Midnight Rain

Chapter 2

Reva’s POV

Nasa iisang sasakyan kaming tatlo habang si kuya Yuno naman yung nagmamaneho, kanya yung kotseng gamit namin e. Nakapasok na kami sa malaking gate ng school, hindi naman kalayuan yung parking lot kaya nakarating naman kami kaagad. Napatingin ako sa labas, as usual madami na namang mga babae na nag-aabang sa dalawang ‘to. 

“We have a basketball meeting this afternoon, so you should eat your lunch with Alessia.” Biglang sabi ni kuya Yuno at saka tinignan ako gamit ang rear-view mirror. 

“Okay.” Pagsang-ayon ko at inayos ang uniporme ko dahil bababa na kami. Naunang bumaba si kuya Yuno at sumunod naman si kuya Jiro. Bigla namang umingay ang buong parking lot dahil sa dalawa. Pinagbuksan naman ako ng pinto ni kuya Jiro dahilan upang makarinig na naman ako ng bulungan. 

“Here you go, my princess.” He sweetly said to me. Ngumiti naman ako dahil hindi ko maitago ang saya na nararamdaman ko. Sanay na akong ganito palagi yung ginagawa nila sa akin, perks of having two handsome older brothers who dearly loves their younger sister. 

“Thank you kuya Jiro.” I sweetly said and my lips formed into a big sweet smile. Ganito palagi yung routine namin dito sa school, araw-araw hindi sila nag-sasawang ihatid ako sa room ko pwera nalang kung may mahalaga silang gagawin. At syempre, araw-araw din maingay ang buong hallway dahil sa kanila. Hinatid naman nila ako hanggang sa pinto ng room ko at agad din naman umalis ang mga ito nung pumasok na ako. 

“Eva!” 

Rinig kong tawag sa akin ni Alessia. Alessia and I are best friends since kindergarten kaya it is impossible to say na hindi niya ako kilala mula ulo hanggang paa. She’s the kind of friend na hindi ka maboboryo kapag siya ang kasama. She always keeps talking and sharing stories, chickas, and all! 

“What? Wag mong sabihin may baon ka na namang chismis, it’s too early for that Alessia!” Saway ko sa kanya nung nakarating na ako sa upuan ko, we’re seat mates by the way. Inayos ko na yung bag ko at saka umupo na habang siya naman ay biglang inilapit ang upuan niya sa akin dahil sa ginawa niyang iyon, amoy na amoy ko tuloy kung anong pabangong gamit niya sa araw na ito.

“Did you know how hot Zaiden is?” I looked at her using my confused look. Who’s Zaiden? 

“Uhmm. No?” Hindi sigurado kong sabi dahil hindi ko nga kilala yung tinutukoy niya.

“What? You poor thing!” She exclaimed habang umiiling pa na para bang may mali doon sa sinabi ko. 

“Wait, I don’t know anyone named Zaiden and I have no idea what you’re talking about!” I said out of confusion. Sino ba kasi ‘yang lalakeng ‘yan? 

“He’s in the same team with your bros!” She said as her eyes lit up with amusement. 

“Oh-kay.” Pagsang-ayon ko nalang sa sinabi niya kahit hindi ko pa nakikita ang lalakeng tinutukoy niya. I don’t pay attention kasi to my bros teammates. 

Mabilis ang naging takbo ng oras kaya ngayon ay papunta na kami sa cafeteria kung saan doon kami kakain ng lunch. Si Alessia lang ang kasabay kong maglunch ngayon kasi may meeting yung dalawa. Nakaorder na kami at good thing, nakahanap kami kaagad ng mauupuan. Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagkain ko ng biglang tumili si Alessia sapat na para makuha yung atensyon ko. 

“What’s wrong with you?” Naguguluhan kong tanong at pinagpatuloy ulit ang pagkain ko dahil mukhang wala yata siyang balak sagutin yung tanong ko.

“It’s Zaiden.” Mahina niyang sabi pero rinig ko naman. 

“Where?” I curiously asked. I followed in which direction she was looking but there is no one maliban nalang sa mga babaeng nagbulung-bulongan. 

“He’s gone.” Matamlay niyang sabi. I just ignored her and I continued eating my dessert. 

Two hours and thirtyminutes have passed at kasalukuyan kami naglibot-libot dito sa loob ng campus dahil kakatapos lang ng klase namin. 3:30 ng hapon yung uwian namin at dahil ayaw pa namin umuwi ni Alessia, ito palagi ang aming ginagawa kapag tapos na yung klase namin. As for me, kailangan ko pang hintayin ang dalawa kong kapatid na mamayang 5:30 pa matatapos ang kanilang basketball training. 

