Taped-Up Heart

XXI. Just Friends

Chapter Twenty One

Just Friends

Days flew by so fast that I didn't even notice that it was already time for the championship's game. It's already the second game, noong Wednesday naganap ang unang game kung saan natambakan ang team namin.

I admit, SFA's a really great team. Maganda ang sistema nila at strategy when it comes to playing on the court. Kaya hindi na rin ako magtataka kung sila man ulit ang maging champion ngayong season.

But of course, I have to be loyal to my team and I'm still hoping for a miracle that they could win this game, and have a chance to be the champions this season. Nasa patron seat ulit ako and this time wala si China. Ang kasama ko ngayon ay si Disha at Anello—the two other brothers of Duane.

"You think they'll win?" I asked.

Disha shrugged. "Depende kung pangit laro ng Stallions ngayon," he said pertaining to Saint Francis.

"This is so boring," Anello commented.

I laughed at him. Soccer kasi ang sports niya kaya natural lang na ayaw niya ng basketball. "I wouldn't even be here if not for Mom. She said we should be here to support my dear brothers, but look! She's not even here," reklamo pa niya.

Natawa naman ako. Basta talaga sinabi ng nanay nila, wala na silang magawa kung hindi ang sumunod dahil kung hindi ay papagalitan talaga sila. Naalala ko tuloy nung birthday ni Duane, napilitan si China magpunta kahit na ayaw naman niya. Pumunta lang talaga siya kasi sinabi ni Tita na tatanggalan siya ng allowance if hindi siya aattend.

"By the way, where's China? Is she running late?" I asked the both of them. They both just shrugged. Hinayaan ko na lang sila at itinuon na ang mga mata ko sa court.

The arena was filled with screams and chants when the boys finally started to go inside the court. Sa banda namin iyong court kung saan nagshoot ang kabilang team ng mga bola bilang warm up.

I immediately saw Daffin, siya ang nangunguna sa pagshoot. After that night, where he said he would chase me, naging friends kami somehow. Not really friends. He messages me sometimes on Facebook and I reply occasionally when I'm in the mood.

Bumaling naman ako sa kabila kung nasaan sina Duane. Si Duane ay nakatayo lang sa may ring, siya ang nagbibigay ng bola sa mga teammates niya. I smiled at the sight of him, he really is a team captain. Kitang-kita mo talaga kung gaano niya kamahal ang paglalaro ng basketball. It wasn't just a mere game for him, it's his passion.

After a few minutes, the game finally started. I cheer whenever our team shoots, especially if it's Duane. At paminsan-minsan ay nasimangot kapag sunod-sunod ang puntos na nakukuha ng kabilang team.

The second half ended, lamang ng six points ang SFA. Masaya na ako doon, at least may laban pa kami. Kayang-kaya habulin 'yun nina Duane if only they'll play their best today.

"Bad game for SFA," Anello commented. Lumabas si Disha dahil magrestroom daw muna siya at bibili ng pagkain kaya nagpadamay na lang kaming dalawa.

"Yep, noticed that too," I said. Hindi nga maganda ang laro ng kalaban namin ngayon, kaya I'm really hoping we would get this win... para naman finally we would get to experience being a champion in basketball.

"I guess we have a chance."

Tumango ako. "Yup. Bawasan lang ng team natin ang turnovers, 'tsaka sana 'wag mag-attempt na mag-shoot if hindi naman sila sure na papasok."

"Wow," he said. I saw amusement in his face. "You sound like a basketball guru."

I laughed at him. "I've been watching Duane for so long... of course alam ko na ang mga kalakaran when it comes to basketball."