Mikha's Pov

"Mikha Lim kumain kana muna," Gwen said.

"Wala ako gana," I said.

"You have to eat," Jho said.

"I said that I'd protect everyone, but someone died for me," I said.

"He died because he wants to protect you. It was his own choice," Jho said.

"Don't let his effort go to waste," Gwen said.

JL and Mikki died that night at the abandoned building. I was fighting Kuya Enzo when Gelo was about to kill me, but JL was the one struck by Gelo's claws. Mikki died because Aki had no choice but to kill him since he was protecting Maloi. Kuya Enzo took their bodies, then left with Gelo and Nate.

Currently we're in my parents vacation house in the woods. It's been three weeks na din na halos dito kami umuuwi after class, practice, and every game instead sa Papi House. Umiwas muna kami kila Aiah except kay Sheena na minsan sumasabay samin umuwi. Si Colet hindi namin maiwasan sa practice, but she kinda acts normal around us, baka nakausap siya ni Coach Mickey.

"If only my brother listened to Kuya Bryan's explanation first, no one could have died. Nakakausap ko pa din sana si Aiah," I said.

"Hindi natin masisisi si Kuya Enzo, galit talaga ang naramdaman niya," Aki said.

Aki is with us, he decided na lumayo kila Gelo. My parents vacation house is kinda like a headquarters for us now.

"Aki, how did you and JL resist the full moon?" I asked.

"We remembered what you said that we needed to find our anchor, we remembered our family," Aki said.

"Drama night ata kayong apat dito," Maloi said.

Maloi just arrived. May dala siya na foods, halos dinadalhan niya kami ng luto ng mom niya.

"Kanina pa si Mikha nagdradrama, she's thinking of JL's death, and she misses Aiah," Gwen said.

"Mabuti pa si Maloi nakakausap sila Aiah tapos si Sheena kay Gwen," I said.

"Kinakausap din kaya kayo ni Sheena pag kasama natin siya," Gwen said.

Gwen told us that she already told Sheena what they were during second year student week.

"Paano ka kakausapin ni Aiah kung nag-iiwasan naman kayong dalawa? Hay nako Mikhs," Maloi said.

"She's scared of me. Hindi ako lumingon sa kanila pero ramdam ko takot niya that night," I said.

"So hahayaan mo nalang siya kay Colet?" Jho asked.

Alam ko na may gusto si Colet kay Aiah. I already noticed it three years ago.

"Nagdradrama ako dito tapos nang aasar kayo," I said.

"The night before the game, pumunta ka sa bahay nila at nag-ice cream kayo," Gwen said.

"Then sa arena, nag-hand sign ka ng I love you kay Aiah bago ka bumalik sa court," Maloi said.

"Tapos tahimik mo siya binabantayan sa malayuan kahit na hinahatid siya minsan ni Colet," Aki said.

"Aki diba magpapahinga kana? You can sleep first," I said.

"Ay oo pala hehe, goodnight guys," Aki said.

Aki went upstairs while pumunta ako sa sala, sumunod naman sila Jho tumabi sakin.

"I miss my childhood bestfriend," I said.

"Childhood bestfriend lang ba talaga? Stop denying what you really feel for Aiah," Gwen said.

"Gwen pinsan mo ako," I said.

"As your cousin, magkasama tayo lumaki. Wala ka magagawa kundi hayaan ako mag-salita ng opinion ko," Gwen said.

"Matapang na pinsan," Jho said.

"Honestly, Mikhs. Noon mo pa dinedeny feelings mo sa kanya. Main reason ba dahil werewolf ka at hunter siya? Bakit kami ni bebe? Okay naman kami," Gwen said.

"Guys, I don't know what to do," I said.

"Unahin muna natin ayusin problema kay Kuya Enzo. Need nila mag-usap ni Kuya Bryan ng maayos," Jho said.

"Tomorrow at the hospital rooftop, we'll let them talk, but ako lang ang kasama nila," I said.

"Sure ka ba? Mikhs kaya mo mag-isa?" Maloi asked.

"Yes, sisiguraduhin ko na magka-ayos na sila bukas. Labas muna ako," I said.

I stood up then kinuha ko helmet sa table.

"Alam naman namin saan ka pupunta," Maloi said.

"Saglit lang ako," I said.



I went to the 7/11 near Aiah's house. Nag-smile sakin yung staff. Sanay na sakin mga staff dito, alam nila na lagi ice cream ang binibili ko at ininform nila ako if pumupunta si Aiah dito. Since hindi pa ako nag dinner ay naisipan ko bumili ng cup noodle, toasted sandwich, and iced coffee. I'm silently eating at the corner when someone says my name. Napaubo ako sa gulat.

