Alyssa sighed, "So, this is it, huh?"
She saw in her peripheral view that Mika turned her head to look at her, but Alyssa couldn't look back.
Alyssa swallowed the painful lump in her throat as the tears betrayed her as they fall.
- - -
"Alyssa, what's wrong with you?" Michele asked in annoyance, "Galit na si coach Tai. Kanina pa nag start ang training, sobrang late ka na."
"I'm sorry, ate," Alyssa said while tying her shoes in a hurry, "Nagka-problema lang kasi."
Alyssa has been reckless lately and everyone in the team notices it, especially coach Tai. It started almost a month ago and all she ever comes up as an excuse is that she's just having a minor problem – but they all know it wasn't a good excuse.
Michele sighed, "Ly, I know you're the captain here pero you're not good at doing your job lately. Is this about Mika? Nag-away na naman ba kayo?"
And the question made her stop moving.
"We're okay," Alyssa said, more like convincing herself than the woman in front of her.
"Are you?" Michele raised an eyebrow, "Because lately you seem off. Hindi ka na nakakalaro ng maayos, Ly."
"We're okay," Alyssa said trying to hide the she's annoyed.
"Ly, I know what's happening lately in PSL and it bothers you pero–"
"I said we're okay," Alyssa said in a harsh tone.
Michele just kept quiet and shakes her head. She does not like what she's seeing. It wasn't the composed and disciplined Alyssa that she knew and it was disappointing.
"Ate Ly," Jia called, interrupting the two of them, "Coach Tai is looking for you, kakausapin ka raw."
Alyssa stood up and excused herself, leaving Michele and Jia in the locker room.
"It's bad news, isn't it?" Michele asked Jia, and the latter just nodded.
"Ilang beses na kasi 'to, ate Mich," Jia said sadly, "Hindi na nakakabuti sa kanya and sa team."
Michele sighed and just nodded. After a minute, all their other teammates came inside the dugout without Alyssa.
They all looked sad and disappointed, later on, they all heard Alyssa's loud voice from outside the room, roaring a big 'what'.
- - -
Mika came in quietly in their unit, thinking that Alyssa was already inside their room. She didn't notice Alyssa in the kitchen who glanced at the clock and frowned, it's a little too late for her liking.
"Bakit ngayon ka lang?" Alyssa asked coldly that startled Mika.
Mika turned her head and grimaced at the sight of beer cans on their kitchen island. She wasn't supposed to see those things especially that both of them are busy for training.
Mika took off her shoes and went near Alyssa, "Bakit ka umiinom? May training ka bukas, di'ba?"
She tried to lean and kiss Alyssa but the latter avoided and just glared at her.
"Bakit. Ngayon. Ka. Lang," Alyssa asked again, clearly showing her anger.
"Mag-aaway na naman ba tayo, Ly?" Mika asked exasperatedly, "Hindi ka pa ba nagsasawa?"
