Pauline's POV
I stuffed everything I need in my gym bag after I took a super quick shower.
Tinignan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin and rolled my eyes when I saw how unpresentable I look. I couldn't care less, Coach Tai will kill me with a lot of extras later.
Kung bakit naman kasi hindi ako ginising ng magaling kong ate.
With my car keys on hand, nagmamadali akong bumaba ng hagdan, I almost fell down when I saw Maddie standing at the bottom of the stairs. She looks bored.
She was quick to catch me, her eyes shows no emotion at all as we stare into each other. I gulped when I realize how close we are right now.
"Be careful next time." She sounds pissed.
Tinulungan niya akong tumayo bago maglakad palayo not saying anything. My feet seems like to have a mind of its own dahil kusa itong naglakad para sundan si Maddie.
Naabutan ko siyang prenteng nakasandal sa kotse.
"Ang bagal mo naman. Late na tayo."
Nang makalapit ako sakanya ay kinuha niya ang susi sa mga kamay ko. I'm to weak and confuse to protest or even ask a question.
Maddie opened the door for me, this is the one thing na hindi nagbago sakanya, she takes care of me. Although she do it subtly, I always notice it.
When we're both settled inside, she handed me a paper bag.
"Fix yourself then eat." Her eyes are on the road as she speak.
"Thank you." I mumbled.
Hindi na siya sumagot pa, a smiled crawled its way to my lips when I saw a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich and hershey's chocolate drink.
She still knows.
There was a time I told Maddie that this is my favorite breakfast, simula noon ay madalas na niya akong bigyan ng ganito.
"Stop smiling at the food and start eating. Para may energy ka sa training. You look weak."
Medyo nagulat ako ng bigla siyang magsalita, dahilan para matigil ang pag-alala ko sa nakaraan.
Kahit na masungit siya ay hindi ko pa din maiwasang matuwa. Ngayon nalang ulit kami naging ganto kalapit.
I difinitely missed this.
"You two! Come here!" Galit na boses ni coach Oliver ang sumalubong saaming dalawa when we entered the gym.
Our teammates are discreetly looking at us habang nag w-warm up sila.
We both apologized pero of course, rules are rules. Isa pa, we don't have enough reasons para makalusot kami sa katakot-tako na parusa ng isang Oliver Almadro.
He instructed us what to do, even if we're against it we kept our complaints to ourselves.
Maddie followed coach and she said something to him that I can't hear. I only see her expression, it seems like they are having a serious talk.
Coach Ow looked my way before facing Maddie once again, he nodded, a thankful smile grazed her lips.
Nang mapansin kong pabalik siya kung nasaan ako ay nagkunwari akong may ginagawa. Tatakbo na sana ako para matapos ako kaagad but I felt Maddie holding my arm to stop me.
Humarap ako sakanya, hindi pa man ako nagtatanong ay sumagot na siya.
"Magpahinga ka muna don. You're so pale. May sakit ka ba?" She placed her hand on my neck and forehead.
May kung anong kuryente ang dumaloy sa katawan ko causing me to step backwards.
"May sinat ka. Go to the dorm and rest, ako na bahala kay coach." Her face remained emotionless but I feel the warmth of having someone looking out for you.
"I'm alright, Maddie. Kulang lang sa tulog plus it's really hot here pa."
She's about to protest but I assured her.
"I promise okay lang ako. Isa pa we have punishments for being late."
"Bakit ba ang kulit mo? Baka mapano ka pa eh." May halong inis na ang boses niya kaya napayuko ako.
"Fine, if gusto mo talagang mag training puntahan mo na si Deanna. Kinausap ko na si coach na ako nalang sasalo sa punishments mo." Her tone is softer but then I still can't trace any emotions from her.
Out of all the feelings I have right in this moment the strongest I am having is the feeling of having millions of butterflies in my stomach. Weird.
We're in a middle of a game when I suddenly felt super dizzy, I'm on the same team as Maddie who looks like someone who didn't do those extras.
My vision is blurry, my world is spinning on its own axis. I don't know what's happening around me. A force is pulling me into this oblivion.
I looked around, looking for anything to hold on to.
"Ponggay, what's happening?"
Flood of memories rushed into me. I am staring at the same angelic face I saw before. Those knitted eyebrows and worried eyes.
"Maddie." I whispered weakly before I lost the last amount of energy in my body.
*****
I can feel a warm hand caressing me, I don't know if it's a dream or not. All I know is, it gives me comfort. As the person keeps stroking my cheeks.
Slowly, I am gaining conciousness.
Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mga mata ko, blurry ang paningin ko pero I am sure of one thing, wala ako sa bahay or sa dorm. Pinilit kong alalahanin kung nasaan ako pero lalo lang sumakit ang ulo ko, nawala pa ang ginhawang binibigay nang taong humahaplos saakin. Siguro nga'y nananaginip lamang ako.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
Napaigtad ako nang biglang may magsalita sa tabi ko.
It is Maddie, her arms are crossed as she hovers over me.
"Bakit ba kasi pinilit mo pang mag training? You assured me na you are alright, what if something worse happened to you huh? Look at you now, pumayat ka. Hindi ka naman yata kumakain eh, puro ka junk foods-"
Hindi pa sana titigil sa panenermon si Maddie kung hindi ko hinawakan ang kamay niya at buong lakas na hinila para yakapin siya.
I felt a sudden urge to cry. This is my Maddie, even if she's pestering me like a child, my happiness is overflowing.
I tightened my hug, hoping she will hug me back. I felt her stiffened.
Kahit na hindi niya ako niyakap pabalik I buried my face on the crook of her neck.
Tuluyan na akong naiyak, miss na miss ko na si Maddie.
"Uyy, napano ka ba? Bakit ka umiiyak?" Nagpapanic na tanong niya.
Naramdaman ko ang alanganing paghaplos niya sa likod ko. Para akong tangang naiyak lalo.
"Is it because pinagalitan kita? Sorry na, sige, hindi na kita papagalitan. Just please stop crying." She pleaded.
She let me cry on her, she kept stroking my hair and sings softly. Just like the old times.
I was fighting the urge to fall asleep, afraid that the moment I wake up, she'll put up her guards again.
But my body gave in.
And I was right, that was the last time Maddie ever let herself get close to me.
How I wish I stayed awake all through out that moment.
A/N: Hi! I know this is long overdue, tapos it's a short update pa. I'm sorry also if this is poorly written and maraming grammar lapses and other types of errors.
Promise I'll try to update often tsaka I'm still getting the hang of my storyline kasi. Thank youuuu.
PS. Nag-aayos buhay po kasi ako hahaha! 3rd year na eh.
