Mirasol Driana
 
Nakabusangot akong pumasok sa paaralan. After that conversation with ate Rossah, I felt guilty. Sinasarili niya ang problema niya.
“Any problem, couz?” Jam asked, surveying my emotion. Nasa basketball court kami ngayon. I am a varsity player kasi for women’s basketball.  “Mukhang malalim ang iniisip mo, ah?” She pouted. Really? Hindi niya alam ang nangyayari sa ate niya?
“Uh, ano kasi eh…” I was about to answer her question when my phone beeped. It was a text from ate Rossah.
From : ate Rossah
 
Please don’t tell Jam about our convo last night. Thankies!
 
What? Bakit ayaw niyang ipaalam sa mismong kapatid niya? Maybe she’s… not capable of telling Jamilla dahil baka madistract lang ito sa pag-aaral.
“Uh, wala. Ano kasi, uhm, baka may ano uhm, surpise quiz na naman yung prof namin mamaya. Alam mo na, hehe, he likes surprising our morning with a quiz.” Pagpapalusot ko. Muntikan na akong mautal pero iniiwasan ko dahil baka makahalata siya.
“Oh, I thought you reviewed last night? I saw you reading your books in that subject kagabi, eh.” She curiously asked. Please, ilihis mo na ang topic!
“Ah, oo! Oo nga pala, hehe.  Don’t mind me, Jam. I’m fine.” Bumaba ako sa bleachers at kinuha ang bola sa gilid ng ring.
“Couz? I have something to ask.” Jamilla opened a new topic as she watches me dribble the ball. Sana lang hindi tungkol kay ate Rossah ang topic niya, hindi ko na alam ang isasagot ko. Ayoko nang magsinungaling pa, eh.
“Ask freely, Jam.” Sagot ko with a smile.
“Hindi ba nakakaharang ang pagbabasketball sa’yo? I mean, you’re a criminology student and you’re a busy person since nagstart na ang training niyo. No offense ha, pero you don’t need to do this para hindi ka na magbayad ng tuition fee mo, we can pay it for you.” May pag-aalangan sa tono niya. I understand her point.
“Jam, basketball isn’t just a hobby for me. It’s my happiness! At saka, one of my dream is to become a varsity player in college, not just to have a free tuition, but to honor the school as well. Thankful rin ako dahil sinusuportahan niyo ako not just in my financial needs but in my passions. I am grateful and you don’t need to worry about my studies and the training, I can manage naman.” I smiled and held her hand when I went nearer to her. I want to make sure na she gets my point also.
“Okay, fine. Basta ha, kapag hindi mo na kayang pagsabayin yung studies and basketball, tell me.” She hugged me.
When the clock strikes at 7 am, nagpaalam na sa akin si Jam dahil papasok na siya sa first subject niya while me, waiting for my teammates dahil may training kami ngayon at sakto naman na wala ulit ang professor namun for the first subject. Yes, I lied to Jamilla awhile ago, we don’t have surprise quiz today dahil wala rin ang prof.
“Romero!” Jyre, my teammate, greeted me with a pat. “Ang aga, ah?”
“Silvenia.” I nodded to her, tapping her shoulder. “Parati naman akong maaga sa training, eh.” I fired back.
She just laughed dahil tinawag na kami ni coach. Our training started. Shooting guard ang posisyon ko sa team kaya kailangan talagang mag focus.
“Romero!” Silvenia shouted as she passed me the ball. I tried to shoot it, and luckily, nakashoot ito. A ‘clean’ 3-point shot.
Nagkaroon muna ng 5 minute break ang team. Tiningnan ko ang oras, it’s already 8:30 am. Expected nang ganoon kahaba ang training. I don’t know if pumasok ang prof namin for our second subject, good thing excused ang mga katulad naming varsity players. Another 30 minutes has spent for the training. Next year kasi, kasali kami sa WNCAA, and we need to bring the bacon.
Nang matapos na kami sa training ay dinisniss na kami ni coach. Mamaya ulit after class ang training. Doble ang pagod ko nito dahil may physical training pa kami mamaya. Agility test iyon kaya nakakapagod talaga. Mabuti na lang talaga at freshman pa lang ako, may training na pero hindi pa ganon kabigat, hindi tulad sa mga third at fourth year na criminology students, balita ko, mabigat na ang physical training sa kanila.
I went to my locker to get my clothes. Nagpalit ako ng uniform ko. Habang papunta ako ng cafeteria, nakasalubong ko si Jam.
“Hi, couz! Kakatapos lang ng practice niyo?” She asked, handing a bottled water to me. Tinanggap ko naman iyon.
