A GAME CALLED LOVE (VOLLEYBALL SERIES #1)

CHAPTER 4: [ HIDDEN TALENT ]

LEIGH'S POV

After the "titigan challenge" in the cafeteria, Marcus was back to his old self, or I might say, his attitude towards me became rude again. I don't get it. I don't understand his sudden change of treatment towards me. And I also don't know why that thought keeps on bothering me for days now.

Today's Saturday, and I'm inside my room lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Yes. I survived my first week in Sta. Luciana University without getting into so much trouble, well, except dun sa mga pambabara, at panti-trip sakin ni Marcus. I don't know what's up with him, I just let it pass, though. Naisip ko rin namang baka bored siya kaya ako ang napagtripan niya, knowing na mabait siyang tao dahil sa nakikita at nababalitaan ko tungkol sa kaniya.

Also, Jane and her friends. Hindi ko alam ang nagawa ko sa kanila but nung inirapan ako ni Jane sa hindi malamang dahilan, doon na nag-start ang pagiging rude nila sa akin. I'm afraid I will be experiencing it again. I don't want to live my life in fear and frustrations anymore. I'm so sick of it.

Mabait sila nung una sa akin pero as the days goes by, nakikita ko ang tunay nilang ugali. There's this time na naglalakad ako mag-isa papunta sana sa cafeteria dahil naghihintay na sakin ang mga kaibigan ko ng bigla akong napatid or I might say pinatid ni Jane. I stumbled down and they laughed so hard at me. Hindi na lang ako pumatol sa kanila at dumiretso sa cafeteria habang pinapagpagan ang nadumihang uniform.

I sighed in frustration. I roam my eyes inside my room. Hindi siya kalakihang kwarto but I like it this way. Puro blue ang makikita mo sa kwarto ko. The walls are painted with color blue. Sa medyo sulok ng kwarto ay nakapwesto ang aking kama na halos tatlong tao ang kasya at may mattress and pilows na kulay blue rin, and also my life size teddy bear with the same color. Beside it was a small cabinet. Naka patong doon ang isang lampshade together with some picture frames. Nandoon yung picture ko when I was 5 years old, smiling widely in the camera kahit pa hindi kumpleto ang ngipin. Naroon din ang family picture namin, the recent one. Kuha iyon sa garden namin sa likod. Si Dad na nakaakbay ang kanang kamay sa akin, habang katabi niya si Mom na hawak si Ace sa kanyang braso. We looked cute in that photo so I decided to put it in a frame and display it in my room.

Mayroong malaking parihabang salamin na makikita sa gilid ng pintuan at makikita ang hindi kalakihang wardrobe ko on the other side of it. May sarili ring cr ang kwarto ko, ngunit hindi rin naman malaki. Walang bathtub tulad sa mga mayayaman. It was divided into three: ang part na kung saan ka magso-shower na may harang, ang toilet, then ang sink na may salamin kapag maghihilamos ka.

Sa gilid ng kama ko kung saan ako nakahiga ngayon ang isang malaking bintana na kapag dudungaw ka, eksaktong bubungad ang mga taong dumadaan sa kalsada. My room was located in the second floor of the house. Hindi malaki ang bahay namin. Katulad lang ng mga nasa middle class na tao. Sikap at tiyaga ang pinuhunan ng mga magulang ko upang matayo ang bahay na'to.

The house was painted with grey and black on the outside, my father was the one who chose it. He is a minimalist. It turned out simple and neat, though. May garden sa unahan at may garden rin sa likod. Yan ang pinagkakaabalahan ni Mommy kapag weekends. She is so fond of plants and flowers. May balkonahe sa unang palapag ng bahay at may veranda sa second floor.

My father was just 41 years old and mom is 38. They had me when mom was 21 years old.

I get myself up from bed and turns outside the window beside me. The sky is already in orange and red color. Mukhang napatagal ang pagkakahiga ko. Mag gagabi na pala. I glanced at the wall clock and noticed that it is already quarter to six. Maya maya lang ay nakarinig ako ng katok sa may pinto.

"Leigh, anak, kakain na." It was mom.

