'Di Makatulog

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Last Chapter

Arena Claire Yuchengco

"Leukemia. Stage two."

I looked around and saw everyone crying. My mom, my dad, my dearest brother and Oliver. They were all hugging me. They were all comforting me and started whispering uplifting words to my ears.

I didn't cry.

I didn't felt like it.

Pagod na kasi ako.

"It's gonna be fine, Arena."

"God is good."

"Don't lose hope."

And I didn't lose hope, because they were right. God is good. I should not lose hope, because my family, friends and Oli would always be there to support me. They would always be by my side whatever happens. I'd like to believe that everything is going to be fine... in time.

"I see, it's still him."

I glanced at Oli and smiled at him timidly. "What a heart wants, it wants."

"Yeah," he nodded. "It has been what? Eleven years, Arena and look, he has never noticed you. Not even once."

"It's okay..." I told him. "I like him, Oliver. Kapag naman gusto mo ang isang tao, hindi naman kailangang gusto ka rin niya, hindi ba?" I asked.

Tinanaw ko muli si Fabian. As usual, he was wearing his SFA's basketball jersey. He was smiling while talking to Alfie. I bet they're talking about basketball.

What else could it be?

Oliver shrugged at me. "Siguro. I don't know. I've never been in love, A."

I smiled at him and slightly bumped his shoulders. "The perfect girl for you will come, Oliver. You just have to wait for it," I told him as I hugged him. I really wanted Oli to be happy. He has been my bestfriend for fifteen years now. I don't know what I'd do without him in my life.

I felt him tapping the top of my head. "We'll see, Arena. We'll see," he said.

"Do you have load? Pang-text?" Migo asked. I nodded at him, because my phone was on plan. Besides, wala naman akong tine-text. Might as well put my load to some use.

"Can I borrow it?"

I nodded before I handed him my cellphone.

I sat on the bleachers and watched my brother dribble the ball. I roamed my eyes around the court. Huh. No signs of him. "Can I ask you something?" I asked Migo, my eyes still on the court. "Where's Fabian?"

"I don't know," he answered. "That's why I texted him, because if he's gonna be late again, for sure paparusahan nanaman 'yon ni Coach."

My eyes widened. "Y-you texted him? W-with my number?" I asked him. I felt my heart beating wildly and erratically. Walanjo ka, A. Text lang naman! And it's not like you're the one who texted him... and it's not as if you're his type.

"Yeah, why?" I didn't answer. "Are you alright? You're so red... may sakit ka ba?" he asked.

Umiling ako sa kanya. Hinawakan niya ang leeg ko. "Hindi ka naman mainit ah."