What Ours is Ours

                Language is the system of words, sounds and grammar used by a particular group of people for communication. The word “language” came from the Latin word “lingua” meaning “tongue”.  The suffix –age was added in French, from which the word was adopted in the thirteenth century. Language can also be described as vocabulary or idiolect. There are different kinds of languages used in other countries. There are English, Mandarin, French and Japanese. But for us Filipinos, we use our native language, Tagalog.

                Tagalog progressed into a much higher level back when foreigners ruled our country.  During the Spanish period, Tagalog was the language used in Manila, the canter of education, industry and business.  Tagalog magazines and newspapers were made such as “El Renacimiento”, “Ang Mithi”, “Taliba” and “And Demokrasya”. Filipino writers, Alejandro G. Abadilla, Teodoro A. Agoncillo, Jesus A. Arceo, Salvador Barros and many more became popular. They used Tagalog in their short stories and poems. Tagalog, indeed became famous.

                Until now, we use and speak our native language. Although in some parts of our country, others use their own language like Bisaya. But most of our population use Tagalog as their language. You can say that Tagalog is important to us Filipinos just like English is important to Americans. We have English and Filipino subjects in our schools. We also study both languages. But for me, our native language is much better than any language in the world. I chose to master Tagalog first before I speak fluently in the English language.

Fragrance of LOVE

CHARACTERS:

v  Aviel Lyndt Thompson            -     main female character

-          shy and kind

-          has a low profile in their school

v  Tristan Li                                 -     main male character

-          captain of the basketball team

-          most popular guy in Sparks Academy

-          handsome, smart and athletic

v  Crystal Evans                          -      best friend of Aviel

-          cheerful and friendly

-          twin sister of one of the basketball players in Sparks Academy

“WOOHOOO!!! Go S.A. !!!” the student at my left exclaimed.

“You can do it, Li!” the girl on the front row of seats shrieked.

The cheering of people got louder every time a team scores. Screams and shouts from the opposing schools filled the gym. It is always like this when Sparks Academy’s basketball team has a battle with another school’s team.

I am never a fan of sports. The only reason I am here is because I made a promise to someone to watch every game he plays.

                “This is the climax of the game! Only three minutes left before this is all over and Hawkins Academy is in the lead by only one point. Will Sparks Academy have enough time to turn over the situation or will they loose and never reach the finals?” the host said gleefully.

                Crystal poked me on the side. “Hey, Aviel Lyndt Thompson! Why aren’t you cheering for Tristan Li?” she said in a loud voice.

                “I only swore to watch his games and not to cheer for him.” I answered.

                She mumbled something but I didn’t understand it because of the noise.

                Crystal Evans is the only friend I have since I entered high school. She is garrulous and is fond of making piffle. Actually, she is the exact opposite of me.

                I looked at the players. They were running around while passing and dribbling the ball. Some are blocking the way of the enemy team. I saw Tristan on the other side of the court. His face was dripping with sweat. He was breathing heavily. Just looking at him makes my heart throb.

                The truth is, I like Tristan though I haven’t talked to him personally. Not a single “Hi!” or “Hello!”. I first met him was when Crystal introduced him to me back when we were freshmen. We began texting and chatting on Facebook. Most of our topics were nonsense but it felt like I know him for a very long time. In school we act like we don’t know each other. Last year, when we were juniors, he told me that he will join the varsity team and if he passes, I am supposed to watch all his games. I’m sort of stupid to agree to his condition without any exchange. And now, he is the team captain and is playing in the field while I am in the bleachers, only staring at him.

                “I guess he is tired already.” I whispered to myself.

                “Only a minute to go!” said the emcee.

                The game is almost over. At least I have to do something , right?

                I stood and yelled, “Go, Tristan!”. He glanced at my direction and smiled. My heart fluttered but my throat ached. I think I lost my voice box.

                “You said you’re not going to cheer for him.” Crystal protested. This time, I didn’t say a thing. I sat on my chair and continued watching.

                “Thirty seconds left!” continued the emcee.  “S.A. has the ball now.”

                Max, Crystal’s twin brother, passed the ball to Steven. Steven bounced it a couple of times on the floor before giving it to Tristan.

                Only ten second remaining. Tristan positioned himself and made a 3-point-shot. All eyes were on the ball and before the time ran out, the ball entered the ring.

