>> • LAUREN • <<
6th of February, the day of quarterfinals.
"We're playing against Carson Azure Lions, the day finally came." anunsiyo ni Coach Sandoval. Napansin kong may bakas ng pangangatog ang mga kamay nito habang nakahawak sa whiteboard na nasa kaniyang hita.
Nabaling ang tingin ko sa mga players ng Carson na nasa di-kalayuan. Seryoso ang mukha ng mga ito habang pinagsasabihan ng kanilang coach.
"Hey, baby girl! Hindi mo sinabi sa 'kin na naglalaro ka pala ng basketball!"
Halos mapatayo ako sa kinauupuan ko nang may magsalita sa likuran ko. Nilingon ko ito at hindi na nagulat nang makita si Agnes. Nakatanghod siya sa may sandalan ng players' bench.
"Agnes? Anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong ko sa kaniya.
"Ano pa ba ang dapat gawin dito? Siyempre manonood ako ng laro."
Okay, that was a dumb question to ask. What else could she be doing when she goes to a basketball game?
"I didn't know you're a fan of basketball." saad ko.
"Not really. My brother happened to be an avid fan back then, plus I know this game will be interesting since you're here." aniya at kumindat. Nahihiya na lamang akong ngumiti sa kaniya.
"Whoa, that surname on your jersey.." manghang wika niya at hinaplos ang likuran ko. "Are you perhaps, in any way, affiliated with Lorenzo Vergara?"
My mind went blank for a moment upon hearing my father's name. It's like the sealed memory of him that are hidden in the deepest surface of my mind unshackled itself.
"Uhh, Lauren?" tawag pa ni Agnes. "Did I say something wrong?"
I returned to my senses and flashed a dry smile. "I'm okay. And yes, Lorenzo Vergara is my father."
Halos malaglag ang panga niya sa lupa kasabay ng bahagyang panlalaki ng kaniyang mata. Napatakip na lamang siya sa kaniyang bibig at napaatras papalayo sa amin. I'm a little bit weirded with her reaction.
"O..m..g, I can't believe it!" sa wakas ay naibulalas niya. Naghalungkat siya sa suot niyang sling bag at nag-abot ng papel at ballpen sa akin, "Pa-autograph!"
"Eh?" iyon na lamang ang nai-usal namin ng mga kasama ko.
"Carlos is a big fan of your father!" sabik na wika nito. "He's always asking me to bring recorded videos of your father's matches and he kept on playing it on replay until he falls asleep in his hospital bed."
"But.."
"I may not be able to get him your father's autograph, but I may get yours." kumikinang ang mga matang sabi niya.
I don't really know if she's making sense, but I still signed the paper. Agnes' reaction was no different from a little girl that is told by her parents that they're going to an amusement park when I handed the paper in her hands.
"Good luck on your game! Make sure to win!" paalam pa niya at umakyat na sa ikatlong row ng audience's seat.
"I'm jealous. Our captain has gained a fan!" pangbubuska pa ng vice captain. Naghagalpakan naman sa pagtawa ang iba naming kasama.
BINABASA MO ANG
Aurora Borealis
Teen FictionDreamland doesn't draw bounds and instead draws infinite possibilities. That's what the basketball prodigy, Lauren Esperaunce Vergara, believed about her dream even if what she encounters on her way are just nothing but misfortunes. Would meeting dr...