Umalis ako sa kama ko at agad nag ayos ng sarili.

"Yes, Ma. Coming." sagot ko kay Mommy habang bahagyang sinusuklay ang buhok.

"Okay, hihintayin ka namin sa baba" sabi niya at narinig ko ang mga yapak niya paalis.

Kaagad din naman akong sumunod at bumaba sa may hagdan. Naabutan ko silang naghahanda ng pagkain sa dining table. Si Daddy na nakaupo na sa dulo ng mesa, nasa kaliwang tabi niya si Ace na tinitingnan si mommy habang naglalapag ng pagkain. Tumabi ako kay daddy sa right side niya, kaharap si Ace. Umupo na din si mommy at pinanggigitnaan nila ni dad ang kapatid ko.

We are always like this. Hindi pwedeng hindi kami magkakasabay sa pagkain. My mom and dad always find ways to spend time with us even though busy sila sa resto. That's why close ako sa parents ko.

We offer a prayer of gratitude first before eating.

"How's school, anak?" biglang tanong ni Daddy kaya napatigil ako sa akmang pagsubo ng pagkain. Lagi niya akong kinakamusta kahit nung nasa Manila pa ako nag aaral. Sa lola ko ako nag-sstay doon, nag aral ako doon since grade 3 to grade 10. My parents want me to enter a prestigious school that's why they sent me to my grandparents and let me stay there for about 8 years. But after that incident happened, just months ago, my Dad decided to bring me back here in the province to continue my studies.

"It's still fine dad" sabi ko at diniinan ang salitang "still" para sabihing wala pa namang nangyayaring di kanais-nais sa akin sa school ko ngayon.

"Fine? Hindi ba maganda dun anak?" pagsingit ni mommy habang inaalalayang magsubo ng pagkain si Ace.

Napatawa ako dahil sa nababasang pag aalala sa kanilang mga mukha. Dahil don ay nagulat sila. I admit it. I barely laugh since nangyari yung dahilan ng pagbalik ko dito. Masayahin akong bata noon ngunit nung nag-highschool ako ay doon na unti-unting nag iba ang lahat. Kaya hindi ko masisisi sila mom at dad kung nagulat sila sa inakto ko.

"No, no Ma, Pa. Actually nagkaroon ako ng mga bagong kaibigan kahit first week pa lang ng class, and I'm so happy" I said as I flashed a sweet and a genuine smile.

Unti-unting lumambot ang ekspresyon sa kanilang mga mukha at saka ngumiti sa akin. Dad wiped the side of his lips with the table cloth and reach for my hand.

"I'm so happy for you, then. Now that I saw you smile and laugh again made me at ease. It's such a big relief for me, anak." he said as he squeezed my hand lightly.

I turned to mom and saw her smiling at me too. Then, I gazed at Ace who is smiling at me also, probably, ginagaya niya lang si mom na nakangiti sa akin kaya ngumiti din siya.

"Yeah", I said and continued eating.

After naming kumain at magkwentuhan, nagpaalam na ako sa kanila na aakyat na sa kwarto ko upang magpahinga. Sila kasi ay manunuod pa ng TV. I left them as I saw mom and dad sitting on the couch with Ace between them while turning on the television.

Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko at napagdesisyunang gawin ang routine ko bago matulog. I went inside the cr and took a half bath and started to put some cream on my face. My mom taught me about this. She said, it is necessary for me to do it because I'm a girl and it's for me to maintain my fair skin.

Pagkatapos ng ginagawa ko ay nagbihis na ako ng ternong pajama na kulay blue. I dried my hair first before going to bed. Mahihiga na sana ako ng may kumatok sa pinto ko. I stood up and open the door. Bumungad sakin ang cute na cute kong kapatid habang kinukusot ang kaniyang magkabilang mata.

"Hey bud, something wrong?" I asked as I pull him inside my room and made him sit on the edge of my bed. Umupo din ako sa tabi niya.

"Nah. Just wanna say good night, ate." he said cutely.

