THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 4

Maraiah’s POV

It's past 6 in the evening when we arrived at the gym. I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of the car. Hindi parin naaayos ang kotse ni mama kaya nakisabay ulit ako kay Colet. Compared to our last tryout, kami lang ni coach Miya at ng mga players ang andito. I greeted coach Miya and the players in general. I saw Mikha joining the circle as coach Miya gathered them. Hinati ni coach ang mga players into two groups. Team A and Team B, separating Mikha and Colet.

I smiled. This would be interesting. Naglaban ang parehas magagaling.

“Team, remember that this line up is under experimentation. This is on shuffle, hanggang sa mahanap na'tin ang perfect lineup para sa ating starting five at second unit. We have two pro players here, with Mikha and Colet, the both of you have to work on your chemistry inside the court, sa mga pasa at tira niyo. But for now, I want you both to lead your respective teams.” Coach Miya informed the players.

Colet and her team moved to the left side, near coach Miya's bench while Mikha and the rest of the girls are on the opposite side, malapit sa akin. I noticed Mikha going to my direction, so I quickly look for something to hold my sight just to avoid the possibility of locking eyes with her, and the folder in my hand was the easiest I found.

She's just an inch away from where I'm standing as she walked past me. I could smell her perfume — a combination of citrusy and musky scent that perfectly fits her masc personality. She's wearing a black jersey shirt and shorts, which I presume to belong to her pro-team. The number 8 with white lining at the back of her shirt, LIM printed above, for some reasons — it became harder for me to pretend I didn't want to have a glimpse of her. I've never been so attracted to anyone who wears jerseys before. They look cool, yes. Well, I guess, that's the power jerseys hold to players.

Mikha tied her hair up in a bun, then she puts a headband. She just finished fixing her arm sleeves when we heard coach's whistle.

And yes, I wasn't looking.

—

It's been half an hour since the game has started. Colet's team is leading as they approached the second half. Tumawag naman ng time-out si Mikha para kausapin ang mga kasamahan niya. Andito na rin pala si Staku kasama niya si Maloi na ewan ko kung bakit nagpresentang maging taga abot ng tubig sa team nina Colet, eh wala naman siyang kakilala don. Bungad niya nga sa'kin, “Ate Aiah, I'm so tired! Kung di ko lang kaibigan 'tong si Staku umuwi na 'ko.” May kasama pala siyang lalaki, na siyang naghatid sa kanila dito, sabi ni Stacey.

Lumipat na pala ako ng pwesto. Katabi ko si coach Miya dito sa center stage ng court. Taga pindot ng buzzer at taga check ng oras.

Nililista ko rin mga stats nila dahil kakailanganin 'to ni coach mamaya. Colet is perfect from the three-point area. Making all three shots. Leading scorer din siya sa team nila.

Ang galing talaga ng buddy ko. Mukhang nagbunga 'yong arcade niya kahapon ah.

“May I see Mikha's statistics, Aiah?” Kaagad ko namang pinakita kay coach ang naisulat ko.

Daming erasures. Paano ba naman kasi? Kung si Colet shooter at defender, itong si Mikha ang likot. Dami niyang ginagawa. Pumapasa, nang aagaw ng bola, tumitira rin. Kaya para tuloy akong naduduling sa records niya.

“These two will surely make a huge impact in our team.” Coach Miya muttered under her breath, but I was able to hear her.

A whistle was blown and the game resumed. The first game went to Colet's team. Pinag-water break na rin muna sila ni coach dahil may second game pa raw, since maaga pa naman. The players agreed and gathered sa kanilang bagong team. Like coach said — shuffle. Sayang lang at di parin magkasama sina Colet at Mikha.