"Hi Ate Mikha," Sophia said.

"Ikaw pala Sophia," I said.

"Gutom ka po ata," Sophia said.

"Late dinner lang," I said.

Umupo siya sa tabi ko habang kumakain ng ice cream. Two weeks ago in one of our practices, Sophia told us that she knows we are werewolves. Masaya pa siya sa pagkasabi niya at accepted niya daw kami.

"Same talaga kayo ni Ate Aiah mo mahilig sa ice cream," I said.

"Influenced by my pretty Ate Maraiah Queen Arceta," Sophia said.

"Kumain ka ba ng dinner? Hindi maganda mag ice cream pag hindi nag dinner," I said.

"Yes po kumain. Mamaya bilhan ko si Ate Aiah ng ice cream," Sophia said.

"Kuha ka lang, ako na magbabayad. Just don't say to your sister na nakita mo ako," I said.

"Namimiss mo na siya noh?" Sophia asked.

"Yes, I do miss her," I said.

"Feeling ko namimiss kana din niya," Sophia said.

"Hindi ako umaasa na namimiss niya ako lalo na nandyan din si Colet kino-comfort siya," I said.

"Kahit na siya ang kasama ni Ate Aiah, iba pa din naman ang smile niya pag ikaw ang kasama niya," Sophia said.

"Ikakain ko nalang kaysa yan isipin ko." I said.

"Uso din pala ang pagka-torpe sa werewolves. Well, except kay Ate Gwen na ongoing strong pa din sila ni Ate Sheena," Sophia said.

"Sophia gabi na, kuha kana ng ice cream iuuwi mo," I said.

"Wait nalang kita matapos kumain Ate Mikha," Sophia said while smiling.

"Hindi lang ata sa ice cream same kayo, pati sa kakulitan," I said.

Sophia happily eats her ice cream. After eating my dinner, hinatid ko siya gamit motorcyle ko. Wrong timing na nasaktuhan namin nasa labas ng bahay si Aiah at Colet. Gosh bakit ngayon pa talaga?

"Ate Mikha, thanks sa paghatid," Sophia said.

"Your welcome, Sophia. Alis na ako," I said.

"Ayaw mo po ba mag-hi kila dad?" Sophia asked.

"Next time, magpapahinga na din ako," I said.

Umalis na ako bago pa makapag-salita ulit si Sophia. Ramdam ko din heartbeats ni Aiah at Colet. Alam ko tinitignan ako ni Aiah. Lagot ka sakin Sophia sa practice. Pagkadating ko sa vacation house ay nagkakape sa kusina si Jho.

"May nangyare? Halata sa sound ng heartbeat mo," Jho said.

"Nag-dinner ako sa convenience store near the arceta house, nasaktuhan nakita ako ni Sophia. Hinatid ko siya, then nasaktuhan naman namin si Aiah at Colet sa labas ng bahay. Sinubukan ako yayain ni Sophia pumasok sa loob para mag-hi kila Tito, pero sabi ko next time nalang at umalis ako kaagad," I said.

Tinimplahan ako ni Jho ng gatas.

"Kape sana ititimpla ko para sayo kaso baka mas hindi ka makatulog kakaisip sa nangyare," Jho said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Mikhs inumin mo nalang yan at matulog kana din," Jho said while smiling.

Sinunod ko nalang sinabi ni Jho at itinulog ko nalang.

I sent a message to Kuya Enzo and Kuya Bryan to meet me at the hospital rooftop. Maaga ko tinapos ang practice, then pumunta na ako sa meeting place. Nauna dumating si Kuya Bryan.

"Mikha makikinig na kaya ng walang galit si Kuya mo?" Bryan asked.

"Sisiguraduhin ko makikinig siya. Gusto ko na din po matapos ang problema na ito ng wala mamatay," I said.

"Sorry about Aiah, nagkaka-iwasan kayo," Bryan said.

"Kuya Bryan, don't say sorry po. Alam naman natin na may chance talaga na mangyayare yun. Likod ko palang nakita niya pero ramdam ko po takot niya," I said.

"Wag ka susuko, kilala mo si Aiah. Makakapag-usap din kayo," Bryan said.

"Tama si Bryan," Kuya Enzo said.

Kakarating ni Kuya Enzo.

"Kuya Enzo," I said.

"Handa na ako makinig at makipag-usap ng maayos," Kuya Enzo said.

Nasa gitna ako habang nag-explain si Kuya Bryan.

