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It's a state university that is neither the main campus nor the most funded one in the system — of course, the facilities would be scarce. Marian thought as she and her teammates sat down on their designated area on the bleachers by the open court. Having been done with their warm-ups for the game, the futsal players are compelled to wait for the ongoing basketball game to be over before they could have their own match.
Unintelligible noises rang out from the university gymnasium, competing with the muffled announcements from the basketball game commentator. Nagsisimula na ang musical night, one of the major events ng Intramurals. As usual, sa kakulangan ng facilities, kakaunti lamang ang nakakapasok na students sa gymn. Kahit pa naisin ng buong student population manood ng major competitions tuwing gabi, hindi kakayanin ng napaka-limited na space sa loob.
Fortunately, some sports events still take place simultaneously with the event sa gymnasium, such as basketball, futsal, volleyball, and lawn tennis — mga sports na may venue within the court compound. Ngunit dahil nga pa rin sa kakulangan ng facilities, salitan lamang sa paggamit ng basketball open court ang basketball and futsal players, which is the reason why Marian and the rest of the College of Agriculture futsal players, along with the players din ng college na makakalaban nila, are waiting for the basketball game to be over para sila naman ang makalaro.
Marian, who had nothing to do in the meantime, kept her eyes busy by focusing on the ball, and rolling them when the player in possession of the ball had his face shoved into the sweaty armpit of one of the opposing team's defense players.
She grimaced, "Ang asim naman, beh!"
Her teammate who was sat beside her laughed. "Medyo kadiri 'yon, te."
Dumi naman maglaro nitong mga taga Law. 'Kala ko ba mga taga Educ lang mga may malalaking ulo rito. A thought she could not verbalize, as the court was crowded enough for anyone from the playing colleges to hear. She could only roll her eyes again as one of the officials called another foul.
"Girls, prepare na! Patapos na fourth quarter nito." She heard their coach call from a few seats away.
"Yes, coach!" They responded. Umulan naman ng mga 'good luck' remarks from the other members of the audience na malapit sa kanila, especially mula sa mga soccer players ng COA, who were there to support them as well.
"Good luck, Marian! Pakitaan mo kami, baby!" Sabi ng isang soccer player nila, na halatang may gusto sa kanya, at humawak pa sa balikat niya.
Marian grew annoyed, obviously, shrugging the guy's hand off her. "Thanks, Vince, pero hindi mo naman ako kailangang hawakan para lang mag good luck." She told him.
"Sus. Kinikilig ka lang eh." Tukso ng barkada nung Vince.
Sasagot pa sana si Marian ngunit sinapawan na siya ng teammate niya. "Ang taas naman ng tingin mo sa kaibigan mo, Albert. Magtawas nga muna kayo. Shupi!"
Natawa naman si Marian sa sinabi ng kaibigan. "Sama ng bunganga mo, Dianne."
"Deserve naman eh." At tumawa pa lalo si Marian. Just then, a siren indicating the end of the fourth quarter sounded from the portable speaker.
"Basketball Men, College of Law versus College of Education. Winner: College of Education!" At dumagundong ang sigaw ng mga supporters ng COEd.
The futsal players stood up and gathered in a circle as the basketball players and officials prepared to leave the area. Marian and her teammates brought their hands to the center, one atop the other, and for a couple of minutes, one of her juniors led the prayer, seeking guidance and strength for them to win the game.
After a brief strategy talk with their coach, student manager, and the soccer captain, they sat back down on the bleachers. Suddenly, Marian heard a commotion from behind her, and then her last name was called.
"Oy, Ateng Kim!" She turned around, only to see a stranger handing her a 1L bottle of Pocari Sweat, causing her to be confused. "Pinapabigay po!"
"Huh? Sino nagbigay?" She took the bottle with a minimal struggle.
"'Di ko po kilala, umalis din agad eh. Pero babae po, nakamotor."
"Huh..." she turned back to the court after saying her thanks.
Narinig naman niyang naghagikgikan yung mga babae sa likod niya:
"Girl, what AU is this? Hahahaha!"
"Umalis lang bigla eh! Hindi man lang nagpakita hahaha!"
