Lagot Ka Kay Coach

Chapter 66: [Choose]

Kanina pa ako naglalakad ng pabalik-balik sa harap ng pintuan ni Captain at Tata. Nasa loob si Papa at ang coaching staff niya. Kausap nila ang mga doktor. Hindi mawala sa isip ko ngayon na pinag-uusapan nila kung makakasali ba sa game si Jeric at Tata. Alam kong importante para sa kanila yung game with Ateneo next week dahil nasa top 1 and 2 ang parehong team sa elimination round. So far, UST is one of the two teams that beat Ateneo this season. Ateneo will definitely want to bounce back but UST also wants to prove that they are the ones to watch out for.

    I sigh as I sit down on one of the benches in the hallway. Nag-aalala ako kasi ilang araw pa lang nang mawalan ng malay si Captain. Kahit na pagaling na sila ni Tata ngayon, kailangan pa rin nilang magpahinga. Malamang pa niyan ay kakailanganin nilang sumali sa practice upang makapaghanda sa laro.

    Alam kong importante ito para sa kanilang lahat pero hindi ko maikakalika na gusto kong maging makasarili kahit ngayon lang. Gusto kong ipagkait si Jeric sa kanila kasi ayoko siyang mapahamak pa lalo. His love for this sport is one of the things I admire about him but I don't want him to get hurt because of it.

    Bumukas ang pintuan sa kwarto nila at lumabas ang nurse nila na si Belle. Kumaway ako sa kaniya para makuha ang attensyon niya bago lumapit. "Kumusta si Fort at Tata?"

    She looks hesitant to say anything but she answers my question anyway. "They're doing okay. Hinihintay na lang nila yung discharge orders ng doktor."

    "I'm sorry. I know you're busy pero may idea ka ba if nakapag-decide na sila kung maglalaro sila Jeric at Tata sa next game?"

    Umiling siya. "There's no final decision yet. The doctors and staff are still talking. Ultimately, I think the choice will be with Jeric and Clark."

    "Thank you, Belle." Hinawakan ko siya sandali sa braso bago bumalik sa upuan ko.

    I was lost in my own thoughts for a bit before I noticed that she was still standing in front of me.

    "Ano yun?" Tanong ko nang mapansin na nakatingin siya sa akin.

    Para siyang natauhan nang marinig ang boses ko. Hindi niya siguro namalayang nakatitig siya ng matagal. "Sorry, matagal na kasi nang huli kaming magkausap ni Jeric at naninibago lang siguro ako na may mga bagay tungkol sa kaniya na hindi ko alam."

    Bakit naman? Captain hasn't mentioned her in any of our conversations kaya medyo nagtataka din ako sa sinabi niya. Sabi din ni Fort hindi sila close ni Belle. "Have you tried keeping in touch through the years?"

    "Not really. Huli kaming nag-usap ay noong rookie year pa niya dito sa UST. We know each other because he was my junior in high school and we spent a lot of time together dahil pareho kami ng club na sinalihan noon." A glassy expression was on her face and it looked like she was trying to recall a memory.

    I've actually never met someone he went to high school with. Na-curious tuloy akong malaman kung paano siya dati. "How was he back then?"

    Ngumiti si Belle. A small dimple appeared on her left cheek. "Nako mahiyain yan dati. He already played basketball before but he wasn't as popular as he is now. He kept to himself sometimes. Maliit lang din ang circle of friends niya and I was lucky to be a part of it. He's a great... friend."

    Tumango ako. Medyo malayo pala sa kung paano siya ngayon. Pakiramdam ko dahil din sa Tigers. He really found a family with the team. "Sana makalabas na sila soon para makapag-catch up naman kayo. It will be great for him to reconnect with you."

    Belle looks at me with a determined look on her face. "Oo nga. I want him back in my life too." Tipid siyang ngumiti bago sumenyas na aalis na siya.