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

KABANATA 22

Kabanata 22

The twenty-second tick

I clasped my hands together when Kuya Zyler threw the ball up. Sabay nilang tinalon 'yon, pero dahil nga mas matangkad si Kairos sakanya, it was him who got the ball. Lumikha ng malakas na tunog 'yon nang ikulong niya ang bola sakanyang mga kamay.

Atlas immediately went in front of him to block him, but Kairos made a swift turn and escaped from his defense. Sinubukang tapikin ni Atlas ang bola, pero nilipat ni Kairos 'yon sa kabilang kamay niya at tinakbo deretso sa ring. He jumps and shoots the ball. Tumama pa 'yon sa board bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

My mouth formed an 'o'. I stomped my feet on the ground and clapped my hands. Napatingin silang lahat sa'kin dahil sa ginawa ko. Even Kuya, who was the referee in their game. "Bawi ka nalang, Atlas!" Sigaw ko.

He smiled and nodded his head. "Sige, Boss!"

Nang ibalik ko ang tingin ko kay Kairos, ay unti-unti nawala ang ngiti ko. He was pursing his lips while spinning the ball on the tip of his finger. Walang lingon-lingon sakanya at na saakin pa rin ang mga mata niya, kahit binato niya ang bola kay Atlas.

I bit my lip and gave him a little wave. Tsaka lang ako nakahinga nang maayos nang alisin niya ang tingin niya sa'kin.

Atlas gave him back the ball, since he was the one who scored. He went in front of him again, and extended both of his hands in defense. Pero kahit na gano'n, ay parang wala lang kay Kairos 'yon. He twisted his body a little, with the ball dribbling on his left hand, and the right arm of him was in spar against Atlas' upper body — tuloy-tuloy siya sa pag-abante.

"Ano ba 'yan, Atlas! You look like someone na hindi kumakain ng veggies!" Sigaw ko nang magawa siyang lagpasan ni Kairos.

He glanced at me and stiffled a chuckle. Mabilis niyang hinabol si Kairos na papunta na sa ring. He was already in the air, but Atlas still decided to jump in front of him. Tinapik niya ang bola, kaya hindi pumasok 'yon. Both of them looked at the ball that had come to the side of the court before staring at each other.

It was because of my clap that their stares were cut off. "So nice naman!" Napunta ang tingin nilang dalawa sa'kin dahil do'n. "Gan'yan kasi! Akala ko, you're lampa talaga!" I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

He raised his brow at me and flexed his biceps. Tinuro niya 'yon gamit ang kabila niyang kamay. "Ito? Lampa? Excuse me lang, Boss... Pero batak 'to sa gym."

Ngumiwi ako dahil sa yabang ng boses niya. I averted my eyes from him and looked to where Kairos was. He bent his upper body and took the ball from the ground. Nang tumalikod siya, at humarap sa gawi ko ay muling nagtama ang tingin namin. I was about to smile at him, but he immediately took his eyes off me.

"You're being biased, you know?" Rinig kong sabi ni Kuya sa tabi ko.

My eyes blinked as I glanced at him, back to the court. "Huh?" Tanong ko bago ulit siya balikan ng tingin.

He pointed at them, "Just watch your friend... Baka matumba bigla." walang lingon-lingon niyang paalala.

I pursed my lips and shrugged my shoulders. Tumingin ulit ako sakanila pabalik na mas lalong naging seryoso sa paglalaro. They were exchanging mocking glances with each other. Sapat na 'yon para mas lalong tumaas ang init ng court.

Kairos' eyes became more serious as every step he took turned intense. Humarang siya sa harapan ni Atlas na balak nang itakbo ang bola sa ilalim ng ring. Their bodies bumped, but neither of them backed out. Atras-abante lang sila at nagpapalitan ng lakas.