"Yiieee kilig ako mej, ate cokes!"
"It's giving ao3. I live for this trope, actually."
"HAHAHA tangina mo, Angela!"
Marian only shook her head, pretending she hadn't heard any of the things the girls said.
"Uyy, namumula siya," Dianne teased. "Kinikilig? May naaalala ka, no?"
Marian slapped her thigh jokingly. "Manahimik ka."
"Yiee," sundot ng kaibigan sa tagiliran niya. "Sanaol may 1L na pocari. Kung ako yan, wala talaga akong papapasuking bola sa goal eh." Dianne laughed boisterously.
Marian just sighed. And then smiled.
———
Nagkatotoo naman ang sinabi ni Dianne. Marian, COA's futsal goalkeeper, kept all of the opposing team's attempts to score a goal futile, resulting in their victory, with scores of 2-0.
"Ang galing mo, Kim #6! Woooo!!"
"Inspired kasi! Hinatiran ba naman ng isang litro ng Pocari Sweat!"
"True da rain! Prayer reveal naman d'yan, bhie! Paano ka nakasungkit ng sugar mommy?"
"Mga baliw!" Marian laughed. "Ganda lang po."
"Ah tangina luge!" Sigaw ng captain nila, dahilan para tumawa silang lahat.
"Hoy, bunganga mo, Jessa Mae!"
"Coach, ang bantot! Mas madali namang sabihin ang Yoon!" Reklamo ni Jessa.
"Tama na ngawa, Inday. Masarap daw lutong dinner ng food comm. Tara na sa headquarters." Aya ng coach nila, at nagdiwang naman silang lahat, maliban sa natahimik na si Marian.
She was on her phone, finding a few Messenger notifications from Wella, her roommate sa boarding house.
Siga ng CNSM
: hey, kumusta game??
: kain tayo dinner after? sunduin kita
PANALO KAMI!! :
Sure ba, basta libre mo :
: congratulations!! i knew you'd win. syempre ikaw na yan eh
: obviously, ako magbabayad. ako naman nag-aya, duh
: san tayo?? jollibee? or gusto mo chicken ng moonchai??
Sus. Ako lang to :
Eh? Lalabas pa tayo ng school? Marami namang sisigan dito, bhie :
: diba kahapon ka pa naghahanap nung spicy wings ng moonchai?? deserve mo naman kasi pasok na kayo sa semis
Lah sige na nga. Thank youu hehe :
: okay punta nako dyan
UY :
WHAT ABOUT YOUR THESIS PALA??? :
: it can wait
: pagod na rin mga mata ko
: sige na paalis na ko bh
Oki sabi mo eh :
Ingat ka :
"Hoy, Marian Joy!! Anong ngini-ngiti mo dyan, beh? Punta na raw tayong hq kakain dinner."
Marian snapped out of her reverie, looking up and finding everyone's eyes on her. "Ha?"
"Uyy, ka-chat yata sugar mommy niya kaya wagas maka-ngiti." Asar na naman ni Dianne. "Sige na beh, kung inaya kang kainin— este, kumain ng bebe mo, okay lang din. Lumayas ka na rito. Respeto lang sa mga walang nag-aaruga."
Nagsitawanan naman silang lahat. Lumapit nalang din si Marian sa coach nila at nagpaalam.
"Coach, 'di po muna ako sasabay sa team magdinner. Susunduin daw po ako ng roommate ko eh."
"Roommate?! Si Drew ang sugar mommy mo?!"
Napatingin na naman ang lahat sa kanya dahil sa sigaw ni Dianne. Marian face-palmed.
"Pwede ba, Dianne, 'wag kang OA, bading. Sugar mommy ka nang sugar mommy susungalngalin na talaga kita." Itinaas ni Marian ang kanyang kamao, para bang aamba ng suntok.
"Ops! Tama na 'yan." Awat ng coach nila. "Go lang, Marian, kung hindi ka sasabay, para naman matahimik kahit konti itong si Dianne."
"'Di mo sure, Coach. Didikit lang 'yan kay Kristel, tas 'di na naman tatahimik kahit pagalitan." Bumelat si Marian.
