Heir in Trouble (On-Going Baseball Story)

36

Note to all readers:
'--' - means a new POV
'ʕಠ_ಠʔ' - means the continuation of the POV but in a different scene or a fast-forward scene

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We were now leaving the stadium to go back to school. We did it! We won the fight against my father's team. I still couldn't believe that I fought against him... We won, but why didn't it feel like we did? Was it because my dad's team just lost against us? Or is there another reason why I'm feeling like this?

A sigh escapes my lips as we walk towards our school bus. Just as I was approaching the vehicle, someone called me.

"Katarina."

I stopped on my tracks. I know that voice. I know who owned it. I slowly turn and there, I saw him standing in defeat.

"Tito." I called the man standing outside the bus, "I'll be quick."

With that, I walked towards the old man. I didn't look him in the eye, I instead glued my orbs on his shoes. I remained silent. I don't know what to say to him. I'm just waiting for him to talk.

"Katarina..." I saw him trying to touch me but I immediately took a step back, still not looking at him.

I heard him heave a sigh. He then placed his hands inside his pockets. "I.. I just wanted to apologize to everything... that happened." He started. "I.. I fucked up as a father."

I breathe shakily. What is he trying to point out? What is he pulling off?

"I'm sorry for saying those words. I was... I was just tasked to.. but I didn't mean those! I didn't mean to hurt you, nak!" My father's voice cracked as he broke down in tears, saying those words.

"Who tasked you?" I asked, malayo ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"Your mother." I wasn't surprised. In fact, I was anticipating this. But I couldn't hide the fact that I was shocked that my mother could manipulate him like this. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the overwhelming feeling that is almost exploding.

I keep taking deep breaths to calm myself. After a minute, I was able to compose myself. I didn't utter a word. I am giving him the spotlight to spill everything. Taking my silence as a cue, he continues.

"Your mother contacted me a month ago. Telling me that I should discourage you verbally.. to make you lose hope. Your mother knows you're in Seidou, she knows you're playing baseball."

I was frozen on the spot after hearing it, eyes wide open.

"I don't want to do what she said but she threatened me to sabotage my position as the main pitcher of our country's national team. I couldn't afford to lose that! That's my dream! That's why I decided to become Yakushi's head coach. I trained them, so that we will be able to face your team and beat you. But destiny has other plans. I enjoyed coaching those kids at Yakushi. I felt like devoting my life to become a coach in that school. But your mother knew that I am backtracking from the original plan and so I said those words to you out loud awhile ago. I'm so sorry, anak. I know you can't forgive me for what I did. I'm really sorry!"

I remained standing there, with a blank face in display. It's like I don't know what to say, what to feel. I became numb to the pain, as if I no longer cared about what he was saying. But I told him one thing that popped out of my mind after the process.