Just...Friends.

Open Spiker

Chapter 6: Open Spiker

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Dahil majority ng pumunta sa exhibition match is DLSU and Ateneo sila yung base team ng game. Rachel and Shiela napunta sa Green side while Dindin and Jaja nasa Blue side.

Si Lia at Nic nakaupo na sa benches ng dumating yung iba nilang teammates.

"What's with the change? Bakit biglang sweet sweetan nanaman yang dalawa?" pagtatakang tanong ni Mich as they walked with their teammates.

"Ewan. I think Lia spend the night in Nic's room. Ayoko namang mag assume but I guess they have talk" sabi ni Ella.

"Yan! Magsawa nanaman kayo sa PDA ni Nic at Lia" sabi ni Marge.

"Guys! Naririnig namin kayo!" Sabi ni Nic habang tinitingnan niya ng masama yung mga kaibigan niya.

"Hayaan mo na sila Nicky. Halika ayusin ko tali ng buhok mo." sabi ni Lia.

"Ahm Okay na to. Okay na. Ahhh wait lang. Kakausapin lang ako ni Ella." Sabi ni Nic at ngumiti lang si Lia sakanya.

Nang makalayo si Nic at Ella biglang kinurot ni Ella si Nic.

"Aray! Para saan yan!" Sabi ni Nic.

"You tell me. Anong ginawa mo kay Besh at biglang nagkaganyan?"

"Wala..."

"Nic... tell me!"

"Okay okay... ganto kasi yan."

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Flashback

Natapos na si Julia magbihis, suot niya yung Tshirt ni Nic na may no. 2 sa likod at jacket niya na ADMU. Suot niya rin yung short ni Nic.

"Nicky! Nasaan ka na? may nakakalimutan ka ata!" sabi ni Lia, umupo siya sa sofa at binuksan yung TV.

"Oh? Ito na nga. Nagpalit din ako ng damit" Sabi ni Nic at umupo siya sa tabi ni Lia.

"We need to talk... Nic, its about the kiss. I-I really... Im... I dont know" Sabi ni Lia, di niya masimulan, na para bang walang nabubuong words sa lalamunan niya.

"Breathe... I know what you mean." Sabi ni Nic. "Lia I must tell you this now. It’s now or never"

"Nicky you're making me... nervous" Sabi ni Lia habang nakatingin lang siya kay Nic.

"Does it make you wonder why I ended up my relationship with Jovee? Why do I feel terrible every day. Why do I look like a love-sick puppy and stuff? Because I think I love someone. Someone that's not Jovee. Someone who made me see things differently." Sabi ni Nic. She's just looking at Lia straight in her eyes.

"Nic?" 

Talaga bang sasabihin niya na? Ano ba to? Nageexpect ba ko? sabi ni Lia sa sarili niya.

"Lia... I’m not who you think I am," Sabi ni Nic. She took a deep breath and let it all out. "I think I like girls. I don’t know when, but I just realized I’m into girls,"

"Nic... I dont know what to say. Bakit di mo sinabi sakin?"

"Ayoko lang magbago tingin mo sakin. Im sorry that Ella and Jovee known this for a while now instead of you, na... bestfriend ko" Nic said. 

Konti na lang, kaya mo yan! Ang sasabihin ko na lang inlove ako sakanya tapos, yun na! Tapos na! Nic said to herself as she gathers enough courage to do so.

"I understand, I also felt na I’m lacking, di na kita laging nakakasama. It’s okay Nicky. Whatever are you, whoever you want to be, I'll support you"

"Lia thank you. You helped me, a lot actually. That kiss? It did a lot of things to me, it make me define myself and come out like this." sabi ni Nic at hinawakan niya kamay ni Julia. "And I think I like someone... I just admire her, but I’m too scared."

Is it me Nicky? Pag sinabi talaga ni Nic ngayon na she liked me talagang pagiisipan kong ibreak si Kent. I like you too. Nicole San Miguel, di ko alam na you feel the same way, just tell me you love me...

"Kung sino man yan? Nic I know that she's so lucky to have someone like you... So who's the lucky girl?" tanong ni Lia. Nararamdaman niyang nagpapawis na kamay ni Nic.

"Lia..." Ano? ngayon pa ba ako natatakot? Tanggap na niya naman ako. Pero ayoko, Im scared to know that she don't see me the way how I saw her... I need to do this... "Si Sheila..." I guess it didnt came out right? s**t! Kelangan kong sabihin sakanya to. "Lia I like her.. " 

Sheila... Her... Si Sheila... I LIKE HER... HER...Fuck. I did expect.

