A Change of Heart

XIII

The arena was full of people wearing green and blue. Hindi pa simula ng laro pero nagkakaingay na mga tao. Parang hinati ang arena sa dalawang kulay lamang, asul at berde. Today Linfield’s game for the final four against Anderson University. This is a crucial game because whoever wins this game will sure have a chance to land a place for the championship game. Kaya naman hindi pa nagsisimula ang laban ramdan na ramdam na ng lahat ang tension. And aside from that, AdU and Linfield are well-known rivals since the beginning of time. May kasabihan pa nga mga tiga- Linfield, matalo na sila sa iba wag lang sa AdU.

For Alvin, this game is very crucial too. Since he became part of the team last year, he strives to always give his best. His ultimate goal is to be one of the best in collegiate basketball and later on be a professional basketball player. That is his goal ever since, tulad ng dad niya. Kaya naman puspusan ang practice niya. Especially for this game na napakahigpit ng laban. He’s too excited and pumped up for this game; kaya nga kahit may sinat siya at di maganda pakiramdam niya, hindi siya nagpapigil at naglaro parin.

“Dad, dapat talaga pinagpahinga nalang natin si Alvin,” nag-aalalang sabi ni Tita Susie.

“Bakit po? May problema po ba?” tanong ni Jane. The whole Teng family together with Jane are at the arena to watch and support Alvin.

“Hindi kasi maganda pakiramdam ni Alvin kanina, iha. May sinat kanina nung chineck ko,” paliwanag ni Tita Susie.

“Hamo na Mommy. Alam naman ni Alvin kung nasa condition siya o hindi. Besides, he prepared hard for this, sayang naman kung hindi siya makakalaro,” sabi ng dad ni Alvin.

Naputol ang usapan nila ng biglang maghiyawan ang mga tao. Nagsilabasan na ang mga teams and the crowd cheered for their own. The two teams were given a few minutes to warm-up before the game. Jane was worried, para sa kanya masmainam kung nagpahinga nalang si Alvin today. She carefully watched Alvin doing warm-up from afar. She wanted to know if he really feels fine. Meanwhile, maybe Alvin felt someone was looking at him kaya naman napatingin siya sa pwesto nila Jane. He saw his family and Jane and he waved at them. Sumenyas pa si Alvin kay Jane na mag-smile kasi nakakunot ang noo nito. Jane saw this and she raised her hand asking if he is okay. Alvin understood this and gave her thumbs up sign, telling her not to worry, that he is okay.

Minutes later, nagsimula na ang laro. For the first two quarters palang naging mahigpit na ang laban. Parang salitan lang ang dalawang teams na makakuha ng puntos. Sa tuwing makakashoot ang Linfield, babawi naman agad ang mga AdU.

Sa buong laro, nakakatutok si Jane kay Alvin, tinitignan niya kung okay pa ba ng best friend niya. Towards the end of the 2nd quarter, napansin ni Jane na pagod na si Alvin.

“Achi, hindi ba pwede maupo muna si Alvin sa 3rd quarter? Mukhang pagod na siya eh,” tanong ni Jane.

“Mukhang pagod na nga si Shoti. Don’t worry Coach Jun knows what to do,” his sister reassured. “Meanwhile, smile Jane. You’re on TV.”

Habang nag-uusap sila, the camera focused on Jane’s beautiful face at half time.

“Allan, look at that beautiful face! Andito pala ulit ang special supporter ni Jeron together with his family,” Boom said, one of the sports commentator of the game.

“Welcome, Ms. Oineza,” sabi ni Allan, another commentator. Sabay wave ni Jane sa camera. “I hope you’re enjoying the game. Alam mo Boom, I admire Jane’s support for Jeron. Eto ha? Despite her busy showbiz schedule, lagi siyang nakakapanuod and todo support, nakajacket pa!”

Just like Alvin, Jane’s name gradually rose to fame as a teen celebrity. Since last year she has been portraying different roles in TV dramas and movies. And just recently, she launched her album. And hindi madedeny na patuloy ang pagdami ng fans niya.

“I agree! Pero sa interviews, panay ang deny ng dalawa eh. Mag best friends lang daw sila. Pero hindi ako naniniwala,” habang half time at hindi pa nagreresume ang laro parang naging talk show hosts ang dalawa at panay ang biro nila kay Alvin at Jane. This time the camera focused at Alvin na nakaupo ngayon sa bench, nagpapahinga. Nahuli tuloy ng camera na pulang pula na ang mukha niya habang tumatawa, sinabayan pa ng kantyawan ng team mates niya.