"Ako na bahala!" Singit ni Jessa. "Susubuan ko ng sili para maranasan naman natin yung totoong peace university na pinagsasabi nila sa admin."
———
Nang dumating si Wella, dala na rin nito ang helmet ni Marian. Pagkabigay niya ng helmet sa nakababata, tinanggal niya ang kanya.
"Congrats, Meng." She smiled. "Dinig ko wala ka talagang pinapasok na bola sa goal ah."
"Syempre ako pa." Marian wiggled her brows. "Galing ko eh."
"True." Wella nodded, indulging her. "Anyway, nakapagbihis ka na? Nagdala ako ng sweatpants mo just in case. Gusto mo bang suotin? Para na rin hindi ka lamukin."
"Wow, so thoughtful. Pero oo, nagbihis na ako dun sa cr ng gymn. Pantaas nga lang. Balik nalang tayo r'on para makapagpalit din ako ng pambaba. Thank you, Ling." Umangkas na si Marian at pumunta sila sa gymn para makapagbihis siya.
Nung papunta na sila sa Moonchai, which is located sa kabilang barangay, Marian couldn't help stealing glances at Wella's face — or what the helmet failed to conceal, at least — from the side mirror.
Maraming dumadaloy sa isip ni Marian. Hindi kaya si Laling ang nagpabigay ng Pocari sa akin? Pero bakit naman hindi siya nagpakita sa akin kung ganoon?
Lumiko si Wella sa isang kanto, dahilan para humina ang tunog ng motor. Marian took this opportunity to talk. "Ling? May tanong ako."
"Hm? Ano 'yon, Menggay?" Tanong ni Wella.
The words got stuck in Marian's throat, perhaps because of the nerves. "N-Nevermind. Mamaya nalang pala."
"Okay." Wella nodded. Soon, she parked the motorcycle in front of the café. "Nandito na tayo. Mauna ka nalang umorder. May kukunin lang ako sa u-box."
Bumaba na si Marian. "Okay. Akin na rin ang helmet mo. Ipangre-reserve ko ng table."
The café was small and cozy, yet they had in their menu everything that Marian is craving for at the moment. She ordered her favorite spicy chicken platter with fries, two combo meals, and two biscoff cheesecakes for both of them. Wella arrived shortly and paid for their order.
While they were eating, Marian observed her bestfriend more. Ngayong may nagtanim ng hinala sa isip niya, marami siyang napagtanto tungkol sa kaibigan. She finally noticed how well Wella takes care of her. Wella takes notice of everything she does, wiping the side of her mouth and her chin with a napkin every now and then, as Marian has always been a messy eater. The older asked for service water even before their orders arrived, as if she already knew that Marian would find the milktea too sweet on the first sip.
Marian finally noticed how Wella's touches lingered, and how her eyes sparkled while looking at her. The scrunch on her nose every time she laughs at Marian's remarks... could it be because she adores her? Right then, Marian realized something groundbreaking.
Wella has been like this since forever.
Wella, who had been her classmate ever since 5th grade, when the former's family moved into the city to settle down, kept her company in the waiting area of their elementary school every after dismissal. The school was located where the road only had two lanes, one for each direction. A waiting time of more than a minute per car would cause a very bad traffic, which was why the kids who are waiting to be picked up must only stay in the waiting area to avoid unnecessary delays.
Wella was too brilliant for her age. She liked to think and act like an adult, or how she thought adults are. She loved taking care of Marian, who she grew to call Menggay (for some reason). Marian, who also wanted to call Wella with a special name, called her Laling.
Wella always held her when she was scared, never letting go until Marian has completely calmed down. As soon as the latter felt better she would give her pats on the head. Wella does not usually return her 'i love you's, but she shows it better than she speaks it. Wella, who always took the initiative to talk her parents into letting her go to trips, whether academic or personal. Wella, who enthusiastically eats everything Marian cooks. Wella, who never made her feel bad about her many fears. Wella, who always answers to her becks and calls. Wella, whom she loves taking care of in return.
Wella, who loves her so much.
Oh.
———
"Ling," Marian called as soon as they arrived in their boarding house.
"Oh?"
"Yung tanong ko sana kanina." She fiddled with her own fingers.
