Nang maka-graduate ako ng high school, sumunod ako kay Ivan sa Maynila para mag-aral sa school na pinapasukan niya. Hindi na ako nagtaka nang malaman kong varsity player na sya ng school na iyon. Nag-apply ako kaagad sa school publication para maging article writer. I showed them my articles about him. They hired me right away.
Perks? I get to talk to Ivan again. At kikita pa ako ng pera.
Intramurals noon nang magkausap kami ulit. I was kind of disappointed when he didn't remember me right away.
"Jean?" hula niya nang sabihin kong schoolmates kami dati.
I shook my head and forced a smile. "It's Joan."
"Right." He laughed. "I'm sorry. Nag-uulian na yata ako."
"Okay lang. Hindi naman tayo masyadong nagkakausap noon." I just wrote articles about you. For two years. No big deal.
"Either that o gumanda ka lang talaga ng sobra."
I adjusted my glasses to hide the blush on my cheeks.
"S-So, kumusta ang pagiging varsity?"
Ivan shrugged. "Okay lang."
"Malaki ba ang difference ng high school and college basketball team?"
"Yeah," he replied curtly.
"Uhm, pwede mo bang i-elaborate?"
Inilapit ko sa kanya ang recorder ko.
"Kailangan pa talaga? May date kasi ako ngayon e." He looked at the clock. It's ten minutes after six o'clock.
"Pasensya na sa abala. Kailangan ko kasing magpasa ng article bukas e. Promise hanggang 6:30 lang ang interview ko sa'yo."
He sighed, then he started talking. He told me how it was more grueling in college. Araw-araw, may practice. Araw-araw, pagod. Hindi na sya nakakapag-aral pero okay lang daw naman kasi palagi syang excused sa klase. He also mentioned his girlfriend kahit hindi ko tinanong.
She's a member of the school's pep/cheering squad at pangalawang anak ng presidente ng school. Her name's Maria and she's a year older than him. Nagkakilala sila dahil nag-cheer ang mga ito noong minsang naglaro sila laban sa isang sikat na school.
I didn't get to my other questions because he was talking about her for the last fifteen minutes. At 6:30, tumayo na kaagad siya at nagpaalam sa'kin.
"It's nice to see you again, Joana."
"Joan," pagtatama ko.