"Is that the nearest seat?" 

I pointed at the tickets Ida got for me para sa game two ng basketball finals. It was Tuesday and I got nothing to do after class since wala na kaming training. I asked Ida to get us tickets for game two pero wala akong balak sabihin kay Sevi. I told him na may class ako.

"It's the best seat! Malapit 'yan! Pinaghirapan ko pa 'yan makuha." Binigay ni Ida ang ticket sa 'kin. 

Dala-dala ko na ang dalawang jackets at saka 'yong tiger shirt ni Sevi na nakalimutan ko na namang ibalik last time. I was planning to go to UST today since wala naman na 'kong gagawin, at para na rin masauli ko 'tong jackets niya before the game. 

"Paano 'yan? Wala kang tiger shirt." Ida was worried about that. 

"I'll do something. Don't worry." Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko para maglakad na palabas ng building. 

"Good luck sa landi mo!" sigaw ni Ida. 

Tumawa ako bago kumaway ulit sa kaniya palabas. Pagkasakay ko sa kotse, sinabi ko kaagad kay Kuya Roel na pupunta akong hospital. 

"Hospital po ulit, Ma'am?" Kuya Roel asked. 

"Yes, Kuya. Magpapakuha lang ako ng dugo. Required sa... school," pagpapalusot ko. I felt so bad!

Hindi na rin nagsalita si Kuya Roel after no'n pero nakita kong napangiti siya sa sinabi ko. I was so good in lying! Paniguradong hindi niya nahalatang nagsisinungaling ako! 

To: Sevi

Hey I'm omw na sa ust 

From: Sevi

text ka na lang kapag nandito ka na may training pa kami baka hindi ako makapagreply kaagad hehe ingat :) 

Around four in the afternoon na nang makarating ako sa UST. Kuya Roel did not even leave the car. Hindi na siya nag-insist samahan ako sa loob ng hospital which was weird kaya pagkababa ko ng car park, hindi ko na kinailangan magtago. I went straight to the yellow building last time. Umupo ulit ako sa hagdan at nag-phone. 

To: Sevi

Here na 'ko sa stairs. Take your time pero bilisan mo. 

"Hoy."

"What the fuck!" Hinampas ko si Sevi nang mapatayo ako sa gulat.

He laughed at my reaction. Masama ko siyang tiningnan at tinulak nang mahina dahil sa inis. That was the time when I noticed that he only brought himself. Walang bag. He was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and black athletic shorts. 

"Are you done?" I asked. 

"Hindi. Lumabas lang ako saglit. Tara, pasok ka." He put his hand on my shoulder to pull me.

"I don't have an I.D.," sabi ko sa kaniya. 

"Okay lang 'yan. Hindi 'yan mapapansin ng guard. Tropa ko 'yon." Tumawa siya at bumaba ang hawak mula sa balikat ko papunta sa kamay ko. 

The guard just gave him a smile when we walked inside. I didn't have the time to look around because he already pulled me inside the open door. Pagkapasok, bumungad ang basketball court nila. The players were on a break time at pinaglalaruan ang bola. Napatingin sila sa 'kin pagpasok ko. 

"Yie," pang-aasar nila.

Binawi ko ang kamay ko at awkward na umiwas ng tingin. 

"Sana all!" A player laughed and playfully threw the ball at Sevi's direction. Sinalo niya naman at binato pabalik. 

"Bawal girlfriend ah!" tumatawang sabi nung isa. 

"Bitter ka lang, p're..." Tinapik siya sa balikat nung isa. 

"Upo ka muna roon. Malapit na kami matapos," turo ni Sevi sa bleachers. 

Tumango ako at umakyat sa may bleachers para umupo. Tinawag na sila ng coach nila kaya bumalik na sila sa court. I didn't know what to do. I just watched as they played basketball. Nagbibiruan pa minsan na parang mga bata. 

Binato nung isa 'yong bola kay Sevi at nasalo niya naman kaya shinoot. It went in. 

"Tatlo para I love you." Tumawa 'yong isang player at binato ulit kay Sevi 'yong bola.

