After that incident, I became his crutches. Figuratively. I was there when he can't stand in his own feet. I was there when he fell. I picked him up and helped him get through things. Kasingbilis ng pagsikat ni Ivan ang pagbagsak niya.

When he was no longer in the team, he lost most of his friends. He became nobody. Because in reality, Ivan cannot do anything other than to play basketball. He wasn't smart. He can't sing or dance or act. He's good-looking, sure, but without his confidence, he's just a regular guy who can't shoot hoops and was left by the world to mend his broken soul and his broken leg.

But because of his downfall, we became close. Nawalan ako ng kaagaw sa kanya. I don't know if it's a good thing. All I know is I've never been happier. Kahit pa madalas akong puyat dahil sa pag-uusap namin. Kahit pa nawawalan na ako ng oras sa sarili ko dahil napupunta na ang lahat ng iyon sa kanya. Masaya ako.

He was finally mine.

Ivan became better. Pumuporma na sya ulit. Ngumingiti na. Masaya ako dahil alam kong ako ang may kagagawan noon. I knew that without me, he won't be able to pick himself up.

Eventually, I was able to reveal my feelings to him. Nasa bahay nila kami. I was helping him with his studies. He asked me something and when I turned to face him, I was momentarily lost in his eyes.

We both did not look away. It's like we're both trapped in this staring frenzy.

"I love you," I said, almost whispering the words out.

He didn't respond. He just cupped my face and kissed me. And I rejoiced.

One thing led to another and a few hours later, we found ourselves naked under the sheets, staring at the ceiling of his bedroom. Niyakap ako ni Ivan at saka hinalikan sa pisngi.

"I love you, Joan."