That Bible Story

Number 2

"You're not allowed to join the practice, Divero."

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Coach Pangan. Nakatingin siya sa attendance sheet niya habang sinasabi iyon saakin.

Ang layo ng tinakbo ko para lang makapagpractice. I even changed my clothes and my shoes. Tangina. Huminga ako ng malalim. Malakas parin ang kabog ng dibdib ko sa layo ng tinakbo ko. I need to jog more sometimes.

I asked him again, "Are you damn serious, Coach?"

Wala naman akong maalalang ginawa kong mali last practice. I've been so active and participative. He cannot suddenly tell me that I couldn't join the practice. Yes, I'll benefit with that kind of setup, but I would like to train more. I want to win this coming tcpeia so I need valid reasons.

Tinawag na ako ni Lorenzo na kasalukuyang nagt'training sa field. Tumatakbo siya habang may twalya sa balikat. Hindi kami nagkasabay ngayon dahil kakatapos lang ng last subject ko habang siya ay bakante na magsimula kaninang after lunch.

Papalapit si Lorenzo kung nasaan kami ni Coach. Nang abutan niya na kami ay agad niyang sinuri ang sapatos ko. Sinipa ko siya sa balikat at lumayo.

Tumawa siya ng malakas, "Coach P, ano problema ng bro ko? Training na kami, kita mo bago pa sapatos niya, bi'binyagan ko na!"

Sinenyasan siya ni Coach na huwag ng mangialam, "Handle your team!"

"Napano ba---" Hindi siya pinatapos ni Coach at pinituhan siya ng malakas.

Agad naman akong napatakip sa tenga ko. Tanginang pito yan. Ang lakas! Mabibingi ako sa lakas neto e.

"Fuck! Nakakabingi ka, Coach!"

Nakitawa nalang ako kay Coach at pinagtutulak na palayo si Lorenzo. Mas lalo akong hindi papayagan ni Coach neto. Hay.

"Sige na nga. Balik na ako dun. Sunod ka nalang, Bro? Wala akong pinapahirapan e---"

Tinaas ko yung dalawang middle finger ko at nginisian siya. Ulol niya.

"Tangina mo, Divero!" Sabi ni Cenzon at tumakbo na palayo.

Tinanguan ko lang si Lorenzo at tinanong ulit si Coach. Fuck, I think I'm being too pathetic and desperate though I'm not doing anything other than waiting for his response. Kahit naman kaibigan ko ang team captain wala siyang magagawa.

"Your father told me not to let you join. He told me that you need to be home later at exactly 6 pm or earlier..."

Napasimangot ako sa narinig ko. He's my father and he's manipulating my sport, my life. I almost forgot about him and his reminder awhile ago. I was too preoccupied, I guess.

Lorenzo and I loved soccer more than anything. Bata palang ako ay nakahiligan ko na 'to. Actually kaya kami naging magkaibigan niyang si Cenzon ay dahil din sa soccer. It's important to me because of my fucking father! Kaya hindi ko makuha yung punto niya, he taught me to love soccer and then all of a sudden pagbabawalan niya ako? Tangina lang.

It has been my release for years, and right now, I need a fucking release to be refreshened. I've been so fucked up for days.

My watch stated the numbers 5:40 pm. Nakakainis talaga. Nakakasawa na. I got no choice other than to go home and to join their boring dinner. He has always been like that, he never gave me options to chose from!

"But Coach! That's not a fucking valid reason!"

Inangatan niya ako ng tingin, "Remember what I told you and the whole team before this school year started? Ang sabi ko do everything for soccer but when it is a family time it is family time. This day's just a practice. Need not to curse over my reasons, Divero."