CHAPTER THIRDY - TWO

⚠️! : Strong language,cursing and unfiltered words ahead.

I indeed avoid Thirdy for a while because of Daddy. Ayaw kong galitin ang daddy ko,I wanna make him feel na I respect him as my father by obeying his order for now. But I know that time will come for me to tell him about Thirdy seeing the kids.

I gulped as I enter the familiar gym. Memories came crashing when I saw the same benches and everything in this gym. I'm amaze on how they manage to maintain this very memorable gym for every eagle.

"De Leon". Nagulat ako when I heard coach O calling me.

I sighed before walking towards his direction. Last night I got an email,an invite to join a the playing club of Choco Mucho. I was shocked and kinahabahan pa at first because it's been years since I've been into the court. But at the same time I felt the intensity and desire to say yes.

I also consulted daddy for this and he said whatever I'll do,they'll support me. Plus Davin and Deila cheered for me as I typed my respond through email.

"I'm so happy to see you again BDL. Salamat sa pagpayag mo". Coach Oliver said smiling,joy is visible on his face.

I smiled back at him.

"Of course coach. But I'm a bit worried.. you know coach it's been a while since I played. Actually I was stunned by your email. And for that,thank you for your trust". I said smiling and shake his hand.

"You belong to the court Bea,no matter what happened,I know you'll do great as you step inside of it. I don't need you to play hard,your presence is enough to add fire to the team". I smiled at that.

"Sus gusto mo lang ata ng mang-aaway sa referee eh". I said jokily.

Coach shake his head.

"Parte na din yun". And we both laugh.

Well,what can I say?

I'm really back on court now.

After that,I just sit there for a while as coach O told me the process of being part of the team. Of course the contract signing and all. The thought that I'll be playing with my friends for the team club of ChocoMucho Flying Titans ( CMFT) excites me.

Cause playing with the team I already knew would be,not to easy but mas magaan.

Madzilla : Beaaaaaaa wow talagang hanggang kamatayan tayo partner ha, congratulations Bei, welcome to the club.

I smiled when I receive that text message of Maddie.

Boss D: ate Bei. Congratulations, welcome to the club ate Bea,nakakakilig naman to. Mas gaganahan na akong mag-set nito. See you soon sa training te,love Boss D.

Sus,Deanna and her words.

Kitty Kat : Bea,I heard you joining us. Congratulations Bea,can't wait to play with you. Welcome to the club 🥰

That was sweet,Kat.

Pongzgay : Bea baby! Congratulations and wc to my world aka our team. Can't wait to see you on the training and play with you na din. Let's pump up!

Thanks Ponggay baby.

Ate Den-Den : Beatriz! So happy to hear you joining our team. Welcome Bea,let's pump up real soon and get that championship. OBF! I mean Titans Fight!

Sweet.

I didn't reply to any,I know we'll each other naman eh. Or I'll call them later. I looked at my phone when I got another notification.

KKD : Bea...:-(  but congratulations and I'm so happy for you! Let's each other on the PVL. I'll beat you talaga.

Wow nananakot naman to. I shake my head and laugh a bit. Oo nga pala,Kianna's on our rival team.

Lord Thirdy:. Good morning Bea.

My eyes widened,gosh I didn't expect him to message me this early. I bit my lower lip when I felt my cheeks heating up. Am I kilig?

Lord Thirdy: look at me.

I stilled.

What is he..

I look up slowly... there I saw him few feets away from me. He's staring at me intently and there's a naiinis expression on his face. Gosh why is he so gwapo?

I gulped when I realized what I just thought. Matagal na siyang guwapo Bea. Stop fantasizing that guy,you should avoid him diba? No more connection,he's just a father of your kids now. Not yours now Bea,he's not YOURS.

I close my eyes tightly.

I opened my eyes when felt my phone vibrated.

Lord Thirdy : No reply? Kanina ka pa sa phone mo ha.

My forehead creased and I look at at him confusedly.

Lord Thirdy: what? Stop staring at me and type a reply.

How dare him tell me what to do?

I put my phone on my pocket and bid my goodbye to coach O. He said we should keep in touch for more details of the team.

