SEVEN

"Congratulations, Captain!" 

My teammates rushed toward me, cheering and wrapping me in hugs just as I was drinking water. Muntik na kaming matumba sa sahig. I quickly raised the bottle to avoid spilling it. We had just won Nationals, and my final spike had sealed the victory. Everyone was cheering so loud. 

This was my last year in junior high, and winning felt like the perfect send-off before I transferred schools. We had to make it count, and we actually did. I felt so proud, but I didn't show it on my face.

"Seven, ang galing-galing mo!" Some of my female schoolmates approached me and complimented me, but I just nodded and barely acknowledged them.

I'd never been interested in anyone. My entire life revolved around volleyball, and nothing else seemed worth my attention. While Lai and Nat often talked about their "crushes," I always felt like the odd one out. Whenever the topic came up, I'd zone out, my mind filled with thoughts of spikes and serves. 

Sometimes, I even wondered if there was something wrong with me. I knew what attraction looked like because I'd seen it in movies, but I never felt it myself. Even after transferring to Heinrich International School for Senior High, where I met so many new people, none of them sparked any interest in me.

A lot of people already tried.

"Seven, I really like you..."

My hands rested in my pockets as I stood across from the girl in her neat Heinrich uniform, a sharp contrast to my sweaty sports attire. She had asked to meet me during my training break, so I was still wearing my volleyball jersey, athletic shorts, and elbow and knee supports.

I didn't know what to say. I was not like Lyonelle, who already had a script memorized in his head. I felt bad looking at her shaking hands as she handed me a paper bag with chocolates. 

"Uh... Thanks." Inabot ko na lang iyong paper bag mula sa kamay niya. What will I do with this? Should I just give it to Nat? I was trying to avoid sweets. 

"I'm not asking you to date me! I... I'm just wondering if you could give me a chance..." Hindi na siya makatingin sa akin.

I kept my eyes on her, silently wondering what expression I was wearing. Did I look bored? I hoped not. I didn't want to come across as disrespectful. The truth was, I simply didn't know how to react, even though I'd been in this situation more times than I could count.

Fine. I'll just use Lai's words. 

"Sorry, I want to focus on my competition," I told her in the softest tone possible. 

She told me it was okay and then ran away, covering her face in embarrassment. I was left there with the paper bag in my hand. I sighed and walked back to the volleyball court, putting the paper bag inside my duffel bag. 

"Seven!" I looked at Nat who was running toward me after my training. Kakatapos lang namin at mukhang tapos na rin siya sa training niya sa debate. "Uwi ka na? Kain tayo!"

"I have to eat dinner with my family," tanggi ko kaagad. I reached into my bag for the chocolates, but then I hesitated, thinking about Nat's debate partner, Yori. He might get the wrong idea and feel jealous, so I decided against giving her the chocolates. The last time I saw him at their restaurant, when I went there with Nat, he seemed wary of me, his eyes following me the entire time. We hadn't even been introduced yet. 

When I got home, I dropped my bag in my room and headed to the living room to tidy up the coffee table. Tinabi ko sa kanya-kanyang lagayan ang mga gamit doon. Afterward, I went to the kitchen to return the dry dishes to the cabinet and neatly arrange the utensils in the drawer.

Next, I checked on Kiel, who was busy gaming in his room. I grabbed his school bag, turned it upside down, and dumped everything onto his bed. I threw away crumpled papers and organized his school supplies.

I also picked up his clothes from the floor and put them in the laundry bag. Then, I went into my parents' room. Mom often tried on different outfits before work, leaving the rejected ones scattered on the bed in her rush. Since our helpers only came on weekends and weekday mornings, there were always a few things left out of place. My parents didn't want their things being touched, especially their bags and shoes, so the helpers would just leave them there. 

I returned Mom's bags to the shelves, folded her clothes, and put them back in the wardrobe. I also tidied Dad's work desk before heading back to my room. Once there, I vacuumed thoroughly to ensure everything was clean. 

Finally, I could take a shower. 

After taking a shower, I went downstairs to cook dinner for the family, as my parents were running late. When they arrived, the food was already prepared on the dining table. 

"Kiel, go down for dinner," I told him. He didn't hear me because of his headset, so I tapped his shoulders.

"Gagi!" gulat na gulat siya nang makita ako at napahawak pa sa dibdib. "Jusmiyo! Mahihimatay ako sa gulat, 'ya."

"Dinner's ready. Hurry," I repeated before going down. 

Mom and Dad didn't want to eat dinner in their dirty clothes, so I waited for them to change. Kiel went down first and sat in front of me, smiling cheekily. Kumuha na kaagad siya ng kanin at ulam at nilagay sa plato niya. I just let him be. 

