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every end is a new beginning
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After sixteen years, Colombia was finally back at the world cup. I knew how important this was to everyone, especially to James. The nation was hopeful. With James on the rise of his football career, it was more than clear Brazil would have a hard time at the quarter finals.
But I knew James well.
He was nervous and had stayed up late the night before. I couldn't be with him to embrace him and tell him not to worry, my only method of contact with him was through text.
'stop worrying :* you and the boys have already made history by getting to the quarter finals. i believe in you, Colombia believes in you. you have made us all proud and left the world speechless.' I sent him in a text. In the history of Colombian football, the national team had only made it to the World Cup on five ocassions; 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2014 with every Colombian dream ending in the group stages. Except this year.
This year, the group of Colombian boys made the country believe again, as was our World Cup slogan.
Yo creo. I believe.
'ay ari...' He texted back. Seconds later came another message from him. 'what if we lose? what if we disappoint Colombia?'
'when you leave your all on the pitch, there is nothing to be disappointed about.'
'you always know just what to say, eh ari? that's why i love you and i'm so lucky to have you :)'
'i'm the lucky one because you're a sweetheart :* now go to sleep, i bet tomorrow you'll have eye bags.'
'the stress won't let me sleep, but i'll try. good night. i love you ari ^.^'
'i love you more, jamesito :D'
It was nearly three in the morning in the city of Fortaleza when James and I stopped sending messages to each other. I knew he would be waking up early the next day and I hoped the lack of sleep wouldn't affect him.
.
.
.
.
I went to the stadium with James' parents and two siblings. We had good seats for the game and as we waited for it to start, I took pictures with his family and posted them to my instagram account, tagging James to let him know we were there supporting him no matter what.
Knowing he was still in the locker room, I searched for his name in my contact list and composed a text message for him.
'hello jamesitooo ^.^ today's the big day. i hope god will bless you. colombia is proud of you. te amo! :* show the world how we do it in colombia.'
Though he didn't reply, it showed on my phone screen that he read my message. And it wasn't long before both teams walked out onto the pitch for the anthems. The Brazilians, being the host team, had the biggest amount of fans but the Colombians didn't fall behind.
The team wore their red jerseys today. They couldn't wear the yellow because the Brazil side had yellow jerseys, but it didn't matter. I wore my red James Rodriguez jersey and sang at the top of my lungs with James' family as the anthem played throughout the stadium. As was expected, the Brazilians were louder when their anthem came on.
On the stadium screens, I saw the worried face of my boyfriend. There were slight bags under his eyes and he looked tired, clearly the lack of sleep had taken a negative effect.