I walked out of the gym hurriedly,naiinis akong naglakad sa kotse ko. How dare him tell what to do? What's with him ba? Saka I heard he has a girlfriend na ha. Dapat Wala ng pakialamanan.

Talaga ba Bea?

"Yes,I mean he shouldn't have told me to reply because I hate being told what to do. Saka we're just two people sharing the same kids now. He's not my boyfriend anymore,so why bother to piss me off?". I said through gritted teeth while holding the door of my car.

"I'm sorry then". I stilled when I heard him from my back. I almost got a heart attack.

"Jeez Thirdy are you planning to kill me?". Inis kong sabi.

He looked at me intently before his lips formed into a smirk.

"Sa pagmamahal.. oo".  Ngumiwi ako sa sagot niya. But I can feel myself blushing.

"Tsk,stop flirting with me. I won't buy it".

"I'll give it for free".

What?

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Whatever". I said and went inside my car..

I bite my lip when I caught myself smiling,shems! Thirdy and his moves!

I started the engine,I head him knocking but I didn't bother to open it. I looked at him one last time before driving, he can't see naman because my car is heavily tinted,I saw him did a flying kiss. Natawa naman ako.

Before I could  even went out of the campus' gate I received a message.

Lord Thirdy: I did a flying kiss,please catch it.

I shake my head as I move my hand and pretended to catch his 'kiss' before putting my palm on my cheeks.

Crazy!

I shook my head once again when I realized what I just did.

I was scrolling through my Instagram when a message suddenly popped up.

"Thirdyyyyy!". I scream when I saw what he sent me.

It's him,on the bed,topless,like wtf! is wrong with him?!

To Lord Thirdy: can u stop sending me your topless pics? It's so distracting.

My eyes widened when I read my message,shit! Did I just said I was distracted?

To Lord Thirdy : *disgusting.

Bawi ko agad.

I close my eyes tightly when I saw him calling. I cleared my throat before answering him.

"Hahahahahahahaha". I got pissed immediately when I heard him laugh.

"What's so funny?". Seryoso kong sabi,but I'm really bitting my lips.

"Ang seryoso mo naman sa tanghaling tapat Beiby". Shit! He called me baby?

Beiby yun.

I shake my head to shook that thought agad.

"At nangdidisturbo ka naman?". I force myself to sound pissed,when in fact I'm not that pissed naman.

"So distracted ka pala sakin?". I closed my eyes,his voice.. so.. sexy.

I opened my eyes.

"Please Thirdy can you stop disturbing me? I'm busy". Matigas kong sabi.

I heard him sigh.

"I'm sorry then,do you need help? Pupunta na ako ngayon kung gusto mo". My eyes widened.

"No! Don't!". I hysterically said,baka makita siya ni Dad!

Hindi siya sumagot.

"Hmm Thirdy? Anjan ka pa?". I asked then looked at my phone.

On call pa naman.

"Ahm is he there?". Who? Si daddy?

"Yeah,so don't come here,he might see you" . I said and sighed.

"O-okay.." . My forehead creased when heard sadness on his voice as he said 'okay'.

I didn't say a word,none of us. But I can hear his breathing,and I don't know but it calms me.

"Am I that late Bea?".

Nalito ako sa sinabi niya,what does he mean ba?

"What are you saying Thirdy?". Naguguluhan kong sabi,baka I missed something on our convo because of too much thinking?

He sighed..

"A-ahmm n-nothing.. I just wanna .. I love you Beatriz".

I stilled.

But before I could even think of an answer he hang up. I sighed and smile sadly.

"I love you too Ferdinand". It came as a whisper from my mouth but my heart screamed it.

Loving you secretly and quietly is the only thing I can do for now. I can't fight for you,I'm sorry. I'm not ready for another break if that would be the ending of another battle. Hindi na ako pwedeng masira because my children needs me,our children.

___________________________

He's there,that's why I can't go and show up.

Masakit pala. Mapakla akong tumawa,damn! Hindi pa man ako nangangalahati sa magsuyo kay Bea may balakid na agad.

"Parang may matatalo na ah". I looked at Manong and smile sadly.

Nawala ang nang-aasar niyang ngiti at napalitan ito ng seryoso.

