Game Plan

07

We had a few days rest from training. First reason was to let our body rest after the tournament, and second was it was their finals. 

And that meant a  few days without seeing him and hearing from him. I focused on graduation practice and clearance most of the time, but nothing can make me too busy to not think of him every once in a few hours... few minutes? 

Pero ngayong araw ay magbabalik training na kami. 

"Huwag ka na kaya muna umattend? Next week na ang graduation mo, eh. Baka mamaya ay mapilayan ka pa o kung ano man." Dad told me. He's been extra protective. Dahil ito sa kasabihan tungkol sa mga graduating students. 

"But I want to train, Dad. I have always been cautious so you have nothing to worry about." I replied while refilling my flask with cold water. "Suot ko na pati pang-training ko. Ang kulang na lang ay umagkas na ako sa motor at makarating sa field." 

I heard him sigh. "Kanino mo ba namana iyang hindi mo pagsunod sa mga sinasabi?" 

"Kanino pa ba?" I asked back. The answer is pretty obvious. Mas malala pa nga siya noong bata siya. 

Wala na siyang nagawa nang sumunod ako sa kaniya palabas ng bahay. Balak pa nga yata niya ay iwan ako pero mabilis akong umangkas. 

Aside from my true desire to continue football practice, there is also one reason why I want to attend. Ilang araw ko na kaya siyang hindi nakikita. And never have I thought that I would want to see someone this bad. I haven't had a crush on someone for some time now. 

Crush... Sabi ko ayaw kong gagamitin ang salita na iyon kasi tunog elementary. Pero if that's a word to describe what I feel, then crush it is. 

I greeted Mae and Kathleen when they arrived. I was tying the laces of my cleats so I was looking downwards. 

Then a familiar-looking pair of crocs showed from my peripheral vision. That is when I looked up. He was already staring at me. 

I used my hand to give my face some shade. Nasa likod ng direksyon ni Ven 'yung mismong araw, and it's blinding. 

"Hi, Arrie." 

"Hey." I greeted back. 

That's it? 

Are we back to zero or something? Back to casual? 

Or maybe it really was just a casual thing, the happenings after the tournament at Batangas. Maybe I'm just the one giving meaning to them. 

"Wow, si Arrie lang pati ang binati!" Marcus remarked. 

Sinundan ito ni Kathleen. "Si Arrie lang ba ang tao dito?" 

"Is the UPLB team here in the room with them?" Mae pretended to look around.