“Oo, 2 hours yung training eh.” Sagot ko naman at uminom sa bote. “By the way, bakit nandito ka? Oh, break time pala.” Pumupunta kasi siya dito minsan kapag free siya. Nasa kabilang side pa kasi ang building nila.
“Uh, inutusan kasi ako ng prof namin to give this to sir Lapaz. Do you know him? Pwede samahan mo ako sa kaniya?” She showed me a white folder. Files yata.
I nodded, “Oo naman. Let’s grab at the cafeteria pagkabigay mo niyan kay Sir.”
After she handed the folder to Sir Lapaz, we went to the cafeteria to have our snacks. I just ordered a sandwich and water for myself while Jam ordered a pasta and a lemonade.
“’Yan lang kakainin mo?” Jam glanced at me while chewing her food.
“Hindi naman ako gutom eh.” I reasoned out. “At tsaka, we have a training at 11 am kaya light meal lang muna.” I explained and take a bite.
“Kumain ka ng maayos, Mira, ha? Baka kapag nagkasakit ka, kami ang mapagalitan ni tita.” She pouted, tapos na pala siyang kumain.
“Yes, madam. Noted that.” I gave her a sweet smile before finishing my sandwich. I remembered something while I’m drinking my water. Pagkainom ko ay agad kong binuksan ang topic. “Speaking of magkasakit, sabi ni Mhi, nilalagnat daw si DM due to sleeplessness. Siguro, tambak ang activities and paperworks nila sa University niya sa abroad. I hope she’s fine now.”  Last ko pa siyang nakausap nung birthday namin. After that conversation with her, wala nang naging kasunod pa iyon.
“She’s going to be fine, Mira. You know her, she’s a fighter. Hindi siya madaling mag-give up.” She sighed and gave me a smile.
Because of Jam’s words, nabuhayan ako ng loob. Sana nga, sana nga maging okay na siya. Lagnat lang naman ‘yon, si DM siya! Pero what I’m worrying is baka next time, mas malala pa roon ang abutin niya. DM, please take care of yourself and your health. Please.
 
Inihatid ko na si Jam sa building nila nang matapos kaming magsnack. Ayaw pa nga sana niya dahil baka mapagod or should I say makadagdag sa pagod ko ang paglalakad papunta sa building nila but I insisted, gusto ko rin kasing maglibot at the same time. While walking, she keep on talking about her rants on their lessons. Nakakakaba dahil baka may professor pala sa gilid-gilid at marinig ang mga rants netong si Jam. But thankfully, wala.
“Alam mo, couz, ang hirap pala mag-engineer, jusko!” Yes, she’s taking Engineering, hindi lang talaga halata. “Ang hirap ng Math! Sana pala nag-arki na lang din ako katulad kay ate Rossah, you know, drawing drawing lang.” Tuloy-tuloy na reklamo niya. Good thing, wala masyadong students at this time kaya wala masyadong makakarinig sa kaniya. Nakakahiya kasi.
“Architecture isn’t all about sketching, Jam. Mahirap din kaya ‘yon at tsaka may Math din ‘yon, no. Pero, ate Rossah is indeed lucky kasi nakapasa siya sa Licensure Exam.” I proudly said as I recalled the time na ang saya-saya pa niya.
“Ate isn’t lucky, matalino lang talaga siya.” Ani ni Jam, mukhang papuri pero tunog basher ang dating sa akin. “Eh, si DM? Anong course niya roon sa abroad? BS Criminology parin ba?” She suddenly asked and picked up her phone at nagsimulang magtipa.
“Hmm…” Nag-isip muna ako ng isasagot kay Jamilla. “Hindi ko alam kung nagbago ba ang isip niya but if she’s studying here in TSU, BS Criminology din sana ang kukunin niya.”
Jam clicked her tongue habang nakatingin parin sa phone niya, “Sayang pala ‘no? Bakit kasi tinanggap pa ni DM yung offer na ‘yon?” Reklamo niya sabay tago ng phone niya.
“Hayaan mo na, ‘yon ang gusto niya eh, let her do what she want and just support her.” I replied with a curve on my lips.
“Sabagay.” She just sighed. “By the way, thank you, couz. Hinatid mo pa ako rito knowing na mayroon kayong training mamayang 11 am. Jusko ka, girl!” Jam thanked me. Hindi ko namalayang nasa tapat na pala kami ng building nila dahil sa chikahan namin.
“No worries, Jam.” Nginitian ko siya at aalis na sana nang may marinig akong pamilyar na boses.
“Daisy, here’s your things.”
Lumingon ako ulit pabalik upang kumpirmahin kung siya nga ba iyon. Siya nga. Nagkapalitan kami ng tingin habang inaabot ni Jam ang mga materials.
Kai simply gave me a smile, “Hi, Driana.”  At ibinalik na niya ang tingin niya kay Jam. Nakakahiya dahil nakita niya akong nakauniform na parang sa cadette. Ganito ang dress code namin ngayon.
