"Then fall for me, Minjeong." 

 

"You can keep falling for me, I will catch you." 

 

Is she serious?

Or joke lang 'to?

 

I contemplated as we stared at each other. 

 

I guessed she was scanning my face dahil kanina pa niya tinitingnan buong mukha ko.

 

I was palpitating in my seat when she started to get closer. 

 

"Did I ever tell you na you're beautiful?" She traced the bruises on my lips, "It drives me crazy when you look at me that way."

 

Napalunok naman ako sa sinabi niya.

 

Straightforward Yuji is deadly.

 

Her acting like this will be the death of me.

 

"Ah h-hindi m-mo pa nasasabi. It goes the other way around. You're b-beautiful too, Yuji." I replied awkwardly and I saw how she smiled triumphantly.

 

She was proud that she had this effect on me.

 

Sinabing hindi nga ako marupok!

 

"Come on, Winjeong. You should tell me that properly. Look into my eyes just like this." She grabbed my cheek and looked into my eyes, "You're beautiful, Win." 

 

Luh putangina!

Hindi ko na kinakaya ang palpitating heart ko isama mo pa yung sweaty palms and fluttering stomach.

 

I'm trying hard to stop myself from grinning but I can't-

 

Kinikilig po talaga ako.

Bakit ganito?

Sasaktan ako tapos papakiligin.

 

Ang sama sama mo naman para sa heart ko!

 

She was still holding my cheeks kaya ginaya ko na din siya. 

 

I looked into her eyes and said, "Magandang dilag puso ko'y 'yong nabihag" I sang a line from a famous song instead of saying she's beautiful dahil nagramble yung isip ko.

 

She burst out laughing dahil parehas kaming namula sa pinaggagawa namin.

 

Para kaming mga baliw dito.

 

"You should read my letter ha. It's important." She winked at me. Bigla naman siyang tumayo at nilahad ang kamay niya sa harap ko.

 

I looked at her hand confusedly, "Come on. Take it, Winjeong. Take my hand. We're going back to school na." 

 

I took her hand and she helped me up.

 

After helping me up, we bump into each other, so she held my waist para hindi ako mahulog.

 

I will not lie na hindi ako kinilig after non.

 

Ito ba yung sinasabi niyang "You can keep falling for me, I will catch you."

 

Pero Papa G need ba muna ako saktan bago ako pakiligin so much.

 

Paano ako magiging hyper kung masakit katawan ko?(｡•́︿•̀｡)

 

"Tara na, baka lagnatin ka sa sobrang kilig." She flicked my forehead nang napakahina kaya tinulak ko siya ng bahagya.

 

She also helped me carry my things while holding my hands.

 

Ayaw niya bitawan bhie

 

Luh bhie, ako green flag dito bhie.

 

Epal kaᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

 

-

 

Pagdating namin sa school ni Yuji ay sinalubong na agad ako ng sermon ng mga tropa ko.

 

Nagtaka pa sila kung bakit kami magkasama after weeks of ignoring each other.

Tuwang-tuwa pa ang demonyitang si Ningning kaya nasuntok niya yung braso ko. 

 

Napaimpit na lang ako nang maramdaman ko yung sakit ng suntok niya.

 

Yuji covered me quickly, "Guys, mauuna na muna kami ni Minjeong. She needs to prepare na for her first game." She smiled at our friends at inakbayan pa ako para i-guide papasok ng building. 

 

Nakita ko naman kung paano ako bigyan ng nakakalokong tingin ng mga kaibigan ko.

Nagsusuntukan na sa kilig si Yuna at RJ habang si Ningning naman ay kinukurot ang tagiliran ni Aeri.

 

Nang makapasok na kami sa comfort room ay nilapag ni Yuji yung bag ko sa gilid ng lavatory.

 

"Magbihis ka na, Win. I will wait here." She smiled as she tossed the jersey that she found in my bag.

 

Naks! Alalay ko ba 'to o soon-to-be girlfriend ko?

 

"Ayaw mo sumabay?" I smirked at her. 

 

"Gago ka ba? Ba't ako sasabay sayo e magbibihis ka?" She gave me a death glare.

