Invisible String | CaitBea

I - On career goals and future plans

Caitlin's POV

The conference just ended and we managed to bag the silver this year. We were all celebrating because the management announced that they will renew our contract for this year. At least, I won't be stressed now that my contract with Choco Mucho is ending. Ang hirap din lalo na't wala pa akong na re receive na offers from the other team.

"Cait, you look so distant. May problema ba?" Bea managed to get my attention. We were currently at our team's Christmas party. While the others are enjoying the night, here I am with my thoughts - mostly regarding my future with this team.

"Wala naman, napapaisip lang din ako ng future plans ko. You know this year, I get to experience being the starting six, and I am happy with that. It's just that naiisip ko, will I ever get more playing time in the next conferences?" Talking with Bea, I can bare anything. Hindi ako natatakot na mag open up sa kanya, kasi ever since naman, there is no judgment from her end. She makes sure that she listens.

"You know that I am leaving the team for the exact reason, right? Don't get me wrong, I love the team, but there is this part of me that is yearning for growth, and I don't see myself growing here anymore." It was not yet known to the public, but Bea and Ate Den will transfer to Creamline starting next year. Medyo malungkot lang noong una since Bea and I have been inseparable these past few conferences, we became more than just roomies, more than ball partners, we became the best of friends.

It will be very hard for me to adjust and accept that Bea and I will become rivals again in court.

"I know naman Bei, it's just that for me, I don't have options yet. I want to grow rin and explore more opportunities but right now, I only have the renewal of contract from Choco Mucho. Isa pa, hindi rin ako sure kung kaya ko na ba talaga. Wala ka na nga, iiwan ko pa ba sila Isa at Thang?"

Bea did not say a word, instead, she just rested my head on her shoulders and gave me a tap on my head.

"We'll figure this out Cait, don't stress yourself too much." She then proceeded to drag me back to the party so we could enjoy the rest of the night.

Bahala na siguro.

---

It is currently December 23, nasa bahay lang ako sa Cavite and I am just browsing my phone. Walang gaanong ganap ngayon kasi most of my team mates ay umuwi sa kanilang province. Bea, on the other hand, will go to San Francisco after Christmas.

I decided to check my email, ewan ko ba pero nung naging 20 plus na ako, naging routine ko na rin na i check yung email ko. Ganito ata talaga kapag nasa adulting phase na.

My eyes went wide when I saw an email from Farm Fresh management with the subject "Offer - Caitlin Viray (Opposite Spiker)" Sa sobrang kaba ko, hindi ko magawang buksan yung email. Parang kahapon lang pinag-uusapan namin ni Bea na wala pa akong offer from other teams, pero ngayon eto na. Ang lakas talaga ng manifestation skills ni Bea.

Una kong naisipang gawin ay mag video call kay Bea. This is the type of moment that I want to share with her.

It took several rings before she answered. Nakahiga lang siya sa kama ngayon and mukhang kakagising lang din.

"Bei, busy ka? May i share sana ako sa'yo" Napabangon bigla si Bea and nakita ko na umayos siya ng upo.

"Di naman gaano, ano yon?" I started sharing my screen and pumunta ako sa email ko.

"Kita mo ba to?" I said while hovering over Farm Fresh management's email

Kitang kita ko na nanlaki yung mata niya, she looks more excited than me tho.

"Holy shit, Cait! Open mo na dali!"

I clicked on the email and opened the attached document. Bea and I were scanning the contents of the offer and I was shocked to see that they are offering me a huge increase from what I currently earn from Rebisco.

Bea and I exchanged surprised looks after seeing the offer from Farm Fresh, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala!

"I am so happy for you, Cait! Sobrang deserve mo 'yan!"

I, on the other hand, is still in shock.

"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, pero i didiscuss ko rin muna to kay Mama and sa manager ko kung paano ba best approach"

We talked more about Farm Fresh and my career goals for the next few years.

"Oo nga pala Cait, I won't be able to see you for the next few weeks dahil nasa San Francisco kami." Inirapan ko lang siya kasi lumalabas na naman yung pagka clingy niya sa akin.

"Baliw, pagbalik mo naman dito, araw araw naman uli tayo magkikita kahit magkaiba na tayo ng team" I reminded her kasi baka nakakalimutan niya na mag kapitbahay lang naman kami. Same condo, same floor, but different unit.

"Kahit na, I'll still miss my best friend, di ako sanay na di ka na bu-bully." Ayan, nagsisimula nanaman siyang mambwisit sakin.

"Sus, if I know, kasama naman si VM sa trip niyo. Huwag ka nga Bea, alam kong kinikilig ka lang diyan." Pambibwisit ko rin sa kanya. Si VM yung isa sa mga na li-link kay Bea. Actually, ang daming na li-link kay Bea, pero kahit isa wala namang totoo.

After saying that, bigla na lang nagbago yung mood niya. Bigla siyang tumahimik, very different from her goofy self.

"Ilang beses ko naman na sinabi sayong hindi naman kami and never nagkaroon ng kami. Kasama siya kasi family friend siya, purely platonic lang talaga kami."

"Oh darling huwag ka na mag explain, alam ko naman yun, gusto lang talaga kita inisin. At least, matatabunan muna yung CaitBea diba?" Hirit ko pa, alam kong at this point inis na inis na si Bea sakin.

Wala rin naman kasing CaitBea, what we have at the moment is purely platonic, at least sa side ko. We are super close to the point na kasama siya most of the time kapag may family outing kami. Mapilit at clingy din kasi siya, gusto niya na laging kasama ako. This goes the same for her as well, kapag may lakad siya with her other best friends, sinasama rin niya ako. Never pina-feel sa akin ni Bea na naiiwan ako.

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Caitlin Viray. Kuhang kuha mo na naman yung inis ko ngayon!"

We talked for a few more hours and we only had to stop nung kailangan ko na mag charge. Ganito kami lagi ni Bea, kaya rin siguro marami nag a assume na may something kami kasi iba rin talaga yung closeness namin, but we really are just friends.

---

Sure ka bang friends lang talaga, darling? ;)

A/N:
Let me know your thoughts?

Disclaimer: This story is PURELY fictional.