We're heading back to our room when my phone vibrates. Someone's DMed me on IG. I forgot to turn off my data.

I open the DM, it's Brent.

'Lynn, it's me Brent. Just wanted to ask if you are the one who was talking with Cci over the phone a while ago?'

Bakit kaya niya natanong?

'Yes, I am. Why?'

He replied in a minute.

'He's not in the mood kasi.'

'Well, I have been observing him these past few days. And he's not really in good terms. He always takes everything seriously.'

'But now, feeling ko mas lumala. I mean, I can't talk to him. Ang hirap niyang i-approach ngayon after that call he had with you.'

'Talk to him right now please. We have a game later. He needs to be in a good condition. Please Lynn.'

Sunod-sunod na messages ni Brent. As what I am expecting, he's mad.

"Baka gusto mong pumasok na para makadaan naman ako?" Biglang may nagsalita out of nowhere. It's Lazaro. I checked myself. I'm standing at the doorway of our classroom.

"Malalim yata yang iniisip mo. Do you have a problem?" He asked habang nakakunot yung noo niya.

"Wala ka na dun." I rolled my eyes on him then enters the room. I sat in front behind the window like I usually do.

I look at my phone. I need to call him. I must. I totally forgot their game. What a stupid friend I am!

I dialled his number. Once, twice and for the third time, he's phone keeps on ringing. Hindi niya pa din sinasagot.

"You okay?" Jenny asks. I change my gaze from my phone to her and to my phone again. "Of course you're not." She added and I just ignored it.

I try to call him again and my eyes wide open when he answer it.

"Hello." He sounds annoyed when he uttered that.

Okay, relax. Kapag natapos na tong UAAP basketball finals, saka ko siya iiwasan. For now, I need to support him and cheer him out.

"Hmm.. hello. Did I disturb you?" I asked while walking out of the classroom. My friends' eyes are on me with a 'what is happening' look. Wala pa naman yung prof namin.

"No. What is it?" He's being cold to me.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked.

"As far as I know, you are the one who is mad... at me." Psh! Ang kulit niya. I told him already that I am not mad.

"I already told you that I'm not. I don't mean in that way a while ago. You're not the reason why I'm in a bad mood. So please, don't be mean to me." I'm starting to get annoyed but I still tried to sound calm.

"Ha.. haha!" He laughs sarcastic. "So ako pa pala yung mean ngayon?"

What? Mean? Did I say something like that to him? What a stupid am I!?

"No, I'm sorry, what I---" he cut me off.

"Ako pa yung may kasalanan? Eh sino ba tong hindi man lang nagtetext, nagrereply at di man lang sinasagot yung mga tawag ko na parang hindi mo ako kaibigan? Di ba ikaw!?" Shoot! It hits me! He's frustrated now. He's really mad at me.

Tinawagan ko siya para icheer up pero anong ginawa ko? Lalo ko lang yatang pinalala yung situation.

"If you have nothing to say, i'll hang---"

"Waaait! Don't! Please Don't!" I need to do this. I need to cheer him up.

He didn't ended the call which I am thankful for.

"Tinatawag na kami ni Coach." He says calmly. Okay na ba siya? No, of course he's not.

"Just a moment Cci. Mabilis lang to. I couldn't watch your game live because I have a class. But I'll watch on t.v. pa din. So please, go for the win. Go get the championship again. I'll cheer for y'all. Focus. You need to focus Cci! Your team needed you. Good luck!"

"Of course I will. For my team, my family and for my fans. Hindi mo na kailangan ipaalala sa akin. I can handle myself. Sige na. Bye." Then he ended the call.

My eyes were betraying me again right now. Tears flowing down my cheeks. I don't know why I'm crying. Ako naman ang may kasalanan kung bakit siya galit ngayon. Wala akong karapatang masaktan because I hurt him first. I shouldn't be crying. I wiped out my tears and trying to relax myself.

Bumalik ako sa room, teary eyed. My friends scrunched their eyebrow up and looks confused.

"I have to go guys. I'm not feeling well. I'll rest na muna." I act as if I am sick. I know they will not believe me. But I have no time to talk about it, about my heartache.

I leave and walk out of the room faster as I can. What Ricci told me over the phone keeps on playing back again and again in mind which makes me cry again.

Of course I will. For my team, my family and for my fans. Hindi mo na kailangan ipaalala sa akin. I can handle myself.

I can handle myself.

I can handle myself.

I can handle myself.

I feel dizzy. My eyes were getting blurry. I blinked my eyes twice but its still not clear. I continue walking and suddenly bumped into someone. I'm about to stumble but someone catches me. I tried to recognize him or her but I can't because I fainted.