 

I chuckled as I removed my shoes, "Wala lang, kaya ko naman kasi magbihis magisa hindi ko alam bakit ka pa sumama dito? Gusto mo bang makita abs ko?" 

 

Binato niya sa mukha ko yung id ko kaya tumama sa noo ko 'yon. 

 

I was laughing while entering the cubicle.

Hinimas-himas ko pa yung noo ko dahil ang sakit ng pagkakabato niya.

 

Ang pangit kiligin!

Mapanakit!

 

When I went out of the cubicle, nakita kong wala na si Yuji sa labas.

Wala na din yung bag ko.

 

Eh?

Luh? Ninakaw na puso ko pati ba naman bag ko ninakaw.

 

I wore my slides that was placed under the lavatory at tsaka lumabas na ng comfort room. Tinanggal ko kasi sapatos ko kanina nang makapasok ako sa cr.

 

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako didiretso dahil hindi ko dala bag ko nandun kasi yung tape and protective gears ko.

 

Asan na ba 'yon si Yuji?

I will wait here pero iniwan ako. Scammer!

 

Dumiretso na lang ako sa canteen para sana bumili ng energy drink pero pagpasok ko dun naalala ko wala pala sa akin yung wallet ko.

 

Nasa bag ko kasi.

Yuji kasi!

 

Someone put a cold drink on my nape kaya medyo nakiliti pa ako. 

 

"Sorry nakalabas ka na pala ng cr. Bumili kasi ako nito." Iniabot sa akin ni Yuji yung napakalamig na energy drink. 

 

Pero bakit need mo pa ipatong sa leeg ko kanina? Ang lamig kaya!

 

Hinila niya ako at pinaupo sa isang upuan sa canteen. Pinatong niya yung drink sa table at may hinalungkat sa bag ko. 

 

Nilabas niya yung tape at hinawakan yung isa kong kamay.

 

I stopped her, "Yuji, kaya ko naman e." 

 

"Shh." 

 

She holds my fingers together and wraps a piece of tape around the base of my fingers, "I searched about this online. Nung tinuruan mo kasi ako maglaro nagkafinger sprain ako. I also thought na baka magkaroon ka din ng injury habang naglalaro kaya inaral ko 'to." She said as she continued to overlap the tape three times hanggang sa maging secure enough.

 

Ilang beses na kami nagholding hands nito ni Yuji pero onting touch lang talaga kinikilig ako. Yung feeling na something is churning inside your stomach.

Para akong natatae sa kilig huhu

 

She put down my left hand as she finished wrapping it, "Pati ba right, Win?"

 

I was still processing her actions kaya hindi ko maintindihan yung sinabi niya.

 

"Ha?"

 

"Right, Win."

 

"Kanan." 

 

She chortled as she realized that I was not in my right mind. 

 

"Win, can you stop fantasizing? Mamaya ka na kiligin magfirst-aid muna tayo. So, should I also do it sa right hand?" 

 

"Hindi ako kinikilig no! Fake news ka! Kaya ko na 'tong kabila che!" I snatched the tape but she took it back at hinawakan ng mahigpit yung right hand ko.

 

"Ako na, Winjeong. Maupo ka diyan. I'll take care of it, hmm?" 

 

Hinayaan ko na lang siya i-tape yung fingers ko pero this time hindi ko na siya minamasdan habang pineperform yung procedure. 

Baka mahuli niya na naman akong kinikilig at nakatulala sa ginagawa niya.

 

Hindi pwedeng lagi ako natatanggalan ng angas dito 'no!

 

"Win, bakit hindi mo pa sinusuot yung sapatos mo?" She asked me as she pointed to my slides.

 

"Sabi ko nga e, isusuot ko na." I grabbed my bag and took out my shoes.

 

Habang sinusuot ko yung sapatos ko. Yuji kneeled in front of me at bigla na lang siya nagvolunteer na magtali ng shoe laces ko.

 

Lah?

Bakit ganito 'to today ha?

Ang weird weird mo.

 

"Higpitan ko pa ba or tama na?" 

 

"Tama na. Yuji, bakit ganito ka today?" Natatawa naman siyang tumayo at humarap sa akin.

