Later It Ends (Alimentation Series #3)

Prologue

“Your greatness does not change even a bit.”

I couldn’t help myself to smile at what Coach Erwan said. I was used to everyone praising and admiring me, more particularly my skills in basketball.

It doesn’t make any more changes when I hear a compliment about how good I was, and how other players cursed me for being unstoppable and too much. Whatever other people say to me is no longer noticeable, since praises is just really part of my daily life.

It’s not surprising to hear compliments because I was long time ago used to it. But now that I’m about to leave the team that used to be my second home, I feel like I’m going to miss all the praises that is always given to me.

Everyone is constantly asking me why did I chose to leave if I could just continue, and it’s a big loss especially now that I am already here, farther than I was before. But maybe, somehow, they won’t understand when I say I’m now satisfied, complete, and I’d rather just focus on my studies.

They will still continue to think that I am a big loss, when in fact, it’s not always like that. I wouldn’t be a big loss to the team because my teammates are also great themselves.

And I’m leaving simply because I was finally greatly satisfied with the thing I have once loved. And I had all the satisfaction I would probably hold in my heart maybe for at least the remaining years of my life.

Basketball painted me well, and it drew another hope in me. Always my first love. But it meant to be my always not priority.

“You made me like this, Coach,” I carefully said, pulling my jersey up to wipe the sweat rolling down my face. “I became like this all because of you.”

He shook his head. “No, alam mong hindi. Dati pa lang ay magaling ka na, Santivañez. You just grew more in the process.”

I know for sure that if it’s not because of him, I wouldn’t be like this, and I wouldn’t reach this far. He was a great mentor and Coach, he never left us. And sometimes, I couldn’t halt myself from thinking that I’m selfish for deciding on leaving them.

“Coach...” I put my arm over his shoulders as I watch my other teammates still playing. I’m gonna miss everything. Especially those times I was not in the mood to play and my teammates still have their share of time to annoy me. Those breakdowns and defeated moment with them. “I’m sorry if I’m leaving.”

Of course, it was hard for me to leave the team, or finally give up the thing I already loved, and once saved me from feeling lonely. It was never easy for me to decide. But playing shouldn’t be my always priority because something big awaits me, and I’m looking forward to it.

I knew from the very beginning that I’d come to the point that I would give up playing for my personal passion. There’s a big responsibility ahead of me, waiting. I want to be good in the field of medicine. And my passion is now the priority. I wanted to become a great physician.

Before I decide to make an announcement about my departure from the team, I gave everything a thought. I didn’t make a decision right away. I made sure first that once I made a final decision, I would have no regrets in the end. And I should be accountable for what I think I will be really proud about. I had to choose the one I think is best and sensible for me.

I talked to certain people, those who are special to me. I asked them if I should really leave playing, if it’s just okay. And all they told me was to just follow what I wanted, what do I think I really want.

They were right. I am the captain of my own ship, and it is up to me to decide which route I will take.

“It’s okay to choose your passion now. Noong pumasok ka sa team ay sinabi mong libangan mo lang ang paglalaro at hindi ito seryosong bagay sa ‘yo. Kaya nga noong maraming offer ang tinanggihan mo ay hindi kita pinilit. Kasi noon pa lang ay nilinaw mo na sa akin na hindi ka habang-buhay maglalaro,” he said every words more clealer to me. I sneered. Playing shouldn’t be serious, pero sa huli ay sineryoso ko at minahal pa. “Thankful ako kasi nakilala kita, Nectarine. Isa ka sa pinaka-magaling na hinawakan ko.”