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

KABANATA 23

Kabanata 23

The twenty-third tick

Paulit-ulit na tumalbog ang bola, hanggang sa kusang tumigil 'yon sa paggulong. That was the only sound surrounding the whole court for the past few seconds.

Tsaka lang ako natauhan at nakabawi sa ginawa niya, nang maglakad si Kairos papunta kay Atlas. He extended his hand to him and helped him stand up.

My eyes blinked, seeing them exchange words again. Sabay kaming naglakad ni Kuya Zyler papunta sakanila, pero mas nauna siyang makalapit kaysa sa'kin.

My forehead creased when Kuya rested his arm on Atlas' shoulders. Hinila niya siya papunta sa gawi ko, kaya tumigil ako sa paglalakad. I smiled at them. "It's oka—" I was cut off when Kuya passed by me with Atlas being held captive on his arm.

"Bro, tropa na tayo, ah?" He patted his back. "Alam ko 'yang pinagdadaanan mo ngayon... Gan'yan na gan'yan ako tuwing olats kay Kairos."

My lips parted when both of them chuckled. "Wala, eh... Magaling masyado — batak." Sagot ni Atlas bago kunin ang damit niya at sapatos malapit sa kinauupuan ko kanina.

I raised my brow when the both of them walked outside the court, still bickering about how good Kairos is. I even heard Kuya say 'mamaw' daw siya... Which I don't even understand. It's like an alien word? Geez, Kuya is really weird sometimes... No, most of the time pala, I mean. Kung ano-ano nalang kasi yung mga sinasabi niya.

"Why didn't you cheer for me?" My eyes widened, when I heard his voice beside me.

I gulped and slowly turned around to face him. "Uh..." Tumawa ako nang pilit at umiwas ng tingin. I pursed my lips and scratched the tip of my nose. "D-Do you want me to cheer for you?" I mumbled.

"I'm here, Little Brat. Where are you looking at?" May bahid ng inis ang boses niya na halos ikinangiti ko.

I bit my inner cheek to prevent that smile from escaping. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sakanya. "So, you want me to cheer for you nga?"

Hindi ko na napigilan pang ngumiti nang siya naman ang mag-iwas ng tingin sa'ming dalawa. "I'm here, Captain. Where are you looking at?" Gaya ko sa tono at pananalita niya kanina.

His adams apple moved when he did a gulp. Hindi niya alam kung ibabalik niya ba ang tingin niya sa'kin, o mananatiling nakaiwas lang. His eyes keep blinking too, so I could see while I'm looking up how long his lashes were.

I brought my hands behind me. "Sure, Kairos..." I chuckled. "Next time, ikaw at ikaw lang ang iche-cheer ko."

Dumaan katahimikan sa'ming dalawa: ako, na nakatitig sakanya, at siya, na hindi pa rin matigil sa pagkurap at paglunok nang paulit-ulit.

He touched his earlobe and pinched it before looking back at me. "What did you say?"

My head tilted. "That I'll cheer for you..? Only you?" I added a whistle, following the 'you' that I said.

He pursed his lips. "No, I meant..." Umiwas siya ng tingin at binabasa ang kaniyang ibaba ng labi. His jaw moved when he gulped. "What did you call me?"

My lips formed an 'o'. "Captain?"

He bit the tip of his tongue and ran his fingers through his hair. "I like that." Sabi niya, bago ako lagpasan.

My eyes blinked, wondering if what I heard was right.

I like that.

What he said plays in my mind again: his tone that was contented, his expression that is vocal, and his movement that sums it all up.