"Corny mo, ugok." Umiling si Sevi pero sinalo pa rin naman ang bola. 

The ball went inside the net again. Kinuha niya na naman at shinoot. Nang pumasok ulit, tumingin siya sa 'kin and then he playfully gave me a finger heart. I laughed at him and rolled my eyes. Corny!

"Hoy, bawal 'yan!" Binaba ng isa nilang player 'yong kamay ni Sevi. "Ako lang mahal mo, sabi mo!" 

They were so playful pero sumeryoso rin naman nang sawayin na ng coach. Nang matapos, lumapit na si Sevi sa duffle bag niya at nagpunas ng pawis gamit ang towel. My eyes widened when he suddenly took off his shirt. 

Some players did the same para magpalit ng damit. Kinuha ni Sevi ang white shirt niya sa bag pero napahinto nang makitang nakatingin ako. He playfully covered his perfectly fit body and laughed. 

Oh my god, he had abs. 

Last time sa debut ko, madilim kaya hindi ko gaanong nakita, and I had no interest then! Ngayon, nag-iinit ang mukha ko. 

"Tara na." Sevi was already leaning on the railings. 

Tumayo ako at kinuha ang gamit ko bago bumaba. When we went out of the building, we stopped at the stairs, and he asked me where I wanted to eat. 

"I want pizza!" I was craving it because of my period. 

"Pizza," ulit niya at tumango. "Sige, pizza. Maraming pizza rito. Shakey's? Yellow Cab? Sbarro? Domino's? Alin ang gusto mo?"

"I don't know," sagot ko. Basta pizza! Hindi ko alam kung alin doon. 

"Domino's! Buy one take one ngayon! Tuesday eh!" Tiningnan niya ang kaniyang phone. 

Tumango na lang ako at inakbayan niya 'ko para hindi ako mapunta sa kung saan-saan. Lumabas kami sa Gate 2 and then we took the overpass papunta sa kabilang side ng road. Napatigil pa kami sa overpass because two girls approached him for a photo. 

I took a step to the side and crossed my arms. They had solo pictures, and then they suddenly wanted to have a picture together as a group.

"Hi, Ate, picture-an mo nga po kami." The girl handed me her phone without even asking if it was okay.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya at tinaasan siya ng kilay. She could have asked nicely! 

"You can't do selfies?" I asked. 

Napakamot si Sevi sa ulo niya dahil sa sagot ko at bahagyang nahiya sa dalawang babae. Sumimangot ang babae at nagkatinginan sila ng kasama niya, obviously talking shit about me but I didn't care. 

"Okay na nga 'yan, be!" sabi nung babae. "Thank you po, Kuya!" 

"Thank you!" Kumaway din si Sevi at ngumiti sa kanila hanggang sa makaalis na ang dalawang babae. 

He reached for me and placed his hand again on my shoulder before walking. I still had my arms crossed over my chest until we entered Domino's pizza. Umupo ako at tiningnan ang menu. Umupo naman siya sa harapan ko. 

"Oy, bakit ang sungit mo?" he carefully asked, scared that I might lash out. 

"What do you mean? This is me on a daily basis." I rolled my eyes. 

 Nothing changed. Hindi pa ba siya sanay? Masungit naman talaga ako. 

"Pero nakakahiya roon sa dalawang babae kanina." He tried to lecture me on it. "Next time, plastikin mo na lang o ano." 

"So, I should fake it?" I asked again just to be clear. 

"Ewan..." He scratched his head a little. "Ikaw bahala. Huwag mo lang silang takutin. Nakakatakot ka eh." 

"I just asked if hindi sila marunong mag selfie," I defended myself. "And they did not even ask me if it was okay for me. They just straight up handed me the phone!"

"May point ka naman." He gave me a smile and held my hand on top of the table. "Change topic. Kumusta araw mo?" 

I pouted and told myself that I should be nice next time, or at least pretend to be nice dahil 'yon ang gusto niya. Fine! Fine! I mean... They really could have just... asked nicely? Whatever! I was also wrong! 

Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil nag-order pa kami. Nang makabalik sa table, kinuha ko ang paper bag at inabot na sa kaniya. I slid it over the table until it reached him. Kinuha niya naman at tiningnan ang laman. 

"I need a tiger shirt," I told him. 

"Huh? Para saan? Akala ko hindi ka makakanood?" nagtatakang tanong niya pagkatapos itabi ang paper bag sa gilid. 

"Not sure yet. I might cut my class unless may quiz." I shrugged casually like I was not lying. "Do you have? Ayoko na niyang binigay mo last time." 

"Wala akong dala." Kinuha niya ang bag niya at naghalungkat doon. "Old jersey ko lang." 

"That would do." Nilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. 

Kinuha niya ang yellow jersey doon at inamoy pa muna bago binigay sa 'kin. He laughed when I also sniffed on it like what he did. Mabango naman ah. It smelled like him. 

"May ticket ka ba? Mayroon ako rito." He reached for his wallet. 

"It's fine. If pupunta ako, I'll find a way," pagpigil ko sa kaniya. 

I wanted to surprise him, okay?! Kaya hindi ko masabi. Game two was so important for him dahil doon na malalaman kung may chance pa silang makahabol sa game three. He was so nervous about it because it was already his last year as a player and as a captain. I wanted to be there to support him. 

"Punta ka na," he said softly and squeezed my hand. "Please?" 

"Hindi ko nga alam! I have class!" I lied. 

"Sasabihin ko sanang mag-cut ka pero hindi ako masamang tao kaya sige." He sighed and nodded. "Study first. Study first." 

Nang ilapag na 'yong pizza sa harap namin, nilagyan niya na 'ko ng slice sa plato ko bago ang kaniya. I reached for the hot sauce and put some all over my pizza. Hindi ko susundin ang diet ko this time. 

"Do you think you'll win tomorrow?" I asked.

"No." He laughed. "Lakas ng Ateneo eh." 

"Engk!" I shook my head. "Wrong answer!" 

"Eh, ano?" He raised a brow and took a bite of his pizza. 

"I hope so," I corrected. "That should be your answer. I don't care if malakas 'yong Ateneo. If you won't believe in yourself, then how would you win?!"

"Galit ka ba?" He laughed. "Bakit parang galit ka?" 

"Yes, I'm mad because you don't trust yourself!" I rolled my eyes. "I trust you, so trust yourself din!" 

"You trust me?" His lips slowly formed a smile after realizing what I just said. Bakit parang kinilig pa siya roon?

"Of course, I trust you!" Binalik ko ang pizza sa plato ko at tiningnan siya nang masama. "Kung hindi kita pinagkakatiwalaan, eh di sana hindi kita pinayagang manligaw!" 

"Ay, wow..." He dramatically held his chest. "Ganda mo talaga." 

"Well, small thing." I shrugged. 

I laughed when he laughed! His laugh was so contagious. We probably looked dumb, laughing at each other. I almost choked on my pizza because of it! 

Pagkatapos namin kumain, hinatid na niya 'ko ulit papunta sa carpark. Huminto kami sa tapat ng entrance at humarap ako sa kaniya to bid goodbye. 

"I'll... go now. Good luck tomorrow." I bit my lower lip. 

"Ingat ka." He ruffled my hair and laughed when I hit him. 

Tumalikod na 'ko at umakyat sa carpark. Nakita ko si Kuya Roel na nakasandal sa may kotse at nagse-cellphone. He opened the door for me when he saw me approaching. 

The next day, I attended my classes but went home early with Ida dahil wala nga ang prof namin sa last two subjects. Ida helped me roll the banner I made for Sevi. I mean, I made an effort this time dahil baka last na niyang game 'to. I wanted to cheer him up.

"You think it's too cheesy?" I asked Ida. 

Kinuha ulit ni Ida ang banner at binuksan para tingnan ang nakalagay. 

'LET'S GO CAPTAIN! #CameROAR #GoUSTe' 

"Okay naman siya. Short but powerful sa CameRoar." Ida laughed. "Halatang siya lang ang sinusuportahan mo, girl." 

