"! ! ! I'm doomed!" paulit ulit kong sabi habang paroo't parito akong naglalakad sa loob ng kwarto namin ni Babs. 

"Can you please calm down?" my sister Babs retorted. 

Bakit ako nagkakaganito? It was because the first sports was announced and it would be archery. Yes! A ing archery na wala akong kapag- a- pagasang manalo. Paano ko nasabi? Naalala niyo ba how I messed up nung naglaro kami nun ni Jennie sa isla. Ni isang bulls eye wala akong tinamaan. Lahat sablay!

"How can I calm down Babs kung alam kong wala akong pag asa ni katiting na manalo sa mga yun?" sabi ko. 

Wala na kong magawa kundi ang mapasabunot na lang sa ulo ko. Nagmamahal lang naman ako. Gusto lang naman namin ni Jennie na sumaya, bakit kailangang maging komplikado ng lahat? Bakit di na lang nila kami pabayaan sumaya?!

"Kaya nga may isang buong araw ka to practice. Alam mo Yati, kesa magmukmok ka dyan, why don't you just use your time para sa pagpapractice" 

Bigla namang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto namin revealing Jennie and Jisoo wearing a smile on their faces. Pero agad ding nawala ang mga ngiti nila when they saw the serious look on our faces. 

Jennie walked towards me and she gave me a quick peck. 

"What's happening here? Why do you guys look so devastated?" Jennie asked us. 

Nagpapakiramdaman pa kami ni Babs kung anong sasabihin. Jen looked at me then Babs simultaneously. Even Jisoo is doing the same. I couldn't find the words to say naman. Ayoko kasing malaman ni Jennie na nawawalan ako ng pag asa coz I promised her. I promised her I'll do anything to win her. But knowing my sister hindi to magsisinungaling and I wasn't wrong when she started telling them.

"She's losing hope Jennie after hearing the first sports. I think you have to knock some sense with your scaredy girlfriend here" Babs said while rolling her eyes on me. 

Jennie looked at me worriedly and I somehow felt low. I don't want her to pity me. 

"I'm not scared! I'm just stating facts here, Rosie! I can't definitely win to them in this round" I countered. 

Iniyuko ko ang ulo ko coz I am ashamed of myself. Paano ko maipaglalaban si Jennie kung ganito yung nararamdaman ko. Ang hirap kasing lumaban kung alam mo sa sarili mong wala kang kapana panalo. 

"I thought you are going to do anything to win this? That you won't give her up that easy?" 

"I won't!" sagot ko. 

"Then be confident enough! Do it!" Babs said. 

I looked at Babs and she doesn't seem to be disappointed in me. She seem more like motivating me than bringing me down. 

"Well, I think you have a chance to win this" it was Jisoo who said that. 

Napatingin naman kaming tatlo sa kanya. And we are looking at her as if asking her about what she's trying to imply. 

"What I am just saying is, if you start practcing now, maybe you should stand a chance against them. And I know someone who's very good in archery that can help you" nakangising sabi nito. 

"Who?" tanong ko. 

Hindi niya sinagot ang tanong ko. Sa halip, nakangiti lang siya habang kami naman ay nakatingin lang sa kanya. Saka lang namin napansin na kay Jennie pala siya nakatingin. Si Jennie! Si Jennie yung tinutukoy niya? I looked at her asking for confirmation if I was right and she nodded her head. 

Oo nga! Jennie is very good in archery! I've seen that and I have witnessed it first hand! Bakit di ko agad naisip yun? Jennie was confused at first pero agad niya rin namang nagets ang gustomg sabihin ni Jisoo. 

"Is it okay with you Babe?" I asked. 

Jennie smiled sweetly at me and kissed my cheeks. 

"Of course! I would love to. So, when do we start?" 

 

The four of us went to garden to start practicing. Sobrang excited ko dahil si Jennie yung magtuturo sakin. Ibig sabihin lang nun, matagal kaming magsasama at akin lang siya buong araw. 