"Enzo kahit ilan sorry pa sabihin ko ay hindi maibabalik mom niyo pero sobra talaga ako nag-sisisi. Ang bait ni Tito Johan, nakausap ko pa siya sa phone bago siya namatay," Bryan said.

"Did he say anything about us?" Kuya Enzo said.

"He did. He said that he was always proud of you both. Tito Johan loves you two so much," Bryan said.

"I'm sorry too, Bryan. Nauna galit ko. Naintindihan ko na sitwasyon mo, ngayon need natin ang isa't-isa lalo na need natin protektahan ang friendship na binuo ng parents natin," Kuya Enzo said.

"Hays sa wakas naman," I said.

"Bunso, it's your turn to step up," Kuya Enzo said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Uso talaga pagka-bingi kahit sa werewolf," Bryan said.

"Hindi ako ganun, yung isa dyan," Kuya Enzo said.

"What Enzo meant is you need to make your move, do something, and put in an effort na magkausap na ulit kayo ni Aiah," Bryan said.

"Uso huwag na din umiwas. Hindi lang ka-teammate mo na si Colet ang karibal mo. Tandaan mo si Gelo din," Kuya Enzo said.

"Ganda din ng pag-support niyong dalawa noh? Pinag-ayos ko kayo pero pang-aasar makukuha ko sa inyo. Let's go home," I said.

Tinulak ko na silang dalawa sa door, mababaliw ata ako sa kanila. The next few days, bumalik na din kami sa Papi House, but minsan sa bahay ako umuuwi.

"Sophia, try to set a bit higher. That's not your limit," I said.





Currently we're doing a morning practice, so there's no practice in the afternoon since there's going to be a practice match later with another team. I'm training Sophia some of my set techniques so she can help the sub setter.

"Captain bumabawi ka ata," Sophia said.

"Just do it, Sophia. We'll have a practice match later," I said.

"Practice match Mikhs?" Colet asked.

"Yes, someone called Coach for a practice match, and he forgot to tell us. We can't reject it because they are one of the powerhouse teams too," I said.

"No wonder nagpa-morning practice ka para hindi mabigla katawan natin," Gwen said.

"More practice, less talking," I said.

"Katakot talaga si Mikha pag naka-captain mode," Jho said.

"Guys, just continue buddy practice," Colet said.

My partner for today's buddy practice is Sophia. Malapit kami sa net naka-pwesto. The practice was ongoing when I felt Aiah's presence. Alam ko na kasama niya si Sheena at Stacey. Minamalas ata ako sa mga wrong timing, I need to focus on my game later.

"Sophia, don't wave at your sister," I said.

"Ay wala pa po ako ginagawa," Sophia said.

"Just stay focused. Malay mo sayo ko ipasa ang captain role pagka-graduate ko," I said.

"Ikaw po ata ang need mag-focus, humihina palo mo captain," Sophia said.

"Ah ganun?" I asked.

Medyo nilakasan ko pag-palo ng bola.

"Hina pa din eh. Uy may dala pala na cookies si Ate Aiah para kay Ate Colet," Sophia said.

"I don't care," I said.

"Maka-hingi nga ako mamaya. Ay may papunas pa ng pawis. Naka-smile pa sila," Sophia said.

Cookies? Pagpunas ng pawis? Smiling at each other? Argh, I can't take it anymore. I hit the ball harder, making the ball bounce nearly to the ceiling of the gym. The sound of my spike and bounce of the ball was so loud that everyone stopped what they were doing.

"Everyone take a short break," I said.

I went to Coach Mickey's office. I know everyone is looking at me.

"Nice hit Mikha. I heard that," Coach Mickey said.

"Just getting ready for the practice match, Coach," I said.

"Then why are you here?" Coach Mickey asked.

"Well, I was just going to ask if you can make Colet lead the practice match later. I might not be able to focus," I said.

"Mikhaela Lim, this is the first time I see you like this," Coach Mickey said.

"Coach, seriously, I can't focus," I said.

"And I'm serious that I won't let Colet take the lead. You're the team captain," Coach Mickey said.

"Yes, coach," I said.

"Get the team ready. Malapit na din dumating ang makakalaban niyo," Coach Mickey said.

I nodded at Coach Mickey and then left his office. Lumapit ako sa bleachers, nandun lahat ng teammates ko pati sila Aiah.

"After the break, get into your uniforms," I said.

"Yes, captain," My teammates said at the same time.

"This may be just a practice match, but we will show them why we're also a powerhouse team. All for one," I said.

"One for all!" They all said.

I went to the locker room para mauna na makapagpalit. Coach is right, I'm the captain. This is my sport. I won't let anything make me go out of focus, not even Aiah's presence. Someone called my name.

"Mikha Lim,"