Always Been You

Chapter 38

Serenity

Everyone cheered as the last hit of the ball in my hand made the score that gave us the win. I was still looking at where the ball landed after I spiked it hard. I still can't believe we defeated Cerberus. The team we couldn't beat for several years. The number two in the league and one of the strongest in the country.

I just fell my knees on the floor, stunned, crying as I couldn't believe what was happening.

Panalo kami?

Napatingin ako sa taong nakatayo sa harapan ko na nakangiti. I can see in her beautiful face how proud she was to me. Zep didn't hesitate to set the ball to me. The last point we made was very crucial because the 3rd set reached 35-34. The last point for us and we will get the game 2. Everyone is tired but none of us give up.

Even though two people were ready in front of me to block my spike, Zep still trusted me. Blaire was out of position because she was chasing the ball to save it when Rioma dropped the ball and I was the only spiker in front.

"You can do it, Baby." these were Zep's last words before setting the ball to me. I didn't think about anything else and jumped to meet Zep's perfect set.

"Finals, Baby!" She said happily and raised her hands to ask for a hug. I quickly stood up to hug her tightly and cried even more on her shoulder.

"B-baby. We did it."

"Yes. We did it. Na survive natin ang long thrilling 3rd set. Walang sumuko sating lahat." Tumango tango na lang ako sa kanya dahil hindi ko pa rin mahanap ang boses ko sa sobrang saya ng nararamdaman ko.

"Let's go to your parents." Bulong sakin ni Zep kaya napahiwalay ako ng yakap sa kanya.

"Coach!" Lahat sila ay nagsipagtakbuhan kung san nakatayo si Mommy at Mama na habang masaya kaming pinapanood. Kaya napasama kami ni Zep na pumunta sa kanila at nakiyakap na din sa kanila.

Kung dati ay umiiyak kami dahil hindi kami nakapasok sa finals ngayon ay iba na. Malaki ang naging impact samin ni Zep. Nag iba ang playing style namin dahil sa kanya. Binoost nya ang confidence ng bawat myembro ng team kaya mas lalo kaming nagtiwala sa sarili naming kakayahan.

"Thank you." Buong puso kong sabi sa katabi ko habang hindi pa rin nito binibitawan ang kamay ko. Napangiti ito.

"Our victory was a result of hard work, teamwork, and unyielding determination. We had earned our place in the finals, and our journey was far from over. This is one of my promises to you, Baby. At hindi ko ito matutupad ng wala ka sa tabi ko. Kayong lahat? Hindi ko ito kaya ng mag isa lang."

"I know. But of course, ikaw ang isa sa malaking naitulong sa team na 'to. Kung hindi ka pa dumating? Maybe we are still the same as before. Parang tumatak na lang sa isip namin na hanggang 4th place lang kami. We struggle to pick ourselves up every time we lose. Pero nabago lahat ng pananaw namin nung bumalik ka."

Hindi nya ko sinagot bagkos ay hinatak nya ko palapit sa kanya para halikan sa labi na agad ko namang ginantihan. Natigil lang kami ng maghiyawan ang nasa paligid namin at may tumamang bottled water na walang laman sa ulo ni Zep.

Syempre, sino pa ang may kagagawan? Kundi si Rainey na lagi na lang panira ng moment namin ni Zep.

Kakalabas ko lang ng shower room at napansin ko na lang na nakaligpit na ang lahat ng gamit ko. Mukhang inayos na ni Zep habang hindi pa ko tapos maligo. Hindi kami sabay dahil alam nyang galit pa ko sa kanya kaya binibigyan nya ko ng space.

"Nasan si Zep?" Tanong ko kay Mau dahil isa din ito sa mga tapos ng maligo.

"Kakalabas lang nya."

Agad ko namang kinuha ang di kabigatang bag ko dahil nasa bag ni Zep ang halos lahat ng gamit namin. Nagmamadali ako dahil mamaya ay may kausap na naman itong babae. Malilintikan na talaga sya sakin.