"BDL is dug by KKD,"

Kobe jokingly hit my arm and Dwight's shoulder. We were having our dinner while livestreaming the F2-CMFT game. Our teammates teased us as Kianna digs Bea's quick attack. 

"Oh, what can I say? That's my point city right there," Dwight teased.

"Chamba," I chuckled.

Lahat kami ay tutok sa laro. Dwight was secretly focused on the volleyball game while he was eating. He doesn't like gadgets on the table. And so as watching while eating a meal.

But look at him. He's so in love with Kianna to the point that he's willing to break his own table rules for her.

Kianna tries to go for a cross-court attack. Luckily, Des and Bea was there. But Des puts her arm down, thinking the ball would go out. The ball hits Bea's forearms causing the ball to go back to F2's court.

She roared and gave Des a chest bump.

I chuckled as I witness her cuteness once again. My toothless baby.

She was slowly getting her groove back. It's been awhile since I saw her play like this. I was happy to see how she was slowly being consistent all throughout the game.

To: Toothless Beiby

toothless.

Nilagyan ko pa ng laughing emoji. Alam ko  namang hindi niya mababasa ang message ko agad. I just wanted her to know that I'm watching her even if we're skies apart.

"Your girlfriend is a wonderful blocker, Thirdy." My teammate praised my girlfriend. I turned to him and gave him a fist bump.

"She really is wonderful," I smiled.

The game went on. Isang set nalang ay panalo na ang Choco Mucho.

Bea has been consistent in terms of blocks, quick attacks and services. Kung posible lang ay palagay ko magtatayo na siya ng bahay ro'n sa service line. Natawa ako sa iniisip ko.

"Woah! KKD receives a facial hit from BDL!" We heard the analyst.

Bea walked across the court to help Kianna up. She jokingly hit Bea's arm bago sila magkaakbay na bumalik sa pwesto. Dumaan si Bea sa ilalim ng net bago muling nag-sorry kay Kianna na nasa harap niya. Kianna sticked her tongue out and jokingly rolled her eyes. Bea blew a flying kiss which Kianna pretended to catch with her hand and sticked to her cheek.

Dwight and I witnessed the whole exchange. It made me soft. I smiled.

"ThirBea, KKDwight who?! I only know DyLeon!" Kobe teased which made everyone in the table laugh.

The game was doing well. Choco Mucho was ahead by 5. They were close to a set point until Bea tries to block Kianna's attack alone. She probably panicked because it went above. She looked back to check if her teammates will be able to receive the ball. But because both of the teams were focused to where the ball was landing, Bea wasn't aware that she stepped on Kianna's foot, causing the both of them to fall on the floor.

Kianna was fine. She immediately crawled to help Bea. She was the one who had a bad fall. Napaayos kami ng upo ni Dwight, exchanging looks.

Nanatiling nakahiga si Bea. Both of her arms were holding her left leg. She was in great pain. Nakapikit siya. We waited for a while. Until she started stretching her knee. She was probably checking if she could still play. Napakunot ang noo ko nang makitang unti-unti siyang tumayo, inaalalayan ni Kianna at ng mga teammate niya. Pinagpag niya lang ang paa niya before she showed Coach O a thumbs up.

Akala ko ay papayagan na siya ni Coach O maglaro. But then he called a timeout.

"Masakit ba?" I heard Coach O ask.

Bea shook her head, stretching her knee. "Hindi, Coach. I can still play. Tara na,"

She was about to end the huddle but Coach O gently held her arm and put it down. He shook his head before he slowly pushed Bea to the bench.

"Magpahinga ka na muna," Coach O turned to ate Bets, asking for the massage gun.

Si ate Maika muna ang pumasok para kay Bea. The camera man focused the camera again to Bea before they resumed the game.

Her knees are now stretched and being massaged by the muscle gun. She was also massaging a part of her thigh above her knee.

"That was a bad fall," one of our teammate commented.

"I hope it's just sprain. Your girlfriend can change things around the court, Thirds. I don't think they can afford to lose her even in a short span of time," he added.

"I hope she stays where she is.." I whispered loud enough for them to hear.

"We're not sure about that. Your girlfriend is stubborn," Dwight contradicted to what I said.