"Okay na 'yan!" I rolled it up again. 

I was wearing a yellow bandana on my forehead. Suot ko rin ang yellow jersey ni Sevi with his surname and jersey number at the back. Naka-tuck-in sa maong shorts ko dahil medyo malaki sa 'kin.

I also wore a black tube inside because sleeveless ang jersey at malaki siya so nakikita ang sides ng chest ko. Ida was also wearing a tiger shirt partnered with a pair of mom jeans. We looked so ready for the game. 

"Oh, another game?" My mom caught us leaving. 

"Mommy!" gulat na sabi ko. 

"UST again, huh?" She looked at our shirts. "Anyway, sending my good luck to Sevi. Let's go, Tigers!" she cheered with her fist in the air. 

"Mommy, don't do that again, please..." I was so embarrassed!

"What? I'm gonna watch the live stream. Tell him to do well or else isusumbong ko siya sa Daddy mo." My mom laughed. 

"Mommy!" inis na sabi ko at humalik na sa pisngi niya para makaalis na. "Don't tell Daddy." 

"It depends sa performance ni Sevi sa game," pang-aasar niya pa rin.

Sumimangot ako at hinatak na si Ida palabas ng bahay. Kuya Roel dropped us off in front of the arena. Pumapasok na 'yong mga tao kaya pumunta na rin kami sa entrance, hawak ang tickets. Ida got us balloons again! Someone was giving them out for free. 

"Whoa, we're near," sabi ko pagkaupo. 

"Of course! Thanks to me!" Ida smirked and sat down beside me, holding the balloon. 

Kinakabahan ako kahit wala pa naman. Hindi ko nirereplyan si Sevi simula pa kanina para mas ma-surprise siyang nandito ako. Ang lapit pa namin sa bench ng UST kaya napansin ko agad na nandito na sila. 

I smiled when I saw Sevi staring at his phone, waiting for something. He sighed and shook his head before putting his phone back inside his bag. 

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at nakitang nag-text siya sa 'kin ngayon lang. 

From: Sevi

hindi ka talaga manonood? :( 

I laughed and typed my reply. 

To: Sevi

I have class. 

He was talking to their coach kaya hindi niya nakita ang reply ko. I waited for him to be back at the bench so he could see my reply. Kinuha niya nga ang phone niya at mas sumeryoso lang ang mukha nang mabasa ang text ko. 

"Naaawa na 'ko sa kaniya, Eli. Umamin ka na." Siniko ako ni Ida. 

From: Sevi

okay. kahit good luck lang ngayon? wala ba? 

To: Sevi

GL. 

I giggled again when I saw how his facial expression changed. Kumunot ang noo niya at halatang nabadtrip sa nabasa niya sa phone. Huminga siya nang malalim at nag-type ulit. 

From: Sevi

tipid na tipid? hindi man lang binuo? malay ko ba kung Go Lasalle ibig sabihin nyang GL mo.

He looked so mad! Tumawa ako at nag-type na. I couldn't contain it anymore. Malapit nang magsimula ang game so kailangan ko na siyang i-good luck. 

Bumaba ako sa steps at pumunta sa side niya. Nakatalikod siya sa bleachers at kausap ang teammate niya, kaya hindi niya napansing nasa likuran na niya 'ko. I leaned over the railings and tried to get his attention. 

He was wearing their white jersey this time and black knee support. He looked more fresh-looking in white. 

"Pst, Sebastian!" I called him. 

Napalingon siya sa 'kin, nakakunot ang noo dahil narinig ang first name. I saw how his face changed from being irritated to being shocked. His lips parted for a bit as he stared at me. 

"Scam!" he pointed at me when he realized.

Sinenyasan ko siyang lumapit sa 'kin kaya iniwan niya ang kausap niya para maglakad papunta sa side ko. I laughed when he stopped in front of me, glaring. 

"What?" I raised a brow. 

"Sabi mo may klase ka!" Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala. "Bakit ka nandito?" 

"Ayaw mo ba? I can go home na." 

I was about to leave when he caught my hand and pulled me back to him. I consciously looked around because I felt the stares of some people. Tama nga ako at nanonood ang iba sa 'min, lalo na ang kababaihan. 