“Thank you, Kai! Hulog ka ng langit. Sorry, ah? Naabala pa yata kita. Pero thank you parin!” Jam thanked her endlessly. Kai just gave her a smile and a ‘you’re welcome.’ “Oh! Suot mo ID mo? I thought hinihingi ‘yan ni Manong guard sa mga outsiders? Then ic-claim mo naman kapag pabalik ka na?” Pati tuloy ako ay nacurious kaya nanatili akong nakalingon sa kanila.
“Ah, yes, but… Manong guard already knew me before so he let me pass with my Identification card with me.” He explained. “And, I have my gate pass.” He showed a small piece of paper.
Ha? So, pabalik-balik na siya rito dati pa kaya kilala na siya ng guard?
“Huh?!” Pagulat na reaksyon ni Jam. “Oh, I got it! Because of… Bethi?” Ngumiwi siya pagkabanggit niya sa pangalan nung Bethi.
Tumango lang si Kai, but the smile on his face faded. Ano kayang back story nila ni Bethi? May past ba sila? And… why am I curious? No, Mira, hindi ka interesado sa kanila. Okay?
Nagawi ang tingin ko sa phone kong hawak-hawak ko ng mag-vibrate ito consisting a message na nagchange daw ng schedule ang training namin ngayon. Starts from 9 am to 11 am na raw. Gusto ko mang magpaalam kay Jam ay nahihiya akong istorbohin ang usapan nila ni Kai. Maybe, I can just sneak out like a ninja? Dahan-dahan akong humakbang palayo.
“Aalis ka na?”
I heard Kai’s voice.
Humarap ako ulit at nakitang nandoon parin pala si Jam. I thought pumasok na siya sa room nila?
I was about to answer his question when my phone vibrates once again.
From : Jackie
 
Mira?! Arat na magchange ng clothes! Omg ka, training na laturrr!
 
I sighed, iniangat ko ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. “I need to go!” I informally bid goodbye to them and run as fast as I can to reach our building. Good thing is was near to Jam’s.
Pagkarating ko ay agad akong dumiretso sa locker area dahil naroon ang mga damit ko. Jackie was already in our training uniform. Ganoon na rin ang iba.
“Uy, bilisan mo na besh. Be faster than a breakfast! Char.” She joked. “Una na ko doon, Mira, ha?”
Agad naman akong nagbihis ng training unifrom namin at kumaripas ulit ng takbo papunta sa training area. Nasa isang malaking court kami ngayon. The officer infront of us commanded us to stand straight. After some discussion about our training today, nagsimula na nga ang training. Agility test iyon. Pinagawa kami ng sit-ups, push-ups ㅡ but for girls like us, sa isang bench nakalagay ang kamay namin, not like sa boys na sa floor mismo. Pinatakbo rin kami sa labas ng court na iyon which is malapad na area, 30 laps lang muna for now. Pati sa pagkain, we still obeyed a command. We formed a line by five people per line. Hawak-hawak namin ang plato, we need to attach it in our chest. Someone lead a prayer before eating. The officer said that we have to finish our viand for 10 seconds, we immediately ate it. Mabuti na lang at hotdog ang ulam na nasa plato namin at madali lang maubos. After 10 seconds, yung kanin naman ang kailangan ubusin for another 10 seconds. After that, another 10 seconds for us to drink our water. Agad kong kinuha ang baso na may lamang tubig na nasa baba nakalagay. And the light training ends there. I need to cool down so I went to a bench near to a huge tree. Busy ako sa pagpupunas ng pawis nang may tumabi sa akin na lalaki.
“You seems tired.” Judging by his voice, I already knew him.
“Chammy!” Gulat, and at the same time, excited kong sabi. I didn’t expect to saw him here. “Why are you here? Are you waiting for someone?”
He smiled, “Actually, nalaman ko lang na nandito pala si Kai and naisipan kong sumunod rin.”
I nodded at tumahimik na but I noticed something. “Do Manong guard also knew you, Chammy? Suot mo ID mo, eh.” I asked then grabbed my bottled water.
“Oh, oo. He knew me since we’re in second year college. Sinasamahan ko kasi si Kai dito noon to visit Bethi.” Sagot niya habang pinapanood ang mga estudyanteng naglalakad. “But, I have my gate pass here.”
So… it was her… again. The B word for today is Bethi.
“Ahh,” I went speechless. Uminom na lang ako ng tubig dahil wala na talaga akong masabi.
“Mira couz!” Muntik na akong masamid dahil sa biglaang pagyakap sa akin ni Jam. She’s with Kai. “Oh my, pawis na pawis ka! Let me wipe your sweat.” She presented.
