Most Valuable P..... (Edited)

Chapter 20

Special Chapter

"Let's go, babe!!!" I shouted from my seat after he scored 3 points.

It was his last game before retiring kaya sobrang special. He was still young but he had already achieved so much playing for international teams and competitions.

I asked him kung sigurado na ba siya and he answered with a hard yes. I think he got worried that our little angel was growing up so fast and he wasn't there all the time. Believe it or not he's a stage dad. Him and his little video recorder. 

"Let's go thirdy!!" I shouted again.

Parang kelan lang sa UAAP ako nag checheer sakanya tapos ngayon last game na. Everything went by so fast. 

*eeeeennnkkkkkk

The sound of the Buzzer boomed signalling tapos na ang game. Wala pang umaalis.

We walk towards the side of the court kung saan makikita niya agad kami.

A lot of people hugged him. I even saw him cry. His present teammates and previous ones. From coaches to people who knew him and believed in him.

I saw him search around.

This guy. The guy who sometimes cries himself to sleep but keeps quiet during injuries and smiles when he greets our daughter good morning. He gets up every day like it's his first pro game. Never forgets to kiss me on the forehead before he leaves. 

We have stayed in different countries for his career and adjusted so many times but I wouldn't have it any other way. I can surely say basketball was made for him. You can see how much he loved the sport. Treated every game like his last. I was shocked when he told me he wanted to retire! 

I mean, why? was there something wrong? did something happen? to his health? Did you know what he said to me? 

"Kuntento na ako kung saan ako and I couldn't ask for more. I have been playing for years, it's time to focus on family. I didn't want to lose track of time and later on realize that my daughter was a teenager. We're in a stable state and I want to spend more calm days with you. So, trust me when I say that I am sure."

I smiled when our eyes locked.

I mouthed 'hi' nagmadali siyang lumapit sakin.

"Im so proud of you, love" naramdaman ko siyang umiyak. Binuhat niya ako habang mahigpit na niyayakap.

"Salamat. Thank you for being with me. Your never-ending love and support. I wouldn't have reached any of this if it was for you, Beatriz." he said whispering it in my ear. 

he held both my cheeks and looked me straight in the eye smiling, "Sabi nga ni Kathryn, You kept me going."

He kissed me.

"I love you," we both said.

"Daddy!!" our little angel called.

"Hey, princess" sabi niya sabay buhat kay angel. Our daughter was 6 years old. She's tall and morena like her dad but she is singkit like me. Very athletic. Can't blame her. She grew up with sports. Though we did not push her to do things she did not want. She's naturally curious that's why. 

"Ma, pa, kuya, ate, dani" he hugged them. We were all in tears. 

"You guys are squishing me!" angal nung princesa kaya natawa kami.

Thirdy kisses his daughter while angel wraps his little arms around thirdy's neck.

Daddy's little girl talaga!

"I love you, daddy," she said softly.

"I love you most, my love" hinug niya pa kami ulit bago siya tinatawag for the tribute.

"Happy now daddy?" She asked holding his father's face with her tiny hands.

"Happy now, baby" Nakangiti din niyang sagot.

"Sure ka na ba talaga? Ayaw mo magpavoid?" Pabiro kong sabi sakanya. Pwede pa naman mag back out.

"Sure na" he said and kissed me again.

Paano ba yan? Mababawasan na ng magaling na basketball player ang mundo ng basketball.

He made a speech thanking everyone. From God, family, friends, coaches, teammates, us, and of course, his fans. These people supported him and never questioned his abilities. They believed in him because they saw, what I've seen. 

I looked at him proudly holding the mic in one hand and our daughter in the other. He smiled at her and then looked at me before saying the words,

"This is Ferdinand Ravena the Third,

Jersey number 0 signing off."