 

She tapped my nose and said, "Ganyan talaga pag hindi mo binabasa yung letter na binigay ko." 

 

I was left dumbfounded here dahil tumalikod na lang siya at umalis after niya gawin lahat ng fluttering actions na 'yon.

 

-

We are currently playing in our second set. Nakuha namin ang first set nang walang kahirap-hirap ngunit nagbago bigla ang ihip ng hangin, nahihirapan na kaming madominate ang Blue Eagles.

 

I was pulled out of the game after the first set dahil nanghina yung buong katawan ko.

Sobrang sakit ng bawat hit ng bola kaya nagrequest ako for sub muna.

 

Nag jump serve ng malakas si Ate Solar, Sa sobrang lakas nakaservice ace sya... 

 

18-15 in favor of the Blue Eagles.

 

"Go Ate Solar!!"

"Solar-shi! I love you!"

"Go Black Panthers!"

 

Second service niya nakuha ng libero ng kalaban with perfect reception pero kita kung paano nanginig buong braso ng libero…

 

Ate Solar is a powerful spiker kaya it's not new.

 

The ball went over our court kaya chance ball. Lily, one of the youngest players in our lineup, received the ball. We got the score when our setter went for a dump.

 

"Ang galing mo, Hikaru!"

"Hikaru! Aieru!"

"Go Black Panthers!"

 

"Bawi tayo, Eagles!"

"Go, Captain Lia!"

 

18-16.

Two points na lang at makakahabol na kami for second set.

If we win this set, panalo na kami sa first game namin.

 

The rally was so long. Hindi agad mapatay ng teammates ko ang bola. Mas okay na kasi yung matapos mo agad ang rally at makuha yung point. Exhausting ang rally. It drains you not just physically but also mentally.

 

Lia got the point from her running spike in the corner kaya naging 22-21 na in favor of Blue Eagles.

 

Coach was glancing at my side na para bang gusto niya akong tanungin kung pwede na ba akong pumasok.

Our team was shaky when I'm not inside the court. I'm an all-rounder. I always cover the mistakes of my teammates.

Ayoko naman pumasok ngayong crucial dahil baka masira ko pa yung play nila. 

 

I looked at the side of the students na nagc-cheer. I saw Yuji raising her fist na para bang ine-encourage niya ako.

 

I stood up and went to Coach, "Play na 'ko, Coach." He nodded and signed a substitution sa referee.

 

I am warming up at the side while watching the game.

Sobrang intense.

Former champions din kasi yung Blue Eagles. 

 

Ate Wheein, the captain of the Blue Eagles will be serving kaya nagready na ang mga teammates ko. She is also known for being a powerful server and spiker just like Ate Solar.

 

Her serve went out. 

 

22-22

 

The referee whistled.

Ayon na ang sign para pumasok ako sa court.

 

Guide me, Papa G.

Let me ace this game.

 

Dumagundong ang ingay ng buong court nang makita nilang papasok na ako para maglaro.

 

"Go Kim Minjeong!"

"Winter, we love you!"

"Ayan na yung ace natin! Tapos na 'to!"

"Panthers! Grab that first game win! Whoo!"

 

Cheers were heard all over the gym but I never paid attention to them. I was focused on that girl who was silently cheering for me.

She's sporting a proud smile and unraveled a small banner that says, "Fly high, Winjeong!" 

 

Para namang pupunta akong heaven, Yuji.

 

I went in to substitute for Chaeryeong. Ate Joy is going to the back court na dahil siya na ang next server.

 

She specializes in jump serve and jump float serve. 

 

The crowd went silent when they saw how serious Ate Joy was.

The opponent was waiting for her serve. They are defending like they will receive a jump serve dahil medyo malayo sa line si Ate Joy.

After the whistle, the opponent was stunned when Ate Joy switched her serve from jump serve to jump float serve.

 

Our team got the point from Ate Joy's service ace.

 

23-22.

 

The air was getting thick and it's harder to breathe. Nakakasakal yung kaba as we wait for Ate Joy's second serve.

Nagfloat serve ulit si Ate Joy at nakuha 'yon ng kalaban.