"Anong nangyari? Dalawang araw pa lang naman ha. Wag ka ngang sumuko agad". He tapped my shoulder,cheering me up.

Natawa ako pero yun ata ang pinakasakit na tawang nagawa ko.

"Wala na nong. Kunin mo na yung mga sapatos para malinisan ko na ang cabinet ko". Walang gana kong sabi.

"Thirdy.."

I looked at him.

"Nong,may boyfriend si Bea ngayon nong". Nanlaki ang mga mata ni manong at tinitigan ako na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"Luh gago masakit nga yan". I smile.

"Now tell kung mananalo pa ako,hindi na to tungkol sa pustahan nong eh... Gustong-gusto ko rin siyang mabawi... Pero.. tangina! Putangina!" . Inis kong mura.

"Thirdy... Yang bibig mo baka mahampas ni mama ng sapatos". Suway niya.

Naihilamos ko ang mukha sa mga palad ko. Gustong kong sumigaw sa totoo lang,gusto kong pumunta sa kanila at bogbugin ang hayop na kung sino man siya. Damn! Gustong-gusto kong maging akin si Bea.

"Sa totoo lang Thirdy,mahirap nga yan tol. Pero kasi 'walang duwag na Ravena!',sabi nga ni Coach diba? Come on patunayan mong tama si Coach Oliver!". Kumbensi ni manong.

"Manong hindi naman kaduwagan ang pagpapaubaya para maging masaya ang taong mahal mo ah". Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Saka ikaw nagsabi sakin niyan ha". I squeeze my eyes at him.

Kinamot niya ang noo at bumuntong-hininga.

"Oo nga. Actually nagdadrama talaga ako nun,para sakin yun. Saka nasabi ko ring,tama na ang pagdedelay ng lovestory niyo Thirdy,masyado ng nahihilo ang mga fans niyo sa sobrang paikot-ikot". Tumitig ako kay manong, somehow he gave me courage to pursue Bea.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"Anong laban ko dun nung e boyfriend yun". Nawala ulit ang pag-asa ko.

"Ikaw ang tatay ng mga anak niya. Yan ang lamang mo".

I looked at Bea who's doing lifts on the side of the gym. Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya,habang iniisip ang mga bagay-bagay. Dapat ko ba siyang ipaglaban? May laban pa ba?

Kung hindi ako lalaban... Kaya ko bang mawala Siya sakin? Definitely not!

I sighed,para sa mga anak ko!

I walk towards him while holding the towel in my hand.

"Pawis na pawis ka ha". Sabi habang pinunasan ang mukha niya.

I felt her stilled,she stopped and put the barbell down.

"Like yun ang purpose kung bat ako nandito". Sabi niya at inirapan ako.

I smile at her. She looked at me intently,then she gulped and look away.

"What do you need?". She said not looking at me.

"For you to look at me". Yun ang lumabas sa bibig ko.

Kumunot ang noo niya at nilingon ako.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng lumapit siya sakin,ewan ko ba kung bat ako napaatras pero kusang gumalaw ang mga paa ko. Hanggang sa tumama ang likod ko sa isa thread mill. I gulped but force myself to look at her. Matapang kung sinalubong titig niyang habang unti-unting lumalapit ang mukha niya sakin.

"Wag po". Umarte akong nagmamakaawa,I crossed arms on my chest.

A smirked form her lips.

"I'm already looking at you,okay na ba to?". Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga labi niya.

Tinawid ko ang distanya namin at mabilis siyang hinalikan.

"Okay na yun". Nakangiti kong sabi.

She glared at me,but I smile at her.

"Oh fck you Ferdinand". Inis niyang bulong.

"Hmm sure". Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad akong tumakbo papunta sa pwesto ko kanina ng makitang kumuha siya ng isang barbell sa takot na baka mahampas njya yun sakin.

I'm here at MOA to watch Bea on her first game as part of CMFT volleyball club. I can't stop staring at her as she do some drills on the side. She's so pretty but she looked like ube also. I got my phone and take a vid of her. Tumatawa Siya habang magrereceive.

"Dad". Bumaba ang tingin ko kay Deila.

"Yes baby?". I asked her softly.

"Carry". I sighed and smile then carry her.

She stand on my legs.

"Go mom-my!". Sigaw niya kasabay ng mga tao.