“Why don’t we go to the basketball gym, para naman maituro ko si Zaiden.” She suggested. 

“Hmm.. Okay. Doon ko nalang siguro ako maghihintay.” I said. Minsan kasi sa waiting area lang ako naghihintay dahil nahihiya akong pumunta doon sa basketball gym. 

Alessia leads the way, I can sense that she’s excited. Tsk. 

“Akala ko ba si Marx yung crush mo?” I asked. Sa pagkakatanda ko kasi si Marx talaga yung crush niya na kasali din sa basketball team. Marx and kuya Jiro are in the same class, they’re both 2nd year college. As for kuya Yuno, he’s in his 3rd year in college.  While me and Alessia, we’re both in our freshman year. 

“Of course! Marx is my one and only crush!” Kinilig niyang sabi. 

“Why does it seem like, you have a crush on Zaiden? The way you talk about him kasi parang nagayuma ka yata.” I said in a confused tone. Tumawa naman siya habang diretsong nakatingin sa akin.

“Well, let’s just say that I like him for you!” Tili niyang sabi then she winked at me. I shook my head out of disbelief and I put the strand of my hair on the back of my left ear. 

Saktong pagtingin ko sa court kung saan kasalukuyang nagaganap ang training, I accidentally turned my gaze to the man who’s wearing a black jersey who is also looking at me. I could not take my eyes off to that man because of his good looks, as if I was fascinated. It was as if I woke up from my daydreaming when Alessia suddenly spoke.

“That’s Zaiden Llescas, the handsome point guard of Hot Shots.” I don’t have knowledge when it comes to basketball positions but I know that kuya Jiro is the power forward and kuya Yuno is the shooting guard. 

‘So, you’re that Zaiden that Alessia keeps talking about.’ 

Umupo kami sa isang bench kung saan hindi ganoon kalayo ang bench ng mga nagpapahingang varsity. Kuya Jiro saw me and waved at me, I also waved back. I saw kuya Yuno seriously talking with their coach, but when she saw me he automatically smiled. I also smiled back at him and I instructed him na dito nalang ako maghihintay, and he nodded as a response. 

Nagkaroon sila ng isang practice game, napansin ko naman na nasa team nina kuya si Zaiden at yung iba pang malalakas sa team nila. I guess, Zaiden is part of their first five. 

I remained focused on the game as I watched Zaiden's every move. I can say he is really good and also a sharp shooter. I watched my brothers' every move and I can say that they are really good. Now I have proven why women are amazed at them na kulang nalang ipagkanulo nila ang kanilang mga sarili sa dalawa. Bigla namang nagring ang cellphone ni Alessia pero nanatili parin akong nakatutok sa laro. Nakita kong sinagot niya naman agad ito and I happened to see who’s the caller. 

“I’m with Reva, why?” 

“Now? Okay, bye.” 

“Eva, mom called me. We have a family dinner daw I am sorry.” She said and I could sense the guilt on her eyes. 

“No, it’s okay. Mag-iingat ka.” I said and smiled to assure her that it is alright. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang nakalabas ng gym. 

Ibinaling ko ulit ang atensyon ko sa laro at kahit medyo wala akong alam sa rules and regulations I still remained focus. I heard a whistle, signaling that the game is over. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nanalo dahil wala namang score board. Nanatili mo na akong nakaupo dito sa bench nang biglang may tumawag sa akin. 

“Eva!” I turned my gazed on the other side and I saw kuya Yuno. Sinenyasan niya naman ako na pumunta doon sa gawi nila. I was still hesitant to go because of the discomfort that I was feeling but I have no choice. Naglakad ako papalapit sa bagong bihis na si kuya Yuno. Kuya Jiro is still not around baka nagshower pa. 

“Hi Eva!” 

“Hey Eva!” 

“Buti naman at napadpad ka dito Eva!” 

“Yuno, pakilala mo naman kami diyan sa kapatid mo!” 

Yan yung agad na bumungad nila sa akin pagkalapit ko sa kanila. 

“f**k off dude!” Kuya Yuno said and he chuckled. 

Then suddenly, a familiar scent caught my attention. I looked where that smell came from and then, Zaiden passed right next to me. 

Hindi kaya... No, it’s impossible. 

Hindi naman ako mapakali dahil sa pamilyar na amoy na iyon. Hindi naman si Zaiden iyon. Porke’t parehas ang amoy, hindi naman agad  siya ‘yon. It looks like he doesn't even know me so, it's unlikely that he is that person. Hanggang sa pag-uwi namin yun pa din ang lagi kong iniisip. 

“Kuya Jiro, bago ba si Zaiden?” I asked habang papasok na kami sa main door.

“Yep, he’s a transferee.”