16 & 16

Prologue

"Cassie Carballo, 21, Silay City!"

"O, talaga?" I say, immediately scrolling down to the next TikTok video. Kailangan agad-agad mawala pagmumukha nun sa screen ko, kundi masisira agad araw ko umaga pa lang.

Narinig ko 'yung pagtawa ni Bella sa tabi ko, kaya agad ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay.

"Tawa ka diyan," I say, shaking my head sideways, "Walang nakakatawa."

"Hay nako, y/n," She says, laughing harder, "'Yan ka na naman sa pagiging hater ni Carballo. Ano ba kasi ginawa sayo niyan?"

I turn my phone off and set it down on the floor, before crossing my arms over my chest.

"Basta," I say, not wanting the memories to resurface, "Wag mo na alamin. Baka pati ikaw, pumangit tingin mo sa kanya. Tsaka ayaw ko na rin ikwento kasi ayaw ko na maalala."

"Pareho pa naman kayo ng jersey number," Bella laughs, pointing at the #16 on my team training shirt, "Ganyan na ba kayo dati pa?"

"Oo, pareho kasi naming lucky number." I answer simply.

"Eh bat hindi mo na palitan jersey number mo? Para hindi na kayo magkapareho?" Bella asks, "Para hindi ka na mainis pag naaalala mo na matchy kayo."

"Ang tagal ko ng jersey number 'to," I answer, "May sentimental value na siya sakin. Kung may dapat magpalit para hindi na kami magkapareho, siya na lang. Pero sure din akong hindi siya papayag."

I sigh, and try my best to brush off the thought of Cassie. Kasi once magsimula utak kong maalala siya, babalik na naman lahat ng matagal ko na gusto makalimutan.

It's not helping that now, grabe bigla 'yung pagsikat ni Cassie. Kahit saang social media platform, sa Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, nakikita ko mukha niya tsaka edits ng highlights niya.

Sobrang wala akong takas sa kanya. Kahit saan ako tumingin, the world reminds me of her existence.

May ibang araw naman na wala akong pakialam pag lumilitaw siya sa fyp ko, agad ko lang scinoscroll nang walang nararamdaman.

Pero today, naiirita ako eh. Siguro dahil malapit na namin sila makalaban sa Finals Game 1 ng UAAP Season 86, kaya dumadagdag gigil ko sa kanya.

"Eh kung kaya i-mute mo na lang name niya or pindutin mo 'yung not interested para tanggalin na siya sa algorithm mo?" Bella suggests as she fixes her knee pads, "Tagal mo na nagrereklamo, 'di mo naman ginagawan ng solusyon."

"Eh kasi, gusto ko i-prove na unbothered ako, kaya ayaw ko mag mute mute ganun," I say, shrugging, "Which is true naman most of the time, unbothered naman ako. Siguro naiinis lang ako ngayon kasi alam kong makakalaban natin sila."

"Daming alam," Bella laughs, "Tignan mo, kaka-unbothered unbothered mo diyan ikaw na lang hindi ready."

She stands up from the gym floor and stretches her back, "Baka masyado mong iniinda 'yung inis kasi makakalaban natin sila, na nakalimutan mong magtrtraining pa tayo ah."

I frown as I put my kneepads on, "Eto na, magreready na."

Once I'm done putting my kneepads on and adjusting my ponytail, sakto na pumasok si Coach Norman.

"Tayo ka na diyan, huy," Bella says, making her way towards the center of the court, "Magsisimula na tayo."

I get up from the floor as Coach Norman gestures for all of us to go to the center of the court before training starts.

"Okay, girls, Game 1 na in a few days," He says, "Alam natin na malakas tayo, pero we still also need to acknowledge the strengths of the other team. Alam natin na nasa kanila ang rookie of the year, best libero tsaka best setter, and alalahanin din natin 'yung dalawang kaliweteng attackers nila."

Tumayo ako sa tabi ni Bella habang nakikinig kaming lahat kay Coach.

"Unang una diyan, 'yung captain nila, si Pepito," I nudge Bella sa tagiliran niya, inaasar ko lang siya dahil sa playful rivalry nila ni Detdet, "Please lang, gawin niyo lahat ng makakaya niyo para maiwasan siya. Walang wala sa kanya 'yung mga attacks natin pag sumasakto sa posisyon niya, ano nga tawag sa kanya? Pepi, Pepu, Puto–"

"Detdet Peputo, Coach." Bella finishes for him.

"Oo, basta 'yun," Coach nods, "Targetin niyo na lahat, wag lang si Pepito. More often than not, marereceive niya 'yan."

"Pangalawa diyan, si Carballo," He says, kaya ginawa sakin pabalik ni Bella 'yung ginawa kong pag-elbow ng tagiliran niya kanina, "Hindi natin kayang i-deny na sobrang talino niyang setter,"

"Alam niya kung pano gamitin teammates niya, mabilis siya mag-isip under pressure, tsaka nagagawa niyang pumuntos dahil sa 1-2 plays niya..."

I intentionally space out, really not in the mood to listen to Coach talk about how "great" and "smart" Cassie is. I don't need constant reminders that she's now a "brilliant star setter," or whatever it is they call her.

Sobrang hater ko pakinggan, but it's the truth. The last thing I want to know nowadays is how Cassie is doing, and how good she's doing at UST. Sobrang wala akong pakialam kung siya may pinaka-maraming service ace ngayon tsaka kung siya best setter of the season. 

Hearing the name "Cassie Carballo" makes me feel annoyed and angry sometimes. But more often than not, hearing her name makes me feel... nothing. And I'm sure she feels the same way whenever she hears mine.

I know that rivalries are supposed to stay in the constraints of the volleyball court, but I can't help it. She's a rival on the court, and an even bigger rival off the court.

And I also know that hate is a strong word, but again, I can't help it.

I hate Cassie Carballo.