 

The opponent's setter was as skilled as Hikaru but I already knew kung saan niya is-set ang bola.

NagB Quick ang middle blocker nila at pumatong si Ate Wheein sa Zone 3 para sa combination play. 

I was so focused on the ball kaya I managed to stop Ate Wheein's attack.

 

I raised my fist in happiness and excitement because I was so thrilled to block their former captain's attack.

 

"BOOM! BLOCK!"

"Ang galing mo, Kim Minjeong!!!!"

"Go Black Panthers! Last point na lang!"

"One more point!"

"ATE JOY ISA PANG SERVICE ACE PLEASE!"

 

It was a crucial point. 

 

24-22.

 

Ate Joy was getting ready for her third service, I was choking on my own saliva as I gathered every strength and prayers para makuha namin 'tong last point.

 

Ate Joy went for a jump serve this time.

It was swift and strong but the opponent's libero digs it perfectly.

 

I was preparing myself for Ate Wheein's attack but it went to the other spiker.

We can't block it properly but I managed to do a one-touch. 

 

Medyo sumakit yung daliri ko dun. Nastretch yung ring finger ko.

 

Ate Solar received it perfectly at pumwesto si Hikaru sa position ng bola at ready na magset. Tinignan niya muna yung positions ng kalaban tapos tumakbo sa position ng bola... 

 

All of us are waiting for the right moment to do a synchronized attack.

 

3…

2…

1…

 

Sabay sabay kaming umapproach para pumalo at maging decoy, ang middle blocker namin ay tumakbo sa gitna para tumalon sa A Quick habang si Ate Solar ay tumakbo sa Open para sa Combination play. Samantalang ang libero namin ay pumunta malapit sa ilalim ng mga spikers para sa block coverage. 

 

Lahat ng blockers ng kalaban ay nakabantay kay Ate Solar at sinabayan ito sa pagtalon.

 

Pero hindi nila ako nakita na naghihintay sa back row at umapproach para sa back row set.

 

I spiked the ball like it was my last day playing volleyball.

 

Binuhos ko lahat ng galit at lungkot ko sa bola. 

 

And we won the first game.

 

The crowd roared in awe.

Everyone was so hyped and overjoyed by the last attack.

 

I slumped in my place when I already saw the final score.

 

25-22

 

We won the game by taking the two sets out of three.

 

I glanced at the other team and saw Lia. She smiled halfheartedly. We are friends but also rivals in this game. I am glad that we had a good competition.

 

Sinugod naman ako nila RJ at niyakap. Yuna also dragged Lia from the other side of the court para mag group hug.

 

"Babawi ako sayo, Winter." Nagtataray na approach ni Lia sa akin.

 

I laughed at her pilit na pagtataray.

 

"Wala kang babawiin, Lia. Hindi mo matatalo bebe MJ namin! Nye nye!" Pangaasar naman sa kanya ni Yuna.

 

At 'yon akala mo hindi napagod sa laro si Lia nakipaghabulan pa kay Yuna.

 

"That was a good game. Nice block and attack." Yuji approached me while giving me that soft smile. 

 

May pa-raise fist at banner ka pa kanina tapos nagt-thumbs up pa yan nung first set namin.

 

"Sus, puro ka ganyan. I-hug mo na!" Tinulak siya ni Ningning papunta sa akin, "Inistorbo lang naman ako ng bebe mo kanina para gumawa ng banner jusko teh!"

 

Kaya ba iniwan niya ako sa canteen?

Baliw talaga 'to si Ningning! Laglagan tropa e.

 

"Congrats, MJ. Ang galing mo kanina!" Aeri complimented me and I nodded to show her my gratitude.

 

Nakita ko 'to kanina hindi naman nanonood ng laro namin. The whole game lalo na nung first set kitang-kita ko na imbes sa laro matuwa ay parang mas masaya pa siyang tingnan yung mga reaction ni Ningning sa game.

 

Simp ka ba, Aeri?

 

"Pre, libre mo kami!" Inakbayan pa ako ni RJ at sinuntok-suntok yung braso ko. 

 

I whimpered in pain.

Napayuko ako at napahawak sa braso ko.