Napako ang Choco Mucho sa 16. F2 was now ahead by four. I was confused when the crowd started to cheer louder. Fortunately the camera man focused to the reason why the fans were roaring wild.

There, I saw Bea, taking her warmer off and holding the substitution sign. Tumalon-talon pa siya, trying to get rid of her injury.

She really is stubborn.

"Ah. Your Lion's a fighter," My teammate told me. I laughed but I couldn't help but to worry about Bea.

Baka lumala ang injury niya. Palagay ko ay sprain lang 'yon. But it can get worse once she forces her self to play.

"Maika Ortiz, out. Team Captain Bea de Leon, in." Maika whispered something to Bea before she went to the bench.

Bea was able to give two consecutive points. Gada pagkatapos ng puntos na 'yon ay pinapagpag niya ang binti niya. Dahan-dahan nang nagiging halata ang pamamaga ng tuhod niya. Lumala lalo ang kaba'ng nararamdaman ko.

To: Toothless Beiby

can't you just sit down and take a rest

I sent another one.

To: Toothless Beiby

pls TAKE A REST

I added a crying emoji on that one.

Ako ang nanglalambot kapag nakikita ko siyang patuloy na naglalaro habang may injury. Hinimas ko tuloy ang tuhod ko.

23-20 was the score. They're now ahead by three. Napako ang F2 sa score nila bago pumasok si Bea.

She bent down to massage her knee. After that, she smiled at her teammates. Ate Denden was obviously not happy about what Bea is doing. She kept on scolding Bea and poitimg at the bench.

"Okay lang, okay lang." I couldn't here her but I can understand what she was saying. I could read her lips.

She looked up to check the scoreboard. "Isa nalang naman," she mouthed before showing ate Den her index finger.

I sticked my palm together, silently praying na sana hindi na humabol ang F2 para matapos na ang match at makapagpahinga na si Isabel.

"My knees are starting to feel jelly just by watching your girlfriend play with a knee injury.." Hinimas rin ni Dwight ang tuhod niya. "Damn,"

Kat served. Ara Galang received the ball. KAF lifted it up and Tyang Aby tried to kill it. Bea jumped and tried to block Tyang's attack.

She was successful but her right foot got stuck on the net. Before she could even fall to the ground, pumito na ang referee. The match has already ended.

Bea had a bad fall. Again. She was holding her knee. Hindi ko siya masyadong naaninag because her teammates, coaches and the referees were blocking the camera. I stood up as if I would see a clearer view of Bea.

Her eyes were closed and her mouth is opened. When Kianna tried to help Bea up, everyone was shocked to see blood streaming down from Bea's eyebrow.

"Déjà vu," Dwight whispered.

She was conscious but her eyes were close. They slowly helped her up and helped her sit on the wheelchair.

With no hesitation, I went to my room and packed my bags. 'Yong kailangan lang ang dinala ko. Maliit na carry-on lang ang dala ko. I still have a lot of space for pasalubong so I bought another carry-on bag for it.

I left Maddie and Kianna a message before I went out to tell my Coach that I will be coming home tonight.

To: KKD

Is she okay? Please keep me posted.

To: The Madzilla Rock

Update me. Please.

"Coach, I will be coming home to Manila tonight. I have an emergency," bungad ko nang pagbuksan niya agad ako ng pinto.

He looked at me from head to toe. He saw that I was ready to go. Sa kakamadali ay wala na 'kong dalang maleta. Dalawang carry-on bag lang ang dala ko.

"When will you be back?" He asked.

"When everything's fine, Coach." I answered. "I can take extra laps or extra hours of drills, Coach. I just need to go home tonight,"

"No need, Ravena. You can go now. Safe skies. Keep me posted," he waved his phone.

"Will do. Arigatō gozaimasu, Coach." I bowed before running downstairs.

Sa pagmamadali ay halos hilingin ko nang sana lumipad ang elevator. When it opened, I immediately went out of the building. Agad namang may taxi na tumigil sa harap ko kaya agad rin akong sumakay. I told him where I was going. Habang nasa byahe ay agad akong nag-book ng flight. I booked the earliest flight to Manila that I could find.