Jennie and I are walking side by side while walking towards the garden habang nauuna naman sa harapan namin si Jisoo and Babs. Gustong gusto kong hawakan yung kamay niya pero pinipigilan ko dahil hindi pa pwede. But I smiled when Jennie lowkey holding my hand sa hallway na dinadaanan namin nung nawalan na yung mga tao. I turned my head so I could look at her and she also did the same. She even mouthed me I love you. I roamed my eyes around the area to check if there are other people around, but whe I confirmed na wala, I quickly peck her lips which made her chuckle and made me giddy. Jeez! Everytime she giggles, my heart jumps for happiness as well. I love seeing her happy always. 

Nawala naman yung saya ko pagdating namin ng garden when my eyes landed on the tall blonde guy who's also practicing. Jennie didn't let go of our hand even though Franciso Lachowski turn around when he noticed our presence. Sobrang natouched naman ako sa ginawang yun ni Jennie. 

"Good morning! Good morning my cute little dumpling!" he greeted happily. 

Akmang lalapit pa sana siya kay Jennie but I blocked his way. I stand between them and glared at him. Maski si Jisoo at Babs ay ang sama din ng tingin sa kanya. Mukhang din naman siya nabother sa ginawa ko dahil nginitian niya lang ako. Yung nakakalokong ngiti.

"Relax people jeez!" tatawa tawang sabi nito.

"So, I assumed you're here to practice too?" dagdag pa nito.

"Yes! So, I'll appreciate if you could excuse us so we could start" pagtataray ni Jennie but then again this guys seems unbothered. 

"Have it your way, your highness" sabi nito bago siya tumabi para bigyang daan si Jennie. 

Jennie looked at me and smiled. 

"Come here, LOVE" she said emphasizing the word love. I bet pinarinig niya talaga yun sa lalaking to but again nakangiti lang siya samin which makes me more irritated. 

Jennie extended her arm for me which I quickly accepted. Tinignan ko muna ng masama si mokong habang naglalakad ako papunta kay Jen. He crossed his arms naman while while watching us still nakangiti pa rin si mokong. Di kaya nangangawit panga nito kakangiti? 

"Don't mind him and just focus with me, okay?" sabi ni Jen. 

"Okay" 

 

 

"Love, always remember that your stance – where you place your feet when shooting – is the foundation for your shot. Your stance must be solid and consistent" sabi niya habang inuusog niya ng paa niya yung paa ko sa kung anong tamang posisyon dapat ako nakatayo. 

"Once you have the solid stance it's time to give attention to your elbow now" she continued. 

She positioned my elbow too while she standing on my back at parang nakayakap na siya sakin. I can smell her sweet perfume and that makes me want to kiss her pero di pwede kasi kailangan ko magfocus. 

"Correct elbow rotation is one of archery’s most important, skills. This means keeping your bow arm’s elbow rotated straight up and down while drawing the bow and releasing the arrow. By setting the bow arm elbow correctly from the start, and maintaining its position during the shot, your upper body will be properly aligned, which results in a stronger shot and better arrow groups in the target, okay?" 

I nodded my head. I never knew she looks so hot while teaching. 

"Next is the anchor point... It is a spot on your face – usually the corner of your mouth or just below your chin – where you pull the bowstring every time. And lastly,  aiming, aiming is important, but it’s equally important to use your muscles to create a strong release and follow-through. By focusing on the right technique at the right time, your shots will be stronger and your groups tighter and more consistent" 

Tinanggal niya na yung pagaalalay niya sa akin at bahagyan lumayo. 

"Now release!" sabi niya and as if on cue, I released the arrow and my eyes widened when it hits the bull's eye. 

"Wow!"

"Nice Shot!" 

Sabay na sigaw ni Jisoo at Babs na napatayo sa upuan nila sa sobrang excitement. 

Maski ako di makapaniwala. My mouth went agape and I turned my head on Jennie and she was grinnimg widely as well. Hindi ko naman napigilan ang sarili ko and I dropped the bow I'm holding to hug her. I spin her around while we both laugh. Pero agad akong huminto sa pag ikot ng magsalita yung mokong na Francisco.

"Not bad! You're still a great archer, Jen. But I hope you can keep this up until tomorrow, Lisa" sabi nito bago niya kami iwan sa garden. 

I clenched my jaw sa sobrang inis ko but Jennie managed to tame me. 