 

Yuji removed RJ's hands from my shoulders, "Are you okay?" nagaalala niyang tanong.

 

Hindi pa din kasi aware yung mga tropa ko na may mga pasa ako. Ayoko naman sabihin dahil magpapanic sila at the same time magagalit sa nanay ko.

 

"Ryujin, can you stop punching Minjeong?!" she burst out angrily.

 

Ryujin was stunned from seeing Yuji's reaction.

 

Even Aeri cannot believe it, ngayon ko lang din naman narinig na magtaas ng boses 'to. May ilalakas pa pala yung boses niya. Minimal pa pala yung volume nung nagaway kami.

 

"Sorry. I was just-"

 

"It's okay naman, Rina. We are just shocked." Nahihiyang tugon ni RJ,"Sorry MJ, di ko na uulitin." Lumapit si Ryujin sa akin at nagpapacute.

 

Hindi mo ako madadaan sa puppy eyes mo! Tanga! Masakit yung suntok mo e!

 

"Lunch is on me na lang. Sorry for shouting at you, RJ." 

 

"Luh boss rina oks lang. Worried ka lang naman sa bebe mo e." Nangaasar niyang sabi, "Ikaw ha, ano pinakain mo kay rina? Yieee." Palihim niyang bulong sa akin.

 

Wala, Ryujin! Shoo!

 

-

 

"Pero ang galing talaga ng last attack mo MJ. Ang angas mo! Gagi literal na ginawa mo yung nakalagay sa banner ni Rina." Ryujin stood up and performed the spike, "Literal na Fly High Winjeong!"

 

Pati facial expressions ko on point ampota.

 

"Were you hurt ba kanina, MJ? Bakit may sugat ka sa labi?" Aeri asked me na ikinabigla ko. Medyo visible kasi talaga yung sugat sa labi. Ilang days pa lang kasi ang nakakalipas after nung bugbog incident.

 

Hindi ko naman alam kung anong sasabihin ko kaya-

 

"I bumped my head in Minjeong's lips." I looked at Yuji dahil hindi ko inaasahan yung reason niya," Matigas kasi yung ulo ko kaya nagkabruise talaga yung labi niya. Hindi niya masabi sa inyo dahil maissue si Ryujin." 

 

"Oh bakit ako nadamay? Ang sus niyo kase! Hindi nagpansinan tapos may ganitong ganap!" Bawi naman ni RJ sa kanya, "Pero bakit kayo umabot sa untugan kayo ha… baka-"

 

"Oh diba ang issue." 

 

The whole squad laughed dahil napatahimik na lang si RJ sa pambabara sa kanya ni Yuji.

 

RJ proceeds on teasing Yuna about Lia para masave niya ang sarili niya sa kahihiyan.

Ningselle was in their own little world. 

 

"Win, you should try this." She puts a piece of porkchop on my plate," The pork is good. It's delicious." 

 

Napayuko naman ako sa hiya, "Thank you hehe" She lifted my chin at pinunasan yung gilid ng labi ko, "Meron kang dumi sa gilid ng labi mo."

 

I can't count how many times na akong napalunok sa pinaggagawa niya ngayong araw.

Hindi kinakaya ng puso ko. Kanina pa siya ganito.

Ang confusing kasi after niya mabigay yung letter para siyang naging ibang tao.

 

What if hindi talaga 'to si Yuji at kambal niya pala kausap ko?

Kambal niya na may gusto sa akin.

AAAAAA! What the hell! Kung ano-ano na naiisip kong kababalaghan!

 

Yuji started snapping on my face to catch my attention, "Ganito ka ba talaga kiligin? Napapatitig ka lang ng matagal sa mukha ko?" 

 

WOW! 

Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo pero oo ganito ako kiligin bakit ba?

Busy ako magprocess ng actions mo e!

Mamaya nila-lovebomb mo lang ako tapos iiwan mo ako sa ere!

 

"Are you killing me in your mind or you just want to stare at my face the whole day?" 

 

I cleared my throat, "Ang taas ng confidence mo ah. May iniisip lang akong iba pero hindi ka kasama dun. Duh." I rolled my eyes at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain.

