Every Tick of Serendipity ( Ruler of Fate Series #3 )

KABANATA 19

Kabanata 19

The nineteenth tick

The squeaking coming from their rubber shoes... The sound of the dribbling ball... And them, shouting with each other... Were the same noises I heard as I stepped foot on the court. Some people who were watching them train glanced at me as I found a seat for myself.

Hindi ko sila pinansin at kinawayan nalang si Kairos, nang mapatingin siya sa'kin. Wala siyang naging reaksyon, at bumalik nalang sa paglalaro. I opened the plastic bag on my lap, which Kuya Driver and I had bought before coming here.

I spent the afternoon getting dressed, so I haven't eaten pa. Nilagay ko sa katabing upuan ko ang lalagyan ng red iced tea na kasama sa combo meal na binili ko. I unwrapped the burger and started eating it slowly while watching him play seriously on the court.

"Cap!" One of his teammates said before passing the ball to him.

My mouth formed an 'o' when he received it in the air and shot the ball straight into the ring. I stomped my feet on the ground repeatedly and excitedly, seeing him smile a bit after doing that.

I don't know how he can do that... But he's tall naman, so it's no biggie for him to reach the ring. He's super strong pa. Though not to the point na malaki yung muscles niya, he's slim and fit, but a little toned and bulky too.

I giggled when he blocked the ball from someone who was about to shoot it. Tumunog nang malakas ang ginawa niyang pagkulong ng bola sa dalawang kamay niya matapos lumapag ulit sa sahig. Tinakbo niya 'yon hanggang sa kabilang parte ng court at muling pinasok sa ring nila.

Some girls clapped, so I put my burger down and clapped my hands too. Napatingin sa'kin si Kairos dahil hindi ako tumitigil, kahit na wala na sakanya ulit ang bola. I only continued my eating when the girls finally stopped. I'm that confident and competitive kaya!

My head tilted when he wiped both of his hands on the bottom of his shoes. I pouted. "That's dirty... But normal for them." I shrugged. "If it's Kairos, okay lang naman." I chuckled at my own thoughts.

The game continued with his team leading. He always does the shooting and even the defense. Kahit hinihingal na at pinagpapawisan, hindi halata ang pagod sakanya. He's used to it, I guess? Everyday ba naman, kahit wala siyang training, he always plays.

He started running backward, with his eyes looking straight at mine. Ang iilan sa buhok niya ay sumasabay sa bawat hakbang na kaniyang ginagawa. His lips were parted too, trying to gasp some air. Bahagya pang nakakunot ang noo niya dahil do'n.

I gulped and reached for my drink. Uminom ako nang tuloy-tuloy dahil sa ginawa niyang paninitig sa'kin — it was making my cheeks burn red. Kahit hindi naman ako yung naglalaro, pakiramdam ko, ako ang kinakapusan ng hininga kaysa sakanya.

My eyes widened when I heard the horn. It's like a signal to break, I think? Binalot ko ulit ang burger na hindi ko pa rin ubos at mabilis na kinuha ang gatorade na binili ko sakanya. I was about to stand up from my seat, but I stopped before I could even get on my feet and walk down to where he is.

A girl gave him a bottle of water, making me grip tightly on the drink I bought for him. Mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko, nang tanggapin niya 'yon. I didn't bother to look anymore. Inayos ko lahat ng dala ko at walang lingon-lingong lumabas sa court.

I stomped my feet on the ground. Tiningnan ko ang plastic bag na pinaglagyan ko ng gatorade niya at inirapan 'yon. I sighed and made my way out of their school. The breeze of the night embraced me. Even with my clothes, I can feel the cold piercing my skin.