~KIEFER
I was shooting some hoops when the eagles went by the campus gym. Since I have 3 hours break before my next class, I decided to touch on my shooting to pass time at alam na alam ng teammates ko where to find me.
They were all goofing around hanggang makalapit sila sa akin.
I looked at them one by one as I know they are cooking something up their sleeves. They know never to bother me when I am the court.
The other guys sat by the bench holding their phones passing it around na parang may isang common na tinitignan.
Thirdy and Chris were kidding and looking at each other while making their way to me as if measuring kung sino ang unang magsasalita.
“Oh, bakit napadpad kayo dito? Anong meron? Wala ba kayong klase?” I asked looking at them, waiting for answers.
“Ah manong kasi we got an invite” Thirdy said
I raised both my brows curious of what he was taking about.
Thirdy shoved Chris by the shoulder, making him speak up.
“Bro, Encore invited us. There is a new jock and it is his debut tonight.”
My brother knows I am not into this bar thing. I would rather stay home and play video games or go to the village court and practice some hoops. Alam kong gagamitin lang niya ako para magpaalam kila mama at papa.
“Ano na naman to Thirdy? Kasama ba talaga ako sa invite na yan?” I asked habang natatawa.
“Oo manong. Lahat ng eagles invited.” Thirdy said.
“Alam mo naman na wala ako oras para diyan. Magshooting nalang ako kesa sa party party na ganyan. Besides, alam mo namang I don’t have any penchant for that stuff.”
“Manong naman. Kaya nga you should go out. Madaming babes dun for sure.” Thirdy winked at me.
Natawa ako sa ginawa ng kapatid ko but I have made my mind not to go with them. Iniisip ko palang alam ko nang hindi ako mageenjoy doon.
“Come on bro. Don’t be a grouch. You have never went clubbing with us ever. This might be a good start.” And Chris extended his hand at me as if making me do a deal with him.
I looked at Thirdy first, then New then my teammates by the bench. I really do not like the idea.
“Andun din people from our rival school bro! Hindi tayo pwede mawala.” Fonzo
“Kelangan full force. Kelangan mag-iwan ng marka.” Von
Nico made his way and said “baka last na labas na namin to kasama kayo bro. you know this is our last year ni Chris.”
“Come on bro. Don’t make me go down my knees man.” New said as he was about to kneel.
“Call mom and pops Thirds.” I said.
Thirdy was jumping with joy obviously happy and excited.
“Don’t get your hopes up boi. You’re still gonna drive. I ain’t driving for you.” And I continued where I left off and started shooting again.
Natigilan si Thirdy but shrugged it off at nakita ko nang ilabas nya ang cellphone nya. Alam ko nang tinatawagan nya si mama.
Hindi ko na napansin na umalis na ang teammates ko except for my brother until lumapit siya sa akin at iabot ang cellphone nya habang sumesenyas na kausapin ko daw ang nasa kabilang linya.
Sceptic pa akong kunin ang phone and motioned that I am going to kill him.
“Hello?” I said
“Manong, sabe ni kuya lalabas daw kayo later?”
I looked at thirdy and he snickered.
“Ah, yes po ma. Nagkayayaan lang po yung team. Ok lang po ba?” I said
“Oo naman manong. Na surprise lang ako dahil this is not your thing. But of course you can go out. Mas gusto ko nga na kasama ka ni thirdy para may aalalay.” Mom said.
“Sige po ma. Uwi muna din po kame before umalis para makapagpalit ng damit.”
“O sige. Baka wala kame ng papa nyo paguwi ninyo ng bahay dahil we have a dinner meeting. Magingat kayo ha.”
“Yes ma. Thanks po.”
I know my mom is smiling at the other end of the line. Ilang beses na din nila ako sinasabihan ni papa to go out and enjoy. After my injury last season, I wanted nothing but to get back in track. Halos practice every day lang ang ginawa ko because I really want to be in good shape for the coming season.
In a way parang nakatulong na din na lalabas kame tonight para hindi na masyado magworry ang parents ko. Alam ko naman na apektado din sila with what I went through.
I handed the phone back to Thirdy and told him to wait for me after class para sabay na kaming umuwi at makapag bihis. He gave me a quick hug, sobrang saya na pinayagan siyang lumabas because of me.
===
Thirdy, Fonzo, Von and Nico were waiting for me outside. I know hinihintay nila ako because I could hear them from inside my classroom.
“Hindi naman kayo masyadong excited ano?” I joked
“Hindi naman masyado manong. Hahaha ano ok ka na? tara na?” said Thirds.
“Tara. Sa bahay na ba kayo manggagaling?” I asked my other 3 teammates.
