We are Under the Same Stars After All (SAMLY)

Chapter 7

Alyssa's POV

"Alyssa, just need a minute. Sa office tayo."

Tinawag ako ni Coach Eric pagkarating ko dito sa gym for practice. Napatingin ako kina Chie pero nagkibit balikat lang sya.

"Yes Coach."

Si Coach Eric ay parang second in command after Coach Liam. They have different personalities and approach. Kung si Coach Liam is about winning whatever it takes, Coach Eric is always about team effort, winning or losing together.

I think this is one of the reason why our team is one of the best. They balance each other out.

After ng confrontation namin ni Coach Liam during the match with BlueHawks, hindi pa sya nagpakita sa practice and sa games. I am not sure if there is something going on sa management ng team because they are not giving us any information.

"Okay." Panimula ni Coach pagkapasok namin ng office.

"Coach Liam is on forced leave after the Bluehawks game. We just thought that it would be good for you and him na magkaroon ng space. Alam mo yun, to cool down and para hindi makaapekto sa practice and sa game."

Hindi ako nagsalita. But I'm looking at him, sign na nakikinig ako.

"But he will be here for the game tomorrow, so gusto ko lang ipaalam sayo at kumustahin ka." Patuloy pa ni Coach Eric.

In all honesty, all I can think about the game tomorrow is that manonood si Sam. I kinda feel bad that I'm avoiding to think about these conflicts na haharapin ko sooner.

"Okay naman ako Coach, we can be professional. Basta ako, sinabi ko naman na I will do my best para dalhin yung team sa championship this series. I promise na hindi makakaapekto yung conflict namin."

"Alyssa." Sagot ni Coach Eric. "Alam mo naman lagi kong sinasabi, if you step up, the team will step up. Hindi mo kailangan isipin na mag isa ka dito."

O diba, this is Coach Eric's principle.

"I know, sir." Nagsmile ako sa kanya. "I have the best team and we'll make it happen."

"Can we talk about your decision to quit?"

Napabuntung hininga ako. Actually, hindi ko to nasabi kay Coach Eric.

"Kasi nakakapagtampo ka naman, di ko alam to." Patuloy pa ni Coach. He's looking at me, pero it's a look na hindi nagtatampo, he is like giving me an opening para makapagshare and I know, he always listen. Yeah, why didn't I tell him?

"I'm sorry Coach. Wala pa naman ako talaga balak sabihin kay Coach Liam, it's just nabring up na lang sya bigla. But thinking about it now, yes, I should have told you."

"You know I will listen, right?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry Coach." And now, I regret not telling him. If I am looking for someone to ask me "why" with compassion, baka siya nga yun. But before kasi ng series na to, he's on long leave because his mother got sick and he went home to his province in Visayas. He is not present to coach the national team so hindi nya alam ang nangyari.

"So bakit ka magquiquit?" Tanong ni Coach.

And yeah, I regret not telling him sooner.

"Coach kasi it's all about volleyball na lang."

Tiningnan ko ang reaksyon nya and he is so confused.

"But you love volleyball, right? So what changed?"

"Diba Coach, nagleave ka ng mahaba so you can be with your mother even if it means missing the important games? Or not just a game, it's two series and a chance to coach the national team?"