Chapter 62

I went to my room as soon as the phone finished. I haven't dressed yet and I'm feeling my body sticky because of my sweat earlier. I went to the bathroom after taking on a frock from my wardrobe. I had a brief shower and then departed the room after putting on my outfit. Before going to the kitchen, I dressed and checked the items of the refrigerator and the storage above the counter. I just have a few items because the month is nearly over, and I'm stumped as to what to make. I don't intend to cook, but I will be obliged to do so owing to an upcoming visitor.
I'll just wait for Ivan's birthday to end now that the tournament is over. I'll get everything in right by his birthday. I want to be free of the burden I'm under, and I can't wait until my academics are affected as well. If I want everything to be okay, I'll have to take the gamble, and at that point, I'll neglect other people's opinions that have no bearing on my life. I know I can accomplish it; all I have to do now is believe in myself.
I had already prepared everything I needed for our meal, but my phone, which I had left in the living room, rang. I hurried into the living room and grabbed my phone from the mini table, swiping the answer button right away. Ivan was the caller, and I could no longer hear the loud background music as I took his call. Perhaps he's already left Baki's and is on his way here.
I begin the call by saying, "Hello, Ivan."
"Did I bother you, El?" Are you working on anything? " he inquired gently.
"I was about to start cooking our dinner; are you coming here? Why did you call?" I queried.
He remained silent for a few moments before responding to my question. "I am going there. Don't prepare foods either because I already bought something. That's really my intention so I called," he responded, chuckling. As I heard his voice his pleasure was remarkable.
"Okay, actually I'm not really in the mood to cook so I won't recuse to what you said," I responded and let a chuckle as well. What I told him was true and I would just put back the ingredients I had prepared earlier. If he hadn't just come, I would have gone to sleep because I could already feel the weight of my eyelid. I didn't have enough sleep last night and I'm sure Aly is asleep now.
"Okay, El. Wait me there, I'm close. What do you want to eat?" he asked.
"Actually, I"m full. I"m okay with a drinks," I response.
"Okay, I'll just buy shakes and fries," he suggested. I agree from what he said and he ended the call.
I returned to the kitchen and replaced the ingredients I had made earlier to the shelves. When I was finished, I headed to the living room and got up my phone, which I had left on the sofa. I open the messenger application to break the monotony now That i'm idle. I checked to see whether anyone had messaged me, and when I found that I hadn't received a single message, I went straight back over my stories again.
I barely uploaded it an hour ago, yet it already has 500 views. My Facebook account is no longer the same as it once was. People already know me because of Ivan so I"m sure that when I post on my timeline, the reactor will flood me. I don"t want that to happen so I don"t post on my timeline. It's enough for me to upload stories because in that way, my Facebook friends in the province won't see that my life has changed here in my new place.
I went to the Facebook app after checking my stories' views. My newsfeed is full of posts on the earlier tournament. As responding to posts is not my thing, I merely skim, which I find tedious because I see the same thing over and again, so I reload my newsfeed.
I found a video that piqued my interest after refreshing the page. I swore myself I'd never forget it, but I did. I'm sure that would not have crossed my thoughts if I hadn't seen it now.
I immediately clicked the video and it was uploaded 5 minutes ago by the admin, but there were already many reactors and viewers. The video is national news so people from different parts of the country are watching the video that I am currently watching.
Ivan and Baki was in front of the reporter in the news I was currently watching. Ivan was the first to be asked while Baki was by his side.
"Cannard University hosted the long-awaited tournament between Black King Arthur and the CU soccer team today. The match was close because the CU soccer team only had one point against Black King Arthur. The so-called winner received five points, while Black King Arthur received four. "I'm now with two excellent players from the CU soccer team, Ivan Gil Clifford and Baki Canglor, who is the only woman in their group," the reporter said. "We'll start with Cannard University's heir, Ivan Gil Clifford," she said, beaming at Ivan. "Ivan, everyone in the crowd can see how well you played during the tournament; what was your inspiration or incentive to play better?" the reporter inquired, causing Ivan to gulp.
Before responding to the question, he smiled. "Even I, Miss Grace, was astounded by my earlier performance. I only know how to play, and I'm not really good at it. Perhaps I performed better earlier because of our team's ambition to win the championship, and I had the drive and inspiration to demonstrate my underlying abilities so that an important person's effort to create a banner and cheer me on would not go to waste. She cheers for me despite the fact that she isn't used to it, and it makes me ought to play better," he replied, making me swallow.
Instead of feeling thrilled just like the reporter's expression, I felt uncomfortable. I didn"t know where my thrill was hidden because I couldn"t feel it when I heard what he said; it just proves that I really only consider him a friend.
"Thank you for answering the question, Mr Ivan Gil Clifford. It looks like the heir is in love," the reporter teased him and he just chuckled in response. The reporter turned her focus to Baki who was also smiling as she was ready to answer what might be asked of her. "Hi, Miss Baki," the reporter opened the conversation.
"Hello, Miss Grace," Baki responded.
"Let's not prolong it any longer, my first question for you is about your real identity. You are magnificent in soccer field so many ask if you are a lesbian. Is it true?" the reporter asked, smiling.
"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for those people who believe in me. Thank you very much," she stated. "I am not surprised by your question, Miss Grace. Many people ask me if I am a lesbian or straight girl and I also never get tired of answering the question I am real a girl. In my heart and mind, I am a woman. Gender is not a barrier to playing soccer and soccer makes me happy so I love playing it," she answered, smiling.
The reporter smile never faded as she asked the next question. "As the MVP and captain of your team, how would you encourage the youth to appreciate the game of soccer?"
"I don't force all young people to try soccer if they don't like it. My only advice to young people who want to try out on the soccer field, you should expect that it will not be as easy to learn as you think. You stumble and get tired in many times, but no one can beat the soul that wants to learn and excel so don't give up right away. Everything starts from zero and you can achieve the success you want if you trust your learning process," she answered.
I didn"t expect her mind to be so deep. Based on her words, you can tell that she is a mature person even though she does not like to be socialized.
The reporter nodded as she heard Baki"s response before stating the third question. "I asked Ivan what was his inspiration or motivation to play so I will also ask you what or who is the reason why you got the position to be the MVP in this tournament."
Baki laughed a little and scratched her neck before answering. "Maybe I became MVP because I like what I do. Soccer is important to me so I did my best." She stop from answering the question and she pinch the bridge of her nose before she continue. "Like Ivan's answer, I also don't want to waste the banner and support given to me by someone who is so important in my life," she continued. I gulped and I felt the thorn hit my chest. I am aware that she is referring to the banner that Jas made on her last night.
The reporter smiled broadly before asking for the fourth time. "Does this prove you're a straight woman?" Baki nodded in response. "Last question, Miss Baki Canglor. Is the person you are referring to is here?"
I could clearly see Baki swallowing before she shook her head. "He is not here for personal reasons, but I know he supports me one hundred percent. I know he is watching my play now through virtual," she answered and this was the first time I saw a broadly kind of smile in her lips.