Don't Go (EXO Series II)

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Alexi Rei

This would be a great day as I presumed. I got so excited nung i-announce ni Kuya Seth na maglalaro kami ng Volleyball. It’s been years since Ate Bianca and I played. We were both Volleyball players nung High School kaya naman nakaka-miss maglaro. Kahit na magkakalaban, sabay-sabay kaming tatlong girls na naglakad papunta ng beach.

“Naalala mo nung High School tayo, nung pati mga boys sa school takot na makalaban 'yung team natin?” nakatawang tanong ni Ate Bianca sa'kin. “Ang gagaling daw kasi natin.”

Natawa ako. “Yeah, I remember. May isa pa nga dun na nabukulan when I accidentally hit his head nung mag-spike ako.”

Pati si Sara natawa. “Show them what you got, girls.”

Ate Bianca and I were on the same High School. Ahead sila sa'kin nila Sara ng isang taon. And I learned classmates sila nila Kris until fourth year. I wondered why I never saw him then. Pero siguro dahil hindi rin ako interesado sa ibang tao back then. I didn't even know Kai and the rest of the boys until this summer.

Hiwalay man sa kanila, hindi ako papatalo. I'd be the ace of my team.

So 'yun nga, ako yung libero nung team namin. They were all guys pero they seemed to have no idea about the game.

“Let’s get it on, guys!” announce ni Kuya Seth.

“Game!” sabay sabay na sigaw namin. “Woohoo!”

I looked at my teammates and almost choked seeing them so stiff.

“Kuya Seth, team meeting muna!” I called.

“Five minutes, then,” Kuya Seth agreed.

Naiiling na lumapit ako sa kanila. First was Dominic. I showed him the right stance and posture in receiving the ball. Si Chan naman na nasa likod, parang nakikipag-holding hands sa sarili niyang kamay.

“That’s not it, Chan.” And I corrected his hand gesture. “'Yan, tama.”

Buti na lang there’s Hans who looked like he knew what he’s doing. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Then there’s Kris who was just standing there like a maniquin.

“Kris, photoshoot lang?” naunahan ako ni Chan. “Gumalaw ka naman,” pang-aasar pa niya.

He had this irritated look and he glared at his friend. Napangiti na lang ako. I stood in front of him and asked kung marunong ba siya.

“It’s not like it’s a championship game,” he answered in a cold voice.

“Hanggang pagiging cold guy lang ang alam niyan ni Kris, Alex. This is not his style,” sigaw ni Hans na naging dahilan ng pagkainis niya lalo.

Pinigil ko ang pagtawa nang tumingin siya sa akin. “Madali lang naman,” I said, lowering my head. Then I grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the assumed court. “Stand like this,” I showed them the stance, “and put your hands together like this.” I demonstrated kung paano 'yung pag-receive ng bola pati ang pag-serve. Nakuha naman nila agad.

“You’te taking it too seriously, Alex,” amused na sabi ni Kuya Brent.

“Ma-pressure na kayo, Kai,” nakangising sagot ni Chan.

“This game is ours, guys,” ganti ni Kuya Seth.

“Duh, height pa lang, talbog na kayo,” dagdag pa ni Chan.

Ngumiti lang ako.

“No,” agad na sabi ko kay Kris. Mali 'yung hand gesture niya. “Ganito dapat...” I held his hands and put it together the right way. And as soon as I touched his skin, pakiramdam ko may kuryente na dumaloy sa ugat ko. Para akong kiniliti.