“No, no, ako na lang, Jam.” Pagtanggi ko naman. Nakakahiya kaya dahil may dalawang lalaki kaming kasama. Hindi ako sanay, eh.
“Mahirap ba yung training niyo, Mira?” Jam asked with a hint of concern.
Ibinaba ko na ang panyong pampunas ko, “Hmm, hindi naman masyado. 50 push-ups and sit-ups lang naman at 30 laps of running. Nakakapagod lang pero hindi naman mahirap.” I simply answered.
“For real, chammy? Nagawa mo lahat ‘yon?” Samuel joined the conversation while Kai remained silent. Samuel seems amazed.
“Oo nga, chammy.” I chuckled. Parang ayaw pa kasi maniwala eh. Well, I’m a woman. Not just a woman. I can also do what men can do.
“Amazing.” He complimented me and I appreciate that.
“By the way, bakit nandito kayo, Jam?” I averted the topic.
“Mira, it’s lunch break. Normally, students go to their friend’s or cousin’s building to join them to eat lunch, and I am one of them. Let’s take Samuel and Kai to the cafeteria. For sure, they’re hungry and so as you.” Jamilla blabbed.
“Uh, kumain na ako, eh.” Nahihiya kong sabi. Nakakahiya kasi hinintay pa ako nila dito para makasabay kumain ng lunch tapos… tapos na pala akong kumain. Napansin kong napasimangot si Jam. “But, I can still join you. Order na lang ako ng dessert.” Binawi ko agad ang sinabi ko kanina.
Nagliwanag ang mukha ni Jam, “I guess, let’s go?” she clung into my arms at nahila na akong maglakad.
Kai and Samuel are in our backs. They’re talking about something.
When we arrived at the cafeteria, maswerte kami dahil mayroong bakanteng table. Ako na ang nagpresinta na mag-order. Pagkabalik ko ay nilapag ko na sa mesa ang mga order nila. Umupo na rin ako at sinimulang kainin ang dessert na inorder ko.
“Uhm, chammy, wala ba kayong pasok ngayon? Kanina pa kasi kayo nandito, eh.” I started a conversation.
“Mayroong meeting yung mga professors doon. Until afternoon, wala na kaming pasok.” He answered and eat a spoonful of rice.
“Buenu.” I unexpectedly answered him using Chamorro language. I heard him chuckled.
“You still speak using that language pa pala?” Tanong niya sabay punas sa bibig niya using the table napkin.
“Hunggan.” Sagot ko at tumango and then I realized something. “I mean, yes.” Napatawa tuloy si Samuel dahil doon. “Stop it, chammy!”. Pagsaway ko sa kaniya. Masiyado niyang inaabuso ang kaalaman ko ng Chamorro language.
Our conversation gets deeper. Kung ano-ano nang topic ang napag-usapan namin. Hanggang sa matapos na kaming kumain. pagkalabas namin ng Cafeteria, I poked Kai’s arm twice. Napatingin naman siya sa akin. Jam and Samuel are already walking meters away from us.
“Uhm, diba… may plano akong pumunta doon sa orphanage?” I awkwardly asked. Tumango lang siya at hinintay na matapos ang sasabihin ko. “I decided to cancel it muna. Hindi ako makakapunta ngayong hapon, eh.”
His head tilted a little, “Why?”
Humawak ako sa batok ko, “May training kasi kami mamaya, eh.”
“Physical training again?”
“Sa basketball.”
His eyes slightly widened, “You’re a varsity player? And a criminology student at the same time? Nakakapagod yun, ah. Imagine, training ng Criminology in the morning then sa basketball naman sa hapon. You’re… amazing.”
Natawa ako dahil first time niyang maging madaldal. “Time management is the key. Kailangan tiisin yung pagod, eh.” I started to walk. Balak ko siyang ihatid sa may parking lot since yun naman ang angreement kanina.
“How about kapag Third year college ka na? Mas mahirap na ang training doon, am I right?” He asked and put his hands into his pockets.
“Oo, mas mabigat na raw. When that time comes, I need to give up playing basketball, even though it’s my hobby. For now, i-e-enjiy ko na muna ito.”
Natahimik na kami hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot. Nasa tapat na kami ng kotse ni Kai. Chammy’s car is not here. Nauna na yata siya.
“I’m going now, Driana.” He bid goodbye.
“Bye, drive safely.” Pagpaalala ko sa kanya.
“And you, study well.” He patted my head. Pumasok na siya sa kotse niya at in-on ang makina. He smiled to me bago pinaandar ang kotse papalayo sa akin.
Natulala ako sa ginawa niya. It’s the second time he patted my head but why does it feels like it’s the first time? Here they are again.
My abnormal heartbeats.