In Your Wildest Dream

42

Abby and Chloe wake me up in the next morning but my body feels so heavy. I just want to lie down on bed the whole day.

"Char, you need to wake up"panggigising ni Abby at mahinang niyugyog ang balikat ko

"Five more minutes please"I said while my eyes is still close and my voice is a little bit husky

"Cap, kung hindi ka lang buntis hinampas na kita ng unan. Pasalamat ka talaga"natatawang sabi ni Chloe at marahang hinila ang paa ko

I lazily get up on bed—-nakabihis na sila Abby ng blue shirt nila na may name ng Ateneo in front and their surname on the back with the number of their jersey. I saw my shirt hanging on the wall kaya agad akong napatingin sa kanila.

"How did you get this?"I asked while pointing out my shirt

"Nakisuyo kami kay Aling Lita kanina—sabi pa nga lagi daw may itim na sasakyang nandon sa may labas"sabi ni Chloe na ikinatahimik ko

Why does he still wasting his time?

I brushed off his face on my mind and try to be my usual self. I took a bath and prepared myself for the thanksgiving mask.

Sa isang sasakyan na lang kami sumakay nila Abby. Chloe is our driver for today...

"Char, samahan ka namin mamayang mag-empake ng gamit mo"Abby said and glance at me

"No need—-I can do it on my own"pagtanggi ko dahil masyado na akong naging abala sa kanila

"We insist besides we want to spend time with you" sambit ni Chloe at malungkot na ngumiti

We just talk about some stuffs hanggang sa makarating kami sa university. Students are greeting us and saying congratulations. I roam my eyes around and I can't stop to smile while reminiscing all the memories I had here.

I saw the bench where he first share a meal with me. Masaya sana kung hindi mo lang ako piniling lokohin...

You break your own promises!

Dumiretcho na kami sa chapel and naabutan namin ang ibang players na nakaupo na. We sat next to other volleyball players. A few moments after, unti-unti ng dumating yung ibang students, faculty members, dean and school director. The mass started and I am just there listening to what the priest are saying.

An hour after—tinawag si Abby to give her speech and next one is Chloe. Everyone becomes emotional while giving their speech. I hope I can hold my tears...

The whole place turns into silent when I walk on the side papunta sa harapan ng chapel...

"It's so hard to start my speech knowing that after this I will no longer be part of the team. It's been four years already since the first day that I stepped onto this university—I am so unsure on what's going to happen to me but it is the best decision that I ever had. Being one of the lady eagles and being called Cap, Kapitana,Ate Cap is such an honor—"  I pause for a while and look up to hold the tears that is going to burst

"Representing the school for four UAAP Season taught me so many things not just inside the court but also in life. The ball and court become my life and safe space for the longest time—I met new people here that turns out to be my family. To Coach Joseph—thank you for fighting  for me in some stuffs. Salamat kasi pinaglaban mo ako nung time na kailangang-kailangan just to make me stay.Thank you for being a father figure as well as for dean and other faculty members—you guys are the best. For my teammates—I'm so proud to all of you and I will always be. Thank you for the four years of roller coaster ride. Thank you for giving me the family and love that I couldn't have. To Chloe and Abby, thank you for being there in the highest of highs and lowest of lows, you know the rest. We're going to partways and face a bigger world but one day I know, we're going to meet again. This is not a goodbye instead I will say see you soon. Keep the burning fire in your heart and chase the things that is meant for you. This is Avery Armani, Jersey number 14,your team captain——signing off!"I can't hold my tears because it uncontrollably bursting out