Bestfriend (a badminton lovestory) - Currently Editing

Me

[Third-person POV]

She.

A girl named Angelica Mae, often called Mae, is a second-year student at Immaculate Conception Catholic School.

She may not be popular, but she is known by some. Mainly because of how active she is in school when it comes to extracurricular activities. She's not that pretty, but she's chill, as people would describe her.

She loves music. She likes to draw. She's into sports, especially badminton, and this year she's been aiming to become a varsity player that would represent their school.

***

[Mae's POV]

Its in the middle of the month of July, and malapit na naman ang municipal meet. It is an interschool sports competition for both public and private schools.

This week has been a very busy and sweaty one. Most of the students are lining up for the tryouts at our school. The quadrangle and open spaces are filled with students roaming around and doing their stuff.

Ang saya ko today dahil, finally, I have been chosen to fill the slot to become Ate Bekah's partner in doubles. I don't really mind whether they put me in singles or doubles, but I honestly prefer doubles.

I don't know; siguro hindi ko lang kaya lumaban ng mag-isa. What the hell am I even saying?

I am so happy that Coach Tina chose me. It's a dream come true, really. Gustong-gusto ko talaga tong sport na 'to. I feel alive whenever I play. I've been a badminton player since I was in elementary school, but now that I'm in high school, I couldn't just be a varsity player because I said so.

Of course, nag-tryout ako and fortunately, I was able to pass. Hindi naman sa nagyayabang pero matagal narin kasi akong naglalaro, it started when I was in fifth grade, and it's been four years since then.

Badminton is a really good and interesting sport. It may look easy, but it's actually not. I mean, it's difficult if you really want to play at a professional level. To be honest, mas nakakapagod ang training kaysa sa laro. It can really burn you out.

The footwork and arm training will definitely challenge your endurance, agility, and stamina, but luckily, I was able to go through all that. That's why I love this sport, badminton.

Just for your additional information, did you know that badminton is a really expensive sport? Yung raketa pa lang mismo, it costs thousands, especially if its brand new. Even the shuttlecock, isang tube palang libo na agad, then mauubos lang na masira kakapalo. You know what I mean.

"Buti ka pa Mae nakuha kang varsity sa badminton.", Tin, my closest friend and like a sister to me, said with sadness in her eyes.

We walked a little to the umbrella tree, one of the largest and oldest trees on our school campus. "Kumusta tryout mo sa volleyball?" I asked as we sat on the nearby bench.

Slouching her back, she responded, "Wale eh, hindi ako nakuha."

I felt sad for her. She really did want to join the volleyball team. She got the height as well as the skill, so I wonder what happened. "Eh, bakit ngay?" I asked in curiosity. 

[If you're Ilocano I bet you know what 'ngay' is but if not, it is an Ilocano term for 'nga'. It is used to emphasize something.]

"Ewan ko. Ugh! Nasayang tuloy yung training na ginawa ko nung bakasyon, isinakripisyo ko yung pagpapaputi ko para makapasok sa team, pero hindi naman ako nakuha." Sagot niya habang nakasimangot.

Hindi ko alam sasabihin ko, I am not that good at comforting. I tried my best, though. Hinaplos ko nalang likod niya. After a short talk, we decided to go upstairs to get our extra shirts and change our clothes since they were drenched in sweat.

Habang nag-lalakad kami, panay parin ang kwento niya sakin about sa tryouts niya. Nakikinig naman ako, from time to time, nagbibiro nalang din ako para macheer up siya.

Si Tin, well, Herchel Christine, is a very passionate person. She gives her 100% in whatever she does, so I understand her frustration.

Pagkatapos namin mag bihis, niyaya ko siya bumaba at pumunta sa canteen. "Tara sa baba, canteen tayo." Pag-aya ko sa kanya. Wala naman kasi klase ngayon since busy sa tryouts lahat.

Kaso pagbaba namin, biglang umambon. We were just walking a while ago, pero ngayon bigla siya tumakbo papunta don sa court ng volleyball. Nasa open quadrangle lang yung volleyball court namin kaya heto basa na kami sa ambon.

Hindi ko alam bakit sumunod ako kahit na alam kong mababasa ako ng ambon. "Huy Tin, tama na yan, lumalakas na yung ambon. Tara na." Tawag ko sa kanya pero nilalaro lang niya yung net.

"Ayoko Mae, pabayaan mo na ako." She replied while I see her eyes getting teary despite the drizzle coming down her face.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinawakan yung balikat niya. Now I see her sobbing. She's really sad about the tryouts.

"Doon kana, iwan mo na ako dito.", she said while making a shoo-ing gesture. She's so stubborn, but I am as well.

After a minute of back-and-forth persuasion, she finally agreed to come with me. Sumilong kami saglit at nagpunta uli sa banyo para mag hilamos at magpatuyo.

While in the restroom, she still talks about her tryout, but now in a more determined and hopeful context. Which made me happy, kasi alam ko naman, in no time she'll be part of the team. Sadyang madami lang nagtryout sa volleyball compared samin sa badminton.

After our talks and tryout stories that happened today, we decided to go home since the rain has finally stopped.

***

Pagdating ko bahay sinalubong agad ako ng bunso kong kapatid na si Rizza, she's only two years old, kaya naman pag-amba niya sakin sa pintuan agad ko naman siya niyakap.

Entering our room, I saw my bother busy playing Dota on his computer. He didn't even noticed me. I just slumped on the softness of the bed, but I remembered na basa nga pala ako.

I took a shower, and after that, we ate dinner. After we finished our dinner and watched a little teleserye on the television, I went straight into our room. My brother, now sleeping on the upper deck, wasn't even aware that his pillow had fallen to the floor. I picked it up and threw it in his face. I giggled a little.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, I took my phone off the table. Scrolling, I saw that most of the messages I received were 'group messages'. Dinelete ko kaagad kasi paulit-ulit naman yung contents. However, I saw one message from an unknown number.

Sino kaya 'to?

Oh, it's a message from Coach Tina.

[from: 0906*******

Hi Mae, this is Coach Tina. Training starts tomorrow. After class, around 4:00–6:00 pm, see you! Good night!]

After reading the message, I can't help but feel overjoyed. I really wanted to be part of the team.

After checking my social media, I decided to go to sleep since tomorrow is going to be a big day for me.