ICE COLD LEMONADE
Two teams stood from both ends of the court. Kuya Jason's team wore different kinds of colored jersey tops and jersey shorts. They were all grown up men. Big and masculine and bulk. While Niccolo's team on the other side wore their infamous Black Wolves jerseys uniforms.
The other four members of the wolves were almost the same height as Niccolo. His teammates were also athletic built. Niccolo's built and body is on par with the other team and I'm downright sure that he can keep up or even surpass their skills, but still his friends would surely have a hard time playing this game. And one man versus five men is a mismatch enough as it is. The other four wolves are like cultured animals like pets but they were never able to see it from the wilds. And looking again at Kuya Jason's team, I know so well that they know what it's like to play in the wilds, yet alone how to live in the wilds. The strong will survive and the weak will surely perish.
Nagsimula silang maglakad papunta sa gitna ng court. Napatingin ako sa kabuuan ng court. Word got around and passed on to people. Madami ang nakaupo ngaun sa gilid ng bleachers ng open court ng Lemery. May ilan akong nakitang kakilala at may mangilan ngilan sa ibang school. Halo halo. Nanunuod din ang ibang teammates nila Niccolo at nasa side nila ng court. Nakita ko din si Aries na katabi ang isang malaking lalagyan ng tubig.
Napansin kong pinag dipa ni kuya ang kanyang mga kamay. Like a king welcoming his guests. "Welcome to the streets." Ibinaba niya ang kamay at huminto sa mismong tapat ng Black Wolves. Sa mismong harapan ni Niccolo. Itinaas niya ang hawak na bola at ipinaikot sa isang daliri. He smirked at Niccolo and held the ball back to his side. He passed it onto his teammates and crossed his arms in front of him.
"What are the rules?" Niccolo clicked his head to each side. He clicked on his knuckles as well.
I heard a sarcastic laugh from kuya and his teammates. "This is freestyle basketball. This is the streets. The rules are simple, there are no rules. Foul is legal. Do or die." Kuya Jason explained. "There will be no referees to call out fouls, nor substitutions for tired players. First to score 30 wins the game." Kuya Jason tossed a coin above the air. "Heads or tails?" He held the tossed coin closed in his hand.
"Heads." Sagot ni Niccolo.
Sinilip ni kuya ang barya. "Heads it is. What's your call?"
"Ball possession." Sagot ni Niccolo.
Malakas at puno ng pwersang ibinato ng ka teammate ni kuya ang bola sa direksiyon ni Niccolo. Malakas na pagtama ng bola sa palad ni Niccolo ang tumunog sa kabuuan ng court. His reflexes are good. Mabuti at nasalo niya agad ang bola kung hindi ay tatama iyon sa kanyang mukha. I saw Dino, kuya's bulky friend sneering. A shiver run up and down my spine. I just hope there will be no injuries in this game. Next week ay simula na ng finals. Mahihirapan sila sa line up kung may mainjure man silang teammate.
Nakita ko sila Katrina at ang iilang mga cheerleader na kaibigan niyang naupo sa kabilang side ng bleachers. Nagtama ang paningin namin at wala akong mabakas na ano mang emosyon mula sa kanyang mukha. Ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Niccolo.
"Come on boys. Let's show these ladies how real men play ball." Kuya Jason retreated backwards while still eyeing Niccolo. He turned around and continued walking on our side of the court.
Niccolo was left standing in the middle looking at me. He raised a hand greeting me. He smiled. And I returned the gesture. I sat there in silence along the bleachers of kuya's team. This will surely be a hard game for the wolves.
Nagsimula na ang laban ng dinribol ni Edward ang bola papasok sa court nila. Agad siyang hinarangan at binantayan ni Dino. The tall masculine and bulky guy. His bronze skin shinning against the setting sun. Nakadipa ang magkabilang kamay niya na parehong may tattoo para sa depensa.