"Ow?" sabi ni Lia. She shake her head to wake up from her little bubble that just popped by Nicole "So si Shiela?"

"Oo..."

Hindi pwede! Nicky I kissed you! I, Julia Montenegro kissed you! How dare you like someone that isn't me!? Hindi pwede to. I cant let this happen...

"Kalaban natin siya bukas... How do you feel about that?" Sabi ni Lia.

"Its okay, Volleyball is still volleyball" sabi ni Nic habang napahinga siya ng malalim.

Sheila Marie, hindi mo maagaw ng ganyan ganyan lang si Nic ko... Nic ko? Lia!!! No! Kent! Kent! Remember? Boyfriend mo? Boyfriend natin!

"Well, I’m glad to hear that," Sabi ni Lia as she smiles like a devil.

"Bakit ganyan ka makangiti?" Nalilitong tanong ni Nicole.

"I just feel good" Sabi ni Lia.

Bring it on, Shiela Pineda!

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"Ganun na lang yun?" Sabi ni Ella.

"Oo... After nun ganyan na siya, mas clingy, mas malala pa sa dating Julia... and seriously? She kinda, sorta scared me," Binulong ni Nic kay Ella as they both looked at Lia. Nakita nila si Lia na nakatingin sa kabilang team, they followed Lia's gazed. Kay Sheila siya nakatingin.

Lia just made the 'Im watching you' sign to Sheila, napatawa si Sheila at hinanap si Nic. She just shrugs in the MVP's direction.

"Wow! Haba ng hair m, Nic! So maybe that's what Lia was up to... Hmmm," Sabi ni Ella habang nakatitig sakanya si Nicole "I think, nagseselos si Lia"

"Paano mo nasabi?"

"Tingnan mo nga! Sumisigaw na sa selos yang muka niya..."

"Okay? Kaya pala. Seriously Shiela planned this. After ko kausapin si Lia last night, pinuntahan ko siya. Sinabi ko nga na I kinda used her name, tapos bilang payment for that she'll play some tricks on Lia... I think she's purposely making Lia jealous... and let me say this... She's doing well"

"Mukang di mo na ko kakailanganin, kami ni Jovee actually. So I'll just go there and watch this beautiful things to go down. Gave me a spectacular show Nicky... Make me proud" Sabi ni Ella at naglakad na siya palayo kay Nic.

Lumapit si Sheila kay Nic agad.

"So? Effective diba? How do you feel?"

"Thanks, Shiela... I mean it doesn't feel really good because it's not real but it will do... I’m so happy right now"

"Duh? but dont make her wait for too long okay? So magsisimula na. Galingan mo San Miguel!" and Sheila smile to Nic and she made sure na nakita ni Lia yun.

"Goodluck din sainyo!"

The game starts and naka abot ng 4 sets yung game. Green dominates the first set, just the first set. Blue wins the last three sets.

Lumapit si Nic kay Sheila after nung play at nagpapicture sa mga fan nila.

"Nice game..." Sabi ni Shiela

"Nice? I think I did well, I think I did great." Sabi ni Nic. "Kidding. hahaha. Good game! See you around" at umalis din agad si Nic.

"Bat mo siya kinakausap?" Sabi ni Lia.

"Masama ba?"

"Oo! Instead of wasting your precious time with THAT THING... Dapat nagcecelebrate ka with us or something."

"Ehdi I’m sorry. Okay na?" sabi ni Nic. Bigla siyang niyakap ni Lia.

"Hmmm..."

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Magkasama si Nicole at Ella habang naglalakad papunta dun sa Party para sa mga Volleyball players.

"Daanan kaya natin si Lia?" sabi ni Nic.

"Oo nga, baka magtampo na sa atin si Besh" Sabi ni Ella "Ano nga bang room nila ni Panget?"

"Uhm 915?" sabi ni Nic at umakyat sila sa 9th floor nung hotel at hinanap yung room 15.

knock knock

"Hindi naman kami nagpatawag ng room service---ay! Kayo pala yan" sabi ni Kent at mukang di siya masaya nang nakita niya yung dalawa.

"Room service, upakan kaya kita!" sabi ni Nic kay Kent. "Nasaan ba si Lia?"

"Nandito..."

"Oh? Ilabas mo siya. May party kaming pupuntahan"

"Ah oo na! Pasok! Mga asungot talaga tong mga to" sabi ni Kent at pumasok siya sa may Bedroom "Lia nandito na sila Nicole at Ella. Gusto ko sumama sa party."

"Huh? ang aga naman nila. Ano? Bakit ka sasama. Alam ko namang ayaw mo sa mga ganon." Sabi ni Lia.

"Wala lang gusto ko lang..."

"Sige na nga! Magbihis ka na." sabi ni Lia at lumabas na siya sa kwarto.

"Oh let's go!" nagyaya bigla si Ella.

"Wait. Sasama daw si Kent."

"Ano?! Pambihira naman Lia... bakit papasamahin mo pa yan, yayayain ka lang niyan pauwi! Bakit ba---Aray!" siniko si Nic ni Ella habang nagsasalita siya "Sige na, hintayin na natin"

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Dalawang oras na nakakalipas nung dumating sila sa party, nakasayaw na ni Nic si Lia at nagpapahinga na sila.

"Lia sayaw naman tayo" Sabi ni Kent.

"Later. Pagod pa ko. Upo ka muna" sabi ni Lia as she takes another shot.

"Dali na Babe. Kanina pa ko nakaupo dito oh, you're my girlfriend. We are supposed to dance and do stuff."

"I said later diba?"

Inakbayan ni Kent si Julia at nakikita ni Ella, Jovee, Shiela at Nic yung nangyayari.

"Nicky, huwag na huwag kang tatayo. Hayaan mong ayusin nila yan. Girlfriend pa rin ni Kent si Lia, you cant just come up to them," Sabi ni Ella kay Nic. Nanginginig na yung mga kamay ni Nic at gustong gusto niya ng sapakin si Kent.

"Nic? It’s okay. If things get out of hand, back up mo ako" sabi ni Jovee.

"Ginatungan pa oh!" Sabi ni Ella.

"Oh my God!" sabi ni Shiela, napatingin sila lahat kanila Lia at Kent. Natabig na ni Lia yung baso niya at nabasag. Pinipilit pa din ni Kent na halikan siya ni Lia.

"Come on! Just kiss me!"

"Ano ba! Bitawan mo ko!" Sabi ni Lia.

Nakatingin lang sila Shiela, Jovee at Ella sa nangyayari di nila namalayang nakawala na yung binabantayan nila. Habang nakatingin sila dun sa dalawa nakita na nila si Nic na naglalakad papunta sa dalawa.

Nanlaki mata ni Ella at tumingin siya sa inuupuan ni Nic kanina. s**t si Nic nga!

"Jovee! Si Nic!" sumigaw si Ella at agad tumayo yung tatlo at sinundan si Nic.

"Back off!" Sabi ni Nic ng itulak niya si Kent papunta sa may pader at hinila niya si Lia sa kinauupuan nito.

"Nic stop! Wag kayong gumawa ng gulo dito ano ba!" Sabi ni Lia, medyo nagalala siya kay Kent dahil medyo malakas yung tulak ni Nic sakanya.

"Ano bang problema mo!? Ano ka ba? Kaibigan ka lang naman ni Julia ah? Kaibigan ka lang niya! Wag mo kaming pakialaman dahil ako ang boyfriend niya!" sabi ni Kent at tinulak niya si Nic sa balikat.

"Ano ba! Wag mo saktan si Nic! Stop it! Babe! Stop!" sabi ni Lia. Umiiyak na siya.

"Napakapakielamera kasi niyang bestfriend mo! You dont have any rights to meddle on whatever issue Lia and I have!"

"Pare tama na. Wag mong sabihan ng ganyan si Nic. Back off!" sabi ni Jovee at hinarangan niya si Nic habang nakakapit si Lia sa likod ni Nic. "Kung ako sayo lalabas na lang ako!"

"Jovee let me handle this..." sabi ni Nic. She step up at pinabantayan niya si Lia kay Ella. "Wag mo siyang bibitawan" di nila napansin na almost everybody is already looking at them.

"Ano? Haharang pa kayo?! Akin na si Lia, kaming dalawa ang maguusap, umalis ka sa harap ko!" sabi ni Kent kay Nic at hinawakan niya yung braso ni Nic ng mahigpit.

"Hey! Get your hands off her!" sabi ni Jovee.

"No let him. Hayaan mong makita ng lahat ng tao kung anong lalaki ba talaga tong Kent na to. How he harassed and abussed Julia. I just cant stand and watch you ruin my friend." sabi ni Nic at hinawakan niya din yung wrist ni Kent.

"Dont touch me!" at hinampas ni Kent kamay ni Nic. "You don’t know any thing about us! You don’t know anything about me!"

"Guess what? I’m not interested to know anything about you. Hayaan mo na lang si Lia. She doesn’t need any man to define her! Especially a guy whose not man enough to be called a man!"

"So who deserves her?! Miss know it all?!"

"No one. No one deserves Lia, no one can say. Siya lang makakapagsabi kung sino yung taong deserving na alagaan siya, and you know what? I'll bet everything I have, that its not going to be you, and never will be you!" sabi ni Nic.

Habang nagpapalitan ng salita si Kent at Nic sa likod nila ay umiiyak na si Lia, yakap yakap lang siya ni Ella. She realized everything between her and Kent is unhealthy. She tear herself up dahil sa pagtatanggol ni Nic sakanya. Nic deserves me. Umiiyak lang siya. Nakita niyang lumalapit na si Shiela kay Nic.

"Nicky, let's go. He's not worth it. We need to go." Sabi ni Shiela. Narelax na si Nic sa touch ni Shiela at binitawan niya si Kent. Si Jovee naman nakaabang lang sa likod ni Nic just in case. "Tara na, we need to go"

"Lia paano na tayo!? Dont leave me here! Are you really going to pick your stupid friends instead of me!?" sabi ni Kent. Nakatalikod na si Nic kay Kent, si Shiela naman hawak si Nic at napatingin kay Kent.

"Nakalimutan ko bang sabihin sayo na wala ng tayo?" sabi ni Lia.

"Are---are you... Are you breaking up with me?!" sabi ni Kent.

"Yes! Yes, Kent I’m breaking up with you! There's no more us anymore. You just proved one thing to me, that you're a f*****g big ball of a jerk!"

"Kasalanan mo to! Kasalanan mo lahat ng to Nicole! Tandaan mo gagantihan kita! Sa volleyball ka lang naman magaling! Kaya matapang ka dahil marami kayo dito!" sabi ni Kent habang pinagbibintangan niya na ng kung ano ano si Nicole.

Humigpit kapit ni Sheila kay Nic. "Please, tama na"

"Shiela, just give me a second," sabi ni Nic. Binitawan siya ni Shiela at hinarap ulit ni Nic si Kent."Talaga? Paano kong sabihin ko sayo that I can hit just as fine sa labas ng court?" Bumwelo si Nic at sinampal niya si Kent ng sobrang lakas. Kasing lakas o mas malakas pa sa pagspike niya ng bola. Nic walked out the room like a boss. Everybody looked her in awe and Lia looked her with a smile and pride. But Ella is more than proud to her friend. She never so Nic this mad, never... just now.

"f**k! Ouch!" Kent cried in pain.

"I've warned you, you didn't listen. Its your fault. Not me, not Lia, nor Nic." sabi ni Jovee at sinundan niya na sa labas sila Nic.

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Sa labas nauna si Nic at Shiela.

"Wow. Nicole San Miguel. Open spiker, on and outside the court. I’m impressed"

"That really feels good. Matagal ko ng gustong sapakin yang lalaking yan!"

"Job well done. Mission Accomplished"

"Thanks for being there," Nic said at niyakap niya si Shiela.

"Oh? Nandito na yung Damsel in distress" sabi ni Shiela. "How can you explain where all you said came from? I think this is the right time to tell her"

"Tell me what?" sabi ni Lia as she walk papalapit kay Nic at Shiela.

"I’m not the right person to tell, maybe Nic is..." Sabi ni Shiela naglakad siya papalapit kay Lia "You're a very very lucky girl Lia." she walked passed by Lia and she hooked her arms on Ella. "Tara Ella, we need to go. They need this time"

"Sure, hindi ako tututol. May sasabihin lang ako kay Nicky" sabi ni Ella. "Nicky! Im so proud! Lets talk about how awesome you are later, pag balik mo sa room mo!" sabi ni Ella and they both walked away.

Parang ang bigat bigat ng hangin. This is the time.

"Nicky, are you hiding something from me?" sabi ni Lia. Her eyes are still bloodshot from earlier and looked at Nic. She's hurt but not because of Nic. "Ano ibig sabihin ni Sheila?"

"I need a more private place. Lakad tayo doon?" Niyaya ni Nic si Lia sa may shore 5 meters away from the water and that's the longest five-minute walk Nicole has ever done...

I'd rather run a mile, than walk on this path five minutes closer to the truth.

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