Chapter 35
Doug's team lost.
It was third quarter when things turned around for the team, but it was not enough. Because of this they won't advance to the regionals, and now Coach is 'lecturing' the boys.
Sofi and Cathy were waiting outside the gym, and Cathy is being a nervous wreck!
"Calm down, Cathy. Bakit ka ba kinakabahan diyan?"
"Kasi... natalo sila, tapos badtrip si Doug, tapos galit pa siya sa akin, tapos ang kulit ko pa may pabanner banner at pasigaw sigaw pa ako doon na feeling ko ako si Gabriella Montez pero hindi, tapos—"
"I am so going to cut you right there—"
"Cut me?! Girl what did I do—"
"CUT as in pipigilan ko yung paglilitanya mo! Not cut, cut. Ugh Cathy layuan mo yung twitter please at wag ka masyado nagmememes."
"No, that's a part of who I am... hindi na nga ako masyado nagtwtweet dahil diyan kay Doug na yan, my followers need an update about the kabaliwan that I—"
"CATHY! Let's go back. Okay. Focus? How are you so good at being distracted?! Anyway, just chill. Doug won't be mad at you, okay maybe a little, I don't really know how he'll react, but one thing's for sure okay? You're going to explain and apologize. And you should promise that you're going to do better with this communication thingy. Okay?" Cathy nodded. She knows what she needs to do... but can she execute it? Malalaman.
Maya maya pa isa isa nang lumabas yung mga players sa locker room. Noong makita ni Elix si Sofi ihuhug niya dapat 'to pero inabutan agad ni Sofi si Elix ng towel. "Magpunas ka muna ng pawis mo please."
Matatawa na sana si Cathy nang biglang may dalawang kamay na bumalot sa bewang niya at may biglang dumantay sa balikat niya. Iikot pa sana siya para tingnan kung sino pero pinigilan lang siya nitong kung sino mang nakaback hug sa kanya.
"Don't move. I... I had a long day, and my soul really really needs this. So please, let me have this."
It was Doug, of course it's Doug. And yes, his soul is 'recharging' by being near Cathy's soul.
Cathy put his arms over Doug's arms which were enveloping her. She tightened her hold on him conveying that she needs this too, she misses him too.
They were backhugging for what felt like eternity when Elix tapped Doug on his shoulders, ano ba panira.
"Um, sorry sa istorbo pero we just want to say we're heading out." Sabi ni Elix, sinamaan agad siya nang tingin ni Cathy.
"Sana tinext mo na lang! 😤" Asar (pero naglolokong) sagot ni Cathy, habang nakahug pa rin siya kay Doug. Naramdaman naman niya yung pagtawa ni Doug sa may likod niya, dahil pati siya nag 'vibrate' at napasabay sa tawa niya. This is nice, Cathy thinks. She can do this everyday.
"Okay lovebirds, go and do PDA, we're going home. Good game, Doug." Sabi ni Elix at naramdaman naman ni Cathy na medyo nanigas at nagging uncomfortable si Doug habang nakayakap sa kanya.
They have to talk.
Cathy turned around, without letting go of Doug, and when they were face to face she can't keep but blush... because damn, they were so close, if she just angle her head to the right a little bit that will be the perfect spot to kiss—CATHY focus.
They were just staring at each other, conveying words they both can say. Doug knows right? Doug understands right? HE knows that I'm sorry right? Cathy can't stop thinking, but the moment Doug let his forehead touch Cathy's and the moment they both closed their eyes to savor the moment, they know. They both know.
"Are you okay? Are we okay?" Cathy whispered.
'Of course, we are okay. We are always going to be okay. And I'm sorry too.' is what Doug wants to say, but instead he put his left hand in the back of Cathy's head and slowly kissed her forehead. He hopes that's enough, he hopes Cathy understands. And Cathy did.
"Doug I really... I know you know but I just want to tell it. I'm really sorry, Doug."
"It's okay, Cathy. I know. And I'm sorry too. I was just really shocked, and pinauna ko yung galit kesa kausapin ka. I'm sorry." Cathy held Doug's hand.
"It's okay, but let's promise, this time... let's talk more okay? If something's bothering someone dapat sabihin, big or small let's talk okay?"
"But you always talk Cathy—" Cathy glared at Doug because of course he's going to joke now when Cathy's being serious. "Okay, okay I'll stop and duly noted bossing." Bossing? Cathy likey.
Doug was just staring at Cathy, and as much as Cathy likes the attention... it's getting too much and she's blushing.
"Oh my gosh stop staring alam kong maganda ako." Then it was Doug's turn to glare at her. Of course, two crackheads as soulmates. Well this is nice.
"No... it's just... this feels nice you know. You, here in my arms, this close, this feels nice." Doug admitted.
"It is, we can do this often. Right?"
"Of course. Always."
They were smiling at each other, lost in their own bubble, the fight already forgotten.
Having a soulmate who understands you, supports you, and is always there for you is nice. Would recommend. 10 out of 10.
And despite all the pain (literal minsan lalo na for Doug) and hurt, despite all the ups and downs, Cathy won't mind going through all of them if it means at the end of the day he's going to Doug like this.
"Cathy... I have to tell you something."
"Yes?"
"Heheh hmmmm maya na pala."
"Ano nga?!"
"Shhhhh and hug me." And she did. She hugged him like Doug's his air and she's drowning, like it's the only thing that will save her. She hates drowning, but if it's drowning in Doug's presence and touch then she will have to reconsider.
What Doug wants to tell Cathy just a while ago, he shares to Instagram that night.
And Cathy's reaction?
Their relationship is not perfect. Ang daming beses nilang mag-aaway, di magkakaintindihan, magkakapikunan, magkakatampuhan, but despite all of that, at the end of the day they won't go to bed knowing their other half is mad. And slowly, they're growing, learning more about each other, the dos the don'ts, and although imperfect they're happy.
And most importantly they know they belong to each other.
Like puzzle pieces, they fit.
The End. ♥️