"ARGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!" She was shouting at the top of her lungs while crushing the can of beer she was drinking minutes ago. The tin can was already piercing through her soft skin which made her palms bleed.
She didn't mind though, there was a much greater kind of pain she was trying to endure. She was badly hurt by the news she had received. She knew too well that she did her very best but she did not make it to the cut.
She threw the tin can away and stared at the horizon. Her mind was in a whirlwind trance; she did not even notice Dennise sitting beside her. Her other friends have arrived as well. They were back here at the top of People's Park In The Sky at Tagaytay. They know that Ara loves to go here when she's feeling down so they secretly followed her that day when the news came out.
"Hon.." Dennise held Ara's hand and saw the blood that was almost dried out on her palms. "Hon! Anong ginawa mo??" She immediately ran back to her car to get the first aid kit that she always brings in case of emergency - like this one.
The rest of their friends looked at Dennise, puzzled as to why she was running back in a hurry. They approached Ara warily because they know how sensitive she could get when she's having an extreme problem.
"Wafs.." Called out Kim and Ara looked back upon recognizing the voice. She got up from the barrier and approached Kim then hugged her tightly as she cried her heart out. The rest of them got teary-eyed watching Kim and Ara enclosed in an embrace. It breaks their heart to see Ara so down.
"Ayoko na, Wafs.. Ayoko na talaga.." She was sobbing. Dennise slowly walked back to where the group had huddled. She was still carrying the first aid kit as her eyes were becoming clouded with tears.
She knows how much Kim and Ara have an affinity for each other. Ever since they became team mates back in the day during their UAAP years, they were inseparable. Kim was always Ara's confidant. She respected that and that's what she admired about Ara; she can let someone into her life totally, without any reservations, when she knows that you're on the same wavelength - Ara is very reserved and it's not everyday that she lets people into her life easily.
"Wafs naman.. Walang ganyanan. Hindi pa naman natatapos ang lahat dito." Kim rubbed Ara's back gently as they were still embracing each other. On the other hand, Alyssa side-hugged Dennise to comfort her as well. She knows that the latter was feeling bad for Vic as well.
"Dahil ba 'to sa injury? Sabi ko talaga hindi na magiging katulad ng dati ang lahat eh. I knew it.. I felt it. 'Nung gumaling ako from my ACL.. I know that all my chances of playing for the national team or even in volleyball in general were trimmed down a few percent. Alam ko sa kaloob-looban ko na hindi na ako ang dating 100% na Ara Galang na pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga coaches." She cried some more and it was Mika's turn to approach Vic.
She cupped both of Ara's cheeks and made the latter look up at her.
"Daks, look at me. Diretso sa mata. Hindi ka nagbago. You're still that 100% Victonara Galang that could score aces and pull off that down-the-line attack. Alam mo 'yan. Alam naming lahat 'yan. You're beyond amazing on court, Daks." Mika was now crying, too. When she read the lineup that day, it was like she wanted to back out when she wasn't able to see Vic's name on the list. But then she also wanted to be with Alyssa and it was an opportunity that she didn't want to miss. She was completely torn apart. She loved her best friend so much and she knew how painful it was for her.
"Eh bakit ganito? Bakit hindi ako kabilang sa team? Bakit hindi ko kayo makakasama?" She was looking down now, her emotions were getting the best of her.
"Hindi ka kasama kasi overqualified ka." It was Ella's turn to try and cheer up their friend. "Ayusin mo, Pots." Alyssa teased and Ara smiled a bit at that.