"Mame, gutom na ako! Ano b'ang ginagawa n'yo diyan?!" sigaw ni Kiel. 

"Ito na, ito na!" Dad hurried downstairs. His hair was still wet from the shower. "Hinanap ko pa 'yong black na folder sa desk ko. Nakita mo, Seven?"

"In the study room. Your work desk. Left drawer," I answered. 

"Thank you!" masayang sabi niya at umupo na sa tabi ni Kiel. 

Mom also went down in her pajamas and took her seat beside me. During dinner, we talked about random things—some random life, work, or school updates. 

"Mame, ayaw n'yo kami bigyan ng kapatid?" I almost choked on my food when Kiel asked innocently. Pati si Dad muntik pang madura ang kinakain niya sa mukha ni Mommy. Napatakip siya sa bibig niya at umubo-ubo. 

"Dear..." Mom didn't know what to say. She just laughed and looked at Dad, who was still coughing. Inabutan ko siya ng baso ng tubig. "It's not easy getting pregnant, you know... I would have to stop working for months. The company can't run without me." 

"Bawal bang si Dade ang mabuntis?" tanong ulit ni Kiel. 

Mom started laughing, putting her hand on her stomach. I also laughed a bit, imagining it. Oh, Kiel... I didn't know if he was joking or not. 

"Kung pwede lang, then we would have four more kids!" Mom continued laughing. Dad just recovered from choking on his food. 

"Gusto mo 'ata akong pinapahirapan, Kiel," sabi ni Dad. "May galit ka sa 'kin 'no? Dahil hindi kita binigyan ng baon kahapon?"

"Okay lang. Binigyan ako ni Mame." Kiel stuck his tongue out. "Wala na talagang kapatid? Final na?"

"Having another child isn't an easy decision. The whole family needs to agree on it because it brings additional responsibilities for everyone. I don't think your brother is keen on having another sibling, and your dad and I are still busy with work," paliwanag ni Mom. "Why do you want a sibling so bad?"

"Wala lang, Mame... para masaya." Nagkibit-balikat si Kiel at kumain na lang. I thought he had a good reason. I forgot he was still young. 

Mom was right—I didn't want another sibling. Taking care of Kiel was already challenging enough. Still, if my parents decided to have another child, I'd be okay with it. I trust they know what they're doing.

"Kumusta school, Seven?" tanong ni Dad. 

"Same old," I answered because it was the same daily routine. Wala namang bago kaya wala akong makekwento. Parang si Nat lang ang may thrill ang school life ngayon because of her newly-found crush, Yori. 

"Walang partner?" pang-aasar pa ni Dad.

"Yieee!" Mom joined in. "Maybe you have someone na! Introduce mo na siya!"

Napailing ako sa kanilang dalawa. "I don't have anyone." 

I always gave the same answer whenever they asked me about it. Mukhang sila pa ang mas excited na magkaroon ako ng love life. Romance just wasn't on my mind. Sure, there were plenty of attractive women at school, but none of them really caught my attention.

Were my standards too high? I didn't think so. I was simply focused on volleyball. All I wanted was to win again. 

Having a crush felt like a waste of time—just a distraction filled with unnecessary emotions. What will I do with temporary happiness? 

After senior high, I was off to a new journey at the University of Flare Alva. I took Applied Physics because it might help me in my volleyball career. My second option was to become a physics professor. Mom had already asked me before if I was interested in the company, and I said no. 

"Ako na lang, Mame," simpleng sabi ni Kiel habang kumakain kami.

"Really? You'll study business?" Nagulat pa si Mommy. Well, none of us were expecting Kiel to be interested in business. We thought he wanted to be a professional gamer or something. 

"Okay lang." Nagkibit-balikat siya. 

"Ayaw mo mag-games-games?" paninigurado ni Dad. 

"Ayaw! Hindi ko na mae-enjoy kapag ganoon!" 

He was still young, so he might change his mind soon kapag nasa Senior High na rin siya at kailangan na niyang pumili ng kurso niya. Mom and Dad knew that too so they didn't say anything more. 

I didn't move out for college because I knew the house would be in chaos without me. I couldn't leave them by themselves yet, especially Kiel, who always called for me. 

'Kuya, nasaan 'yong bag ko?'

'Kuya, pahiram ako ng iPad!'

'Kuya, ayaw gumana ng mouse ko!' 

'Kuya, gutom na ako!' 

I was his one call away. What would happen if I suddenly left the house? I felt weighed down by responsibilities I couldn't walk away from, so I stayed. 