 

"Simula nung maging sweet ako sayo, nagbago ka na din. Naging grumpy ka, Winwin ko." She pouted and showed me her puppy face.

 

ANONG WINWIN KO? ANONG KAHARUTAN 'TO?

Ilayo niyo nga sa'kin si Yu Jimin baka di ko 'to matansya at masapak ko 'to ngayon!

Hindi siya ang Yuji na kilala ko! Hindi ganito si Yuji! Ibalik niyo ang Yuji ko!

 

"Yuji, are you high?"

 

She just laughed at my question kaya napatingin sa kanya ang lahat.

 

"Kayong dalawa diyan para kayong magjowang naghaharutan! Kita ko 'yon, Rina! May pawipe ka pa ng something sa lips ni MJ!" 

 

"Ganyan ba talaga pag walang nagw-wipe sa lips mo, RJ? Do you want me to call Yeji to do it for you?" Nangaasar na banat ni Yuji.

 

Pero promise ang weird talaga nito ni Yuji!

Who the hell tells you na "manliligaw ka lang" then after a few weeks of ignoring each other biglang magbibigay ng letter tapos magiging sweet?

 

Grabe na yung trust issues ko dito ha!

Hindi pwedeng kilig kilig lang ako dito dapat mapanuri, mapagmatiyag, at mapangahas din ako like Kuya Kim!

 

-

 

I tried to reason out and analyze kung bakit naging ganito yung treatment ni Yuji sa akin.

 

After a few days, she still acts the same. 

 

Syempre, inexpect ko na baka lovebomb lang sa first day.

 

If she is bold nung first day ng Foundation Day games, palala siya nang palala.

 

Flashback 

 

Second day of Foundation Day.

 

Yuji messaged me to meet her in the tapsilogan near the school. Gusto niya daw kasi magbreakfast doon.

 

I went inside and saw her patiently waiting for me. 

She had her earphones on kaya hindi niya pa ako napapansin…

 

I observed her for the meantime.

Ang blooming niya today! Inlove ba 'to? Inlove sa akin? Char.

 

When she saw me, she quickly stood up and approached me, "Good morning, Win. " She pulled the chair and smiled at me, "Anong gusto mong kainin tapsi or porksi?"

 

I was about to tell her na ako na lang magoorder for us but she stopped me, "Ako na, Minjeong. I will be back agad." Pinaupo niya na lang ako kaya wala na akong nagawa.

 

She came back with two glasses of water and two cups of coffee and milk.

 

"So, what do you like, coffee or milk? Pag gusto mo ng hot choco, I can order pa naman." 

I grabbed her hands to stop her from doing anything. I put the coffee on her side and the milk on mine.

 

Para akong bine-baby nito e.

 

Our order was ready kaya I quickly went to the counter para kuhain 'yun.

Balak niya pa kasi makipagunahan sa akin pero I held her hand to stop her. 

 

Tumitigil talaga siya pag hinahawakan ko yung kamay niya. Kinikilig siguro eme.

 

We were silently eating our breakfast when a couple caught our attention. Kanina pa kasi sila nagsusubuan ng pagkain.

"Hindi ko kaya maging ganyan sa public." Pabulong niyang sabi sa akin.

 

I saw Yuji cringing from the sight of it. So, I decided to a bit.

 

Tinusok ko yung tapa, "Yuji, masarap yung tapa nila. Do you want to try it?" 

Umiling pa siya pero sinubo din yung tapa.

 

Nahihiya siyang tumango-tango at tinusok yung porkchop, "Try mo din 'tong porkchop ko."

She is smiling mischievously.

 

So, binabalik niya yung trip ko?

 

Wala na akong nagawa kaya kinain ko na lang din yung porkchop niya.

 

"Good girl, Winjeong." 

 

Kingina.

When ba ako makakabawi?

 

Third Day of Foundation Day

 

"Minjeong, magkwento ka nga." She asked out of nowhere. 

 

Kakatapos lang ng games namin kaya medyo pagod ako. Nakatambay kami dito sa canteen for the meantime dahil inaantay namin yung announcement kung uwian na ba.

 

"Ano naman ikekwento ko sayo? About saan?" 

