Book 1: The Day She Came (UNDERGOING MAJOR REVISION)

Chapter 1 - Parting Gift

The ball flew, forming an arcing path towards the basket. Unfortunately, it bounced off the ring.

An opportunity. Sabi ko sa sarili ko.

Calculating, I jumped and reached for the ball. It was an easy catch. However, nang lumapat na ang mga sapatos ko sa court, I heard the worst lines any player from a losing side can hear:

"Ten seconds left!"

I felt my ears became filled with blood. My adrenal glands released a truckload of adrenaline, ironically blurring my senses. I felt my ears go deaf, my limbs go numb, my nose seemingly vestigial.

With all my might, I kicked hard from the floor. Ramdam ko ang kirot ng aking binti pero tumatakbo na ako at full speed, while dribbling. I went past other players. Di ko na alam kung kalaban o hindi, but I did notice Carlos a few feet from me. Walang nakabantay sa kanya. However, I penetrated into the inner court in after four seconds.

With a euro step, I went straight for the court. I leaped, but instead of shooting, the ball from my hand flew to where Carlos was. I knew he was tired. Alam kong papalya rin ang kanyang tira.

As soon as my feet touched the court, I spun. Dinala ako ng mga binti ko paikot sa court in just two seconds.

I saw the ball fly from Carlos' hands and bounce off the ring. The others jumped. Alam ko na off-timing sila. Having my leg power built up, I jumped. The ball went into my hands. I realized that I was jumping as high as the ring.

To my surprise, my arms brought down the ball with a slam on the basket, just before the buzzer echoed across the gymnasium, followed with cheers from my schoolmates in the audience.

"Nice game." sabi ng isa naming teammate.

"Yeah." I plainly replied, giving him a high five.

"Tara, Carl." I called out.

"Sandali! Puta di pa ako nakakasuot ng underwear." sigaw niya habang lumalabas mula sa shower room.

"Bilisan mo! Gusto ko nang mahiga." I said, scratching my head.

It took him a while to change into his clothes. Napakakupad kasi niyan gumalaw. Akala mo prinsesa ng isang malayong kaharian.

"Tara, tara. Sana bumili sila ng pagkain." he grumbled beside me.

From the basketball gymnasium, it was quite a distance papunta sa boys' dormitory. The university was quite wide, apparently, so ininclude na sa school grounds ang dorm. Sa loob ng 15 minutes, nakarating kami sa dorm. It was an easy entry, regarding the fact na kilala na kami ng landlord.

"Panalo?" the landlord asked.

"Yep. Regional na sa susunod na laro." I said, grinning.

"Good for you. Pagbutihin ninyo." he said, patting our backs.

We turned into the nearest hallway before knocking on the nearest door on our left. The number 26 was emblazoned on the door. Dinig naming ang pagkaluskos ng tsinelas before the door swung open.

An 18-year old idiot with excessive body fat appeared, greeting us with a smile.

"Welcome back!" Briston said.

"May pagkain?" tanong ni Carlos habang hinuhubad ang kanyang tsinelas.

"May cake doon sa ref." ani Briston.

I was about to enter when the landlord called out my name.

"Rion!" he called.

"Po?" I said, looking at him with curiosity.