“Sila Fonz and Von lang. Uwi din muna ako and sunduin ko muna si Mitch. Dun na tayo magkita.” Said Nico
He high fived me before he left.
“O tara na.” I told the goons before heading to the parking lot.
===
After taking a shower, I just put on my regular do. Shorts, sneakers and a shirt.
“Manong naman. Bakit ganyan suot mo?”
“Bakit, ano problema sa suot ko?” I asked thirdy
“Tol, bar pupuntahan natin, hindi buffet.” Von joked
I just shook my head and went back to the comfort room. Magpapalit nalang ako kesa makipagtalo.
I was ready and went down to our receiving area waiting for them. Ayoko na makipagsiksikan sa kwarto. Rather wait here and watch some NBA to kill time.
After what seemed like an hour, bumaba na din sila. Thirdy handing me the car keys.
I smirked and said “Gusto mo umalis tayo diba? Ikaw magmaneho.”
Kumamot ulo nalang si thirdy and went out to get the car.
===
We arrived 10 pm in Encore. Wala pa masyadong tao. Nasa loob na daw yung ibang teammates namin when I gave my name. we were escorted inside and was lead to our table. Andun na si new at nico with their girlfriends enjoying. I sat down and was surprised that right beside us are some players from La Salle. Thomas and Almond were already there. Since wala silang date, lumapit ako sa kanila at nakipagkwnetuhan. Atleast itong dalawa hindi busy tumingin for girls unlike my brother who is trying to flirt with every single girl he sees.
“Bro kamusta?” I asked Thomas
“Eto ok naman tol. Kamusta practice? kamusta injury mo?” Thomas
“Ok naman na paps. Pinaghahandaan namin talaga kayo e.” I laughed
“Yeah, see you sa finals bro” as almond gave me a fist bump and we laughed.
Nagdatingan na ang teammates nila Thomas so I opted to go back to our table.
My teammates were already drinking at para hindi na naman ako tawaging killjoy, I ordered jack coke. Inuunti unti ko lang inumin. I don’t want to be drunk dahil na din sa mababa ang tolerance ko sa alak and besides, I know I’ll be driving home. Sigurado akong iinom ng matindi si thirdy lalo na at mukhang may bagong pinopormahan.
The place is really dark. It will take a few minutes before you get used to the darkness. May strobe and fog pa kaya mahirap makita ang mga tao inside. I just settled myself in my seat and took a look at my surrounding wanting to be familiar with the place and the people around.
After finishing my glass of jack and coke I felt the urge to pee so I stood up and asked where the rest room was. After doing my thing I headed out of the comfort room. A few steps from the rest room, I heard 2 ladies laughing so loud that it was difficult not to notice and look back. Nakita ko na aside from the 2, may isa pa silang kasama na busy sa cellphone. Since the place was dark, it took a few eye squints before ko nakilala yung isa.
"Si Mika Reyes ng volleyball team yun ah." I said to myself then I saw her wave to a guy a few tables back.
Natawa nalang ako pabalik sa lamesa namin. That Mika Reyes really has a reputation. She is well known dahil aside sa star player siya ng volleyball ng La Salle, she is known to be a party girl. Madami nang bulong bulongan sa school namin na wild child daw siya. I really didn’t give a rats ass dahil first of all, hindi ako interesado.
I went back to our table and ordered another glass of jack coke. I told Thirdy na ubusin ko nalang yun at umuwi na kame. Naging tampulan ako ng biro saying partypooper na naman daw ako so I said sige pagbibigyan ko sila ngayong gabi.
Pinatagal ko nalang ang paginom ng second glass ko para hindi ako maparami since I took to myself the responsibility of driving home.
Almost 30 minutes into observing my teammates, I received a text message from my coach saying na may practice daw kame bukas. I stood up and was about to tell the boys nang nakita ko si Nico na hawak din ang cellohone nya.
“Nico!” I shouted
Nico gave ma thumbs up. Alam kong nabasa na din niya ang text message ni coach. Nico signaled to Chris and Von.
Sila na ang nagsabe sa ibang teammates namin and before I know it, kumpleto na kami sa table.
“Bitin naman ang pagpaparty o!” said Fonzo
“Wala e. ganun talaga. Settle na natin yung bill para makauwi na.” Gwyne
After paying the bill, we headed out of the bar.
Nagtatawanan pa kami ni New before going out until I had the urge to take a look at the table by the rest room.
I saw a guy facing Mika with a drink in his hand. Mika was obviously flirting with him until she looked at me. Nagkatinginan kami saglit then I went out.
“that Reyes girl really seems like a handful. Cute sana pero party girl, I wonder ano pakiramdam ng dinedate siya. Naaaaaah, not even up my standards… hahaha”