12 AM ang pinakamaagang flight na nakita ko. 10 AM sa Pilipinas. Tama lang, it's two hours from now.

Habang nasa Airport ay halos natawag ko na lahat ng santo. While I was waiting for Maddie and Kianna's reply, I decided to text Anton.

To: Ateneo's Baby Powder

will land at 2:30 AM. please fetch me at the Airport. i need to go home for Bea. ASAP.

I sounded too bossy and desperate but I couldn't help it. It's Bea we're talking about.

'Di nagtagal ay nagreply na rin si Anton.

From: Ateneo's Baby Powder

Hanep ka, Paps! Tinamaan ka na nga talaga ni Kupido.

He added a smirking emoji at the end of his sentence. I shook my head. Kahit pa walang kwenta siyang kausap ay relevant pa rin siya sa'ming lahat. At kahit abnormal siya ay mahal pa rin namin siya.

From: Ateneo's Baby Powder

Isasama ko si Mamuyac kasi manggagaling kami sa night out. Hindi kami mag-iinom, 'wag kang magalala.

I was about to turn my phone off but then he sent me a message again.

From: Ateneo's Baby Powder

Huhu sakit mo, Paps. Bakit mo naman sinabuhay ang, "When arrows fly, Eagles die"? Tinamaan ka ng pana ng pagmamahal ni Kupido, patay na patay ka na kay De Leon?

From: Ateneo's Baby Powder

Pinapahiya mo tayo, Paps. Sakit. Look, I'm crying na, o!

He even sent me a photo of him crying. I don't think it's his latest photo. Dugyutin pa siya rito. Siguro ay picture niya 'to nung nag-break sila ng ex niya. Natawa ako.

To: Ateneo's Baby Powder

Ang pangit mo.

After that, I turned my phone off when I heard an announcement about my flight.

Buong byahe ay tahimik lang ako. Ni-hindi ako makatulog. Katabi ko ang bintana at binuksan ko lang 'yon buong byahe. Busy ako sa panonood sa mga video namin ni Bea.

Miss na miss ko na siya. Sana ay ayos lang siya ngayon. I hope it's nothing serious.

"Is that your girlfriend?" I turned to the old woman beside me. I smiled at her.

"Ah.. Yes. She's my long-term girlfriend," I answered with a wide smile plastered on my face.

"You look great together. You remind me of my husband.." She distracted me the whole flight. Kinwento niya ang nangyari sakanila ng asawa niya who passed away. I can tell that they had a great relationship because happiness was evident in her eyes.

She's from the U.S. She told me that she wanted to visit Japan and Manila because it was the last two countries on her husband's To-Go-To list.

"Manila is very wonderful, ma'am. I hope we can meet again so I could introduce my girlfriend to you," I helped her with her luggage. Madali lang 'yon dahil dalawang carry-on bag lang naman ang dala ko.

She was with her son. I handed him his mother's bag as we went down from the plane.

We parted ways inside the airport. I met Anton and Gian in Jollibee. They were drinking coffee. Siguro nagpapawala ng tama.

"Did you drive here drunk?" I asked before sitting beside Anton.

"Wow, paps! Good morning rin siguro," Gian sarcastically answered. Napailing ako.

I opened my carry-on bag filled with pasalubong. I gave them three chocolates each.

"Hindi ako nakapagdala ng madaming pasalaubong kasi nagmamadali ako. Pag pasensyahan niyo na, babawi nalang ako sa susunod kong uwi." I chuckled.

"Okay lang 'yon, Paps!" Gian said with a wide smile and a thumbs up. "Basta, size 10.." Pahabol niya pa.

We ordered pancakes for take-out. Ako ang nag-drive dahil inaantok na silang dalawa. Nasa likod na si Anton at natutulog habang si Gian ay sinusubuan ako ng pagkain.

I woke Anton up when we arrived at the hospital. May dala pa 'kong dalawang paper bag ng McDo para kay Kianna at sa magulang ni Bea. Sila raw kasi ang bantay. Kuya Loel wasn't around since he was studying his masters abroad.

"Thirdy?!" Gulat na saad ni tita Det nang pagbuksan niya 'ko ng pinto.

"Ah.. Hello po. Good morning," I flashed her a sweet smile.