After half time, Jane felt relieved when Coach Jun made Alvin stay on the bench for the 3rd quarter. As if an answered prayer for Jane. Kahit pagod na ang mga players, naging mahigpit pa din ang laro. And it became more challenging, as Alvin one of their best players, was taking a rest. The score is too close, 52-51 when the third quarter ended.

As expected, Alvin will play for the 4th quarter. Jane and his sisters felt tense, dala ng excitement at pag-aalala. And as expected parin, Alvin delivered really well.

“Three points for Jeron!” the commentator shouted. Hiyawan na naman ang mga tao. Since pumasok kasi si Alvin, halos sunud- sunod ang pagshoot niya. As much as they can, sinusubukan ng team ni Alvin na magkaroon ng malaking lamang sa AdU. On the other hand, the opponents were also trying their best for Linfield not to score.

“Don’t you think he is overexerting himself, Achi?” Jane asked. More than the game mas nag-aalala siya kay Alvin.

“I know. Matigas talaga ulo ni Shoti,” sagot ni Almira.

“Saka kanina pa yang si Cruz, pinag-iinitan si Alvin!” inis na sabi ni Jane. Kanina pa kasi dikit ng dikit si Cruz of AdU. Laging nakabantay kay Alvin, pinipigilan niya maka-score. Nagkakainitan na ang dalawa.

“ALVIN!”
"SHOTI!!"
Napasigaw si Jane and his sisters.

They saw everything. Alvin was trying to do a lay-up, when Cruz tried to block him, but he hit Alvin’s stomach with his elbow. The impact made Alvin land on his wrong foot unsteadily, which made him fall hard on the ground.

“Is he okay?” tanong ni Tita Susie, punong puno ng pag-aalala.

“That’s foul!” hiyaw ni Kuya Jeric.

“Achi? Why isn’t he moving? Why isn’t he standing up?” Jane said, teary eyed.

The whole family were all standing and looking at Alvin. Lahat sila nag-aalala kay Alvin. Hindi nila gaano makita kung anong nangyayari kasi nakapaligid na ang mga team mates and coaches kay Alvin.

“BOOOO!!!” the crowd started to boo Cruz. Some were shouting that it was a foul, yung iba naman were shouting encouragement for Alvin.

Soon, the medic came with a stretcher. Nilagay nila si Alvin sa stretcher and dumerecho sa dug-out.

“Dad, nawalan ata ng malay si Alvin!” his mom said. Hindi na sila nagaksaya ng oras at agad agad na sumunod na din sa dug-out. It isn’t easy for them to pass through the thick crowd. Jeric and their father, guided the ladies through their way to the dug-out. Kahit na patuloy parin sa pagsigaw ang crowd, parang wala na narinig si Jane kundi yung tibok ng puso niya. Grabe ang kaba at pag-aalala na nararamdaman niya. She saw it clearly, he wasn’t moving. When he fell, he didn’t move, he didn’t blink either. Andaming tumatakbo sa isip niya ngayon.  She wanted to reach him as fast as possible, but every step feels like a hundred steps towards him.

“Ma’am dadalhin napo namin siya sa emergency. We can’t take the whole family. Pwede po ba yung parents sumama samin?” sabi ng isa sa mga medic.

“Anong nangyari sa anak ko?” nangingiyak na tanong ni Tita Susie.

“Ano ba nangyari? Bakit kailangan dalhin sa hospital?” tanong ng ate ni Alvin.

Hindi na makapagsalita si Jane sa naririnig niya. Her tears started to fall out of too much fear and worry. Dumantay sa kanya si Ate Alyssa, like her, pareho silang umiiyak at para bang nanghihina sa nangyayari.

“Mommy, we need to hurry para matignan na siya agad ng doctor,” kalmadong sabi ng Dad ni Alvin. “Jeric, here’s the key. Ikaw na magdrive at sumunod kayo samin agad.”

Jeric took the key and the siblings started their way to the parking lot. Jane felt rooted on the floor.

Hospital? Why? Is it that serious? All those things clouded her mind.

“Jane?” Kuya Jeric reached for her hand, asking her to come with them. “Everything will be fine. Tara na, we need to go to Alvin.”