"Love chill. Don't mind him... You did a great job, okay?" sabi niya while caressing my face with her soft hand. 

Lisa and Jennie continued practicing ngunit wala silang kaalam alam na may mga matang nakamasid sa kanila mula sa malayo. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Kinakabahan ako mahal" I told Jennie. 

She's inside our room now to wish me luck bago ako sumabak sa kompetisyon maya maya lang. Medyo nakakaintindi na rin si Jen ng tagalog coz everytime we cuddle sa kwarto niya, I always taught here basic tagalog words. 

"Just remember all the things and techniques I taught you. Focus, love. I'm sure those two will try to destruct you but don't let them, okay? If you're feeling anxious just look at me. Always remember that you have my support. I trust you. I know you can win this" she said.

I nodded my head and cupped her cheeks with both my hands then I leaned to capture her lips. I need this. I need her goodluck kiss. Her hands grab the collar of my shirt and she pulled me closer so she could deepen the kiss. She kissed me passionately. She my lower lip and slid her tongue inside when I slightly parted my lips for. She dominated me. I let her and every inch of my mouth. And without breaking the kiss, I encircled my hands on her torso and pulled her against my body coz I want to feel her warmth. Her lips taste like strawberries and I can't get enough of her until a loud knock on the door separated us. Panting really hard, no one dared to speak up. We just looked at each other lovingly. I don't want to stop yet but I know it's time to go now. I opened the door and Jisoo welcomed me. 

"It's time" she said and I nodded. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---------

Jennie

Before the competition started, the three of them lined up. I sat beside the King and I swear sobrang kinakabahan ako. I trust Lisa at alam ko kung gaano niya binuhos lahat ng lakas niya kahapon para sa pagpapractice and she improved a lot. Pero di niyo rin maalis sakin na magalala coz those two idiots, Kai and Francis grew up doing this, meaning they are really good at it. 

"If I were you, I'll back off now" that Kai dog commented with a smug smile on his face. 

I saw how Lisa clenched her jaw but knowing her I know hindi siya papatalo and I am right.

"Good thing I am not you" Lisa shot back which made me and Francisco to chuckle. 

Kai glared to the both of them and walked away intentionally bumping his shoulder to my Lisa. Lisa ignored him at naglakad na lang papunta sa platform kung nasaan yung bow and arrow. They started preparing everything at nung magsisimula na humanay na silang tatlo at pumwesto. Unang titira si Kai, then Francis, and last will be Lisa. Bago magsimula ang kompetisyon, Lisa looked at me. I smiled at her not minding the King who's sitting beside me. I mouthed her 'I love you' which she responded with a very beautiful smile. Di ko naman mapigil magblush sa simpleng bagay na yun. The King looked at me with creased brows kaya agad kong itinago ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. 

"Are you okay princess? Your face is so red, are you sick?" he asked. 

"No my King. I'm fine. It's summer so it's a bit hot" pagdadahilan ko at kunwari'y pinapaypayan ko pa ang sarili ko.

"Then drink a lot of water so you stay hydrated" paalala niya. 

"Yes my King" 

He nodded his head at saka bumalik sa panonood kina Lisa.

Nagsimula na ang kompetisyon. Kai lift his bow and arrow up. He aimed for the target, he inhaled deeply and when he exhaled he let's go of the arrow. Kai hit the bull's eye and he looked at the two wearing a smug smile on his face. 

"Show off!" I whispered to myself.  

Like Kai, Francis also hits the bull's eye. No doubt coz Francis is really good in archery. When it's Lisa's turn I got nervous again. She's now aiming for the target. I checked her stance, her elbows and she looks like a pro  but again the score is what matters. She has to hit the bull's eye too para di siya mapag iwanan. Halos hindi ako makahinga habang hindi niya pa nabibitawan yung arrow but when she let it go, napapikit naman ako. I'm afraid to see the result hanggang sa biglang pumalakpak si Jisoo na nasa tabi ko. Napabukas tuloy yung mata ko at tulad ni Jisoo napapalakpak den ako. 

"Yes!" sabi ko pa habang pumapalakpak coz Lisa also hit the bull's eye. 

