The Last Rule

Prologue

"I only have 5 rules in this team"  

Clack

Done!

Finally, natapos ko na ang paper work na pinapagawa ni papa. I shook my head and stretched my arms dahil bahagyang nangawit. He made me do his paper works so that he can train his players.

"Ang susuway sa rules ko ay automatic tanggal sa team, understood?"

"YES COACH!"

After training, they will go here to rest and have a meeting. Sanay na ako because they do this everytime.

"Rule No. 1: Bawal ang pikon. I-enjoy lang ang bawat game, wag iinit ang ulo."

My father was well-known in playing basketball. According to stories, many girls are after him. In fact, that's how he met my mother.

"Rule No. 2: Ayokong may nale-late. Make sure to arrive sharp or earlier than the call time. Whether it's a game or training."

Papa loves basketball, it's his passion. But he has to stop playing because he got Mama pregnant at a young age and he need to find a job. He got old and can't play the same as when he was younger so he just decided to make his own team and mentor some young dreamers.

"Rule No. 3: Walang makikipag-away. Whether sa teammate, opponent, audience, or referee."

I can clearly hear them because Papa's old computer is located beside the door at sila Papa ay nasa terrace lang.

"Sabi ni Papa mo, i-print mo raw 'yan" i nodded when mama whispered. She probably gave some snacks to the players dahil kadaraan lang niya sa tabi ko kanina na may hawak na mga juice at biscuits. Hindi manlang ako binigyan.

"Rule No. 4: Walang mag-iinom before game or before training. Don't worry at magpapa-inom naman ako every after game except pag may laro the next day."

The players all shouted in celebration when they heard the last part of Papa's statement that made me chuckle a little bit.

Toot Toot

The printer is out of paper. It means I need to go to the cabinet across me to get a paper, which means makikita nila ako.

Hindi naman sa nahihiya ako sa kanila or anything, it's just that I'm wearing a really short shorts and a cropped tank top and I don't feel comfortable showing myself to them with this outfit and Papa will definitely be mad at me pag nakita niya akong ganito ang suot knowing na maraming lalaki ngayon sa bahay.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't know that they are coming this early and the weather is so hot and I've been working on the paper for how many hours straight and I really don't want to stand up or do anything else when I haven't finished what i am currently doing.

So, i just grabbed the sheets of the nearest sofa and covered my body in it and calmly walked to the cabinet. I saw their heads turned to me on my peripheral vision so I have to look at them and smile back when some of them smiled and nodded when some of them also does.

I don't feel shy around them. Actually, i'm quite comfortable because some of them are my cousins and we are all living in the same barangay. Kilalang-kilala na namin ang bawat isa.

"Rule No. 5: Walang manliligaw kay Sola. Walang poporma."

WHAT??

I can't believe na sinali pa 'yon ni Papa sa rule niya as if may magpapangahas. I mean, they all know how strict he is and the fact that I have two older brothers.

"Pa, as if may magkakagusto kay Nana"

Yeah right, isa lang pala ang kuya ko. Wala palang kwenta 'yong isa. I just rolled my eyes when I heard laughter outside as if they can really see me.

"Kahit ikaw pa ang best player, kahit ikaw lang ang bumubuhat sa team. Tatanggalin kita pag pinormahan mo ang unica hija ko. Naiintindihan?"

"YES COACH!"