@ Fort Ilocandia
The team just got off the bus and are headed to their respective rooms, when Coach Oliver stopped them.
"Girls, come here for a second..."
All of them gathered into a big circle, with their faces low and indescribable feelings.
"I know you are all sad and tired, that is why before we rest up, I just want you to know that I am proud with every single one of you. You all did great! The odds are seemed to be against us, but we made it. That is more than enough for me..."
All of them, including the coaching staff, are holding their tears. Everyone is fighting the voices inside their head, screaming that they could've done more.
"Tomorrow is another day for fight, but I am not putting any pressures anymore. I just want you to get your needed rest today, and tomorrow, whatever happens, we will all lift everything to God, okay?"
"Yes coach!"
The team hugged silently, smiled at each other before going into their rooms.
"Beibei, are you going to shower now?"
"Nope. I am going to walk around for a bit. You go first..."
Caitlyn nodded. She gathered her things and went off.
Bea, on the other hand, is still in disbelief and great misery. She took a deep breath, collected her phone, mask, alcohol and handkerchief, and went outside.
It is still bright outside, but the sun is nowhere to be found. The clouds enveloped the sky, making the atmosphere so much heavy.
Since the other teams have already went back to Manila, the resort is a lot quieter now. All the other teams are on the other side of the resort that is why Bea walked her way to the shore without bumping into anyone.
She sat down near the edge of the shore, close enough to feel the waves beneath her feet, but not enough to drenched her whole body into it. She sighed and looked at the vastness of the ocean.
And during that time, her true feelings were really rushing into her. She cried her heart out, hoping that the burden will be gone, but crying clearly wasn't enough.
After a while, she decided to turn on her phone. Immediately, her phone beeped like there's no tomorrow. Messages from friends, relatives, Ateneo teammates, fans, etc.
She scrolled down, hoping to see a familiar name across her notifications...
...but there wasn't.
Just with that realization, emotions are flooding her entire being once more, but a loud sound of an incoming FaceTime call startled her.
She immediately reached out for her hanky and wiped her tear-stained cheeks. She lightly fixed her hair then answered the call.
"Hey..." she said timidly.
"You've been crying..."
No one uttered a word for a minute. For her, him being there for her is enough, even if he is hundred miles away.
"I want to call you immediately after the game, but I know that you are not going to open your phone immediately, so I decided to call an hour after..."
"You know me so well. I actually just opened my phone right before you called..."
He smirked and Bea let out a little giggle then rolled her eyes.
"Are you at the coast now?" He asked.
"Yeah. Just breathing some fresh air..."
"So I guessed right..." Bea looked so confused with that remark.