Napatigil naman ako sa pagpalakpak ng biglang lumingon sakin ang hari. Napalunok ako sa walang ekspresyong mukha ng ama ko. Tulad niya napa poker face den ako. Pigil na pigil ko yung mga ngiti ko. 

Nagtuloy tuloy ang laro and Francis is leading followed by Lisa and Kai. Akalain niyo yun? Malalamangan pa ng mahal ko si Kai. Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng determination at siyempre inspiration. Lisa is very serious habang si Kai naman mukhang napipikon na at ito namang si Francisco, as always, nakangiti lang. 

When it's down to the last arrow, sobrang init na ng tensyon sa pagitan nung tatlo at mas lalo pang pinainit yun ng ulo ni Kai. Hindi na maipinta yung mukha niya dahil napag iiwanan na yung score niya nung dalawa. Kai throw his bow and arrow sabay walk out, dahil kahit maka bull's eye pa siya, di na siya makakahabol dahil sa laki ng lamang. I saw the frustrated look naman on my father's side habang umiiling siyang pinapanood ang pag walk out ni Kai. Habang itong si Francis, lamang lang ng isang puntos kay Lisa. Sobrang proud ko ngayon sa mahal ko kasi sa loob lang ng isang araw nagawa niyang makipagsabayan sa dalawang to.

I am now watching Francis as he is now aiming for the bull's eye. Masama man but I prayed na sana sumablay siya at mukhang pinagbigyan ako when he only got 8 points. Napangiti ako ng bahagya. Oo, bahagya lang dahil kinakabahan pa rin ako para kay Lisa kase kailangan niya makabull's eye to beat Francis. Nakaposisyon na siya ngayon habang sinasargo yung target at ako naman eto pigil na pigil ang paghinga dahil sa tensyon ng labanan nung dalawa.

Please... bull's eye please... bulong ko sa isip ko. 

When Lisa throw the arrow napatayo ako waiting for the man to announce what she hits. 

"7 points" sigaw nung nagbabantay ng puntos. 

"Prince Francisco of Belgium wins" pag aannounce kung sinong nanalo. 

Napaupo naman ako sa inuupuan ko habang nagpapalakpakan ang mga tao. I turned my gaze at the love of my life and she looks really disappointed. Gusto ko siyang lapitan at yakapin pero di ko magawa dahil andito ang hari. Nakita kong nilapitan siya ni Francis. Is he mocking her? Well, I hope not. 

"Come on Princess. Let's congratulate Prince Francisco" utos ng aking ama. 

Napatayo ako sa upuan ng may kamay na humaplos sa kamay ko. Tinignan ko kung sinong nagmamay ari and it's Jisoo. She's smiling weakly at me and gave me a quick comforting hug. Lumakad kami papunta sa kanila and when we're about to get near Lisa bigla naman siyang umalis. Nasasaktan ako para sa kanya. Hindi ko kayang hindi siya puntahan kaya agad akong lumapit kay Francisco. 

"Congratulations Francis. I have to go" sabi ko. 

"Where are you going Jennie?" tanong ng aking ama. 

"I remember have to do something important" sagot ko naman at saka ko sila mabilis na tinalikuran para puntahan si Lisa. She needs me. My baby needs me.

 

------

KAI'S POV

Sa sobrang galit ko ay umalis ako sa kompetisyon. Wala na rin namang point para tumuloy pa ko roon dahil wala na rin akong pag asang manalo. Hindi ko akalaing mas malalamangan pa ko ng babaeng yun! Maaring nagpatalo ako ngayon pero hindi ibig sabihin non na pababayaan kong makuha nila sakin si Jennie at ang trono. Sa kahit na anong paraan sisiguraduhin kong ako ang mananalo. 

I fished my phone out of my pocket and dialed someone's phone number. 

"Gawin niyo na yung plano" 

 

------

Lisa's POV

Sobrang disappointed ko sa sarili ko. I did my best naman pero hindi parin sapat at natalo pa rin ako kaya naman pagtapos akong icongratulate ni Francisco at sabihang 'it was a good fight' ay agad akong nagwalk out. Parang wala kasi akong mukhang maiharap kay Jennie. I promised her I'm gonna win this but I failed. Una pa lang talo na agad. 