 

Nakapangalumbaba siya habang nagf-focus sa akin, "Anything, basta tungkol sayo."

 

"If magkwento ako about sa sarili ko, magkekwento ka din ba?" 

 

Syempre, hindi pwedeng ako lang. Unfair yun! Matagal ko na din talaga 'tong inaantay. Lagi kami magkasama but she never shared any personal problems or information man lang.

 

"Maybe or maybe not. It depends." She wiggles her eyebrows. 

 

"Well, lagi naman ako nags-share sayo e. I don't know if you're listening pero sige." Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo ko at maayos siyang hinarap.

 

She is still resting her hands on her cheeks while focusing on me kaya medyo nakakadistract.

 

Ganito ba siya kainterested sa akin?

Nakakapanibago na siya ah!

 

"Hmm...kilala mo na naman ako. I play a lot of sports and I can play a lot of instruments too. Ano pa ba? Ahhhh-"

 

"Minjeong, we can talk about your dreams in life. What do you want to be in the future, ganon?" 

 

Future? Maging asawa mo siguro?

Chz.

 

Syempre, hindi ko sasabihin yan.

Hindi nga ako marupok at pokpok!

Medyo lang!

 

"My father is working in the law field. He is assisting the labor arbiters at DOLE. He wants me to be a lawyer or a judge in the future. So, baka maging lawyer ako sa future." I looked at her reaction. She was unamused by my answer, "I mean, I do like that field but-"

 

"You don't love it?" She finished my line. She signals me to continue talking.

 

"Last year, I wanted to be a civil engineer. Medyo babad din kasi ako sa mathematics that time. Kaya medyo nainlove ako doon. Apart from being a prodigy, who can do a lot of things just like other people say, I am just a kid who can't even decide what I should eat for lunch. In short, I am an indecisive person. I took in a lot of activities to try on; to find myself." I observed how her unamused face turned into a calm one. 

 

"Minsan gusto ko maging professional volleyball player. Minsan naman gusto ko maging sikat na pianist. The other day gusto ko maging forensic scientist dahil nagwatch ako ng murder stories." Binaling ko ang paningin ko sa labas at napangiti,

 

"Sa tingin ko, bata pa naman ako at pwede pa ako magexplore ng mga gusto ko. It's hard kasi to point out what you want to do in life lalo na at nasa age pa lang tayo wherein we just want to do adventure and thrills in life." Binalik ko yung paningin ko kay Yuji na sobrang tahimik, "I'm sorry, do I talk too much?"

 

Nahiya naman ako dahil masyado ata akong naging open.

 

Lagi naman ako pala kwento sa kanya but this time it's different.

It's different when you know the person you are talking to is listening attentively.

It's different because it's not the same ever since.

 

"Why are you apologizing for talking about your interests? I love listening to you, Winjeong." She smiled warmly.

 

Good Lord, help me up. 

 

End of Flashback

 

Bahala na nga!

Wag ko na lang muna isipin baka tumigil din naman siya sa ganitong treatment.

Ang masama lang nito pag nasanay ako tapos biglang mawawala 'yun na parang bula.

 

I went to the announcement board to check our game schedules for tomorrow.

 

Tapos na kasi kami sa semis kanina. Natalo namin yung team nila Yeji. Tinakwil lang naman ako ng mga tropa kanina dahil natalo namin volleyball team nila. Green Falcons kasi si Ryujin at Giselle. Isama mo pa yung kababata kong si Yeonjun aba sinungitan ako ng mga gago.

 

Kasalanan ko bang strong kami? 

 

Our opponent for the finals is the Yellow Bobcats.

Team nila Yuji.

Hindi naman siya kasali dun e.

 

"Wag mo masyadong galingan tomorrow." 

 

"Hindi ka naman maglalaro, Yuji. Kaya tatalunin ko na lang team niyo." 

 

"Bakit pag naglaro ba ako, magpapatalo ka?" Lumapit siya sa tabi ako.

 

"Bakit naman ako magpapatalo? Sayang training 'no!" 

 

Napatawa naman siya nang mahina, "And here I thought, you will do everything for me. That's disappointing." She makes a sulky expression pero halatang hindi totoo because she can't hide her smile.