"Gusto..." His lips slowly formed a smile. "...kita." 

My eyes widened as my face heated. I lightly hit him on his chest to hide my embarrassment. He changed his grip on my hand so he could intertwine it with his. My heart was beating so fast! I knew people were looking at us!

"Sabi ni Mommy galingan mo raw or else isusumbong ka niya kay Daddy," pagsusumbong ko rin. What if Mommy was serious?! 

"Weh?!" gulat na sabi niya, natakot agad. 

"Yes! So you should do well!" I threatened. 

"Patay tayo diyan, oy..." He laughed. "Putulan mo ng cable o internet para hindi makanood!" 

Napalingon kami sa teammate niya nang tawagin na siya. Lumingon ulit siya sa 'kin at mas hinatak ako palapit para magpaalam na. I bit my lower lip and consciously looked around again. Ang daming nakatingin.

"Tinatawag na 'ko," sabi niya sa 'kin.

Tumango ako. "Sige na. Uhm..."

"Uhm?" He raised his brows, mocking me and waiting for me to say something.

"Good luck." I tiptoed and gave him a kiss on his cheek. 

He stiffened and looked at me with wide eyes. Binitawan ko kaagad siya at dali-daling bumalik sa upuan ko, embarrassed by what I did. I refused to look around! Nararamdaman kong nakatingin sa 'kin ang ibang mga tao.

"Oh my god, girl!" Hinampas ako ni Ida. "Did you just... kiss him?! Oh my god, teka, hindi ko in-expect! Tita! Tita, 'yong anak n'yo po, malandi na!" 

"Shut up, Ida."

Pakiramdam ko'y namumula na 'yong pisngi ko. It was an impulsive act! I did not even plan that! I was caught in the moment! Pwede ko bang ipalusot kay Sevi 'yon? Hindi ko sinasadya? 

Sevi got distracted for a bit because of it! Nakita kong napatulala pa siya saglit bago siya hinatak ng teammate niya papunta sa small circle nila. Mabuti na lang ay bumalik na siya sa katinuan, but his ears were still red!

"Kapag ang UST natalo dahil dinistract mo si Captain, nako!" Sinisi pa 'ko ni Ida. 

"He'll be fine," I said nervously. I hope so! The kiss should motivate him, not distract him! 

When the game started, I got more nervous for the team. Ang dami kaagad points ng Ateneo. Parang wala na silang balak hayaan ang UST maka-score sa first quarter. 

"Defensa! Defensa!" I cheered with the crowd. 

Naagaw ng UST ang bola at sinubukan i-shoot pero hindi pumasok. Sevi jumped for a rebound and it finally entered the net! Everyone stood up to cheer. Nilabas ko na rin ang banner ko at tumalon-talon. 

"Go Sevi!" I yelled. 

He probably couldn't hear me because he was so focused on the game, but I didn't care. I just wanted to cheer for him for the last time kung hindi sila mananalo sa game na 'to. Nag-timeout ang UST kaya lumapit sila sa coach nila. 

Sevi glanced at me for a second and gave me a thumbs down with a sad face. I glared at him and showed him my banner instead. He looked at it and smiled, natatawa pa nang kaunti. 

"You can do it!" I yelled. 

He smiled before going back to the game. Lamang na lamang ang Ateneo sa first quarter. Nagpahinga si Sevi sa second quarter at ganoon pa rin ang nangyari. He went back during the third quarter. Doon na uminit ang laban dahil humahabol na sila. The people were already standing to cheer. 

"Go USTe! Go USTe! Go USTe! Go go go go!" I also cheered with the hand move. 

The crowd went wild when UST scored again. Nalamangan na nila ang Ateneo because of that three-point shot. Mas naging intense tuloy ang atmosphere, especially between the Ateneo and UST crowd. 

During the fourth quarter, nakahabol ulit ang Ateneo at lumamang na naman. I looked at the time. Kaunting segundo na lang ang natitira pero kaya pa naman siyang habulin.

