Across The Divide (Unbound Duology #1)

prologue

I tried to jump high when I saw that the opponent's opposite hitter was about to approach. I just grinned when the ball hit my palm causing it to return to their court. Their libero tried to save but the referee whistled so I just wiped my forehead with my arm.

I scored!

"Edi ikaw na." Nash joked to me. He's been my teammate slash best friend since elementary school. Hanggang ngayon high school ay magka-schoolmate at teammate pa rin kami. Kung ako ang tatanungin kung nagsasawa na ba ako sa kaniya, sawang-sawa na.

Nash's position is Libero, we are both graduating and this is our final playing year as high school students. I'm really impressed by his receives; hindi na nga halos makagalaw setter namin sa pwesto niya kasi napapasa agad ni Nash. Even with powerful spikes, he manages to dig them. Kumusta na kaya braso nito? Imagine, hindi pa nababali yung sa daming spike ang na-receive niya.

Huwag naman sana, Lord. Knock on wood.

"Mayabang na naman siya." biro naman ni Enzo. Inawat niya ako nang mag-stare down ako sa kalaban. Hindi naman sa mayabang, sila ang nauna. Bumawi lang ako.

Nagsigawan ang mga naka-orange sa loob ng arena. Regional Level na kasi kaya marami-rami ang nanonood. Dagdag pa rito na finals na na rin. Single-Elimination ang format ng tournament. Grabe ang pressure kasi once na matalo kayo ay wala na kayong chance na bumawi. Tanging mga nanalo lang ang makaka-abante sa next round. Kung sino man ang manalo sa match na 'to ay aabante na sa Palarong Pambansa.

Manifesting!! Bigay niyo na sa amin 'to, Lord. Sige na oh.

Last appearance namin sa Palarong Pambansa ay no'ng grade eight pa lamang ako. That was four years ago. Libero pa ako no'n sa sobrang liit ko.

From libero to middle blocker. Grabe ang promotion.

I've been sweating drop by drop, I think I even overcame a new shower with so much sweat. Fourth set na rin kasi kaya tagaktak na talaga mga pawis namin

Lamang kami ng one set sa kalaban. Nakuha namin ang first two sets samantalang nakabawi naman sila sa third set. Hindi gano'n kalaki ang kalamangan namin ngayon sa kalaban with a score of 23-19.

Even though we only need two points, we are still not complacent. Akalain mo ba naman nahabol kami no'ng third set. 24-18 ang score no'n, one point na lang at panalo na kami pero napunta sa kanila ang momentum at hindi kami nakabangon.

"Ikaw na magseserve, baliw." sigaw sa akin ni Nash.

I quickly went to the service line and served the ball once the referee whistled, fortunately Nash immediately told me because it would be a violation if I could not serve the ball and give the opponent an easy point. The arena roared when my serve was converted into a point when I got a service ace.

"Kita mo yun, Nash? Hindi mo kaya yun." pagmamayabang ko kay Nash.

"Kailan pa nagserve ang libero?" nabara pa ako sa pagmamayabang ko.

Bumalik din ako sa service line pagkatapos namin mag-celebrate after maka-score. One point na lang at pasok ulit kami sa finals.

The next serve of mine was a service error, giving the opponent an easy point. And in few minutes, they caught up. The score is 24-23, in favor of our team. Akalain mo yun, nahabol pa talaga kami. I am really impressed by the fighting spirit of our opponent. Hindi agad sila sumusuko!

"Alright, listen up!" Coach A's voice boomed, snapping me out when he asked for a time-out. "Tulad niyo, uhaw rin ang kabilang team na manalo. Hindi natin sila pwedeng maliitin. Focus on your strengths, play smart, and most importantly," he paused, tinignan niya kaming lahat, "trust each other."

"Bigay niyo naman na sa'min 'to oh. Last playing year na namin 'to e." Jace said when our coach asked for a time-out. He's our team captain and this is also his final playing year just like us.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the time-out. As we stepped back onto the court, the roar of the crown in the arena instified. I blew a deep breath as I prepare for the opponent's serve.

"Rizal National High School advances to the Palarong Pambansa!" the arena roared when the opponent's serve didn't get into the net.

Panalo kami! Panalo kami! Hello, Palarong Pambansa!