Mr. Jersey number thirteen

Never know what he means to me.

I fell for the guy that's on TV.

That's my favorite song.

Call me fanatic, but at least I'm happy.

At least I'm true to myself.

I'm Andy. A certified fan girl.

Full-time Student. Part-time Blogger. Full Blown fan.

I started being infected by this fanaticism disease when I was fourteen years old.

My dad was watching a game of basketball and I was busy doing a boring little thing called

homework.

"Andy! Come join me." My Dad smiled happily.

"Can't." I shrugged and held up my notebook.

"Aww. Come on. It's a saturday. You can do that later."

Seeing the opportunity to escape from my tedious homework, I gave in.

I sat next to my dad in the couch. This is the Philippines alright. Home of the basketball fans.

I stared blankly at the TV screen for minutes until I saw him. The one in the jersey number

thirteen. You know what happened next.

One afternoon, as I lay lazily on my bed, I begun daydreaming again.

~

Just then my mom knocked frantically on the door.

"Andy! Andy!"

"What is it mom?" I didn't hide the irritation in my voice.

She continued to knock as if the door would open if she tried harder.

I got up from my bed, and opened the door.

"WHAT?"

"Someone's here to see you!" She beamed.

"Who?"

She shrugged. Then giggled. I can't believe she just did that.

My mom giggled? Ugh.

I turned to the living room and shock kept me where I was.

Mr. Jersey #13 was there, smiling at me. Dad mumbled something like, "He's the son

of your Ninong---" but it didn't register in my mind.

And because I was so happy, I didn't know what happened next.

Time passed so quickly that things were in a blur.

I graduated from college and had a stable job.

And Mr. Jersey #13 and I were stable too.

Then, I was sitting here in a jam-packed arena about to witness the championship

game of Mr. Jersey #13. Then the game ended, and he was beaming at me from the court.

I smiled back from the ringside.

God showered us a bonus for that night. He was declared as the MVP. And to my surprise,

something else happened.

As he received the award, he came up to me.

That's when I noticed the necklace he was wearing during the game had a ring.

He removed it from the necklace and said the magic words.

You know what those words are.

Then...

Of course I said yes!

I wore the ring around my finger proudly as we attended the championship party after.

I couldn't forget how his fans eyed me when they asked for his autograph.

I know, I know. I'm the luckiest girl in the planet.

When he drove me home that night, I couldn't hide the smile on my face.

He smiled at me, and then said good night.

I entered the house, almost floating.

I'm engaged.

Then I entered my room, still having that stupid smile on my face.

~

"Andy! Andy!"

Mom was shouting again.

I shook off my sleepiness.

"What is it mom?" I didn't hide the irritation in my voice.

She continued to knock as if the door would open if she tried harder.

I got up from my bed, and opened the door.

"WHAT?"

"Someone's here to see you!" She beamed.

"Who?"

She shrugged. Then giggled. I can't believe she just did that.

My mom giggled? Ugh.

Didn't this happen already? Deja Vu?

Then I saw him standing there. My bestfriend Jay, smiling at me, while chatting happily with

my Dad.

I sighed, disappointed.

"It's just Jay."

"Why?" Aren't you happy to see him?" Mom asked.

"The only person that would make me happy the moment I wake up is the person who gave me this,"

I held up my left hand.

Only to find out that the ring was gone.

"What are you talking about?" Mom asked again. She was confused now. We both were.

I stood for a moment. Thinking it all out.

"Oww. You mean I'm still fourteen?" I sounded stupid.

"Of course you are! Now get dressed. You'll be late for Jay's championship."

I sighed heavily realizing that it was all just a dream.

Putting no effort to look good, I just brushed my teeth, and freshened up a bit. Then I

grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. Without looking at my Dad and Jay who were both

shocked as I walked sadly past them.

"Sorry to wake you." Jay said as he closed the door behind us.

"You should be." I said, still disappointed about the dream.

Then we were silent as we walked to the school.

We were waiting for the stoplight to allow us to cross the street

when suddenly he jumped forward,

as if trying to catch something.

"What's wrong?" I said.

But before he could face me, I saw his jersey number - 13. He changed it.

He was number 30 before.

"Nothing." He smiled.

"I just lost grip at this," he said as he held up a familiar ring.

MVJLO 10.02.2010