Dying Embers

Chapter Thirty One

Chapter Thirty One: Make The Most Of It

"Sorry, guys. Palpak 'yong laro ko. If I had gotten that ball, we could've at least won."

"It's alright, Martinez."

"Alright? You nearly went full Hulk mode on him earlier," Nimbus butted in.

"Well, wasn't it his fault?"

"So, he should be grateful your impulsive ass didn't get the better of you?"

"Obviously? He should be."

Napangiwi si Chance sa mga pinagsasabi nila Nimbus at Henry, "Pucha kayo."

"Lapit ka na maging kwento kanina, pre!" halakhak ng isang kasama nila.

Napaismid si Chance sa kaniya, pero natawa lang sila. Bahagya akong natawa sa reaksyon niya.

Napatingin siya sa'kin. Nasa bench kami ngayon, nagpapahinga ang buong baseball team dahil siguro sa pagod at init. Ang iba ay nagtatawanan, kumakain, umiinom ng soda, naglalaro sa kanilang phone kasabay ang mga kalokohan nila sa isa't isa. Sinandal niya ang ulo niya sa balikat ko.

"Champion na naging bato pa," bulong niya sa'kin.

I chuckled, "I'm still proud of you. No one else could've pulled off 5 points in the last inning like you guys. You were so close. You gave it everything, and that's what counts."

He lifted his head from my shoulder and looked at me. With a smile, he said, "What would I do without you?"

I brushed a stray lock of hair from his face and grinned, "Probably go into a spiral of self-doubt?" I gave him a playful nudge. "Kidding. Pero seryoso, sobrang galing mo kanina. Kahit hindi man kayo nanalo, you proved just how talented you are."

He let out a small laugh, then grew quiet, his eyes meeting mine with that intense look I'd seen before but never quite knew how to handle. "You always know what to say," he murmured, his voice softer than usual.

I felt my heart skip a beat. "It's just... you're easy to believe in," I said, trying to keep my tone light, but I could feel the warmth spreading through my cheeks.

He paused, as if carefully considering his next words. "You know, I don't think anyone else has ever really seen me the way you do."

I swallowed. "Then maybe," I replied, choosing my words slowly, "you should start believing in yourself as much as I believe in you."

Our conversation was interrupted when someone called out to him—a player from CSU, if I wasn't mistaken. Track and field was his sport, though, based on his uniform.

"Kuya Chance! May naghahanap sa'yo," the guy said, jogging over.

Chance raised a brow. "Who?"

"Don't know. A woman. Sabi gusto ka raw makita e."

Chance and I exchanged a glance. He shrugged at me before turning back to the guy. "Do you know her?"

"Not really, but... she looks like she's in her forties," the player replied, scratching the back of his neck.

Another teammate chimed in with a teasing grin. "Sus, baka naman may... alam mo na, secret admirer si Captain."

Chance turned to him, laughing. "Gago. Wala, no."

The first guy shook his head. "Sige, Kuya. Una na ako."

"Alright, thanks," Chance said, his tone shifting to something more thoughtful.

"No problem, Kuya."

As the guy left, Henry, smirked. "Isn't it your mom, Martinez? Nandito siya kanina, 'di ba?"