Our favorite place (Book 1 and 2)

Thirty-Eight

Bea was already discharged from the hospital, and can't barely move most of her body parts because of bruises and of course the gunshot. Since the conference is nearing, the practice resumed on all the team clubs. Jia skipped the morning practice and attended the afternoon one instead.

Before Jia left, she settled Bea to her bed.

"Hi." She said with full of energy as soon as the other person picked up the line.

"Bea! How are you?" Mr. Palou, Choco Mucho's Head manager, answered from the other line.

"Getting better sir. I'm actually on my way to practice."

"Huh?!"

"Nah sir, I'm just kidding." Bea chuckled.

"Still the Bea that we know. So what made you call?"

"I want to talk about my contract with Choco." She started. "Uh... The doctors thinks that it will take years for me to get back to volleyball again and I just don't think that it is a good idea for the team to hold onto my slot."

"I see. Well, we actually can. Since you are still staying here in the Philippines, we can hold onto your contract."

"Actually.. I won't be staying here in the Philippines."

"Huh?"

"I might flew to states to finish my surgery and to have the therapy there."

"I see."

"So yeah. I want to terminate the contract."

"Okay, I'll process the papers."

"Thank you sir."

"You're welcome." She ended the call.

She had formulated the plan already in her head. Her parents already contacted the best surgeon that can remove Bea's shrapnel. When they heard what the condition was, her parents backed out.

The chance on living after the surgery is 85-90%. Not bad right? But the chance on walking again? 50-40%, which is horrible. To Bea it was better than 0% at all.

Her surgeon here, said that the shrapnel can stay inside. That is correct but, lead in bullets can be fatal, once they melt, it can lead to lead poisoning and other complications.

So she persuaded them to undergo the surgery even the chance is small. On her mind, she was tough. She preferred bleeding to death than to be poisoned by her past. But the truth was she was scared of a lot of things.

First, of course, Jia. She can't live with a "disabled Bea". She has a lot of dreams. She still have to go to Thailand, teach children volleyball, win international games. And a burden like her will always be an anchor to Jia's dream.

Second, volleyball. She can't play for God knows how long. But isn't that, she can always manage and be like a sponsor to a team. But imagine watching her favorite sport, from the TV because she couldn't stand up from her bed on her own. She felt awful just to think of those.

Third, the pity look from the fans and the other volleyball player. Okay, let's be honest not all of the volleyball player are our friends. It's like in a typical office. There is someone that always brings people down. There is always the 'sipsip to the boss' one. There is always a showoff. She won't be able to stand those people.

Even without telling these reasons to her parents, she got her to agree. Or just because she was stubborn.

"Well easy part was done. Now the hard part. Talking to Jia." She said to herself.

*

"Chris, her physical therapist, came over kanina." Jia said to her coach mates. "For the following days, we need to figure out how are we going to do her bath and her restroom needs. We also need to get someone who can help her get things like food, para hindi na sya mahirapan."