Not a Coincidence | Juan GDL

Chapter 23: Safe

     This is not good.

     That's the only thing that has been replaying in my mind for the next few seconds after witnessing his grim expression in the screen.

      I would not want to assume, not just because it's an out-of-place gut feeling, but because he's in an intense game after all, so maybe the grim expression wasn't for me.

     Or was it?

     I stepped aside to give space to some of the arena's crew who now have come to watch the last seconds of the game. Now we're a little bit crowded on this area but it's okay. I can still see few glimpses of the court from this spot.

      I tried to push what happened at the back of my head to regain my focus on the present debacle. It's an unsetlling exposure. There's more to it, more than my embarrassment. It goes beyond Juan possibly finding out that I'm watching his games.

     There's a possibility that the family I've loathed for years saw me, isn't it?

     If yes, what could happen?

     For years, I've kept my distance from Juan, as to how Mrs. Simon kept her distance from me and my family. I have lived in fear for the first few years. Scared, that one wrong move and everything turns into something I wouldn't wish to witness. But right now, I don't think if I still feel fear.

     Sure, I can say that I now have a better disposition than years ago. I've grown enough. And this time, no one's going to step on anybody. No one.

     But how I wish things are still the same with before. Na sana kung paano ko iniwan ang mga bagay dati ay ganoon pa rin sila ngayon.

     One thing's for sure, there's no wrong in watching a basketball game. If she finds something wrong about it, then I'm going to fight this time for my own peace.

     6 seconds remaining. His team is down by 2 points.  Will they make it?

     Will he make the last shot?

     It's not new anymore to think who's going to patch in the last points. It will always be him. He's their trump card. He has exceeded everyone's expectations since he joined the PBA. 5, great years were the testament to it, and we're now on the sixth.

     I am so proud of you. I am so, so proud of you.

      I held my chest when the coloseum's lights flickered for a moment which triggered the crowd to arise and chant with their loudest roars. I bit my lip and swallowed my tears back.

      It feels like before. Uaap and him.

      Never in my life I expected that I would be a die-hard fan of basketball someday. I let my eyes roam around and saw mixed emotions from the crowd - fear, weariness, excitement, and everything.

      The fans roared once again when he was plastered in the screen, looking so deadly serious. He's still clenching his jaw and his eyes were daggers all throughout. He looked like a mad man with the intensity he's showing for the game right now...but he still looks soft for me.

      He even grew taller. His body became more toned, just the right and most pleasing physique I've seen of him through these years.

      If I haven't met you, would I even experience this thrill of basketball?

      The referee blowed his whistle, signalling the point guard to in-bound the ball. The clock started to tick off when the ball was passed to a Ginebra player.