Half a Heart ☑️

Chapter 17

"That's it! After long years of not reaching the finals, Seavey University wins this tournament!" ang anunsyo ng commentator. Everyone, including me, cheered up and was celebrating on the courtside. Yung dati kong pinapasukang university naman ay hindi rin bakas sa kanilang mga mukha ang pagkatalo kase being here in the finals, masaya na sina Troi. At least that's what he told me earlier.

Mag-aalas singko na ng hapon bago natapos ang finals. Seavey University's Beach Volleyball Supporters were having an after-party celebration in the beer house near the beach. Even Troi and his team were invited. Pero andito kami ngayon ni Ello sa dalampasigan at nakaupo lamang kami habang pinagmamasdan namin pareho ang paglubog ng araw.

Kaunti nalang din naman ang mga tao rito kaya alam kong hindi na limitado ang mga galaw namin. We were sitting on the sand silently with an almost half a meter away from each other.

"I know you're tired. Let's just go back to our dorm so maybe you can rest?" ang tanong ko sa kanya. He only responded by shaking his head.

"I'm maybe tired, but I wanna stay with you here."

Aaminin kong nag-iimprove na ang pagpapakilig niya sa akin. His words were also genuinely sounded as if he really meant it. Not that I'm complaining, tho.

"I also want to, pero pinagtitinginan na kase tayo ng iba," I said, referring to the three girls near us.

"Let them. I'm not even bothered. At tsaka hindi rin naman masama ang ginagawa natin, hindi ba?"

Tama nga naman sya. This is the first time that I'm attracted to someone and it's . . . a genuine liking. Hindi ko naman hiningi to, pero since andyan na, wala na akong magagawa kundi ang pahalagahan ang bawat oras at magpakatotoo.

But then I remembered something. A crucial detail.

"Sa mata ng lola mo, oo."

"Are her eyes and perceptions the references now of our happiness?"

We're getting deep again. I don't like talking about life dramas, but Ello's story is something I can't just left unheard. Tama ang tinuran niya. I'm not going to lie about that.

"Pero malaking bagay 'yun sayo, hindi ba?"

"Maybe. Hindi naman kami madalas nag-uusap, eh. I don't even understand why she has a room in our house when she, at the first place, hates my sister and is not in good terms with that old man. Alam ko rin na hindi niya rin ako gusto, so why care for her?"

He has a very huge point. Not only is his . . . thing down there . . . that's huge, but also his brain and psychology. That's another check on my imaginary checklist.

". . . Yeah. You know what? How about we left the dramas aside and celebrate your win today?"

"Oo nga no? Pero saan?" he asked and seconds after, as if remembering something, he said, "Oh, I know a place."

"Baka naman puro expensive dyan ha? I don't like those luxurious places kung hindi rin naman ako nasanay doon."

His reaction told me na I was right.

"Eh saan naman tayo pupunta?"

Sa tanong niyang 'yan, unang pumasok sa isipan ko ang bagong shop na palagi kong nakikita sa local IG mutuals ko. At siguro, oras na para naman ma-introduce siya sa mga bagay na gusto ko.

"How about that cotton candy shop? It's not far from here, but I heard it's one of the best. Let's go?" my question that was full of enthusiasm.

Yup, you can't blame me. Cotton candies are soft, sweet, and colorful. A little bit unhealthy, but let's not talk about that.