Chapter 13
Sa buong araw, wala akong ginawa kundi mag-habol ng mga backlogs. It was a productive day. Rainier called me during lunch, and we talked for a bit. I checked in with the guys every few hours to get updates on how the game was going.
According to Kuya Mico, they managed to sneak in a win that garnered them a spot for the qualifying round. Sila ang kasama ni Daddy na dumating sa bahay ng pasado alas sais na ng gabi. Apat lang sila, si Kuya Mico, Kuya Evan, Kuya Laz, at Kuya Soren. Humiwalay na raw ang iba pagkarating nila ng Tuguegarao.
"Sama ka na bukas, ah." Umakbay si Kuya Soren sa akin habang palabas kami ng bakuran.
"Okiedokies," I replied and yawned. "Anong oras simula ng laro niyo bukas?"
"Alas otso raw, e. Unang laro kami. Sabi ni Papi alas singko ulit ang biyahe para maaga ro'n." Tugon niya at binitawan ako.
"Okay, ingat kayo pauwi, Kuya." Sabi ko habang pinapanood silang umangkas sa mga motor nila.
Si Kuya Laz at Kuya Evan ang magkasama habang si Kuya Mico at Kuya Soren naman sa isa. Kumaway ako at bumusina naman sila bago humarurot palayo.
Rainier called me again that night when I told him I had nothing to do. We talked about what had happened with our days even though we updated each other throughout the day. Nabanggit ko sa kaniya ang tungkol sa laro nina Kuya Soren kanina.
"May tanong ako," sabi ni Rainier nang pagkatapos kong sabihin na baka sumama ako bukas sa kanila.
"Hmmm?" Tumikhim ako.
"Paano mo naging close sina Soren? Dahil ba coach nila si Daddy mo?" Tanong niya.
Ngumuso ako at pinag-isipan kung anong sasabihin. "Uh... kind of. Nakilala ko 'yong iba sa kanila, sina Kuya Soren, no'ng nasa elementary pa lang ako. PE teacher nila dati si Daddy tapos coach din. I was always hanging around with them while growing up."
"Ah," he drawled, "kaya pala."
"Yeah," I smiled a little.
He changed the topic and asked about my father's career in the PBA. I'm not that familiar with my father's PBA career since I was only a kid back then, even when he retired. I heard things growing up and tried to research him a few times.
He only played for almost eleven years before he retired. He had a good reputation and played for three different teams. I can still remember how people recognized him whenever we went out as a family when Mama was still alive. His fame slowly toned down throughout the years when he retired, and now, he's just known as the 'dating PBA player.'
We talked more about other things, filling each other with little details about ourselves. I can't help but admire how easy it was to talk about things with him. He's comfortable to talk with, and I can't help but like him more for that.
It was past eleven when we finished talking. Halos dalawang oras din kaming nag-usap, hindi ko namalayan. After bidding each other good night, I replied to chats before finally dozing off.
Malakas na katok ni Daddy ang gumising sa akin. May mga naririnig akong boses sa labas ng bahay. I grunted and covered my face with a pillow.
"Anthea! Ano? Sasama ka ba?" Malakas na tanong ni Daddy mula sa labas ng kwarto.
Tinanggal ko ang unan sa mukha at kumurap. Madilim ang kwarto maliban sa kaunting liwanag na tumatagos mula sa bintana. Napabalikwas ako nang makitang halos alas singko na sa digital clock na nakapatong sa lamesa. Shit, pupunta nga pala kaming Lal-lo!
"Wait lang, Dy!" Mabilis akong tumayo at bahagya pang nahilo dahil sa pagkabigla.
"Bilisan mo! Nasa baba na sina Mico!" Tugon niya bago ko narinig ang yapak niya paalis.