"Let's go, Camero!" I yelled again when Sevi was given a free throw. I was going wild. "Let's go! You can do it! Go, Sevi!" 

He bounced the ball twice before taking his shot. The crowd went wild when it went in. May dalawa pa siya at na-shoot pareho kaya nagsigawan na ang mga tao. 

"3... 2..." I whispered, watching the remaining seconds. 

Everyone stood up and cheered after the buzzer. Napatalon-talon ako nang makitang lamang ang UST ng dalawang points! I hugged Ida out of excitement. Dali-dali akong bumaba sa steps at lumapit sa may railings. 

Sevi went straight to me and was about to give me a hug, but he realized that he was full of sweat so he stopped. He laughed and wiped his sweat with his black towel. 

"Congratulations! I told you!" I smiled at him, still holding my banner. "You did it! I'm so proud of you!"

"Guys, picture, dali!" Sumunod pala si Ida sa 'kin. 

Gusto kong tumanggi pero hinatak ako ni Sevi para magpa-picture. Ngumiti na lang ako sa camera at pinakita ang banner na dala ko. After that, humarap na 'ko ulit kay Sevi at pinisil ang pisngi niya sa sobrang tuwa. 

"You did great!" gigil na sabi ko. "Ah, that was such a good shot! Ang galing!"

"Alam mo kung bakit?" He raised a brow. 

"Pwet ko may rocket or what?" Inunahan ko na siya.

"Hindi!" He laughed. "Kasi... natakot ako sa Mommy mo!" 

I laughed at his face. Tinulak ko na rin siya dahil tinatawag na siya ng coach nila. I went home with Ida after that. Pagkapasok ko, nagulat ako dahil nagpe-prepare na naman si Mommy ng food! 

"What are these for?" I asked her. 

"Celebration?" She smirked.

"Celebrate what?" nagtatakang tanong ko at lumingon kay Ida. "Is it your birthday? Hindi naman, 'di ba?"

"No!" agad na tanggi niya. "How dare you not know my birthday?!"

"They won! I watched it!" My mom looked excited. "Tell Sevi to come over. We're going to celebrate his win." 

Bukas pa dapat kami magkikita ulit ni Sevi but since my mom insisted, nilabas ko ang phone ko at chinat ulit siya na pumunta rito. I told him that Kuya Roel will pick him up whenever he was ready. Tutal, nagluluto pa lang naman si Mommy ng food. 

sevirous: kabahan ka na papalitan na kita bilang anak ng mommy mo 

I laughed before typing my reply. 

elydezma: Bilisan mo. My mom will get mad.

sevirous: wait lang kinakausap pa kami ni coach hahahaha text ko na lang si kuya roel

Kumunot ang noo ko.

elydezma: YOU HAVE HIS NUMBER?! 

sevirous: oo hiningi niya bakit? 

elydezma: WHAT WHY 

sevirous: para raw alam niya kung saan ka hahanapin kapag nawawala ka HAHAHAHA ayan kasi

Napasapo ako sa noo ko at magta-type na sana ng reply kaso tinawag ako ni Mommy para tulungan sila sa kusina. Napanguso ako at sumunod. 

"You should start practicing how to cook," she handed me the vegetables. "Not for your future husband but for yourself." 

"I don't have a talent in cooking, Mommy." I pouted. 

"It's a skill. You can learn it." 

Tinuruan niya 'ko kung paano maghiwa. I tried to do it myself but I accidentally scraped my finger. 

"Ah! Mommy!" I panicked and washed the blood with running water.

"Elyse! My gosh! Be careful kasi!" Pinagalitan niya 'ko kaagad. 

"Ayan!" Ida laughed. "Lagot ka, Eli! Mapuputol daliri mo!" 

I glared at her and looked at my finger. Nahiwa lang naman pero hindi ganoon kalaki. Hinatak ako paupo ni Mommy at ginamot ang sugat ko, saka nilagyan ng band aid. I pouted while she was scolding me. How was that my fault? I already told her that I was bad at cooking! 

