We’re all clumsy. At one point in our life, this clumsiness of ours have affected us one way or another. Maybe it has even affected others. When we were still young, we were all clumsy children. But if we weren’t we would never have been able to be who we are. We wouldn’t have learned.
We get into accidents—big or small. We fall, we end up getting hurt, but we know that at one point, we need to pick ourselves up—with or without the help of others. Sometimes, it’s better if it’s us who pick up ourselves because we learn to be stronger. Still, it’s sweeter when we have someone beside us. It makes us feel like we’re not alone.
UAAP Season 76 was my last season as a team player for the UST Growling Tigers. It was the season that I was appointed as the Team Captain of the Tigers. It was the season that I promised myself and the UST community that we’ll bring back the crown to España. Everyone had high hopes for the UST Growling Tigers—students, faculty, alumni, and everyone who forms it.
During the first elimination round, I thought we had the game in the bag. The morale of the team was high because of our 2-0 record so far. It was a good way to start the season. Two straight games were already behind us.
That thought was short-lived when I felt myself getting knocked down and fell on my shoulder. A sudden jolt of pain coursed through my body, knocking the wind out of me. I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t scream. I could only lie down on the floor like a fetus and clutch at my shoulder.
All that was running into my mind was this can’t be happening. Not now, not during my last year, not when I still have to bring back the crown to us. Not in front of the UST community, not in front of my family.
I know there was noise around me but to me, they were all hazy. The pain was too much. I wanted to scream. I felt tears burning in my eyes because of the pain and frustration I felt.
I remember Coach Pido rushing to where I was. Honestly, I felt touched at his gesture. He didn’t care that he wasn’t allowed on the floor, all he cared about was one of his boys was one the floor, unmoving and in pain.
Then memories from before flashed before my eyes as I felt myself being transferred by the medics to the dugout. I remembered Kaye. I remembered her falling, stumbling, and rolling around. Despite the pain, I smiled to myself. That was my only remedy at the moment.
If only she was here. If only she was still alive, breathing, and well. She would’ve held my hand; she would have probably rushed to the court and get to me before Coach Pido did. That was the kind of person she grew up to be after she picked herself up.
“Ow,” I heard her tiny voice in my head. If I could remember correctly, that was the sound of her voice before the sickness happened.
I focused my mind on that sound—that memory. Even for just a while, I’d want to see her again, no matter what age she was. I just wanted to see her. I want to see the girl who made me stronger, who taught me to stand up again. Right now, I need that strength she gave me.
Kaye sniffed as she sat on the cold pavement in front of our house. We were play tag and she was chasing me. Considering the fact that I was more athletic than she was, even when we were kids, I was able to outrun her. To be fair, I slowed down at times to give her time to catch up. However, as we were running, I heard her yelp and the next thing I knew was she was seated a few paces behind me.
I could hear her sniffs increasing and soon, she had her face buried in her hands. I immediately rushed to her.
“Kaye,” I pouted. “What’s wrong?”
“I-I t-tripped,” she sniffed. “I got a boo-boo,” Kaye pointed a shaky finger on her knee.
I inspected it and saw a scratch on her skin. I bit my lower lip. It didn’t look that bad but it must’ve been painful for her.