Wanting to breathe, naglakad ako palayo at bahala na kung saan ako dalhin ng mga paa ko. Nagtuloy tuloy ako sa paglalakad at may narinig akong mga yapak na parang sumusunod sa akin. Lumingon ako sa likuran pero wala naman akong nakita. Pinagkibit balikat ko na lang at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad hanggang  sa may nakita akong kwartong nakabukas. Sinilip ko yung loob at mukhang isa itong library. Pumasok ako sa loob at naupo sa isang sulok. Maya maya pa ay may narinig na naman akong yabag ng mga paa at dahan dahang bumukas ang pinto. 

"Who's there?" tanong ko ngunit walang sumasagot. 

Kinabahan na ko kasi baka mamaya may multo pala dito. Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan kong sulok at umabot ng isang librong panghampas sa nananakot sakin. 

"I said who's there?" nilakasan ko na yung boses ko pero wala pa ring sagot. 

Sobrang bilis na nang tibok ng puso ko nung papalapit na nang papalapit yung mga yabag sa kinaroroonan ko. Iniaangat ko ang libro at iniready sa paghampas. 

"Hey Baby it's me!" 

Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko at nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng makita ko si Jennie. Hindi ko alam na sinundan niya pala ko. Akala ko kung sino na. Sobrang kaba ko pa naman.

"You scared me, Jen!" 

"I'm sorry love I didn't mean to" 

"What are you doing here?" tanong ko. 

"I'm here coz you need me" 

After saying that, she engulfed me in a very comforting hug and I hugged her back then smiled of the thought that, I lose the game but I definitely won her heart. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maaga akong gumising dahil excited ako sa napiling sports na paglalabanan namin ngayon. Aaminin ko pinanghinaan ako ng loob nung matalo ako sa Archery. Mabuti na lang sinundan ako ng mahal ko at pinagaan niya yung sama ng loob ko. Pero ngayon kabaligtaran yung nararamdaman ko. Sobrang saya ko at nag uumapaw ang confidence ko ngayon dahil swimming ang napiling sports ng hari. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kagaling yung dalawang mokong na kalaban ko pero isa lang ang sigurado ako, hindi ako dehado ngayon. Dagat nga sinisisid ko, pool pa kaya. 

Nakabihis na ko kahit na maaga pa masyado. 

"Ooh.. someone is excited" nakangising sabi ng kambal ko. 

"Of course Babs. Nararamdaman kong ako ang mananalo ngayon" nakangiting sabi ko. 

"I like the confidence Lis. Keep it up!" 

Ilang minuto na lang ay magsisimula na ang paligsahan. Jen wasn't able to come to me to wish me goodluck dahil maaga raw siyang pinatawag ng mahal na hari but she texted me naman. Pagdating namin ni Babs sa venue ay agad siyang umupo sa tabi ni Jisoo ako naman ay dumiretso sa locker area para makapagpalit. Nagbibihis ako ng maramdaman kong parang may nagmamasid sakin. Lumingon ako sa pinto at inilibot ko ang mga mata ko sa loob pero wala naman akong nakita. Hindi ko alam pero ilang araw na kong ganito pero baka napaparanoid lang ako dahil sa warning ni Jisoo. Hindi ko na lang pinansin yung thought at nung palabas na ko nakasalubong ko si Kai. He glared to me at first bago siya ngumisi ng parang aso saka pumasok sa changing area. Binangga niya pa yung balikat ko habang papasok siya sa loob. Nakakapanibago ata at hindi nagyabang ang mokong. 

Paglapit ko sa may pool area agad namang napansin ng mga mata ko ang napakagandang babaeng nakaupo sa tabi ni Jisoo. Andito na siya. Andito na ang mahal ko at katabi niya ang hari sa kabilang gilid niya. Nagtama ang mga mata namin at agad kaming ngumiti sa isa't isa. Katulad nang nakasanayan niya na, she mouthed me 'i love you' again which I responded with a smile. Nang marating ko ang pool ay nakita kong andun na si Francisco. He's stretching his body. Humanay ako sa gilid at nagsimula na ring mag stretching. Napatingin siya sakin at nginitian ako. 

