16 & 16

Epilogue

[THIRD PERSON POV]

"Pangit mo mag-set."

"Wow ah," Cassie scoffs habang naglalagay ng baby powder sa mga kamay niya, "Baka gusto mong 'di na kita bigyan ng bola?"

"Joke lang!" Agad na binawi ni y/n yung pang-asar niya, "Alam ko namang 'di 'yan totoo. 'Di mo 'yun kayang gawin sakin, unless gusto mong mag-war ulit tayo?"

"Tama 'yan, Carballo, wag mo na bigyan si y/n ng bola," Bella joins in as she closes her water tumbler, "Sakin mo na lang ibigay lahat ng play. Halatang may favoritism ka sa spikers mo eh."

"Favoritism ka diyan–"

Y/n is about to answer Bella, but she gets interrupted by someone hugging her from the back.

"Hayaan mo sila, Y/Ln," Detdet says, "Basta para sakin, ang galing mo sa floor defense today. Ikaw na lang kaya mag-libero?"

"Baliw, wala nang mas magaling sayo, Det," Y/n laughs habang binababa 'yung water tumbler niya, "Huy, patapos na timeout, 'di tayo nakikinig kay Coach."

Agad na pumunta silang apat sa kung nasaan si 'yung coach nila and the rest of their teammates. Agad na nilabas ng coach nila 'yung whiteboard niya na may magnets, and he starts to explain the game plan to them.

Alam ko na ano tumatakbo sa mga utak niyo. Ano nangyayari? Magkakateam na silang apat? Sino 'yung coach?

Graduate na sila from the UAAP league, and the four of them are now players in the Premier Volleyball League.

But...sad to say, hiwa-hiwalay sila ng teams for the PVL. Kahit na plinano nila Y/n at Cassie magsama ulit like the old days, hindi naging possible dahil sa PVL Rookie Draft.

Wala talaga silang control sa kung saang team sila mapupunta, dahil pinili sila. Silang apat pa 'yung top four picks during the draft, at nakuha ng iba't ibang team, kaya wala talagang chance na makukuha sila ng iisang team lang. Kaya hanggang sa professional league, hindi na rin magkakampi sila Y/n at Cassie.

Pero...hindi 'yun 'yung league kung saan sila naglalaro ngayon.

They're now at the AVC Challenge Cup, playing under one team: Alas Pilipinas.

"Fight, girls!" Coach Jorge shouts as the buzzer goes off, signaling the end of the timeout, "This is yours!"

The players join hands in the middle of the huddle, and Detdet, as their captain, shouts "Laban, Pilipinas!"

"PUSO!" They shout in unison.

They make our way back to the court, and are now facing the tall and mighty Team Australia. It's currently the fourth set of the game, with Alas Pilipinas winning the first and third set. The score is currently 22-20, in favor of Alas Pilipinas.

Cassie positions herself in front of the net, and does the hand sign signaling that the next play will be a play Y/n.

Y/n is determined to get this next point. After all, alam niyang pinagkakatiwalaan siya ni Cassie. 

It still feels surreal for the both of them that years ago, they were just playing volleyball outside Cassie's house, putting accidental dents and marks on their gate.

Then, they moved on to playing in school intramurals, as well as leagues being hosted in Silay, their hometown.

Then, they reached their dream of playing in the UAAP. Even though they weren't together in one team, they were still proud to watch each other reach their lifelong dream.

Then, they were drafted for the Premier Volleyball League. Though they play for different teams, they're still proud of each other. And at the end of the day, what's important to the both of them is that...they come home to each other.