The Promise We Couldn't Keep

8

TPWCK:
EIGHT

…………

I was rummaging the belongings in my bags, sorting the stuff out and final-checking all the essentials I brought with me, just minutes after arriving at our municipal’s designated quarter, when my supposed-to-be partner for the badminton doubles category came and introduced himself to me.

He was wearing his school’s jersey, the same school where Fernando, Rinia, and I completed junior high school, but the disturbing thing about him was uncannily similar he looked like the monster who showed up at our doorsteps exactly as I was called to ask if I were able to substitute one of the players for badminton doubles who couldn’t make it due to some persona and family matters.

So much for throwing the game.

Had I known I was going to be made a substitute in the doubles category, I wouldn’t have thrown that last game and won me the spot for the single category instead of deliberately placing second. Now I had to do my best and cooperate. I should’ve considered the consequences before letting my emotions cloud my judgment, but there was nothing else I could do now.

“I’m Jadeson,” he said as he extended his hand.

“Samuel,” I answered as I shook it but pulled away way too soon it might’ve come out rude. I pretended to be busy with my things even though I was on the cusp of finishing, but having nothing to do didn’t mean I was available for a chat, my parents made sure I knew of that.

He had an athlete’s build, arm and leg muscles probably as strong as mine which would mean a lot in the game. Well, he was one of the winners of the doubles category in our municipal, so that said a lot about his expertise in the sport. A good body, a disgusting face, and he was close to a stranger to me, or he was supposed to be, so it was uncomfortable to interact with him this close. I could only hope he got the message.

Give him a decade and he’d look exactly just like the Arnulfo I knew.

The games were going to be difficult since I wasn’t good at team sports. It was always better playing solo. I was used to playing solo.

Jadeson sat on the classroom floor next to me, working with the laces of his shoes. “You up for a practice later?” he said as he looked up.

I took a last look at my things and spoke as I moved my bags in a corner farthest from two familiar bags. “We can practice now,” I said, guilt creeping under my skin over how I came to hate myself for having a face nearly a replica of the monster that had been haunting my life, when he had no part in it, nor did he have a choice in his face.

“Cool.” He smiled and clapped his hands once before standing.

The easy-going attitude disoriented me for a moment. He sent off a friendly vibe, but my mind translated his entirety into something to be wary of.

We headed to the quadrangle. This school was twice larger than our science school, and the quadrangle was two-thirds larger than ours. We called the single player who was playing volleyball with the other athletes, the one who won against me during the municipal competition, and the three of us practiced throughout the day.

It was awkward at first but I got the hang of it in no time, although this Jadeson didn’t suffer the same problem I had. It wasn’t easy to rely on a teammate but it wasn’t hard too since it was still a sport I excelled in.