Dying Embers

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty: She's Back

"I can't believe it. Ngayon lang tayo nakasali sa championship, a?" Dinig na dinig ko ang tawa ni Henry sa mga kasamahan niya.

"Kapag naipanalo natin 'to, makakatapak na rin tayo sa wakas sa CUAA."

"Kung... hindi ka eengot-engot."

"Fuck you, Cloud!"

"Stop calling me Cloud."

The game ended earlier, marking the team's second win in a row. The baseball tournament consists of eight teams, and it follows a knockout format. Each team has to win their match to advance to the next round, inching closer to the championship.

Out of the eight teams, only three will earn a title—champion, first place, and second place. The second-place title is decided in a "lose vs. lose" game, where the two teams that lose their semi-final matches compete for the runner-up spot.

Nasa tabi ko si Chance, nasa bench pa rin kami kasama ang mga teammates niya, dinig na dinig ko ang mga kalokohan nila, pero ang focus ko ay kay Chance. Ang Coach naman nila ay nakikipag-usap sa mga ibang Coaches ng ibang school. Ramdam ko ang bawat paghinga niya.

It's already 5 PM.

He's tired. I just knew it.

"Makakapunta ka ba ulit dito bukas?" Tanong niyang bigla.

Tumango ako, "Pero hindi ko alam kung dito ako ulit  sa inyo naka-assign."

"Well, sabihin mo sa kanila na dito ka."

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "It's not like that, Chance. Sir Prim's the one who decides where we need to be stationed. We just go wherever he assigns us—it's our responsibility, after all."

"E 'di makipag-palit ka sa ibang officers kung sakali."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, "Chance..."

He's at it again, alright.

He sighed, defeated, "I'm kidding. Gusto ko lang naman makita kita habang naglalaro ako. You know I'm at my best when you're around, Nieve. Besides..." he trailed, kinuha niya ang kamay ko at pinag-intertwine 'yon sa kaniya, "Championship na namin bukas."

Hinigpitan ko rin ang kamay kong hawak niya to assure him, "I'll try to catch up no matter what."

I saw a glint in his eyes, "Talaga?"

Tumango ako at ngumiti.

"Anyway, bukas pa namin makukuha phones namin. Anong sasakyan mo pauwi?" he asked.

"May transpo kami, gamit namin 'yong school van. Hinihintay ko na lang mag-text si Heather."

"Then ano sasakyan mo pauwi after kayo makarating sa school?"

"Baka magta-taxi na lang ako."

Nabigla ako nang biglang sinandal niya ang kaniyang ulo sa balikat ko, mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko na kanina pa niya hawak, "Sorry kung hindi kita maihahatid. Mag-ingat ka pauwi."

Tumango ako.

"Text me when you get home, kahit hindi ko pa 'yan mareply'an."

"Okay."

"Hindi ka pa nakakauwi pero miss na miss na naman kita kaagad."

Napangiti ako. Always the clingy Chance. Well I guess we're on the same boat.

"Ako rin."

Natigilan lang kami nang tumunog ang phone ko.

Heather: