Half A Heart

Young Love

Chapter 7: Young Love

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October - Sophomore Year (Highschool)

Nakaabot sa finals yung team nila Alex under her leadership na din. Sobrang pumped yung buong team to bring home the trophy. Sobrang tagal na din ni Alex at Den na secretly dating. Kahit kay Ella at Jovee hindi sila masyadong vocal but very obvious na yung closeness nung dalawa.

Pinatawag na yung captains ng two competing teams for high school level.

"Okay so please sign this up bago magstart yung game. So the rules will be given to you by the referee later." sabi nung isang official.

As Alex looked up, nakita niya yung captain ng other team. Mukang familiar sakanya.

"Second year? Sophomore ang Captain ng sharks? Ha!" sabi sakanya nung captain nung isang team at biglang lumingon si Alex.

"Now I remember. Over confident ka pa din hanggang ngayon." sabi ni Alex sakanya. "Ikaw yung captain nung nakalaban namin nung championship 4 years ago... which we won by the way." sabi ni Alex as she smirks.

"Not again this time Valle!" sabi nung captain ng kabilang team.

"Whatever Legaspi... May the best team wins. Lagi tayong nagkikita sa champioships. Pahirapan mo naman kami kahit minsan" sabi ni Alex.

"Ha ha ha. Let’s see who bites the dust this time" sabi ni Shiela. Two years ahead si Shiela kay Alex and their team always meet one way or another and end up competing since they are in the same district. Always.

"Oo na tanda!" sabi ni Alex kay Shiela nung natapos niya yung sign up form.

"Hmmp!" sabi ni Shiela at umalis siya.

Bumalik si Alex sa Bench nila at nakangiti.

"Please... Sana wala nanaman siyang ginawang kababalaghan." sabi ni Ella kay Alex dahil lumapit si Alex nang nakangiti at natawa si Den.

"Sila Shiela nanaman kalaban natin... Hahaha" sabi ni Alex kay Ella habang kinuha niya yung energy drink niya at uminom.

"Really? Kaya pala familiar. Well, let’s win this game... Again!" sabi ni Ella.

"I know right!" sabi ni Alex.

"Sinong Shiela?" sabi ni Den.

"Yun oh! Yung jersey number one sa kalaban natin" sabi ni Ella at tinuro niya si Shiela. That time nakatingin lang si Shiela kay Alex na parang nagaasaran sila kahit malayo. "Tagal na ng rivalry nila nitong ni Lex. Simula grade school sila na magkamatch lagi..." sabi ni Ella.

"Ah? Magaling ba siya?" sabi ni Den.

"Tanong mo sa mga MVP trophy niya" sabi ni Alex at napapangiti siya. "Namiss ko ding makalaban sa champioship yang mga yan. Four years na din ata yung last... Di ako papatalo sa oldies hahaha"

"Yup I think so... Wala pa ding pinagbago" sabi ni Ella.

So as the game starts super dikit ng laban nila. First set pa lang nakailang set point na agad. Everytime aattack si Shiela she's making sure na sa Libero nila Alex mapupunta yung Bola which is si Den. Dahil nakita niyang medyo mahirap pa siyang makareceive.

Every scoring attacks ni Shiela na kay Den niya pinapapunta titingin siya kay Alex para itaunt si Alex.

"Masarap ba ang buhangin Valle?" sabi ni Shiela.

"Second Set pa lang. Pero kung gusto mo tatapusin ko na agad to para sayo..." sabi ni Alex at nagtimeout si Coach Tin.

"Okay guys-" nagsasalita si Coach Tin pero di nakikinig si Alex.

"Okay ka lang ba? Masakit ba attack ni Shiela?" sabi ni Alex kay Den. "Huy!" sabi ni Alex at di pa din siya pinapansin ni Den. Umalis si Den at lumipat dun sa kabilang side ni Coach. Nakatingin lang si Alex kay Den at di niya alam kung bakit di siya pinapansin.

"Ikaw ba naman ang bigyan lagi ng bola..." sabi ni Ella sa likod ni Alex

"Ano nanamang pinagsasabi mo?" sabi ni Alex.

"Wala..." sabi ni Ella.

As the game progress umabot sa set 5 yung game. At natalo yung team nila Alex. They shook hand with the other teams at ang laki ng smile ni Shiela nung nakikipag kamay siya Alex.

"Looks like I won?" sabi ni Shiela.

"Pinagbigyan lang kita. Nang magamit mo naman yung trophy case mo sa bahay mo. Hahaha" sabi ni Alex at naghug sila ni Shiela. "Nice game..." sabi ni Alex saknya. They are still very civil with each other even though may rivalry na since grade school. They love competing with each other.

"Nice game.." sabi ni Shiela ag umalis na siya. Pagpunta niya sa Bus tumabi siya kay Den at di pa din siya pinapansin.

"Guys kahit di natin naipanalo tong game. Im very proud dahil nakabalik tayo sa championship game. You didnt disappoint me guys. Thankful pa din ako. So now pahinga muna tayo and get ready for next year! Sa atin na'to next year!" sabi ni Coach at umalis na yung bus.

"Den..." sabi ni Alex "Bakit ba di mo ko pinapansin?"

"Ewan ko sayo" sabi ni Den.

"Ano ba naman yan... Babawi tayo next year okay?" sabi ni Alex kay Den as she lean on Den's shoulder "Sorry na."

"Its because hinayaan mo silang manalo or I’m just really did bad sa game..." sabi ni Den.

"Neither. Okay? Natalo tayo kasi much older sila. And experienced yung whole team. Bakit ko naman ipamimigay yung championship? Its all I ever dream of." sabi ni Alex.

"Dun ka sa Legaspi mo!" sabi ni Den at inalis niya yung balikat niya na sinasandalan ni Alex.

"Wait... Are you jealous???" pabulong na sabi ni Alex kay Den. Siyempre tinatago nila yung mga gantong moment nila sa iba.

"No I’m not" sabi ni Den without looking kay Alex.

"Yes you are!" sabi ni Alex.

"No. Im. Not!" sabi ni Den.

"Yes. You. Are!" sabi ni Alex habang tumatawa. "She may be pretty, but I swear to my trophy collection you're a lot prettier... prettiest actually" sabi ni Alex. At tumingin lang si Den sakanya. "Ngingiti na yan!" sabi ni Alex and Den didn't fail her. Den smiles and they sleep side by side on the whole trip back.

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"So I heard the news. Congratulations!" sabi ni Jovee kausap siya ni Alex sa Cellphone.

"Ha! Thanks! Even though we didnt get the champioship super saya ng lahat. I wonder if panu kung nakuha namin" sabi ni Alex.

"Well let's see about that next year!" sabi ni Jovee at natatawa.

"Parehong pareho kayo ni Coach. Taas ng confident niyo sa team. Hahaha I wont be shocked if it turns out that you're her long lost son or something. Hahah" sabi ni Alex.

"Whatever you say... So can I come over?" sabi ni Jovee.

"Hm about that... Pupunta kasi dito si Den later. Maybe tomorrow kayo pumunta ni Ellapots dito. Lets watch a movie or something" sabi ni Alex.

"Cool! Sige I'll bring the tapes!" sabi ni Jovee. "Alam ko naman ang priority mo"

"Bakit ganyan kayo lagi ni Ella? Ang sarap niyong saktan!" sabi ni Alex.

"But you love us!" sabi ni Jovee.

"I do. Yes! I love to kill both of you!" sabi ni Alexandra.

"Don’t be shy... You have to or you want me to spill your embarrassing childhood kay Dennise?" sabi ni Jovee.

"Blackmail! That should be illegal! Well I really got to go, she'll be here any minute now." sabi ni Alex.

"Wait before you go... Nandiyan ba si Tito?"

"Wala... Mamaya pa" sabi ni Alex.

"Ohhh... Best! Make sure you got some aces okay? If you know what I mean" sabi ni Jovee.

"Eww you're a perv! I’m going. Bye! I'll call you soon!" sabi ni Alex.

"Bye!"

and the line clicked off.

After 15 minutes Den came with DVD Tapes.

"Sorry. Si mommy kasi ayaw pa sana ako paalisin sa house. I really need to change clothes para palabasin ako." sabi ni Den.

"Its okay. Dad will be here any minute. Sooo uhm-" sabi ni Alex but she can't stop looking at Den's legs. Damn those short dresses she wears. Focus Lex! Baka mahuli ka niya!

"Lex?" sabi ni Den.

"Oh!!! Yes uhm movie. Let’s see what you have here..." sabi ni Alex as she pretends to scan the stacks of DVDs Den bring.

"I’m sorry. Do I make you uncomfortable? Ayaw kasi ni mommy na magshorts ako..." sabi ni denden.

"No! Ofcourse not! Its okay. Its totally okay." sabi ni Alex. As she pick up one DVD "So what do you think of..." sabi ni Alex at ngayon niya pa lang babasahin yung title ng kinuha niya "Highshcool Musical??? Wow. Just great" sabi ni Alex.

"Really? Wow, that's the very least DVD I thought you're going to pick... but okay. Anything" sabi ni Den as Alex hits the play button.

Habang nanunuod sila they just can’t get enough to touch each other. They hold hands. Den plays with Alex's hands. Teasing her that her hands were really huge compare to other girls of the same age. Si Alex naman paglalaruan niya yung stray hair ni Den.

"Lex... scoot over. Lapit ka." sabi ni Den sakanya.

"Huh? W-Why?"

"Nothing. Just want us to get closer." sabi ni Den. Sumunod naman si Alex at umurong siya.

"Den... I-"

"What?"

"D-Do you need something? Like a drink... food." sabi ni Alex

"Nope. Not really" sabi ni Den. "Alex do I make you nervous?" sabi ni Den at hinawakan niya kamay ni Alex

"You? he he he. W-what m-makes y-y-you think t-that?" sabi ni Alex as she sweats profusely.

"Duh! Because you started to stutter and you never had those before like everrrrr. I’m making you nervous? Did I?" sabi ni Den as she placed her chin on the crooked on Alex's neck and they came cheek-to-cheek.

"W-what? No...N-no. Maybe? A little?" sabi ni Alex.

"Hm-mm... you know what. I really want to kiss you right now. You're too cute" sabi ni Den at feeling ni Alex natutuyo na yung lalamunan niya.

"W-What?! Y-you d-d-do?" sabi ni Alex at lumayo siya kay Den.

"You don’t?" sabi ni Den.

"I do... It’s just..." sabi ni Alex.

"Just what?" sabi ni Den.

"We're... we're young and 15. I don’t want your first kiss to be not special... in a couch... watching this movie-"

"I had my first kiss..." sabi ni Den.

"Oh? I thought-"

"New Year’s eve? In the back yard of an unknown schoolmate's house... It’s pretty special. It has stars, fireworks..." sabi ni Den as she smiles that Alex returns with a sincere smile.

"Ow? Hahaha" sabi ni Alex "I thought..."

"Not every first kiss should be on the lips Lex..." sabi ni Den sakanya "But the second kiss can be..."

"I-I d-don’t know what t-to say..." sabi ni Alex.

"The stutters. Turning me on" sabi ni Den. "I always get what I want..."

"You do?"

Den leaned over and peck on Alexandra's lips.

"Hm" sabi ni Den.

"Woah" sabi ni Alex.

"I can stop... Just tell me" sabi ni Den.

"Nope. 1 more..." sabi ni Alex at hinalikan ulit siya ni Den. Medyo mas matagal.

"5 more?" sabi ni Den at umiiling na si Alex. Bumalik si Den sa kinauupuan niya kanina at si Alex naman yung naglean.

"10 more..." sabi ni Alex at siya naman yung humalik kay Den. Simple pecks became a make out session. Damn these 15 years olds!

"Wait... I’m not disrespecting you, I mean we're not really together yet, so I don’t want you to feel like I’m disrespectful or stepping on your boundaries or taking up your personal space or something..." sabi ni Alex.

"We're not? Well Alexandra Valle you got yourself a girlfriend now" sabi ni Den. "I’m guessing five months is enough" sabi ni Den.

"It almost feels like it’s a year and five months..." sabi ni Alex as she landed another kiss "Girlfriend... Oh my gosh. I-I Lo-like you so much!"

"Me too" sabi ni Den. Napatigil si Alex nung narinig niya yung car ng daddy niya.

"Oh my gosh! Si Daddy!" sabi ni Alex.

"Thank God I didn’t wear make-up!" sabi ni Den.

"Atleast fix your hair! Gosh!" sabi ni Alex tumayo siya at inayos niya yung hitsura niya.

"Dont talk to me like that! You did this too!" sabi ni Den habang nagaayos ng buhok.

Binuksan ni Alex yung pinto at nakita ni Den yung daddy ni Alex. Tumayo si Den at nakipagshake hands sa daddy ni Alex.

"Hi sir. I’m Ysabelle Dennise... Friend po ako ni Alex, ako din po yung ano ni Alex-" sabi ni Den at tumingin siya kay Alex at nanlaki mata ni Alex "-Teammate. Teammate po sa Volleyball"

"Oh, I heard every good thing about you..." sabi ng Daddy ni Alex. "Nice meeting you Ysabella... Stop the sir, I got so much of that sa work. Call me tito na lang..."

"Yes sir-I mean yes tito..." sabi ni Den.

"Pinakain ka na ba ni Lex? What do you want to eat?" sabi ng daddy ni Alex.

"Bitin po heheh" sabi ni Den at namula si Alex.

"Uhm Dad! Gawa tayong cheesecake... I told her kasi na yung cheesecake mo yung best in town" sabi ni Alex sa daddy niya at natawa sila.

"Hahaha ikaw talaga! Magagalit mommy mo niyan! Napaniwala ko siya in seventeen years na yung cheesecake niya yung the best. Dont let her hear you say that! Hahaha"

"Dad talaga!" sabi ni Alex.

"Tara. You two wear aprons. I'll show you how to do it"

Gumawagawa na sila ng cheesecake but Alexandra and Den have a different business aside from that. They exchange glances from time to time. Den was in awe dahil super close talaga si Alex sa Daddy niya. Nakita niya din na may cooking skills ding natatago si Alex...

"Okay na. Let's wait for it to cook. Then we can eat it" sabi ng Daddy ni Alex.

"Dad... Pwede bang dun muna kami sa kwarto? I'll just show Den my room" sabi ni Alexandra.

"Okay honey. But make sure you come down bago dumating mommy mo. Sige. Tatawagin ko na lang kayo"

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"Wow!" sabi ni Den ng makapasok na sila ni Alex sa kwarto.

"Why? Nagandahan ka sa room ko?" sabi ni Alex at natatawa

"No! Silly! You always surprise me! You didn't tell me you can cook really well." sabi ni Den.

"Ayoko lang na masyado mo kong magustuhan hahaha" sabi ni Alex.

"Well I did. I liked you more." sabi ni Den at nagulat siya dahil niyakap siya ni Alex. "What was that for?"

"You're so pretty when you cook" sabi ni Alex.

"Really? Pero di talaga ako magaling magluto. Hahah" sabi ni Den. Alex pinned Den on the wall.

"Kahit na." sabi ni Alex at hinalikan niya si Den.

"Valle! Nadadalas na!" sabi ni Den.

"I just can’t get enough of you, Den. I love kssing you," sabi ni Alexandra. Then Alex didn’t even give a damn she kissed Den.

"Alexandra! Ysabelle! What's this?!" sabi ng Daddy ni Alex at napatalon si Den papunta sa kama ni Alex at si Alex naman nakatayo lang at nanlaki yung mata niya.

"Dad! I-I can explain!" sabi ni Alex.

"You're not going to say anything unless your mother's home! and you young lady... you stay." sabi ng daddy ni Alex at tumingin siya sa anak niya. "Your mom will be here any minute now. In the living room! Now! You two!"

Den sitting on the love seat while Alexandra and her Dad sa my sofa nakaupo.

"Dad..." sabi ni Alex at nakatungo lang si Den.

"Wait for your mom" sabi ng daddy niya. Di naman katagalan dumating na yung mommy ni Alex. Kiniss niya yung daddy ni Alex. Nagbihis na yung mommy ni Alex at bumaba na.

"So what do we have here? Honey?" sabi ng mommy ni Alex.

"Well. Yang anak mong magaling. Nakita kong hinahalikan niya itong batang babae na to sa kwarto niya..."

"Dad... Dahan dahan naman" sabi ni Alex.

"Is that true? Alex?" sabi ng mommy niya.

"Opo ma..." sabi ni Alex "But I swear! Its just a kissed! we havent done more than that yet!" sabi ni aly habang kinkabahan siya.

"Yet? So kung hindi ako dumating-" sabi ng daddy ni Alex.

