Chasing The Sunset

PROLOGUE

Hindi ka pa pumapasok sa loob, dinig mo na ang sigawan ng mga tao. Nakakasilaw ang mga ilaw tuwing tumatapat ito sa iyong mata. You can see banners, different faces of the players on cardboard, balloons, etc. I can't help but to smile because I can see in their eyes that some of them are tense.

Unang araw pa lang ng PVL ay dinumog agad ng tao. Sabagay, we're against the defending champion team. It's not my first time playing in an arena, but after years of playing outside, it feels like it's my first time again. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as my teammate asks me if I am okay.

"I'm a little nervous," I said as I smiled. She held my hands and told me, "It's okay to feel nervous; it's your first time inside the court after years!"

My teammates have been very kind to me ever since I came back from Germany. Even though I have a lot of experience already, nung tumungtong ako sa loob ng court feel ko para pa rin akong rookie. I was trying my best to keep up with them. They're so professional and so great!

Nagsisimula na ang opening at bawat pagtawag sa pangalan ng kabilang team ay halos lahat ay chine-cheer sila. As the speaker called for our team's name, I tried to calm myself.

"And last but not least, ang nagbabalik! Middle Blocker from the University of Santo Tomas Number 16, Amelia Corazon!" As I high-five my teammates and coaches, I can hear the loud cheers.

Pumunta na ako sa loob ng court, as our team captain reminded some rules to us. "Okay, good luck, and let's enjoy!" She hyped us up and patted my head.

I was looking up at the monitor because they were introducing the coaches. I got shy when I saw my face, agad ko namang tinakpan ang mukha. The cheers got louder and louder as the game started.

I am a middle blocker, so I tried my best to block the ball, but it's hard to keep up with the opposing team. "Corazooooon!" The speaker said when I scored.

I smiled at my teammates. "Let's go!" Ate Myra, our outside hitter, said. They always pat my head, which is cute because I feel like their little sister.

I got one-on-one with the opposite hitter of the opposing team, but the ball did not pass on our side. I was shocked constantly. I covered my mouth as I turned to my teammates. "Ang galing mo!" Ate Jenn cupped my face.

The first set is about to be done. "Amelia!" Ate Julia shouted, our setter. Nag-bwelo ako ng kaunti at tsaka hinampas ang bolang ni-set ni Ate Julia. The set was quick enough to not determine if it was in or out.

"Oh, we have a challenge!" The speaker said. The opposing team's coach challenged that the ball was out.

"In po, coach," I told him, to our coach. He was smiling at me, and then thumbed up to assured that he believes me. Kinakabahan ako na baka out, but I was sure it was in. My teammates comforted me as we watched the monitor, and the challenge failed because it was in.

The first set has ended, so we have a couple of minutes to rest. They gave us water and a towel as the coach gave us some reminders. It was a change of court, so we need to go to the other side, where the opposing team is.

I am the quietest player on our team; you can't hear me shouting inside the court. My teammates are the ones who are loud in court, and it benefits me. Hindi ako napapagod sumigaw.

The second set was heated, and the opposing team was trying to keep up with our score. "Amelia!" Ate Julia set the ball. As the ball approached, I jumped as high as I could to match the opposing player's height.

I hit as hard as I could, and it passed through the three blockers. I watched the ball fall to the floor before turning to my teammates. Parang nailabas ko ata lahat ng sama ng loob ko sa hampas na 'yon.

"Another challenge from Cherry Tiggo!" The speaker said. I tilted my head as I read their challenge: net touch? I didn't touch the net.

"Wala po, coach," I said as I wiggled my hands. "Hindi ko po na-touch," I said, smiling.

My teammates high-fived me because the other blocker from the opposing team was the one who touched it. The game started again. Na-long ball nila ang bola kaya't agad na hinampas ko pabalik sa side nila. Napa-gilid ko ang ulo ko dahil muntikan na nila 'tong mahabol pero sa maling direksyon napunta.

The opposing team requested a timeout. While I was drinking my gatorade, I saw someone familiar near the entrance. He was standing firm with crossed arms and watching my movements like a hawk. Agad na sumibol ang kaba nang makikilala siya.

Why is he here? Does he have a girlfriend who is playing? Umiwas ako ng tingin at tumabi na lang sa teammates ko. I tried looking back at him, and he is still watching me!

"Kunti na lang!" Ate Myra said. I smiled and nodded. Pumunta ako sa pwesto ko sa harapan at hinanda ang sarili. I tried to focus, but I couldn't because of that man.

While I was trying to block the ball, namali ang outside hitter ng opposing team causing me to stumble. Instead of falling on the floor smoothly, natapakan ko ang paa, which caused me to stumble and fall on my knees. I closed my eyes as I felt the pain in my left knee. I heard the whistle and felt Ate Myra's touch on me.

"Masakit po," I said, still closing my eyes. I can't bear the pain. Sobrang sakit talaga, parang may nag-pop sa left knee ko. I was controlling my breath.

"She needs immediate care," I heard a familiar voice say. "I am a doctor."

I opened my eyes, and I saw him... "Kaya mo ba tumayo?" He asked me. I nodded. "Is it okay to touch you?" He asked me again. "Yes," I said softly. His gaze softened as they tried to pull me up.

As I walk towards the benches, I can hear the opposing team's fans booing me. I can't help but feel sorry for myself. Hindi naman ako uma-arte, masakit talaga siya.

He held my knee and examined it. He's an orthopedic doctor, so hinayaan na lang siya ng mga medical assistant dito. "Masakit 'to, kaya I need you to tell me if I can go on or not. Ayos ba?"

I nodded. Napapikit na lang ako when he tried resting my joints. Hindi ko na alam ang sunod na ginawa niya dahil nakapikit na lang ako. "You can open your eyes now, Corazon."

It was already wrapped. "Thank you," I said. "You need to have it examined to determine if it needs surgery," he said. "You need to go to the hospital. I'll take you."

"No," I said firmly. "I can refer to some doctors out there."

"I'm the best doctor in the industry, Miss Corazon," he said, smirking.

Napa-irap ako, "I know, Kairo. But I don't like you to be my doctor."

Mas lalong lumawak ang kaniyag ngiti nung narinig ang sinabi ni coach Paulo. "He's the best of the best orthopedic doctors, Amelia." "You need to heal as soon as possible; you also want that, right?"

"See? Even your coach said I am the best." Kairo smiled.

I crossed my arms and watched the game. He is Kairo Jade Vergara, an orthopedic doctor, a graduate of Summa Cum Laude at the University of the Philippines—Manila, top 1 in the Physician Licensure Exam, and my ex.

I don't know why he is acting so casual with me; I know that he's mad. I think he's kind right now because I have an injury, and he pities me. Because the last time we met, sinumpa niya na hinding-hindi na kami magkikita.

But guess who's watching me play? Him.

"I will take care of you for the next few months," he said as he read the x-ray results. "You have a left knee injury. You need to rest for the next four-six months or else you'll suffer from the anterior cruciate ligament, also known as the ACL."

"What about my career?" I asked him.

"No volleyball for now. But the good news is, you can still play after you recover," he said.

"The PVL," I can't help but to tear up.

He sighed. "PVL is not important right now, Corazon," he said.

"You don't understand," I said. "It's my passion! It's my first time playing again inside the court! I want to win."

"I know," he said, his gaze softening. "I know that you want to win. It's a game, and of course you want to be the best."

"You clearly don't understand me. If you don't care about your health, then I care. Please, I will help you go through it, and I want you to help yourself too," he tried to comfort. "I guess you're stuck with me, Tigress."