Hook, Line & Sinker

Chapter 30

Chapter 30: "Whatever happens tomorrow, we've had today. And if we should bump into each other some time in the future, well that's fine, too, we'll be friends." - Emma Morley (One Day)

"Salamat, Kuya."

He smiled and nodded. "It's nothing. And I'm sorry again."

Iwinigayway ko ang mga kamay habang umiiling. "Kasalanan ko iyon." I sighed. "If only I could play well. Pasensiya na. Sobrang laking abala nito sa inyo ni Ally."

"Ano ka ba? Wala iyon. Don't lose hope. We still have time before your match with Duke. Basta yung sa pasa mo, cold compress okay?"

I nodded. Nagpasalamat ulit ako at bumaba na ng sasakyan niya. I winced as I touched my arm which was hit by the ball awhile ago. Two days have passed and yet I still don't see any improvement. Pagod na rin sina Ally at David sa pagte-train sa akin at nahihiya na rin ako sa kanila. I'm giving my best but it seems tennis is not really for me. Pero wala pa rin akong balak sumuko.

I can't give up. Not after what I've found out. 

Isinarado ko na ang gate. Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko ng mag-ingay ito. I'm hungry but I'm so exhausted I just wanna lie down on my bed and sleep. Napahinto ako sa paghakbang ng makita ko si Shin na seryosong nakatingin sa akin. 

For a moment, I didn't know how to react nor say. Kaya natulala lang ako sa kanya. 

"Was that David?" he asked.

Seeing him before me, I wanted to ask how he is: if he's having hard time living like I do. If he misses me. I wanted to know if I cross his mind often the way he crosses mine every time; if he wonders about me like how I wonder about him. And I wanted to ask if he regrets putting an end to us.

Bumuka-sara ang bibig ko but in the end, I just nodded; for I knew it would be futile to voice out the questions in my head. 

He just nodded. "Mama is inside. She wanna see you."

Tahimik akong sumunod sa kanya sa loob. Mama She greeted me with a warm hug. Sumama siya sa akin sa kwarto ko. I knew what she was about to say as she held my hands, and looked at me sadly.

"Wala na ba talagang pag-asa na magkaayos kayo ni Shin?" Hindi ako nakakibo. "You still love my son, don't you?"

Tumango ako at napayuko. "Mahal na mahal pa rin po, Mama. Pero nanggaling na po kase sa kanya na.." I bit my lower lip.

"I will talk to him."

Napabaling ako sa kanya. "Mama, please huwag po. He has already decided. Hayaan na po muna natin siya. T-tama rin naman po siya na mag-focus muna kami sa pag-aaral."

"Sumusuko ka na ba agad?"

I shook my head. "I'm still hoping it's still gonna be us in the end. Pero mama, gusto ko rin irespeto ang desisyon niya."

She sighed and pulled me for an embrace. "Kahit wala na kayo ni Shin, ako pa rin ang Mama She mo. Hindi ka naman lalayo sa akin diba?"

Guilt filled me up. Naisipan ko na umiwas na muna sa kanilang lahat habang hindi pa ako okay. But how could I hurt Mama She that way? I breathed out and hugged her tightly.

Kinabukasan ay sinamahan ko si Mama She na mag-shopping pero ang dating ay ako ang pinag-shopping niya. Ang dami na niyang nabibili para sa akin. Kahit anong tanggi ko ay patuloy pa rin siya sa pamimili.