I giggled and pinched his cheeks. Ace is just 4 years old, but he is a smart kid. I prefer calling him Ace although my parents called him AJ. His full name is Ace John Monteverde and he's my only brother. Kahit matagal akong nasundan at malaki ang agwat ng edad namin ay close na close kami sa isa't-isa kahit pa minsan lang kami magkita dahil nasa Manila ako noon.

"Oh, right. Good night, too. Go on, go to your room and sleep na." I said because it's already 8:30 in the evening.

"'Kay. We'll gonna play my toy cars tomorrow, huh?" naninigurado niyang sabi.

"Yeah, buddy. Go on, sleep" then I kissed the top of his head.

Pagkasara ko ng pinto ay pinatay ko na ang ilaw at lumapit sa kama ko at nahiga, then I turned on the lampshade beside me. Hindi pa naman ako inaantok kaya kinuha ko ang laptop sa may bedside table at nag-online sa f*******:.

Gusto ko sanang ideactivate ang account ko but naisip ko na marami akong napost na pictures dito with my family and my cousins kaya wag na lang. Naisipan ko na lang na i-unfriend ang mga taong bahagi ng mapait kong nakaraan. After unfriending them, I noticed some friend requests from my new classmates kasama na rin ang ibang member ng volleyball boys and there were also from Penny, Leexie and Gwayne. I confirmed all their requests and started to scroll down on f*******:.

Suddenly, may nag pop-up na notification and bigla bigla na lang bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko.

Marcus Louis Santiago sent you a friend request.

Accept | Delete

Nanginginig ang mga daliri ko ng pindutin ko ang "Accept", hindi naman siguro masama na maging friend ko siya sa sss kahit pa ganon ang ugali niya sa akin, besides kaklase ko rin naman siya kaya walang malisya.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng hindi naman siya nag message, as if mag me-message siya! Argggh!

I hit my forehead with my palm as I put my laptop on my lap while leaning on the headboard of my bed. Maya maya ay nagulantang ako ng may nag appear sa screen ng laptop ko, requesting for a video call. Napabuntong hininga ako ng makitang si Gainne iyon. Oo nga pala, ngayong oras siya palaging tumatawag. Kung ano-ano kasi ang naiisip ko.

Gainne Jewel Lastimosa is my cousin, father's side. We're on the same age. Her mom and my dad are siblings. That's why she is a Lastimosa because of her dad. Palagi niya akong tinatawagan lalo na nung bumalik ako dito sa probinsiya namin. Nung nasa Manila pa ako, siya ang maaasahan ko, pero hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon dahil magkaiba kami ng klase. Sa aming lahat na magpipinsan ay siya ang pinaka "vibes" ko. Kaugali niya si Penny pero may pagka sungit ng konti si Gainne. Kaya siguro na attached agad ako kay Penny dahil nakikita ko si Gainne sa kaniya.

I turned on the light first para hindi madilim, and went back to bed. I answered her call at kaagad na bumungad sa akin ang magandang mukha ng pinsan kong nakasandal din sa headboard katulad ko. She immediately flashed a sweet smile upon seeing me.

"Hey, Aikkiee!", masayang sabi niya at kumaway sa akin. She always calls me "Aikkiee" and I just let her. I smiled at her too before waving my hands.

"Hey, Gainne!" bati ko pabalik.

"So? What's up? Parang may iba sayo ngayon. Your aura looks a little bit lighter than our previous vc" sabi niya habang inilalapit ang mukha sa camera ng laptop niya.

Kahit talaga maliit na bagay sa akin ay napapansin niya. Hindi ko naman kailangang maglihim sa kaniya. She was my first bestfriend after all.

"Yeah, I found new friends, you know. They're so good, and I'm already comfortable being with them. I know, they're not like those who hurted me before. Hindi sila plastik, Gainne. Nakikita ko sa kanila 'yon." sabi ko sa kaniya habang hindi natatanggal ang matamis na ngiti sa aking labi.

Mas lumapad naman ang ngiti niya dahil sa kwento ko.

"That's good!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy you're back to your old self. I'm happy that you let them enter into your life, I'm so happy that you are already opening yourself to others." she said with a warm smile plastered on her face.