"Goodluck!" sabi niya.

Kung di ko lang to kaagaw kay Jennie, gusto ko sana siya eh dahil mukha naman siyang mabait. Di tulad nung Kai na puro hangin sa katawan. 

Ilang sandali pa at dumating na rin si Kai na mokong. Pinapwesto na kami. 

"Ready, set, go" sabay tunog ng pito. 

Agad akong tumalon at isa lang ang nasa isip ko. Si Jennie. Kailangan ko tong ipanalo sa kanya. I swim as fast as I can not minding that my legs could cramp dahil sa todo bigay kong paglangoy but who cares. Natalo na ko nung una and I would never let that happen again. Not now, lalo na at sobrang komportable ako sa tubig. 

Pabalik na ko ngayon at hindi ko alam kung sino na ang nauuna samin. I let myself focused on the game. Nung makita kong malapit na ko sa pool wall ay mas binilisan ko na ang paglangoy ko. Naririnig no na ang palakpakan ng mga pero hindi ko alam kung para kanino. When I touched the wall ay agad na tumunog ang pito. Dali dali kong tinanggal ang suot kong goggles at napasapak naman ako sa tubig when I saw that I made it first. Maya maya pa ay sumunod na si Francisco at si Kai. Napatingin ako sa position nila Jennie and they are happily clapping their hands. I can see how proud Jennie is for me coz she can't hide that big smile on her face. Babs walked towards me and she handed me a towel. 

"You did great Yati!" excited niyang bati pagkaahon ko ng pool. 

"Congratulations Lisa. Now we're even. This makes this competition really interesting" sabi naman ni Francisco. 

"Thanks" sagot ko. 

Nagtama naman ang mga mata namin ni Kai. Nanlilisik ang mga mata niya at halatang galit na galit siya. Francisco was about to greet him as well but Kai swatted his hand. 

"We're not done yet!" galit na sabi nito bago muling nagwalk out. 

Tinawanan naman siya ni Francisco bago ito tuluyang umalis. Maya maya pa ay lumapit na sa amin ang mahal na hari at ang prinsesa. 

"Congratulations Manoban. You impressed me" bati nito before offering a handshake. 

Inabot ko yung kamay niya at saka ako nagpasalamat. Naunang umalis ang hari at nagsimula na ring mag alisan yung mga nanood kaya kaming apat na lang ang naiwan dito. Jennie checked if her father was gone. 

"Nakaalis na" banat ni Jisoo sabay tawa. 

Nagulat naman ako when Jennie suddenly jump at me. She kissed me non stop without minding the two that's watching us. 

"Congratulations mahal! You did a great job there!" excited niyang sabi habang hinahalikan niya ko sa buong mukha. 

Natawa naman ako. I liked what she's doing to me pero kasi basa ako kaya bahagya akong lumayo sa kanya. Tinaasan niya naman ako ng kilay. 

"Baby I'm wet" 

She smirked. 

"Oh trust me baby I like you more when you're wet" sabi niya sabay kindat. 

I can feel my cheeks burning because of her boldness. Pansin ko naman on my side how Babs and Jisoo's mouth went agape. Baka mamaya isipin nila kung ano anong tinuturo ko kay Jen. 

"Jeez Jen! I didn't know you're that vulgar!" sabi ni Jisoo while acting so disgusted. 

Jennie laughed so loud before she pulled me towards her and peck my lips. Akala ko simpleng smack lang but I was wrong when she grabbed the back of my head and started my lips.

"Seriously Jen? Right in front of us?" pikong tanong ni Jisoo. 

I tried to let go but Jennie didn't let me as she grabbed my head tighter. I can feel her smile while we kiss. 

Jisoo groaned in annoyance at di ko na rin maiwasan mapatawa sa kalokohan nitong mahal ko. 

"You know what? We better leave you two alone before you totally do it in front of us! Come on Rosie!" sabi nito sabay hila sa braso ng kapatid ko paalis sa pool area. 

Nung wala na si Jisoo at Babs sa harap namin ay inihinto na ni Jen ang paghalik sakin habang tumatawa ng malakas. 

"I really love teasing her!" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Long chapter for you guys! Sad to say we only have one chapter left. 😭