ako makahinga habang tinitigan siyang ganito, paano pa kaya kung hahawakan na? Baka mahimatay na lang ako bigla.
I shook my head and cleared my clouded thoughts. Ibinalik ko ang mga mata sa mukha niya.
His expression was rigid. I've never seen him this focused while playing basketball. He looked like he's on a real game and everything's at stake.
He took a step back and did a jump shot. Hindi ito pumasok. Hinabol ni Xavi ang bola at sinubukan ulit ito i-shoot pero hindi na naman pumasok.
I gasped and jumped a little when he threw the ball on the floor with unbelievable force. Tumalbog 'yon nang napakataas bago bumagsak sa sahig at tumalbog ng ilang beses palayo sa kanya.
Umupo si Xavi sa sahig at ilang segundo lang ay humiga na ito. Tinakpan niya ang mga mata gamit ang braso. Mabibigat ang kanyang hininga at kitang-kita ang paghahabol base sa pagtaas at baba ng kanyang dibdib.
He stayed like that for a minute. I quietly walked towards him. Mabuti na lang at flat shoes ang suot ko kaya hindi ito gumagawa ng kahit anong ingay.
I crouched a few inches above his head. I placed my bag beside me and hugged my knees, placing my chin over my arm.
Up close, I can perfectly see the drops of sweat on his face. His pale red lips were parted. He was still catching his breath.
I slowly tapped on the tip of his nose. That made him freeze up and drop the arm that was hiding his eyes. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ako. He looked so adorably shocked.
I smiled and brought my hand back to hugging my knees. "Hi."
"What are you—shit. What time is it?" Nalukot ang mukha niya.
I pursed my lips. "Hmm... Probably around 12:20?"
"Fuck... I'm sorry, baby. I got sidetracked." He wiped his face in distress. I could hear the genuine apology and regret in his voice.
Ngumiti ako at inabot ang noo niya para ideretso ang kunot doon. "I called Valen. He said kanina pa tapos ang training niyo. What are you still doing here?"
He licked his lips. He looked away. He pursed his lips and remained silent for a while.
"Coach... Pinagalitan ako." Tumingin siya sa akin na parang batang nagsusumbong kasi may umaway sa kanya.
Napatawa ako. He's just too adorable! "Baka naman pasaway ka kasi?"
"I wasn't!" tutol niya at sumimangot.
"Bakit ka defensive?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.
He frowned. "I'm not."
Natawa ulit ako sa itsura niya. Hinawakan ko ang magkabila niyang pisngi. Nawala ang simangot sa mukha ni Xavi dahil doon. His eyes gravely stared back at me. Bumaba ang mga mata ko sa mga labi niya.
My breathing labored. I licked my lips. Isang beses ko pa lang siyang hinalikan ng kusa. Iyong first date namin sa Netherlands. I can't count the number times that I wanted to kiss him but held back. I don't wanna hold back anymore.
Unti-unti kong binaba ang aking mukha. I slightly slanted my face. The tip of my nose touching the side of his chin.
My eyes closed as I carefully connected my lips to his. I stayed still for a few seconds before fumbling with his lower lip. Xavi didn't take long in responding. I kissed him passionately. I took my time in tasting his upper lip before pulling away with a shakey breath.
Umayos ako ng upo. Xavi's eyes were fervent when it opened. Nakakaakit. I looked away. My face flushed with embarrassment at my own doing.
Sumulyap ako kay Xavi dahil wala itong imik. He had an easy smile on his face. Habang tumatagal ay lumalaki ang ngiting 'yon. Hanggang sa tinakpan na niya ang mukha ng dalawang kamay.
He emitted a grunt before settings his hands down and seductively staring at me.
"Damn it, baby... Can we kiss some more?" he hoarsely asked. His eyes looked like it were begging for mercy.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa request niya. Kinuha ko ang bag sa tabi at mabilis na tumayo. "I-I'm hungry."
Xavi deliciously chuckled. "Come back here then. Bubusugin kita sa halik ko."
Parang hinampas ang dibdib ko sa banat niya. Ang init na ng mukha ko. "X!"
Humalakhak ulit siya pero bumangon na mula sa pagkakahiga. "Fine. Let's feed my baby."