"And because of that, you will sing me a song!" masayang pahayag niya na ikinatawa ko na lang. Sanay na ako sa kaniya, mag-v-vc, mangangamusta, at magpapakanta.

"Okay, wait here" I said as I put down my laptop and jumped out of the bed.

I heard her shriek in joy and that made me chuckle. Lagi siyang tuwang-tuwa kapag kumakanta ako. Sinasabi niya pa ngang siya daw ang no. 1 fan ko. Siya lang naman kasi, bukod siyempre sa family ko ang nakakarinig sa aking kumanta.

Bumalik ako sa kama na bitbit ang kulay asul kong gitara. Marunong akong mag-gitara but only those who are close to me knows about it. I keep it private, even though Gainne was encouraging me to showcase my talent in singing and playing guitar. Natuto akong mag gitara nung high school ako and it is when music became my bestfriend because of the problems and troubles I'm into.

Ipinwesto ko ng maayos ang aking laptop ganun din ang gitara sa lap ko. I am gently strumming the guitar while adjusting the chords of it. Nang maayos na ay tumingin ako kay Gainne at nakikita kong nirerecord na naman niya ang pagkanta ko. She smiled and showed me a thumbs up so I returned my sight in the guitar I'm holding.

I started strumming the intro and slightly humming the tune of a familiar song while smiling at Gainne.

Scrolling through my cellphone for the twentieth time today

Reading that text you sent me again

Though I memorized it anyway

I smiled sweetly at her knowing that this is her favorite song.

It was an afternoon in December

When it reminded you of the day

When we bumped into each other

But you didn't say hi 'cause I looked away

I continued strumming and singing while glancing at the camera from time to time.

And maybe that was the biggest mistake of my life

And maybe I haven't moved on since that night

'Cause it's 12:51

And I thought my feelings were gone

But I'm lying on my bed thinking of you again

And the moon shines so bright

But I gotta dry these tears tonight

'Cause you're moving on and I'm not that strong to hold on any longer

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh~

A familiar face suddenly crossed my mind. His brown hair, his smiles, his laughters, and how he invade my thoughts every night. I don't know why but I find myself smiling widely as the lyrics of the song flows smoothly from my mouth.

I ended the song with a bright smile on my face with my cheeks reddening a bit. I snapped back to my senses when I heard Gainne's giggle while clapping her hands.

"I told yah! You're really a great singer Aikkiee" she said while fixing her phone where she recorded my videos everytime I sing in front of her.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever" I said jokingly while setting aside my guitar.

"I'll never had enough of your voice, Aikkiee. It was like a goddess singing a beautiful song."

I slighlty rolled my eyes at her compliment.

"Baka lumaki ang ulo ko sa kaka-compliment mo Gainne Jewel."

She snorted.

"What's with the sudden bring out of my full name, Aikke Leighanne?" she said as she eyed me with disgust.

I just laughed at her. She never liked to be called by her full name, I don't know why. Her face immediately softened as she saw me laughing.

I gave her a smile.

"It's so good seeing you laugh Aikkiee." she said and slightly put her hand on her chest. She witnessed everything when I suffered, back when I was still in Manila. She couldn't do anything because she's just also a soft girl like me. That's why she is overwhelmed seeing me like this.

"It's already late Aikkiee, we better go sleep na." she said and yawned.

"Yeah, I think so." sabi ko ng makaramdam na rin ng antok. "Thanks for your time Gainne", sinsero kong sabi sa kaniya.

"What are cousins are for, right?" she said while wiggling her brows up and down.

"Yeah. Thanks again. Good night, couz"

"Good night Aikkiee, sweetdreams!" then she blow me a kiss.

I returned my laptop on my bedside table and walked towards the switch of the light, and I turned it off. I walk back to my bed and lied down with my life size teddy bear beside me. I gently pulled the comforter to cover me up to my waist.

I remember while I was singing a while ago, Marcus' face crossed my thought. I don't really know why I think of him while singing that song so I just shrugged it off.

I prayed before closing my eyes, hoping things would be alright this time.