BEHIND THE CROWD

CHAPTER 12

Everything went well, I didn't just passed my exams but I aced it. Close to perfect record only because of that one subject na may essay. I perfect all my exams except for that one but I am beyond thankful for that. I guess, the sleepless nights were worth it.

“Let’s go girls!” sigaw ni Zendaya habang pumapalakpak nang may pumasok na staff.

We are already at the arena, balik kami sa game matapos ang midterms namin. We are at the finale part of the preliminaries and we remain undefeated the same standing as the defending champions which we will now face. This is that time that I am waiting for, to face that team who defeated my team on the last season.

“Alam niyo na yan, last game natin ito for prelims” sabat naman ni coach.

Kita ko naman ang determination sa mukha ng lahat sa dug out. Those seniors na matagal na sa team ay may certain fire sa kanilang mga mata which I know why. They still can’t forget that loss against that team. I heard it was the first time that they lost in the championship, it kinda cut their winning streak. It was kinda heartbreaking when I watched that game on yt dahil I kinda scouted their game, the game was close sobrang dikit ng laban dahil umabot pa ito sa deciding set or the fifth set. They are so close to the championship kung hindi lang biglang nagkaproblema yung ace nila last year.

That ace was also graduating that time and her last game was a nightmare for her, she was diagnosed having an acl. It was shocking because I read a certain article saying that bago pa lang pala magsimula ay may iniinda na ito. She looks so okay when I watched it but as I observed her everytime ay napapansin ko rin that she was whimpering, bagay na hindi napansin ng teammates niya. Sobrang galing niya actually even having that condition yet she risk it kaya kinulang rin.

Masyadong dinibdib iyon ng team and I sensed it when I enter the team. Bumabalik pa lang yung sigla nila ngayon but I know deep on their mind they were still thinking about that loss. Even those who are cheerful everytime.

Wala sa sariling napatingin ako kayna Nara at Lara and they seem to be quiet this time.

“Hindi na natin ito kailangan coach, chill lang tayo” nakakalokong sabi naman ni Xyrah, mayabang itong ngumisi na nakaani ng malalamig na titig mula sa aming lahat, si coach lang yata ang nakakatiis sa kanya.

She was one of our rookie, service specialist. She was new to the team dahil late enrolee lang siya, hindi ko nga alam kung paano pa siya nakapasok sa team or most specially sa school mismo dahil tapos na ang midterms. Para ngang sumibol lang siya bigla and there she goes now.

Aaminin ko, I am that judgemental but my feeling on her entering our team late is somewhat bad. I sensed something not right on her sudden appearance.

“We may have the spot on the semis but we still need this win” parang bumalik ako sa panahong bago pa lang ako sa team sa lamig ng pagkakasaad noon ni Zendaya.

Kita ko kung paanong natigilan si Xyrah, I lost count her gulps as everyone remain quiet.

“Hindi ko matatanggap matalo ngayon” segunda ni Nara na hindi mo makikilala sa ka-sersyosohan, lalong bumigat ang aura sa paligid na maging paghinga ay animong mga pigil.

Ako lang yata ang nananatiling walang nararamdamang kahit ano eh.

“Hindi ko na nga perfect yung exams ko, dito nalang ako babawi” malokong sunod na saad niya na siyang nagpakalma ng paligid.

Kung ibang tao ay maloloko niya ay hindi ako, I am reading eyes not expressions. Nasa mata ang katotohanan, everyone must be good at pretending but they can’t fool me easily.

“Tapusin na natin ito, nakakabagot” walang pake kong binasag ang mga pangyayari at wala sa sariling binitbig ang aking mga gamit bago ako lumabas sa pintuan.