Hindi na kami sumabay kay Alana na kumain. May kasama naman na ito at tapos na rin siyang kumain. I'm kinda relieved, too. Walang Gaia na sumulpot out of nowhere.
Nakapagpaalam na ako sa bahay na hindi ako uuwi dahil may pool party si Valen. My mother knows Valen through Tito Zion, so they don't have anything to worry about.
After class, Alana and I went to their house. Sa bahay nila kami mag-aayos. Si Xavi ay sumama na muna kina Valen at Ryd para raw magbigay ng moral support sa pag-aayos ng party.
We didn't dress to kill. Loose v-neck shirt and jean shorts lang inisuot ko. Sa ilalim ay ang aking black rochet stringed bikini top at itim na board shorts.
Si Alana naman ay white floral halter top at skorts set ang suot. The cropped halter top will also serve as her swimwear. She wore a white bikini bottom underneath.
Xavi's waiting by the gate with a red cup in hand when we reached Valen's place.
Alana snorted as she pulled over. My eyes transferred to her. She's also looking at Xavi. "Kulang na lang memorial wreath. Masyadong patay na patay sa'yo."
Napangiti ako at natawa nang bahagya. Hindi na ako sumagot at umiling na lang.
The pool side was packed with people. Siguro ay nasa thirty ang mga tao. Majority of the guys are topless while the girls are wearing their bikinis. Everyone looked like they were seriously having fun.
Drinking booze, chatting and laughing, goofing around on and beside the pool, slightly dancing to the loud music—those are the common scenes.
"Ohh! I spot Teagan and the rest of the ugly slaves!" Alana exclaimed and grabbed for my hand. "Come on, Lavie. I feel like power tripping."
Hindi siya nagpaalam kay Xavi at basta-basta akong hinila. Mahigpit ang hawak sa akin ni Alana kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang magpahila. Nilingon ko si Xavi na nakauwang ang mga labi.
Tumawa ako at kinaway ang libreng kamay bilang paalam. "See you later."
Sa pool side ako hinatak ni Alanaz Teagan was sitting by the pool with her friends Ciara, Heather, and April. Nakilala ko lang silang lahat through Alana. Sila ang kasama ni Alana tuwing night outs na hindi ako sumasama.
"Ohhh. How about a game of dare or drink & strip?" Heather cooed.
They all squealed their approval while I just drank some liquor from my cup, throwing them amused looks. Isa-isa silang nagbigayan ng dares. Alana was asked to dry hump some guy but she chose to drink and strip. She says no one in this room is worthy of her.
"It's your turn virginal and innocent Lavie." Teagan smirked. "Kiss someone you find incredibly attractive."
"Gusto ko 'to!" tawa ni Heather at pumalakpak pa.
Napangiwi ako. I scanned the loud and busy surrounding. Madali kong nahanap si Xavi. I got the perfect view of his spot right from where I was.
He's talking to some guys, pero ilang segundo lang ay napatingin din siya sa akin. I don't know if it's because he sensed that someone was looking at him or he's just constantly checking up on me. Nag-angat siya ng kilay.
It's not like I can kiss him and bloodbath will ensue if I ever think about kissing someone else.
A light bulbed popped on top of my head when I remembered the sentence that Teagan threw me. Ngumisi ako at umupo nang maayos. I reached for Alana's face and kissed her on the cheek.
"There." I beamed.
"That's cheating!" April gasped.
Tumawa ako. "It's not my fault that you didn't specify the gender."
"Why, Lavie, you find me attractive?" Alana seductively looked at me.
"You would have killed me if I picked someone else," nakatawang sagot ko at uminom.
She opened her mouth to say something but closed it when she thought of nothing. She shrugged. "True."
Another round of dare. Mas malala pa ito sa naunang dare. Alana drank and stripped again since may board shorts naman siya underneath. The girls were complaining kasi ang daya naming dalawa.
"Wala ka nang kawala, Lavie. Make out for ten seconds with a guy that you think is hot among the other guys in this party," April said in complete details.
"Now I gotta see this." Alana chuckled and mockingly stared at me.
"Pass." I brought down my cup and took off my white shirt.
The girls grunted.
"Ayaw ko na nga! Ang KJ niyong dalawa." Ciara whined.