Halatang puyat si tita Det. Tito Elmer was sleeping at the couch. Beside him was Kianna who probably fell asleep while using her phone. Parehas silang nakaupo.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka.. Bakit ka umuwi? Tapos na ba ang season mo? Nako," she was struggling to keep her voice low. I can feel that tita Det is itching to scold me.

"Tita.. It's Bea, e." I answered, scratching the back of my head.

Inayos niya saglit ang maliit na lamesa kung nasaan ang kinain nila kagabi. I was helping her fix Bea's hospital room. Pagkatapos ay nag-volunteer pa 'kong hugasan ang ginamit nilang plato na iuuwi na rin nila.

"Elmer, gising na.." She woke tito Elmer up. As expected, he was shocked to see me as well.

Hinatid ko sila sa elevator. Tinatalakan nila ako sa hallway. I couldn't help but to scratch my head and tell them that I came home for Bea.

"You and your impulsive decisions.." Napailing pa si tito Elmer sa'kin.

Nang bumukas na ang elevator ay nagpaalam na sila sa'kin. I gave tita Det a side hug before she went inside the elevator. Tito Elmber gave me a tap on my shoulder.

"Take care and get some sleep. We'll be back tomorrow," I nodded at him before reminding him to take care as well. "It's good to see you. Welcome back, son."

And just like that, the elevator closed. Nakangiti tuloy akong bumalik sa hospital room ni Bea.

It wasn't the first time they called me son. Siguro ay mababaw lang talaga ako kaya hanggang ngayon ay nafa-flatter pa rin ako kapag tinatawag nila ako no'n.

Kianna was still asleep. I sent Kio a message, telling him to pick his sister up. Kianna brought my car here kaya rito na rin siya natulog. Hindi niya maiwan si Bea dahil wala pa raw bantay si Bea nang makarating siya. Hindi ko naman siya maihahatid dahil wala ring magbabantay kay Bea kaya pinasundo ko nalang siya kay Kio.

"Kianna, wake up. Kio's here to drive you home. Get up," agad naman siyang dumilat at nag-inat.

"You owe me.. pasalubong.." Para siyang lasing na lumabas ng kwarto. Mabuti at inalalayan siya ni Kio. I thanked him and told him to drive safe before finally sitting om the chair placed right beside Bea's bed.

She was sleeping. She probably lost her consciousness on the way here. I hope it's nothing serious. Nakalimutan ko pang tanungin kanina sila tita Det kung ano na ang lagay ni Bea. Mas tumindi tuloy ang kaba ko.

I was just caressing her hand. Hindi ko namalayan ay nakatulog na pala ako.

"Oh my gosh.." I woke up when I heard a voice. Hindi gaanong malalim ang tulog ko kaya kahit sa pagpasok ng nurse kaninang madaling araw ay nagigising ako.

Maliwanag na. Palagay ko ay 9 AM na.

Naginat ako sagli bago lumingon kay Bea. Her eyes were wide open in shock. As if she saw a ghost from Christmas past. Natawa ako sa reaction niya.

"Hey, baby.." I greeted her.

"You're real.." she said in disbelief. "Oh my gosh!" Hiyaw niya.

Dahil tuloy ro'n ay pumasok ang mga nurse. Bea waved both of her hands to them, telling them it's nothing and she was just surprised. She apoligized as well before the nurses went out and closed the door.

"Nagalala ako sa 'yo. Please don't do that again!" I told her as I remembered why she's laying on a hospital bed with a huge bandage around her forehead and left leg.

"Aww.. Sorry, lovie," she apologized.

How can I not forgive her? She's too cute to resist!

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Well.." I smiled, licking my lower lip. "Priorities."

She hit my arm. May dextrose na nga, nananakit pa rin?! Ah. This girl really is something.

"I'm not kidding!" She said. I laughed before kissing her forehead.

"Baby, I can drop everything for you. So if you still want to see me reach my dreams in Japan, please, don't make me feel worried like how you made me feel last night.."

I dropped out of training for her. I came here because of her. I came home all the way from Japan just so I could take care of her.

No matter how full my plate is, she will always be on top of it. Mi prioridad número uno.

***

DISCLAIMER: None of these really happened in today's game against F2 Logistics except for Kianna, digging Bea's quick attack.