Breakthrough

CHAPTER 9

My thoughts and my body have been infiltrated by some emotion. I cannot even name it...or I refuse to.

HIS POINT OF VIEW

'Inspired?' Kim asked me kanina when I was with them.

Such a simple question never bothered me this much.

It started to bug me after ko humiwalay sa kanila, sa mga bullies, pagkatapos namin kumain. When I was already in our car and there was a lull in the conversation, my mind suddenly went back to that question. I didn't even give it a second thought until then. I don't even think it was meant to be a serious question at all.

And yet, it got me thinking...

Do I? Do I have that? Am I inspired by someone?

I didn't think so until just a few moments ago. And boy, is my heart beating so, so fast right now even though I'm just sitting here in the backseat of our car.

Yeah, I think I do have someone...

She's been with me throughout the weeks. She was with me when I was so disheartened because of a loss that can easily be blamed on me. And yet, she's still with me now that I've just had my best game so far here in the UAAP.

She never pressured me. I never heard anything from her kahit alam kong masama performance ko. She will just accompany me and play with me during practice, just like always. Yet, she always lets me know kapag maganda 'yung laro ko. Minsan sobrang subtle nga lang kasi madalas may kasamang asar. I've gotten used to it na by now. But I know masaya siya para sa 'kin.

So, is that it? What does it mean to have someone as your inspiration ba? It doesn't mean anything naman 'diba? Or does it?

"Bro, come on, nandito na tayo... What's wrong?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. I didn't know na nakatitig na lang pala ako sa headrest nung seat in front of me. He was just about to go down from the car. "What?"

"What's wrong?" ulit ni Kuya Jeric.

"Wala..." I just had a realization. A major one. And it's making me feel nervous like anything. I think even my palms are sweating.

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Sure ka?" tanong niya.

"Mmm? Y-yeah.."

"Edi tara na! Gutom na 'ko."

.

We ate and dumating sina Ate Alyssa and Ate Almira after some time. I did join in on the kwentuhan but it was mostly them talking about me. They talked about my supposedly growing fans club, my improving stats, and of course, the winning three-point shot.

"You seem...happy. And inspired," sabi ni Ate Almira with an eyebrow raised.

Really? Seriously? Is that word on my forehead or something?

I raised an eyebrow. I just couldn't help myself. "Pa'no mo naman nasabi?"

"Jeron, you look it. You were practically glowing kanina while you were looking at the crowd. Even while watching on TV, I saw that. Why wouldn't I ask you if you're inspired? It's the first time I saw you like that."

I don't even know how she saw that kung sa TV siya nanuod. I just shrugged to appear na parang wala lang 'yun when in fact, I was anything but calm. I tried to remember if there was some other time I looked at the crowd nang hindi si Ara 'yung hinahanap ko, but for the life of me, hindi ko maalala. I waved at my Mom and Dad nung una pa lang bago pa mag-start 'yung game pero we've already made it a habit na maglalaro lang kami kapag nasa court na. No need to acknowledge everyone everytime 'cause that would just lead to distractions... But then, I did text her na hahanapin ko siya. So that's what I did.