Alana proudly shrugged. Ngumisi lang ako. Nagtinginan silang tatlo. They looked like they were having a silent conversation. The next thing I know, Alana and I were pushed in the pool. Pati ang iniinom ni Alana ay natapon.
Alana gasped in surprise. "You lowly peasants!"
Nagtawanan silang apat. Tumayo rin at naghubad ng mga damit bago tumalon sa pool.
I submerged to wet my hair. Pagkaahon ko ay hinahabol na ni Alana sa Teagan. Teagan screamed when Alana pulled the strings of her bikini top. I gasped and laughed along with them.
"Bitch!" Teagan lashed out. Hinabol niya si Alana but Alana quickly swam to the deep part of the pool. The girls don't know how to swim.
Para makaganti ay hinabol ni Teagan si Heather at tinanggal din ang bikini top nito at hinagis sa 7ft ng parte ng pool.
Naghabulan sila at ako naman ay tumatawa lang. April's eyes found me. Natigil ako sa pagtawa. Oh no. Magsisimula na akong lumango palayo nang may biglang nagsisigaw.
"Oh, motherfuckers! No! Wala akong dalang damit! Shit—"
I found a fully clothed Ryder being carried by Valen and Xavi. Hindi nila pinansin ang ang pag-angal ni Ryd at matapos ay hinagis sa pool. Nagpaulan ng mura si Ryd habang ang dalawa ay tawa lang ng tawa. Pati ang iba ay tumatawa na rin.
Valen jumped in the pool. Si Xavi ay nagtanggal muna ng sleveeless shirt bago nagdive sa tubig. Hinintay ko siya na umahon agad pero natagalan siya sa pagsisid.
Napasinghap ako nang bigla siyang humahon malapit sa akin. He wiped the water trickling down his face and brushed his hair up. Wala na ang malokong tuwa sa mukha niya. He's scowling.
"What?"
Umiling siya at kinuha ang kamay ko na nasa ilalim ng tubig. "Let's swim."
I nervously scanned the whole place to check for any curious eyes. No one's giving us weird looks. Kung may nakatingin man ay mukhang wala naman silang napapansin na kakaiba.
Napakagat ako sa labi. I let go of my inhibitions and interlocked our fingers together. Napatingin siya sa akin dahil doon. May kaonting gulat sa mukha.
"Want to hold on me?" he carefully asked.
I breathed in. I didn't overthink and just nodded. Lumaki ang ngisi sa mukha niya. He turned around and guided my arm to his neck. He didn't have to tell me. I locked my arms around his neck. My body pressing on his back.
Almost three years and his effect on me never changed. I could feel the fluttering of wings of the butterflies in my stomach.
Xavi easily coasted us across the water, passing through the deep part. I let him carry me until we reached the end of the pool. He held on the ledge for support.
"Awe. Ang sweet naman," Teagan cooed from a short distance. Nakakapit siya sa gilid ng pool kasama sina Ciara, Heather, April at Alana.
It's like I've been splashed with ice cold water. I stiffened. Ilang na kumalas na ako sa pagkakahawak kay Xavi at kumapit sa ledge mag-isa. I awkwardly glanced at my friends. I glanced at Alana for help. She rolled her eyes.
"Xavi, ako rin buhatin mo!" Alana called out for my sake. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag.
He scoffed. "No way. You're too heavy."
Alana grimaced and flipped a middle finger to him. Tinawanan lang ito ni Xavi. The girls laughed at that, too.
Nagpalutang na lang ako. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata at nagpadala na lang sa daloy ng tubig. The background noise was muffled. It was peaceful.
When I began to drift away from my spot, a hand gripped on my leg to stop me from moving. Iminulat ko ang mga mata at tiningnan si Xavi. Seryoso ang mga mata niya at mukhang may malalim na iniisip.
Ngumiti ako sa kanya pero hindi siya ngumiti pabalik. Kumunot ang noo ko. I fixed myself into a vertical position. Lumangoy ako palapit sa kanya. There's no hint of amusement in his eyes. It never averted from my face.
I laughed, bemused at the way he's acting. "What?"
He continued staring. This time, hesitation played in his eyes. He bit his lip. He closed his eyes momentarily and took a deep breath.
His eyes were soul crushing and melancholic when it opened. He licked his lips.
"Will you run away with me?"