Aurora Borealis

Chapter 25 - Intramurals

>> • LAUREN • <<

It's finally January. I feel overwhelming enthusiasm as I greeted the teachers that I met at the hallway. Other people may not feel the New Year spirit anymore as it passes yearly, but it hits me differently.

Pakiramdam ko'y parang may pagkakataon lagi para magsimula kada dumarating ang bagong taon.

Hindi pa man ako nakakarating sa Main Hall ay naririnig ko na ang mga yell ng ginawa ng bawat grade level para sa Intramurals. The voice of the crowd almost swallowed the voice coming from the emcees that it's almost inaudible.

Pagpasok ko sa Main Hall ay agad kong hinanap ang pila ng mga estudyanteng nakasuot ng kulay lilang T-shirt. It's the official color given for Grade 11, no matter the strand where the student belongs.

Today, they've prepared a lot of sporting events, but I won't join any of them for the meantime. Too bad that I'll miss the opportunity to play, but if it's for the better, then I guess I could endure. The reason why I'm not playing was that Coach Sandoval told me to act as a coach for the Women's Edition Basketball for Grade 11.

It sounded eccentric at first. First of all, I'm the only Grade 11 player on the official team. Second, hindi ko in-o-obserbahan yung paraan ng pagko-coach sa 'min ni Coach Sandoval sa official at practice matches.

But then, she handed me a list of participants and left me in the state of amusement as I saw that a lot of female students joined. Perhaps that's because they're participating for the sake of enjoyment and not recognition. Even so, I'll try to learn something from the experience.

"Coach! Dito!"

Hinanap ko naman ang may-ari ng boses at nakita si Wendy na sumesenyas sa akin. Magkakasama sila nila Tohru sa upuan. She gestured a vacant seat beside her and I mouthed 'thank you' at her for reserving one for me.

"Why are you calling me coach? You're not even a participant." wika ko sa kaniya at naupo.

"I'm mocking you. I can't imagine you bossing them around and asking them to make gameplays that you're the only one capable of doing among that team." nakapangalumbabang wika niya. I pinched her elbow. She just glared at me.

"Or maybe this is a chance to recruit another one for the official team." saad ko.

"If they wanted to join the official team, they should've done it a long time ago." asar niya.

Hindi nagtagal ay natapos na ang opening ceremony. Outside, at the park which is the center of the Academy, a huge cauldron was placed up top. They make sure that it's properly elevated with the use of supportive metal stands.

Isang lalaking may hawak na sulo ang lumapit at sinindihan iyon. As the huge, raging flames lit up inside the cauldron, a representative for each grade level stepped forward and placed the colored flags representing them along with their insignia imprinted on it.

Pagkatapos noon ay naghiwa-hiwalay na ang mga estudyante upang pumunta sa mga venue kung saan sila a-attend.

Dumiretso na ako sa Gymnasium B at nakitang nagla-login na ang mga kalahok. Tumingin naman ako sa bulletin board na nasa likuran ng mga staffs sa Login Area. Nakalagay doon ang schedule ng mga laro at kung sino-sino ang magtatapat sa buong linggo.

"Ate Lauren!"

Tumakbo papalapit sa akin ang dalawang batang babae. They're my juniors at the official team. Nakasuot sila ng green T-shirt, indicating that they're from Grade 7. Hinihingal ang mga ito nang huminto sa tabi ko.

"Hindi ka maglalaro ngayon?" tanong ng isa sa kanila.

Tumango ako, "Unfortunately, yes. Sabi ni Coach, mag-coach na lang daw muna ako."