Maddie's POV
I was casually answering the commentators' questions when I got pulled in to a familiar embrace, it's my girlfriend jumping happily her arms wrapped around my torso. We're back hugging in national television, it took every ounce of self constraint that I have in me for me to stop myself from turning around to return the gesture. The love of my life already left to join our teammates but my heart is still beating loudly inside my chest.
A huge smile is plastered on my face, I feel like my heart's going to explode because of so much happiness.
"Thank you, Maddie. Good luck on your upcoming games!" Frannie Reyes, our court side reporter for this season, said we're both waving and smiling towards the camera.
I happily jogged my way to where my teammates are. After thanking our fans we went to the dug out, the moment we reached the dugout I picked Ponggay up from the ground and spun her around. We're giggling happily as we stare at each other lovingly.
"I am so proud of you, love." I spoke, leaning in to kiss her forehead.
"You're the player of the game again, can you imagine how proud I am sa'yo?" I swear, her smile lights up the entire world, the universe rather.
"Hey, no PDA!" Bea threw her towel towards us. "Coach oh, harot ni Maddie at Ponggay." Pagsusumbong pa niya, tumawa naman ang mga teammates namin.
"Aysus, naiinggit ka lang niyan wala kasi yung sa'yo."
A loud laughter errupted in our dugout because of what coach O said.
"Wala naman talagang saakin, coach." Bea pouted like a child.
"Ja, narinig mo yun?" Deanna chimed in.
"Loud and clear." Tumatawang sagot ni Jaja.
"Unfair! You guys are ganging up on me." She stomped her foot while glaring at us. Tinawanan lang namin siya.
"Nice game, Bei. I'm proud of you." I sincerely told my best friend.
"Thank you, Madds. Wouldn't have done it without you guys. Sana isasama niyo pa rin kami nila Vanie at Deanna sa "training date" niyo ni Ponggs." Nakangiting sagot pa niya.
"Of course! Congrats to us, Bei." Ponggay said while hugging Bea.
"Oh let go na baka magselos pa jowa mo."
"Ulol."
Coach called all of us for our last huddle of the day, he congratulated us for the great game but of course we still got scolded. Everyone in the team knows that we still have a lot to improve and this is no time for us to be complacent, teams will start to peak soon so we really have to do better than our best. After our talk, coach O told us that we can finally go and that he'll meet us tomorrow during our morning training.
*****
"Hello, love. I'm with your ate na."
Therese rolled her eyes at me as she watch me talk to Ponggay over the phone. We are in a restaurant around Katip lang to have dinner. She's nagtatampo na kasi wala na raw kaming time for her eh almost every day naman kami nagkikita, for all I know namimiss lang talaga niya kami.
"I told Vanie to accompany you, I bought you some food for dinner. Is she with you na?"
"Alright. I'll see you later, I love you."
I turned off the call and faced a smiling Therese.
"Sometimes I still can't believe that you and Ponggay are finally together. I remember when you two are both unaware that you love each other but everyone around you knows." A chuckle escaped her lips.
My face got even more red, if that's even possible. I'm still not used to being vocal about how I feel especially when others are around.
"Believe me, Trey, I still pinch myself sometimes because I feel like everything's just a dream." I truthfully said.
"You two brings out the best in each other. As a sister and a best friend, I am really happy for the both of you."
Not long after, Bea and Kat finally arrived, Bea drived for our rookies kasi. Our table got filled with laughters as we talk about anything and everything, it's as if we haven't seen each other for so long. Having them makes me realize how blessed I am for having the life I have right now.
It's past 10:00 PM when I arrived sa dorm, a sleeping Ponggay came into view when I entered our room. I walked towards her and crouched down to have a better view of her angelic face.
Hinawi ko ang buhok na nakatakip sa mukha niya. She looks so peaceful, a small smile found its way to my lips. Recalling the past events, it wasn't such a delight. After our first ever loss things weren't easy, not only for my girlfriend. It pains me to see her hurting before, it was so bad that even during her sleep she looks troubled. I hate the feeling of being helpless and lost, I didn't know how to lift her spirits up.
Looking at her now, I am even more grateful for every sacrifices that we botu made. Those times when we will stay in BEG longer than our other teammates just to practice even more and improve every "flaws" other people always seem to notice. Every tear that fell from her eyes as she beats herself for not being able to deliver and contribute to the team. During those moments, all I could ever do is to hold her hand and let her know that I am with her throughout the whole process.
Everything was worth it.
Ponggay is the love of my life, she has seen every versions of me, yet, she looks at me as if I am the best person in the world. Her love is so genuine and pure that it makes me work so hard to be the best version of myself, so that I can say that I deserve her love.
She inspires me to love and care for myself more.
She showed me that it is possible to love and care for other people without ruining yourself. That it is okay to be selfish sometimes and put yourself first.
I still like being alone, sometimes. But I like having Ponggay with me more. I can't imagine my life without her.
Please, Lord, guide me so I won't mess this up.
I leaned in to kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger there for a while. I felt Ponggay stirred beneath me.
"Maddie?" She looks like a child as she rubs her eyes sleepily. I smiled at her.
She sat up straight when she realized that she isn't dreaming.
"Hey, love, why are you crying?" Worried and panic evident on her voice.
"I am?" I asked before wiping my face. Wow, I didn't know I was crying.
"What's wrong, baby? Is everything okay?" She took my hand and held it.
"Everything's great, I promise." I smiled to reassure her.
"Eh why are you crying?"
"I saw you sleeping tapos I stared at you. I realized how blessed I am to for having the chance to love you and be loved by you." I admitted.
"My gosh, Maddie. You will be the death of me and you are not even aware of it." She spoke softly, her eyes glistening as tears threatened to escape from her eyes.
"I don't ever want to lose you. I love you so much, don't leave me okay? I promise I will do my best not to give you reasons to get tired of me."
"Of course, love. We'll be together forever. I love you."
Please, don't take her away from me.
A/N: thank you for reading!
