Timeless Series #3: A Time For Us

Chapter 1: Ancestral House

Chapter 1: Ancestral House

JULIAN

"Stop being rude, Julian! You've been so disrespectful to everyone! How can you represent your country if your own teammates see you as an enemy and hold a grudge against you? Even the media dislikes you now because of your attitude, and they're only asking for a simple interview! Now the public doesn't want you on the national team because of your harsh behavior!" litanya ni Mommy.

"Hon, enough. Don't stress yourself too much. Ako na ang bahalang kumausap sa anak natin." Dad talked to Mom.

Tiningnan pa ako ni mommy at nagbuntong-hininga na lang siya bago sumunod sa sinabi sa kaniya ni daddy. Pagkatapos ay iniwan na niya kami ni dad.

"Are you still gonna play soccer?" Dad asked me.

Halos masama ko naman siyang tiningnan. "Of course I would. I deserve to be on that damned national team! No one is better than me in this country to represent it in the World Cup!"

Tumangutango naman sa akin si daddy. "Yes, son. I know, I know. But you already got canceled?"

Mas lalo pang sumama ang mga mata ko na nakatingin kay daddy. Nagbuntong-hininga lang naman siya sa pinapakita ko. Sanay na siya sa akin.

"How could they allow the ignorant masses to cancel a prodigy like me? The people of this damned country won't support me just because of my attitude? Instead, they choose to spend their time and energy cheering for those other players who are obvious losers? What is wrong with this country? We'll never win the World Cup!" I frustratedly said.

"All right, all right. Calm down now, son. Hindi ko na alam kung kanino ka nagmana sa ugali mo minsan, at masyado pang mainitin ang ulo mo kagaya ngayon. You exactly look both like me and your mom, though. Pero hindi namin alam kung kanino ka talaga nagmana..."

I glared at dad, but he only chuckled at my reaction. "Listen here, son," Inakbyaan pa niya ako. "You're actually still young, Julian. Kung hindi pa man ngayon, I'm sure the next time. Just be a little kinder to people you meet, okay?"

Dad sighed as he continue to talk to me. "If you join the national team now, you will be the youngest player..."

So what? I'm nineteen now, and I've been waiting for this day to finally participate in the World Cup. If the tournament had been last year, I would have already participated.

I know that the World Cup is a significant event in the world of sports. Kaya nga mas dapat ako na nandoon. I also want to win for my country.

Umiling ako kay daddy. His concern is just probably for the older players on the national team who are said to be intimidated by me. But is it my fault? I didn't do anything.

I don't exactly understand the people of this country. Do they really want to win the World Cup title? I'm starting to doubt it. I think they care more about personal issues. Tsk.

"So what? Players who are eighteen years old can already participate." I said.

Tumango lang muli si daddy sa akin.

"Aren't you going back to Germany?"

I shook my head. "Everyone's preparing for the soccer tournament."

I'm a player for a prestigious German soccer club. I started playing professional soccer when I was 16 in Germany.

I just want to play on the national team for the World Cup tournament. Verdammte Scheiẞe (Damn it)!

Wala naman silang ibang rason para hindi ako kunin sa team kundi dahil sa mga pinakita kong ugali na hindi nagustuhan ng iba. Tapos puro pambabash pa ang mga tao sa akin sa social media. But seriously? Whatever.