"Honey... Let her talk. Go on baby" sabi ng mommy ni Alex sakanya. "Kailan pa?"

"Matagal ko na siyang crush mom. Takot lang ako sabihin sakanya, at sainyo po... First year pa lang, I’m sure na I liked girls... Mom, Dad... I’m sorry" sabi ni Alex.

"Pinilit ka ba niya iha? Did my daughter forced you?" sabi ng daddy ni Alex.

"Hindi po. I really uhm... like your daughter sir" sabi ni Den.

"Ikaw Lex? Are you serious about this?"

"Yes dad... I like Den." sabi ni Alex.

"Okay. You kids are so young. There's a lot of time. Wag kayo magmadali. Okay lang naman sakin to. My daughter liking girls is okay. Whatever she is, anak ko siya." sabi ng mommy ni Alex. "Magandang bata naman tong si..."

“Ysabelle, pero I prefer Dennise po.” Den said also addressing Alex’s father.

"Thanks, Mom." sabi ni Alex.

"Sa akin din okay lang. But I just don’t like you two sneaking around. Don’t ever do that again. As the head of this household, Dennise iha, everytime you visit here, especially in Alex's room. We will always have this open-door policy. No closing of doors! Do you two understand? Kahit gaano pa kasacred ang turing ni Alex sa room niya it will always be opened!"

"Dad!"

"You don’t have to say... it’s final."

"Yes, dad."

"But Dennise you're always welcome here now. Okay? I like you. Hindi mo tinanggi ang kasalanan niyo ni Alex. Just stop sneaking around. I don’t want to end up catching you every time."

"Thank you, sir..."

"Tito..."

"Thank you tito..." sabi ni Den at ngumiti na siya kay Alex.

"Tara na? kumain na tayo..." sabi ng mommy ni Alex.

"Good idea" sabi ng daddy niya.

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Next Day

"What?!" sabi ni Jovee nung kinuwento ni Alex yung nangyari kahapon. "Wow! And bait talaga ni tito at tita. Sana lahat ng tao sa mundo kagaya nila."

"So where exactly you two kissed?" sabi ni Ella at tinuro ni Alex yung inuupuan ni Ella at napatayo yung kaibigan niya sa upuan ng mabilis.

"Eww! Lex!" sabi ni Ella.

"Hahahah Joke lang! Actually dun sa couch sa baba" sabi ni Alex.

"Remind me to never sit on that couch again" sabi ni Ella.

"Wow Lex! So cute! Naunahan mo ko ah? Mas stud ka pala sakin!" sabi ni Jovee skanya.

"Yea? Si Den lang sakin. Ikaw? May Alice ka naman" sabi ni Alex.

"Eww no! Shut up!" sabi ni Jovee at tumawa si Ella at Alex.

"So... As in kayo na talaga?" sabi ni Ella "Ano kayang nakita ni Besh sayo?"

"Yes Ella. As in totoo na to. Makapagsalita to! I have traits. Wag mo ko maliitin!" sabi ni Alex.

"13..." sabi ni Jovee.

"Anung 13?" sabi ni Alexandra.

"13 naging kayo. Palitan mo na jersey number mo." sabi ni Jovee.

"She can't..." sabi ni Ella at tumingin sakanya yung dalawa. Kinuha ni Ella yung phone niya at pinabasa text ni Den.

From Den: Besh nasa school ba si Coach ngayon? I just want to request a change for my jersey number to thirteen. Something good happened.

Ngumiti si Ella kay Alexandra habang si Jovee naman kahit di niya ipahalata kinikilig sa dalawa.

"Haba ng hair mo girl!" sabi ni Ella kay Alex.

"And Jersey number 2 is a signature number ni Lex. So si Den lang dapat magpalit ng number. hehehe" sabi ni Jovee. "Congratulations Lex!" sabi ni Jovee.

"Oo nga! Congrats Lex! Akala ko matagal tagal ka pang nasa friend zone. Hahaha" sabi ni Ella.

"Kung wala kayong dalawa... Hindi naman kami magiging ganto. Thanks din" sabi ni Alex.

The three of them just watch all-day movies they all love. Bond together have a friendly chat. Masira na ang lahat wag lang ang pagkakaibigan at loyalty nila sa isa't isa... Good to have friends like them. Everybody may turn you down, but never your good ol' friends.

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