Just The Strings (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 60

#JustTheStrings

Kabanata 60

Although my head was pounding real hard, I tried my best to go to class. I promised myself that if I could help it, I wouldn't skip classes anymore. Ayoko na maulit iyong nangyari dati. I ended up sacrificing my studies... I didn't want a rerun of it. Kaya naman kahit na sobrang sakit ng ulo ko, pinilit ko na pumasok pa rin. Pagbaba ko, hindi ko alam pero hinanap ng mga mata ko si Saint... Maybe I was just worried. Akala ko nandito pa siya. Nakonsensya ako dahil tinulungan niya ako na pumunta dito tapos nung okay na, sinabi ko na umalis na siya.

When I arrived at the school, dumaan muna ako sa Café Domique para bumili ng kape. I didn't prefer drinking coffee, but my head was aching so bad. I needed caffeine in my system, or else baka bigla na lang akong makatulog. I was actually relieved that Parker wasn't there... I didn't know but I always felt guilty kapag kasama ko si Saint. Kahit na sinabi ko na naman kay Parker na friends lang, sinabi niya na hihintayin niya ako. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan na ma-guilty.

Sabagay... matters of the heart can't be forced. Just because I told him to stop, hindi naman ibig sabihin nun na kusa siyang hihinto. But I was hoping... that he'd get the hint.

The professor was already preparing when I arrived. Mabuti na lang. Ayoko rin naman na may idle time dahil wala ako sa mood na kausapin sila Ria. I appreciate the new environment... but I didn't appreciate the lack of privacy and the constant prodding. My new classmates were too pushy and they didn't respect the fact na wala na kami ni Saint. They made me miss my old degree dahil ang mga tao roon, hindi pinapakailaman ang buhay ko.

Lahat ng professors ay on time dumating at lahat sila ay maraming pinapagawa. Nawalan ng pagkakataon sila Ria na guluhin ako. And I was thankful. I knew I couldn't humor them today. My head was pounding so bad and I was still thinking about my unit. Came break time, nagmamadali ako na umalis dahil sinabi ko kay Jovi na magduduty ako ngayon.

"Mary!" sigaw ni Ria. Gosh. Hindi ba siya napagod sa lahat ng pinagawa sa amin ng prof? Why was she so hyper?

"Hmm?" I replied.

"Ang galing mo!" she gushed. May tatlong classmates din kami na nasa harap ko. What was happening?

"Ha?" But instead of answering my question, hinawakan nila iyong dalawa kong braso at hinatak ako. "Ria, may duty ako sa café," I said while they were dragging me.

"Ako na bahala," she said. "You need to see the fruit of your success!" sabi niya.

It was useless to fight against them. Apat sila, isa lang ako. And my head wasn't cooperating. Pakiramdam ko ay pinupukpok ng pako ang ulo ko sa sobrang sakit. I just wanted to collapse and let them drag me to wherever they wanted to bring me, but my eyes automatically widened when I realized that they were brining me to the gym.

"Why are we here?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

Before answering my question, Ria squealed. "You did it, Mary! Naglalaro na ulit si Saint! Isa ka talagang alamat!" sabi niya at saka kinurot na naman ako sa bewang.

"T-talaga?"

He's playing again. Hindi ko mapigilang mapa-ngiti. I was really happy. Sobrang naging malungkot ako nung sinabi niya sa akin na hindi na siya maglalaro. Naiintindihan ko naman na gusto niyang maging seryoso at magfocus sa ibang bagay... but I wished it wasn't at the expense of basketball. Because he's really good. Hindi naman siya pupunta sa iba't-ibang bansa para sa trainings kung hindi talaga siya magaling. At naka-pasok siya sa Gilas! That meant he's really cut above the rest.

Upon knowing that, kusa na akong naglakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa loob. May laban nga ang team namin and there he was...

"Another flawless shot from GDL # 9!" the announcer said and I could hear cheers from the crowd. I bit my lip as a smile spread on my face. Gosh. Why was I tearing up? I had seen him playing hundred of times... but I guess today was different. I was glad that he didn't give up.