I had always been the one to take charge, so much so that I couldn't separate myself from other people's problems, na kahit problema ng iba, pinoproblema ko rin, like Nat's concerns about her family. I'd offer solutions, even when she didn't ask, which often led to arguments. Lyonelle would always step in to remind me that I wasn't responsible for her problems... But after years of being the problem-solver at home, it became second nature to take on everything, even when I shouldn't. 

That, I realized, was my problem to fix.

When we graduated from senior high, they threw a big graduation party for Nat, me, and Lyonelle. I received a gift from Nat's and Lyonelle's family. My parents gave me a car as a graduation gift so I could also use it to go to school.

"Ang laki mo na, Seven." Tita Kierra reached up to ruffle my hair. I was already taller than her. "Your Tito Shan would have been so proud of you!" 

I smiled back. "I hope so. They said we look alike." 

She flashed me a genuine smile before playfully pinching my cheek. "You smile the same. Mas siraulo nga lang 'yon. Ikaw, ang bait mong bata, eh!"

I laughed and talked to Tita more before Mom called me to take photos with Nat and Lai. That night, I had a talk with the two after the romance movie we watched. Napunta na naman doon ang topic. 

"Malay mo, Seven, makita mo na 'yong para sa 'yo sa college!" sabi ni Nat habang nakadapa sa kama. Nakaupo ako sa sahig at yakap ang tuhod ko. Si Lai naman ay nakahiga sa may sofa. 

"How would I even know?" Tumaas ang isang kilay ko. I really had no idea how it would feel like. 

"You just know," Nat said with a smirk, clearly proud of her answer. But as her thoughts drifted to what had happened with Yori, her smile quickly faded.

"That's not very helpful," Lai replied, leaning in. "Maybe it's when your heart races just thinking about them. That seems like a sign."

I shrugged, uninterested in their conversation. I pretended to listen, but their words didn't really sink in. My mind was elsewhere.

Even before the school year started, I had already been recruited by Flare Alva's volleyball team. They told me they were impressed by my performance during Nationals and saw me as a valuable addition to their team. I was just glad to secure my spot.

Training with the team brought me close to my new teammates, especially Ira and King. We naturally clicked since we were all in the same year and equally passionate about volleyball. They quickly became my closest friends on the team.

"Eh, 'yon, p're? Maganda 'yon, oh!" turo ni Ira habang nakaupo kami sa bleachers, hinihintay matapos iyong mga naglalaro ng volleyball para sa P.E. Hinahanapan daw nila ako ng 'crush' para naman magka-emosyon ako. 

"No," I said while drinking some juice, uninterested. 

"Eh, 'yon?" turo din ni King.

My brows furrowed as I shot him a look of pure disgust. Binatukan ko siya at muntik na siyang masubsob sa sandalan ng upuan sa harapan. "That's Nat," I told him.

"Huh? Kilala mo?" they asked, so I ended up recounting the whole story of how Nat and I had known each other since birth. I had always treated both Lai and Nat like siblings, which made it feel like a sin to be teased about Nat that way.

"Iyon na lang, 'yong may ipit na pink." Ira continued searching for me. 

"Nothing." I felt nothing as I looked at her. Sure, she was pretty, but appearances had never really mattered to me. 

What truly mattered to me was personality, and I believed you could tell a lot about it from the way someone smiled. 

"Ano ba kasi type mo?" tanong ni King, nahihirapan nang maghanap. 

"Just someone kind," I said simply. It didn't seem like too much to ask, but kindness felt rare these days. "Someone with a genuine, kind smile." That was all I wanted.

I wanted someone who treated everyone with equal kindness, regardless of their status or appearance. Someone genuinely passionate about helping others. I just wanted someone genuine.

"Ang dami diyan!" Ira looked around. "Smile lang pala, eh! Ako kaya, p're? Maganda ba smile ko?" Ngumiti pa siya sa akin at tinuro ang mukha niya. 

"Hindi, eh," I answered. 

"Tangina nito, ah." Hinatak niya ang buhok ko kaya hinampas ko siya ng bag ko. "Nakakasakit ka na, ah!" Malakas na tumawa si King at hinampas-hampas ang balikat ni Ira.

Second year came. Summer pa lang, abala na ako sa training namin dahil nag-training camp kami sa malayong lugar, so when we got back for first day of school, everything felt new. I was heading to training that day, dressed in my sports attire and a cap. Nakasuot din ako noong team jacket namin at nakasabit ang duffel bag sa balikat ko. 

"It's so fucking hot..." Huminto ako sa gitna ng campus para hubarin ang jacket ko. I was removing it over my shoulders when I felt someone's presence behind me. Lumingon ako at mukhang nagulat siya dahil kakalabitin niya pa lang sana ako. 

