Strings Of Perfection

Sylas: Practice at 5. Be there.

Leo: panong be there? bakit parang utos?

Sylas: Please : (

Leo: gago hahahahah kala m cute ka?

Sylas: I'm not?

Leo: lagpas pa sa cute, tol.

Sylas: Thank you, but tol? I'm offended.

Leo: T- The love
         O- Of my
         L- Life

Taena, ako mismo nabulunan sa sarili kong ka-cornyhan. Kaya bago pa man maka reply si Sylas, agad akong nag tipa ng another reply.

Leo: bakit ba ako pupunta? nu ba meron dyan

Sylas: Because you want to?

Leo: masayado kang assuming.

Sylas: Am I wrong?

Leo: bwisit

Sylas: See you at 5. :⁠-⁠P

I stared at my screen, trying to fight the stupid smile forming on my lips. Haringina, bakit ba ang dali niyang makuha sagot ko? Akala mo naman wala akong ibang gagawin. Still, the way he just knew I’d say yes? Nakakainis.

At nakakatuwa.

I sighed, flopping on my bed for a second before deciding to get up and change. Hindi ako pupunta para sa kanya, okay? Wala lang talaga akong magawa. Haha... Real yan. Believe me, please.

Dumating ako sa court ng tamang-tama lang sa oras. The gym was already filled with players warming up, and the sound of sneakers squeaking against the floor mixed with the occasional bounce of the ball.

Then there was Sylas.

Nakaupo siya sa isang bench, tying his shoelaces, sleeves rolled up just enough to show off his arms---okay, stop. He looked up, and the moment our eyes met, a small smirk tugged at his lips.

"You actually came," he said, standing up and grabbing a ball. "Guess you do like me, huh?"

I scoffed, settling into the bleachers. "Wag kang assuming, gago. Wala lang akong choice."

Kahit yong ibang choices nawawala pag dating sayo, e.

"Sure," he drawled, spinning the ball in his hands. "And yet, you're sitting right there, front row seat, like my biggest fan."

“Ulol,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “Magpraktis ka na nga. Sayang oras ko.”

He chuckled but didn’t push further. Instead, he jogged onto the court, seamlessly blending into the game. I watched as he moved, effortlessly smooth, every motion precise---like the sport was just second nature to him. It was annoyingly impressive.

And, okay, fine. Medyo nakakabilib din.

“Leo, you wanna join?”

Napakunot-noo ako at tinitigan ang lalaking nag salita. Isa sa teammates ni Sylas. Hindi ko maalala pangalan niya, pero kilala ko ‘tong mukha na ‘to---isa sa mga ‘akala-namin-totoo’ noon.

Before I could answer, Sylas was suddenly beside me, resting his arm lazily on my shoulder. Tangina, ba’t ang lagkit?

“He doesn’t know how to play,” Sylas said with a smirk.

I smacked his arm off. “Gago, hindi lang ako interesado.”

“Same thing,” he teased.

His teammate laughed. “Talo ka niyan sa 1v1, Pres.”