War with the Pointguard (COMPLETED)

23-THE VISITOR

She opened her eyes, blinked a few times, then sat up.

All white.

There’s nothing much in the room.

A crucifix hung on the wall, and a wall clock placed on the opposite side. There was a small table on the left side of the bed. To her right is a stand with a dextrose, its tube dangling freely and its needle inserted on her right hand’s vein.

She’s in a hospital, no doubt.

She remember now.

She passed out inside Pam’s car. And he helped her out again, just like the first time she and Gene had a turmoil.

“Losing and winning doesn’t differ too much as long as we still have the guts to stand. However, this year might be Greyhounds’ big break for sleeping too long.” He is right. It’s only now that Greyhounds has been lively again. “Teamwork is the most important tool that can put us up. We can’t go without it, otherwise, we are going to lose.”

His words are engraved innher mind like deep scars created by vultures. She did too well in messing up things, hurting Gene’s feelings without even listening to his own explanation.

She couldn’t actually see herself as the Niche she knew. She has been too uptight, selfish and stubborn. Yet here she is, pathetic.

Being sick out of stress and thinking too much of something is damn helpless. She is indeed one hell of a somatic person. This is the reason why she haven’t been into extra-curriculars from the start. And her father won’t even let her to push herself too hard. Until she got involved with the game of her life-basketball.

“Mabuti naman at gising ka na,” someone said as the door opened.

Dalawang tao ang pumasok. “Dad!?”

“How do you feel now, baby? Are you okay? Pam told me about what happened.”

“Dad..” she don’t know what to say.

“It’s okay baby, I’m here now,” her dad comforted her in a warm embrace. Her tears welled up in her eyes. She’s broken and guilty at the same time.

A few minutes after, kumalma na rin siya. Medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam niya na nailabas niya ang mga luhang dala pa ng huli nilang pagkikita ni Gene.

Napako ang tingin niya sa kasama ng daddy niya.

Kinuskos niya pa ang kanyang mga mata para mapatunayang hindi siya naghahallucinate sa nakikita. Nasa harapan niya ngayon ang manager ng NCF! “Aileen! Anong ginagawa mo rito? Asan si Pam?”

“Nasa gym ng CSPC(CamSur Polytechnic College) para sa game five. He’s too worried about you,” sagot ni Aileen.

“Ha? Bakit? Anong araw na ba ngayon?” puno ng pagtatakangtanong ni Niche.

“Day two matapos kang mawalan ng malay.” Oo nga pala! How can she forget? And how can she just sleep for two days knowing that the final game is so near? “The doctor said na over-fatigue ka raw, kaya bumaba ang immunity mo from somatic symptoms, it’s best if you just rest for a while. Huwag kang mag-alala, kayang-kaya na nila iyon.”

 “What are you talking about? I AM Greyhound’s manager! It’s my responsibility to look after them and their game! I can’t just lie back and relax here!” she exclaimed.

“Pero kailangan mong magpahinga, Niche. I promised Pam to make you stay here until the doctor says you’re free to go,” paliwanag ng babae.