"Hello!" she greeted, her lips curving into a bright smile that lit up her eyes. I froze, my hands paused in the act of taking off my jacket. My lips parted as I couldn't help but stare at her.

She showed me her enrollment papers since she had yet to get an ID. A freshman, I see. 

"Alam mo po ba kung saan ang Fashion Institute?" turo niya roon sa papel. Naroon ang schedule at iyong rooms. 

I couldn't answer immediately. I let go of my jacket and looked around, trying to find the Fashion Institute building. "Uh... Uhm..." Fuck, why couldn't I talk? 

"Okay lang! Take your time!" she giggled, smiling wider. 

I blinked twice, staring at her again. I just returned to my senses when she tilted her head a bit to the side, looking confused and probably wondering why I was staring at her. I cleared my throat and pointed at the building on my right. 

"That way..." I said, avoiding her eyes for some reason. 

"Saan po?" Naglabas na siya ng mapa at pinakita sa akin. I put my bag down and opened it to find my pen. I was panicking so my things were already getting messed up. May mga nahulog pa kaya yumuko siya para pulutin ang mga iyon at ibalik sa bag ko. "It's okay! It's okay! Huwag ka pong magmadali! Okay lang, promise!" 

"Sorry," I mumbled. I got my pen and circled the spot where we were standing. "This is our location... Just go straight here... and then turn right... then you'll find this sign..." I continued drawing on the map. 

"Yay, thank you po! Sorry po sa abala!" she said, still smiling and waving her hand as she walked away from me. Muntik pa niyang mabunggo ang nasa likuran niya kaya napatalikod siya at nag-sorry ulit doon.

I found myself laughing unconsciously as I watched her, my gaze following her until she disappeared from my view. 

I ended up being late to training because of that, for the first time ever. It also earned me my first punishment, which was to run extra laps. Pinagtawanan tuloy ako nina Ira at King at nag-cheer pa habang pinapanood akong tumakbo. 

"Ano'ng nangyari? Bakit ka na-late?" natatawang sabi ni King, halatang nang-iinis. 

"Some freshman asked me for directions," I told them, shaking my head. 

Ira and King grinned like they thought of a ridiculous idea. My brows furrowed, looking at them with confusion. 

"What?" I snapped because their faces were annoying me. 

"Crush mo?" Ira wriggled his brows, teasing me. 

I shook my head silently, choosing not to say anything. I don't even know her name. What are they talking about? 

"Uy, gago, hindi siya nagsalita!" Umakyat sa bench si King at nilagay ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang gilid ng bibig niya bago sumigaw. "Team! May crush na si Pito! Pucha, itigil ang training!"

Napalingon lahat ng teammates namin at agad silang sumali sa asaran. I covered my ears, irritated by the noise. They wouldn't stop teasing me, bombarding me with questions about her—her name, school, course, year, and block. I ignored all of it, refusing to answer a single question. Bahala sila. 

"It's not like that!" inis na sabi ko.

"'Tang ina, nasaan na 'yong mga nakipagpustahan sa akin?! Nanalo ako! Sabi sa inyo ngayong year, eh!" sigaw rin ni Ira at naningil pa. 

What the hell? They even made a bet about it. 

"It's not a crush. Now, stop and get back to training," seryosong sabi ko. Natahimik silang lahat at bumalik na sa court. I was close to throwing a ball on their faces. 

Everyone was so tired after training, so we all went out to stop by the nearest convenience store on the campus to get some refreshing drinks. 

"Welcome po!" 

I froze as soon as I stepped into the store, causing Ira to walk straight into my back. Startled, I turned to the side when I heard a familiar voice. There she was—the freshman, standing behind the counter in a store uniform. She works here? How had I never noticed her before?

"Huy, Pito! Pasok na! Nakapila kami rito, oh! Hindi kami makapasok!" Natauhan ako nang itulak ako ni Ira papasok. I stumbled and almost hit the whole shelf. Napakapit na lang ako sa may rack kaya nahulog iyong ibang sachet. Lumuhod ako para pulutin iyon.

"Ako na po!" Lumapit 'yong babae at tinulungan akong ibalik 'yon sa lagayan. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered, still trying to help. 

"It's okay!" She smiled again while putting the products back on the rack. 

Tumayo ako at agad umiwas para pumunta sa may mga drinks. My teammates couldn't stop laughing at me because of what had happened. So, when I saw the culprit again, I smacked him on the back. It was all Ira's fault. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin at umaktong hahampasin ako ng bote. 

Shit... That was so embarrassing.