 

"Yu Jimin, I'm confused." I uttered seriously, "You do things that are quite unusual and weird. Hindi ka naman ganito makitungo dati."

 

Her expression went downhill. 

 

"You make me feel things. You carried my bag pag pagod ako. You bought me an energy drink for every game that I played. You have been telling me all those stomach fluttering lines but you never tell me what your intention is." I blurted out my frustrations. 

 

"Ayoko na sinasanay mo na naman ako sa ganito tapos mali naman pala yung pagkakaintindi ko." I inhaled before continuing my point, "I said stop giving me mixed signals but here you are confusing the hell out of me again."

 

I see that she is frowning but I think wala na naman siyang masabi about this matter.

 

I was about to walk away, "I clearly told you to read that damn letter, Kim Minjeong." She voiced out angrily. 

 

"Stop telling me to read that letter and tell me…sabihin mo sa harap ko, Jimin. I want to hear it from you." 

 

I look like I'm pleading but it's not the case. Aminado ako na hindi ko binasa yung letter but I have the feeling na alam ko na yung laman.

 

I just want confirmation. 

 

Wag niyang idaan sa letter at actions ang lahat. Sabihin niya sa harap ko dahil hindi ako maniniwala kapag hindi ko 'yun narinig galing mismo sa bibig niya.

 

She looks so helpless right now. Maybe, kulang pa siya sa lakas ng loob para masabi sa akin 'yon.

 

Pinili ko na lang na umalis dahil madami ng students ang pumasok para icheck yung announcement board.

 

I gave her a quick look and left.

 

-

 

After ko matapos hugasan yung plato na pinagkainan namin, I went to my room and slump myself on my bed. 

 

I focused on the ceiling as I thought about that god-damned letter.

 

What if basahin ko? 

 

Hmm.

 

I quickly got up and sat on my chair. 

Tiningnan ko yung yellow paper na nakaipit pa din sa pencil holder ko. Kinuha ko ito at binuklat.

 

I gulped and closed my eyes before reading the letter.

 

Here we go.

 

To Minjeong:

 

Disclaimer: I don't know how to write a formal letter. Please bear with me.

 

I'm sorry; that is the only thing that came off my mind when I decided to write this letter. 

Telling you I'm sorry wasn't enough para mapatawad mo ako sa mga nasabi ko at isama mo na din yung mga actions ko.

 

I'm sorry kasi hindi ako naging genuine sa ibang actions ko but to be honest, all of it was not planned nor decided para paglaruan ka. Pinayagan kita manligaw dahil I'm interested with you. I'm sorry dahil sinabihan kitang manliligaw ka lang but the truth is, you're not just my manliligaw. You're my comfort person. You're my safe place. 

 

Ito yung mga sinabi niya sa akin.

 

Hearing those funny stories with matching action and sounds made my day. Kaya after nating magaway at hindi na nagpansinan, I felt like a part of me has been taken. I am not a vocal person kaya magaapologize na ako agad if hindi ko maexpress yung true feelings ko. I tried to write this letter dahil hindi ko na kaya, Win.

 

I missed you.

 

Akala ko nasanay lang ako sa presence mo. Akala ko nasanay lang ako na ikaw yung kasabay ko maglunch. Akala ko nasanay lang ako na lagi mo akong kinukulit. I ignored all those signs dahil takot na ako uli magtry. I'm sorry if I sent you mixed signals. Hindi ko na uulitin yun. To be honest, those actions? Hindi ko pinagsisisihan yun. I did not regret holding your hand under the moonlight. I did not regret dancing with you. I did not regret those memories we had together. 

 

Ang pinagsisisihan ko lang naman is mas pinili kong sabihin na manliligaw ka lang kaysa aminin ko na nagseselos ako sa inyo ni Lucas. I'm sorry if I also disregarded your feelings about Jaemin and me. I'm sorry if matagal ko bago narealize.

 

If you already decided na tumigil na sa panliligaw sa akin, then let me court you.

 

I like you, Winjeong.

 

-

 

 

 

Delikado talaga yang mga kabag na 'yan nagiging feelings bigla e 'no? eme