                The crowd went wild. Blue banners and flags were thrown in the air. Even the S.A. players were rambunctious.

                “The scores are 97-95. Sparks Academy won by 2 points! S.A. is the team qualified for the next round this season!” the host cried.

                I am happy that they won. It was really a close call. The coach of the Hawkins Academy’s team gave a harangue to the players as they leave the area. I guess it’s time for me to go home.

                I was about exit the gym but someone caught my arm. It was Crystal.

                “Where are you going? Tristan said we should go with them to celebrate.”

                “I can’t. I have a lot of things to do.”

                “Just go with us.” She pulled me away from the door and headed for the team.

                It took a while before the players were prepared. They had a short shower and changed their attire. I followed Crystal as she went inside a coupe. The driver turned the keys and the engine roared to life. I was glad Tristan was on the front seat and not beside me.

                It was four o’ clock in the afternoon when we reached our destination. We stopped in front of a huge restaurant with fancy lights. The walls were painted a tint of blue. The building was conspicuous because of its size and color. It was surrounded by deciduous trees.

                We got inside the restaurant. White marbled tiles and red carpets covered the floor. There were Greek-styled columns and a big chandelier in the center of the ceiling. Classical music was played. White cloths with blue laces at the edge covered the chairs and tables. Polished glassware and china were arranged beautifully on the tables. Waiters roamed while taking orders from the customers. I saw a buffoon entertaining some guests. The owner of this restaurant must be really affluent. I wonder if this place will be vacuous one day. I continued walking while scanning my surrounding. I watched a man as he guzzled a glass of wine. Maybe the man quaffed plenty because he looks like he was about to vomit.

                “What are we doing here anyway?” I asked Crystal.

                “This serves as a rendezvous for the celebration.” Crystal answered.

                “Then, who are we to meet here?”

                She pointed at the table on the third row. There sat a man in a black suit. He has gray shaggy hair and blue eyes. Is that the principal?

                “Impressive game you had earlier.” the principal said as we approached him. “Come on, sit”

                The coach and the principal talked a lot while we were eating. They were saying things like who was their auspicious player in the team and may more that I can’t relate with. The others also looked like they were having fun. Crystal and his brother Max were laughing with the other members. I ate the last scoop of my parfait that Crystal ordered for me and glanced at the whole table. Why is Tristan not here?

                My cellphone rang. I received a message from Tristan. He said, I should go out and check the garden. Since I have nothing to do here, I went at the back of the restaurant.

                It was dusk and the sky was orange with streaks of blue. The garden was full of roses, daisies and other flowers that I can’t name. The scent was great. The breeze was warm. The branches of the trees swayed as the wind pass by.

                I saw Tristan on the bench under a maple tree. His brown hair looked gold in the afternoon light. His perfect green eyes stared back at me.

                “How long are you planning to stand there?” he said with a grin.

                I sat beside him. My heart felt like it just ran a marathon.

                “This is the first time we talked ever since we met a couple of years ago, right?”

                “Ye-Yeah…” My voice was shaking.

                “By the way, thanks for cheering for me a while ago.”

                “No problem. It was the least I can do and it paid off.”

                He nodded. “We won the game. I didn’t give up because you were there watching me. I don’t want to disappoint you.’

                I’m not sure if he blushed that time or it was only the effects from the light.

                He stood in front of me and offered his hand. “May I have this dance, miss?”

                I didn’t have second thoughts. I got his hand and he pulled me off the bench. He placed his hand on my waist, my hand on his shoulder, while his other hand held mine. We waltzed in the garden. It was quite romantic.

                “You know, you’re a taciturn kind of person.” he said as he turns me around.

                “I know that. I’m keeping a low profile. I don’t want to be the center of attention or anything like that.”

                “Is that so? Will that happen if you became my girlfriend?”

                “As if that will ever come true.” I said with a laugh. “You’re the most popular guy in school and I’m just a nobody.”

                “What if it happens? What will you do?” his tone became serious.

                “I don’t know. And as I said, it will never happen.”

                He became silent for a while but we continued dancing.

                “Aviel, may I ask you one more thing?” he said in a soft voice.

                “What?” I looked at him in the eyes.

                “Will you be my girlfriend?”

*The End*