I grabbed a bottle of lemonade and headed straight to the counter, pulling up my hoodie to hide my face out of embarrassment. As I placed the drink down, my eyes caught a glimpse of the name tag on her uniform.

Alia.

So that was her name. Alia, huh... It suited her perfectly.

"Ito lang po?" It was as if her smile was a permanent part of her face. She never stopped smiling. 

"Yes," maikling sagot ko. Nilapag ko na kaagad ang bayad at nagmamadaling umalis.

"Sir, sukli n'yo po at resibo!"

I heard my teammates laugh again when they heard that. Bumalik ako at mabilis na kinuha ang sukli ko at lumabas na ulit, wala nang pakialam sa resibo. Ira and King were both so amused at the way I acted. They couldn't stop teasing me about it. 

"Ano'ng mayroon sa 'yo, Pito?" natatawang tanong ni King. "Masakit ba tama ng bola sa ulo mo?" 

"Shut up," I said, drinking the lemonade juice. 

The next morning, my teammates went to the convenience store again. I thought I would see her again, but it was a different person at the counter. Wait... Why was I hoping to see her again? What is wrong with me?

I went to class after our morning training and then had lunch with Lyonelle at the cafeteria. Nakapila kami habang may hawak na tray. 

"Where's Nat?" I asked.

"She's with her blockmates." 

We stopped talking about Nat as soon as Yori lined up behind us. He gave a polite bow when our eyes met.

"Hello," I greeted, and Lyonelle quickly started chatting with him about random things while the line kept moving. 

Lyonelle had his back to me while conversing with Yori. When the line stopped, he didn't notice and kept stepping backward. I had to move, too, accidentally bumping into the girl in front of me, who was holding a cup of rice.

"Shit, sorry," I said quickly, reaching out to grab her arm and steady her.

Ugh... It was her again. Alia. Why do I keep inconveniencing her? What is happening? What is wrong with me?

"Sorry!" sabi niya rin kahit ako ang nakabunggo sa kanya. She left shortly after, walking away with a friend and my classmate, Chae. So they're friends...

I turned to Lyonelle and glared at him. "Eyes on the front," I hissed. 

"Yes, sir." Umayos siya ng tayo.

Something was off that week. Ever since Alia asked me for directions, I seemed to run into her everywhere. It wouldn't have been so bad if it was just that, but somehow, I kept doing things that inconvenienced her. I could die of embarrassment. I kept hiding my face, hoping she wouldn't remember me for all the wrong reasons. I didn't want that to be my first impression.

And I don't know why I care.

"Pito, magdi-dinner ba tayo?" Ira asked after training. I was busy fixing my things so I was only half-listening.

"Yeah."

"Pito, pwede pahingi ng tubig?" I heard King's voice.

I nodded. "Yeah." 

"Pito, crush mo ba 'yong cashier doon sa convenience store?" 

"Yeah," I blurted out without thinking. My eyes widened the moment I realized what I had just said. 

Fuck. 

The silence around us when I spoke made it so much worse... because everyone heard me. Napasapo ako sa noo ko nang nagkantyawan silang lahat. I wished I could disappear on the spot. I covered my face and sighed, getting frustrated.

"It's not like that. I was just caught off guard, okay?" I tried to defend myself, but my teammates wouldn't stop making those irritating noises to tease me. "I don't have a damn crush. What am I, some lovesick teenager?" I snapped, but it was like they couldn't hear a word I said.

There was no point in denying it. Nakatatak na 'yon sa isipan nila. 

"Tara, may bibilhin ako sa convenience store diyan, eh!" One of my teammates, Milo, called for everyone to join him, and before I could protest, Ira and King grabbed me and dragged me along.

They couldn't stop laughing. It seemed like teasing me was their favorite source of entertainment. I had officially become everyone's favorite person to make fun of. 

"Hello po!" Domingo, another opposite hitter, greeted Alia, who was at the counter. Then, he looked back at me with a grin. 

I stayed silent, moving to the back to avoid Alia's gaze. I just pretended to look at some bread. I was just dragged here. Wala naman akong bibilhin. My teammates kept on hinting about someone having a crush, and I pretended that it wasn't me. Kunwari na lang ay hindi ko sila naririnig. 

I got a random bread and placed it on the counter. Ni hindi ko na matingnan si Alia. Nakayuko lang ako, kumukuha ng pera sa wallet ko. 

"Thank you! Come again!" And she did that again. That smile. 

That damn smile that got me. 

"Thanks," I muttered before quickly walking out of the convenience store, practically holding my breath. Once I was outside, I clutched my chest, gasping for air. 

I needed to get out of there as fast as possible... because my heart was pounding like crazy.

"Fuck... This is bad," I whispered to myself. 

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:)