Our favorite place (Book 1 and 2)

Six

2 weeks ago

"PVL uh... call me. 2 or 3 month." Coach Tai trying his best to speak in English and Tagalog."I say okay. We go. Jema?"

"Oh, uhm, the PVL management called me last Thursday confirming the Training Camp. They provided us the details, like time and date, and of course the venue. It's here." She pulled out her phone and showed them the place. It's near Siargao, private island that was apparently owned by a manager or coach of one PVL team. They didn't said who. "So, We will announce it to all the players later and these are the waivers and consent papers for their parents to sign. Remind you guys that this is not just a training camp for the PVL. I heard that they will also consider this as a scouting for the National Team."

"Don't tell to players uh... the National Team." Coach Tai butted in.

"Yes, we don't want them to over react and over do their moves. They need real talents." They have been offering Jema a Coaching Staff position in the National Team. She was honored and thrilled, but the last months have been a struggle, so she put a pin on it and asked them to give her time to think. With the things going on lately, she might have to accept the offer.

"I'll leave Jema, you do it okay?" Jema nodded and smiled at her coach.

"Let's go, let's gather them."

They went to the court and they gathered at the middle. They were sitting in floor and the Coaching staff standing in front of them.

"So, since we are on the top seat, we have no match until this Saturday. Just like before, don't be complacent and just do your best."

It was Den's turn to talk. "Okay, next thing is we are going to attend a volleyball camp 3 weeks from now." They saw gleaming faces from the players so Den already cut them off. "Okay so don't get excited, its a volleyball camp and it's not a vacation."

"Saan po yan coach?" Ponggay asked them.

"It's on Siargao." Ced butted in and the players cheered but was immediately stopped cause they saw Den's eyebrow raised.

"Anyways, do well on the Finals and we will give you guys a treat." All of them nodded and Jema looked at Ponggay and smiled. They won and Jema treated them a night at the bar.

---

"Okay, so talk." 

"Naalala mo training camp?"

"Yes, bukas alis natin." Jema said as she munched the tapa and garlic rice that they bought, she didn't realize that she didn't had dinner and she ended up ugly-face-drunk. She's lucky that headache still haven't occurred.

"Here are the teams that are going to participate." Den passed the paper that she was holding.

"Creamline, Banko, Choco Mucho and Motolite." She handed back the paper to Ate Den. "Banko has... Bang and Tiammy right? (Bang Pineda and Nicole Tiamson), Choco Mucho has BDL and Ate Ly, Motolite has..."

"Mika Reyes and Ara Galang." She was cut by Bea, who is now asking Jia to open her mouth as she lifted her spoon with full of food. She kissed Jia on the top of her head after their small PDA stint. Den groaned and Jia giggled.

"I was going to say that Motolite has my Ex. But yea, you were right I forgo.." I was cut off by Bea.

"Ex?! Since when?!" Bea looked at Jema before looking at Jia. "Hon!!"

Jema wasn't actually listening at them. She was thinking, why did Fhen wanted to talk to me 1 day before we go to the training camp, when clearly she can talk to me there?  She asked herself.

"Hey I'm not going to gossip my friend noh! Baka sabihin mo pa kay Dea..kjsndfsd." Bea covered her mouth. "What the hell Hon?!" She just looked at Jia and she nodded. She seems to got what Bea was trying to say.

Jema just shook her head to dismiss her thought. She turned her head to Den. "So, so far just 4 teams?" Den nodded in agreement. "Hey, don't you think it's a little absurd for the owner to cater the whole volleyball camp? That owner must be incredibly rich." They all heard Bea snickered a laugh and Jia is trying hard not to smile. So she tapped Bea's head causing the latter to laugh.

"Crazy."
"Abnormal."
"Maluwag turnilyo."
"Sira ulo."

Den, Jema, Maddie and Ced all said in unison.

"Yun na yun? Eto na yung pinunta nyo dito just to say that my Ex's team is included in the training camp?"

"Yes!" They all said.

"And your place." Den said. "But I'm still not convinced why that humidifier is open." Jema just shrugged at her and continued to sip her cup of coffee.

--

"It's so earlyyyyyyy!" Maddie said after yawning.

It's 2am in the morning and their flight is 3:15am. They joined the team's coaster going to the airport.

Jema is a morning person but now she is just not in the mood. 2 months with her ex on an secluded island. What could possibly go wrong, right?! 

She was concentrating on looking outside when Jia sat beside her.

"Anooooo?!" Jema groaned to her.

"You are single, then we will go to an island. Romantic and secluded island, I must add. We will find you a jowa there. Lets get you some landi."

"How are you going to? We are just the only people there." Jia was about to speak her stand but she cut her. "Not me Ji. Iba na lang. Ayun si Jules oh!"

Jules snapped her head towards them as she heard her name. "I don't need jowa. Food is life. Ball is lifer." Jema snapped her fingers and pointed at Jules agreeing before plugging her headset again and closed her eyes. She felt that Jia left so she drifted to sleep.

30 minutes after, they arrived at the airport. They also saw the other teams but Jema still not on her best mood.

"Operation finding jowa for Jema, commence." Jia said and even put her hand on her forehead and acted like looking for someone. Jema just pushed her away and continued to boarding.

Once she stepped inside the plane, she immediately realized that all of the people there were volleyball players, so they are basically renting the whole plane!

When Bea saw them, she immediately went to Jema and said hello. "Ouch, you just had a brunch at her place and I was instantly replaced." Jia said as she was clutching her chest pretending to be hurt.

"No hon, I was just happy to see my nEW FRIEND HERE, JEMA GALANZA! HI JEMA! NICE TO SEE YOU JEMA!" The last part was almost a shout.

"What... Bea... And weird mo talaga." Jema said as she tried to shush Bea.

"Wala man lang bang "Hello too Bea"? Lakasan mo konti ah?"

"Hello Bea." She shouted. "Ayan okay ka na?" She said in her normal voice.

She looked behind her. "Yes." She looked at Jia and kissed her forehead before going back to her seat as the door was being closed.

She saw how Jia was giddy at Bea's gesture. The plane slowly increasing and she closed her eyes.

Here we go. Jema whispered to herself.