I saw Bea looked our direction,she did a flying kiss on Deila and I acted like catching it. Nilagay ko yun sa pisngi ko pero matalim akong tinitigan ni Bea kaya nilagay ko agad ang kamay ko sa pisngi ni Deila and smile at her.

I did a finger heart on her,pero inamba niya sa ere ang nakasara niyang kamao,as if she's gonna punch me.

Ang harsh!

I'm with Deila today,Davin is with his grandparents for his volleyball class. Ewan ko ba pero gusto ni Davin ang volleyball and Deila is I think interested on basketball. It doesn't bother me though. I'm still gonna support them no matter what track they'll choose.

Nagsimula na ang game,and I'm amaze on how Bea played that way knowing na she's been out of the court for years. I'm so happy to see her enjoying. I celebrate on every point she'll get.

"Wooh! Let's go!". Sigaw ko when she blocked.

"Yes! Wooh". I said raising Deila on the air,she's also clapping her hands.

When I looked at the board above,I saw the camera focusing on us. Binaba ko si Deila and sit again. Deila is so cute,she's clapping and shouting as if she understands how the game works.

"Mom-my!". Sigaw niya when Bea got hit by the ball.

Nakahinga lang ako ng maluwag ng makitang Wala naman siyang ininda. Tumakbo pa siya para mahabol ang bola.

They're playing great. Lumamang na sila ng 2 sets.

"Thirdy?".  I think I've heard someone calling me but I didn't bother to look at it.

Bea's serving,I shout in joy when she got a service ace.

"Yey! Let's go baby!". I shout again.

People stared at me,binaba ko ang tingin kay Deila.

"Baby". Nahihiya kong sabi.

"Mommy is the best!". Sigaw ni Deila when they won the game.

"Yes she is,she's so great". Sabi ko at hinalikan siya pisngi.

"I love you mommy". Sabay naming sigaw,together with the crowd.

When I looked at Bea she's staring and smiling at us.

Binalik ko ang ngiti niyang yun,at parang mahuhulog ang puso ko ng makitang nginitian niya rin ako at bahagyang tumango.

Tumayo na din ako ng makitang lumabas na sila ng court.

"Thirdy!". Naagaw ng tawag na iyon ang atensyon ko..

Napangiti ako when I saw Biatrice.

"Bia". Tumango ako.

Tumakbo Siya papunta samin. Nakayakap na sakin si Deila at nakayuko.

"Uy siya na ba yun?". Tanong agad ni Bia.

"Ah yes,Deila pangalawa ko". Nakangiti kong sabi.

Sinilip niya si Deila at bahagyang natawa.

"Female version mo". Natatawa niyang sabi.

"Kaya ang cute niya noh?".pilyo kong sabi.

"Oo nga". Napakurap ako.

Natahimik kaming dalawa,hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Hindi pa rin ako marunong makipag-usap sa kaniya kapag naalala ko ang katotohanang may gusto Siya sakin.

Sorry Bia,patay na patay ako sa nanay ng mga anak ko eh.

"Ferdinand".

Agad kong nilingon si Bea,oo alam kong si Bea yun.. and why is she calling me by my real name?

Hindi na ako kinausap ni Bea after nun. Tango na nga lang ang ginawad ko kay Biatrice at agad na lumapit sa kaniya.

"Dito nalang. Baka you need to go na". She said coldly.

Hindi ko gets kong bat siya nagkaganyan bigla,there two things running on my mind.

Baka pagod lang o.. nagseselos siya?

Alam kong ang kapal ng mukha ko sa pangalawa but I choose to be verbal.

"Bea,are you jealous of Biatrice?". Kunot-noo niya akong nilingon.

"I mean.. yung kasama ko kanina". Hindi siya sumagot.

I heard her sigh.

"Bakit naman ako magseselos?". Malamig niyang sabi ulit.

I signed heavily.

"Just a guess? Kasi ako magseselos ako kapag may nakita akong may kasama kang iba". I said honestly and look away.

There's no point on lying anymore. I'm here to convince her that I love her,and the only way to convince,not convince but to make her feel that I love her so much is staying honest, that will be my way. 

__________

A/N: Honesty is the best policy.