Heart Beats Again

Your Favorite

[Lea's POV]

"Eion is obviously an introvert. He gets annoyed a lot even in the smallest thing like chewing loudly. Eion doesn't likes to study but always end up getting high scores. When talking to him, never try to argue with him. Well, kung kami na mga kaibigan niya ay ayos lang, hindi siya masyadong nakikipag-away sa amin pero madalas na mga nakaka-grupo niya sa classroom ay nasasapak, mapababae man o lalaki."

"That's harsh," napangiwi siya sa sinabi ko. Kaming dalawa lang ang natira sa bahay dahil sina Cy at Tita Zena ay pinuntahan ang abogado para asikasuhin ang annulment papers.

"Exactly. Eion is harsh, cold and a sore loser. An amazing girl like you shouldn't like him."

"Really? Parang sinasabi mo na rin na si Kuya Cy ay para lang kay Ate Pauline. Mga taong amazing ay para lang sa mga taong amazing din, yun ba ang punto mo?" Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. Napangisi siya bago umiwas ng tingin. "Or maybe you're jealous."

"Jealous? Why would I be jealous? You know how crazy I am over your brother. I can't like Eion."

"I always see you with him... or maybe Eion likes you." At hindi ko na nakaya. Napatawa ako nang sobrang lakas na nagpasakit ng tiyan ko. I keep laughing until I sob. Oh, that's ridiculous!

"Eion? Likes me? That's absurd, Eli. Hayy, kung nandito lang sana sina Eva at Pia ay baka may kasabayan ako sa pagtawa," natatawang saad ko pero unti-unti rin akong huminahon nung seryoso lang na nakatitig sa akin si Eli.

"Seriously, Eli, Eion doesn't likes me. We're friends and he's just protective of me." Tumango siya pero alam kong hindi pa rin siya kumbinsido.

"So, saan nga ba tayo? Oh, right. Eion likes to go on different volleyball competitions with a black hoodie. Maybe he because doesn't want his previous teams nor other schools to see that he's still interested in volleyball. Lastly, obsessed si Eion... sa itlog."

"Sa itlog?" Tumango ako. "Yep, sa itlog. I know it sounds weird pero ganoon talaga si Eion, hindi mabubuhay nang walang itlog. Hindi yan kumakain nang walang pares na itlog but the most weirdest thing is... he likes his egg to be raw."

"Eww, that's gross and unhygienic."

"That's what I told him pero raw egg palagi ang topping niya sa shawarma, lugaw, noodles, pancit at sandwich."

"Well, that's Eion and if I asked him out on a date, alam ko na kung saan ko siya ililibre."

I want to disagree with her. She can't just ask a guy to go out with her. Obligasyon iyun ng isang lalaki, at ililibre? Nakakababa naman ng dignidad yan. Ako, kahit gaano ako kabaliw kay Cy, hinding-hindi ko siya ililibre. As in.

"In exchange with the information, tutulungan din kita kay Kuya. Si Kuya Cy naman, hindi siya mahilig maglaro ng sports, he's addicted to color red–"

"He's allergic to dust, he's left-handed, he won't spend a day without studying, he's a Kpop fan and of course, he's a wizard in math and Pauline is a genius in science while me, kailangan ko pa ng tutor... parang wala lang, bobo lang." Putol ko sa kanya na ikinaawang ng labi niya.

"Academic is not the only thing you can be good at. You're a lawn tennis player, not just any player but a Queen. You've won back-to-back matches, you're amazing and so is my Kuya. Don't worry, hindi naman mahirap abutin si Kuya lalo na't palagi ka rito sa bahay." Parang gumaan naman ang loob ko sa kanyang sinabi. "I'm impressed. You really know a lot of things about kuya."

"That's the result of liking someone for over four years... more than four years actually, I think six."

"Kailan ba nagsimula ang nararamdaman mo kay Kuya?"

"Fourth grade. Fourth grade rin akong natutong maglaro ng tennis."

I could remember how my Father accidentally bought a tennis racket from Russia, so nag-try out ako sa school out of curiosity at hindi ko ine-expect na mahuhulog ang loob ko sa paglalaro.

Kay Cy naman, i've always admire him. I'm just amaze na kahit magkaedad lang kami ay madami ang achievements niya kung ikumpara sa akin. He also has that perfect smile that can just make you freeze and fantasize his smile all day.

Nung nakilala ko siya, I wanted to start a conversation with him at makipag-close pero nakabuntot si Pauline sa kanya palagi.

"Oh, kanina pa kayo?" Ngumiti ako kay Tita Zena nung dumating na sila at may dala-dala itong mga pagkain at drinks tsaka niya nilapag sa mesa na nasa harapan namin.

"Mmm, ang bilis niyo namang maging close." Napatitig ako kay Cy nung pumasok siya na may maliwanag na ngiti. He's just so wonderful that I can't believe i'm inside his house.

"Athlete and a future athlete, we have a lot in common." Mayabang na sagot ni Eli bago nagsimulang buksan ang box na puno ng donuts ang laman.

"Kuha ka, ate." Yaya sa akin ni Eli tsala niya inabot sa akin ang box para makapili ako ng flavor.

"I have something for her. Here, I heard takoyaki is your favorite." Pagkarinig ko ng takoyaki ay mabilis pa sa alas kwatro kong binuksan ang plastic bag na binigay niya.

"T-thanks, hindi ko inakalang may alam ka pala tungkol sa akin."

Nahihiya siyang napakamot sa kanyang ulo bago tumingin kay Eli at pabalik sa akin. "I've always overhear your voice craving for takoyaki."

"Really? Am I being too loud in school?" Humila si Cy ng upuan bago tumabi ng upo kay Eli. "Hindi naman, natyiempuhan lang na malapit ako kaya ganoon."

I bit my lip when I remembered how Ron almost announced my feelings for Cy in the entire school. It was embarrassing, lalo na't nandoon pa si Cy.

"After this, ire-review natin ang tinuro ko sayo kanina–"

"Someone's outside."

"I'll go ahead and check it." Tumayo si Eli at lumabas para tingnan kung kaninong kotse ang bumusina. My guts is telling me na nandito na si Mom para sunduin ako.

"Ate Lea, nandito na ang sundo mo... Eion's here."