"Ay, oo nga pala. Ano 'yon, Meng?"
"Ikaw... ikaw ba yung nagpabigay ng pocari sa'kin kanina before the game?" The younger of the two bit her lower lip, still nervous, despite figuring it all out.
"Huh? Anong pocari?" Wella feigned ignorance. Pero mas malinaw na ngayon kay Marian ang lahat, kung kaya't nakikita niya na rin ang pagkukunwari ng kaibigan.
"'Wag mo nag i-deny, Ling. Gets ko na." Marian had a small smile on her face. "Ang hindi ko makuha is kung bakit hindi ka man lang nagpakita sa'kin? Nag-utos ka pa ng mga nasa audience para ipasa sa'kin 'yong bote."
Wella scratched at her head. "Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, actually."
Marian giggled. "Okay lang. At least may something nang hindi mo alam." Nilapitan niya ang kaibigan. "Ling, may hindi ka ba sinasabi sa akin?"
"H-Huh?"
"Okay lang din naman kung hindi mo sasabihin. Na-figure out ko na rin naman."
"Anong pinagsasabi mo, Menggay?" Tanong ni Wella na halatang kinakabahan.
Marian stepped even closer, now only less than a foot away from Wella. "Mahal din kita, Wella Drew Jeon."
Before Wella could react, Marian leaned down to kiss her lips softly.
"What- what the fuck..." Wella was stoked.
The younger laughed at the priceless expression on her face. "Ang cute mo, Ling!"
Wella met her eyes. "Paano mo nalaman? Sinabi ba ni Star sa'yo?"
"Ba't naman si Star ang magsasabi? Siya ba 'yong in love sa'kin? Hindi naman." Marian giggled. She looked at Wella, who was still confused. Turning serious, she took the older's hand in hers. "I just figured it out kanina, while we were in the café. Obvious naman pala sa lahat ng ginagawa mo, pero I didn't have the proper lens to see it. When Dianne mentioned kanina na ikaw raw ang sugar mommy ko, medyo nakuha ko."
Marian's eyes shone with unshed tears. "You have always acted the same way around me. Kahit pa nung mga bata pa tayo, which can be confusing, kasi, does that mean mahal mo na ako ever since we were kids?"
"Oo." Wella admitted, voice thick. "We were twelve noong na-realize ko na I have a crush on you. Nagkaroon ako ng tumblr phase noon, and even though it's funny thinking about it, it led me to realize na what I felt for you that time was so much more than just a friend cherishing a friend. I realized na ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa paningin ko, Menggay."
"Twelve?" Naiyak si Marian. "We're twenty-two now, Ling. Wala kang sinabi at all."
"I'm sorry, Meng." Hinawi ni Wella ang buhok ni Marian. "I'm sorry kung ngayon ko lang inamin. Pinangunahan ako ng takot na baka mawala ka pa sa akin kung sasabihin ko. Pero mahal na mahal kita, Meng. Ikaw lang." Niyakap niya ang nakababata.
"I love you too, Ling. Mahal din kita. Sana naparamdam ko rin nang maayos sa'yo kasi nevrr kong naramdamang hindi ako importante sa'yo. All this confidence in myself, ikaw ang dahilan nito. Kasi alam kong parati kang nariyan para sa akin. I love you, Laling."
Wella smiled between her tears. "I love you more, Meng. Sagad." She said before slowly leaning in, meeting Marian's gaze. When the latter nodded, agad niyang nilapat ang labi niya sa labi ni Marian.
When they moved to lock lips, it was slow, as if they were savoring every second of being on each other, which they were, indeed. Pumulupot sa bewang ni Marian ang mga bisig ni Wella, na siya namang marahang hinawakan ni Marian sa mukha. Slowly still, they pulled away, eyes still closed, the joy of being wrapped in each other's arms filled both of them.
"Meng," Wella whispered.
"Hm?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"Duh."
They laughed quietly, and then stared at each other, hearts at ease.
"I love you, Ling." Marian kissed her again.
"Mahal din kita, Menggay uhugin." Wella booped her nose.
"Ah ganon? Sige, break na tayo."
"Huy, joke lang, ano ba."