Because of that, my mom asked me to step out of the kitchen. Ngumuso ako at umakyat na lang sa kwarto ko para mag-shower at magpalit ng damit. I put a minimal makeup and sprayed perfume. 

"Oh my god!" Muntik na 'kong mahulog sa vanity chair ko nang marinig ang doorbell dahil sa pagmamadaling lumabas ng kwarto. 

"Eli! Careful!" sigaw ni Mommy sa kusina nang makitang madapa-dapa na 'ko sa hagdan pababa.

I composed myself before opening the door. 

"Good evening, Ma'am... Parang hindi bagay.. Good..." I caught Sevi practicing what to say. 

"Hey," bati ko.

"Oh shit, Mama!" He held his chest out of shock. "Ikaw pala 'yan..." 

He looked relieved when he saw me. He was probably expecting my mom to open the door like last time. I laughed and looked at him from head to toe to admire his outfit. 

He was wearing a pair of black shorts, and then a white pullover sweater. I think he also fixed his hair with wax? He smelled good, too. Parang hindi galing sa game kanina ah. 

"My mom's waiting for you." Binuksan ko ang pinto.

"'Yong dad mo?" kinakabahang tanong niya. 

"Still in America. Sa Friday pa uwi niya," maikling sagot ko. 

Napatingin siya bigla sa leeg ko at napangisi nang makitang suot ko ang necklace niya. Suot ko naman siya palagi pero ngayon niya lang napansin! 

"Sevi! Come and eat!" tawag ni Mommy kaya nagmamadaling pumunta si Sevi sa dining. 

Sumunod ako at umupo ulit sa tabi niya. My mom congratulated him about the game, but Sevi said it wasn't over yet. It was a casual dinner. However, Sevi was so nervous, that he looked like he wasn't breathing anymore. 

"Are you okay?" I held his hand under the table. 

My mom took a call again so she had to go to the study room. Doon lang nakahinga nang maluwag si Sevi at napainom pa ng tubig. 

"Eli, nandiyan na driver ko." Tumayo si Ida at kinuha ang mga gamit niya. 

"You're going na?" I acted lonely. 

She leaned to give me a kiss on the cheek but stopped to whisper something in my ear. 

"Stop faking your loneliness. You're probably happy that I'm leaving." She laughed.

Umirap ako at hinatid na siya sa may pinto. I was left with Sevi sa dining. Tapos na kaming dalawa kumain kaya hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. 

"Are you going home na?" I asked, standing beside his chair. 

"Hindi pa. Hihintayin ko pa Mommy mo para makapagpaalam." Tumayo siya at liligpitin na sana ang plato pero naunahan na siya ng helper namin. 

"Matagal pa siya," I informed him. 

"Okay lang." He shrugged. "Hintayin ko na lang dito."

Pumunta siya sa sofa at dahan-dahang umupo roon. Umupo rin ako sa tabi niya. We were both silent. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. The living room felt so open for me. Hindi ako makapagsalita or makagalaw man lang. 

"Let's go out for a walk," aya ko sa kaniya. "I have something to show you." 

Tumango siya at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo niya sa sofa. Kinuha ko ang banner sa bag ko at tinupi 'yon para itago sa likod ko. He didn't notice it until we reached the garden. 

"Ano? Nasaan?" He stopped walking and looked around. Umatras ako sa kaniya kaya nagtaka siya lalo. "Ano 'yan?" turo niya sa hawak ko sa likod ko. 

"Your banner?" 

Binuksan ko sa harapan niya 'yong banner kanina. He tilted his head a little to the right, still confused about why I brought it here. 

"Nakita ko na 'yan kanina," he informed me. 

"Are you sure?" I raised my brows. 

"Hindi ako sure?" he joked and laughed. 

I bit the insides of my cheek and walked backward again. His brows furrowed, getting more confused. 

"You saw this?" 

Binaliktad ko ang banner at pinakita sa kaniya kung ano ang nasa likod. Kumunot ang noo niya at binasa ang naroon. I saw how his eyes went wide and how his face heated after reading it. 

'I like you'

"I... Uhm... like you." I laughed awkwardly and looked away. "It's a confession."

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:)