I Could Fall

Chapter One

"Aren't we going home yet, Ate?" I asked my sister, Ate Laurene. Sinundo niya ako sa room ko but instead of heading for the gate, she led me towards our school's indoor gym.

"I'm gonna watch Kuya Xavi's basketball training. Kung gusto mo mauna, you can go." She released my hand, allowing me to make a choice.

"But I'll be alone at home. Umalis si Kuya Hadeon tapos may dance rehearsal si Kuya Zeno," I retorted. I don't wanna be alone. I hate the feeling.

"Kaya nga sumama ka na lang sa akin manood ng training ni Kuya," hagikgik ni Ate Laurene.

"Why do you want to watch, Ate? May crush ka ba dun?" I asked.

"Adorable Hyon. Sila ang may crush sa akin. I'm just blessing them with my presence." She wickedly grinned.

Hindi naman 'yon mahirap paniwalaan. My sister is really beautiful. Maraming nagkakagusto sa kanya. Pati nga ang ilang mga lalaki kong kaklase ay may gusto sa kanya kahit mas bata ang mga ito. Most of my girl classmates really find her pretty that they're gushing to me about it. Ang ilan sa kanila ay idol pa si Ate Laurene. Ganoon siya kaganda.

"Ang mabuti pa, sumama ka na lang sa akin. Sabay na tayong umuwi," udyok nito sa akin.

Sa huli ay hindi na ako naunang umuwi at sumama na lang sa kanya sa gym. Walang tao roon maliban sa varsity ng school. Yeah. Kuya Xavi is a varsity player. He got his fondness of the sport from our father.

"Oh. Ate Lavie's not around," Ate Laurene stated.

Muli kong inilibot ang mga mata sa buong gym dahil doon. Wala nga si Ate Lavie. It's strange because Kuya Xavi and Ate Lavie are always together. Ate Lavie is our distant maternal cousin. They're the same age and were practically raised together, kaya sobrang close sila.

Umupo si Ate Laurene sa monoblock chair malapit sa court. A few players turned their heads when they noticed that they have an audience. Ang karamihan sa kanila ay kay Ate Laurene nakatitig. I'm not surprised at all. They're high school students. They have no business staring at a grade five elementary student.

Ate Laurene suddenly gasped and pointed towards a certain direction. Her eyes were wide with surprise and awe. "Oh my Gods. Alister Santiesteban is here!"

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang tinuro ng kapatid ko. She's pointing at a guy who's wearing a black sleveless shirt and jersey shorts. Sa likod ay nakalagay ang Santiesteban at numerong 04 sa likod.

Narinig ko na ang pangalang 'yon dahil may mga kaklase ako na 'yon ang crush. This is my first time seeing him because highschool is a whole new world for me. Ibang building sila at bihira ako mapadpad kaya talagang wala akong alam.

He has foreign and matured features. Hooded eyes that looked tantalizing with its long lashes, perfect structured nose, and pale pinkish lips. No wonder my classmates have a crush on him even when he's way older than us. Sobrang gwapo ba naman nito.

I may only be eleven years old, but I already know how to appreciate good looks. Hindi 'yon maiiwasan dahil may mga mata ako. Appreciate lang naman. I'm too young for crushes and anything beyond that. Yun ang sabi sa akin ni Ate Lavie at ng mga Kuya ko.

"What do you think, Hyon? Ang gwapo niya 'no?" tanong ni Ate Laurene at sumulyap sa akin. Tango lang ang naging sagot ko. "Too bad he's already graduating this school year."

"Hindi mo ba siya naging fling, Ate?" tanong ko rito.

I know Ate Laurene had a lot of flings and every single fling was handsome. I know what fling means. Ipinaliwanag sa akin ni Ate 'yon. It's when something special is happening between two people but there's no commitment. The reason why is still unknown to me.