League of Life

Game 16: Weird but Cute

JOEY
"Congratulations Frey," the loud voice of Chloe echoed at the four corner of the locker room. Sabi ni coach, bawal daw magpapasok ng babae sa locker room, but as a saying goes by; "There's always an exemption to the rule" on our case, si Chloe ang exemption na 'yon. Kikilala na rin naman kasi siya ni coach. Tulad ni Frey, malaki rin ang shares ng Daddy niya sa school.

"Chloe, anong ginagawa mo dito? nagbibihis pa kami," sagot ni Frey.

"I just want to congratulate you," the smile on her face slowly faded when she notice Frey is not in the good mood.

"Pwede namang doon na lang sa labas bakit dito pa?" Frey grabbed Chloe by the hand and together they strode out of the locker room.

Naiwan naman kaming dalawa ni Robis sa loob. Sina Kobi at iba pa naming teammates ay nasa labas at busy sa pictorial sa mga fan girls nila.

I look at Robis who's busy scrolling on his phone. After that, he heaved a series of sighs and stare blankly at nothing.

Dahan-dahan naman akong lumapit sa kanya. I cheer up Steven when he's down, maybe I can also do that to him.

"Hey... I'm here to listen." I said even though I'm not sure if he will react.

"You don't know anything."

I hit him on his head. "Kaya nga ikukwento mo eh!" but it was to late when I realize what I did. Hindi nga pala kami close ni Robis para batukan ko siga. Sanay kasi ako kay Kim at sa iba ko pang kaibigan. Natural sa akin ang nga ganitong kilos kaya minsan nabibigla din ako. "I'm sorry naging feeling close ako masyado." I bowed my head.

What I just did!

I didn't get any respond from him. Nakatulala lang siya sa kawalan habang ako naman at nakatingin sa kanya, umaasa na sasagot siya. We stay like that from a couple of minutes until he broke the ice between us.

"My dad don't want me to play basketball."

Nagulat naman ako sa biglang pagsagot niya. Oo, nangungulit ako na mag-kwento siya, but I didn't expect that he will tell his story.

To a person that he doesn't know that much. To a person who he just met for a couple of weeks?

"Highschool pa lang tinutulan na niya ang paglalaro ko, pero wala naman siyang nagawa, cause he's in another country. But recently he came back, and since then walang araw na hindi niya ako nasermunan." Hindi ako sumagot at hinayaan lang siyang magkwento.

"Naiinis ako... naiinis ako kasi wala akong m-agawa," he's voice cracked. "Gusto ko lumayas pero saan ako pupunta? Paano 'yong pag-aaral ko? Who will support me? Paano'yong pang-araw araw na buhay ko?" he paused and wipe the corner of his eyes to prevent his himself from tearing up. "Kanina habang naglalaro, I admit I lost focus. I received text message from my brother. He told me na umuwi ng maaga. Nakapasa siya sa board exam and I know that we'll going to celebrate it. At alam ko na ang magyayari... Dad will keep comparing me to my brother. Kaya nga 'di ako umuwi."

I gently tap his shoulder. I wish that simple gesture make him feel better. Kanina confident pa akong magbigay ng advice. But now, I'm speechless. His face is unreadable but every words came out from his mouth stab me straight in the heart.

"Ba't ko ba sinasabi 'to sa'yo." Robis wiped his forehead and look away.

A long silence after that.

"Ayaw mo umuwi?" I asked. "Hindi naman sa kinukunsinti kita ha? Pero kung ayaw mo pang umuwi pwede kang sumama sa akin. Nag-text kasi 'yong friend ko si Kim, ililibre niya daw ako sa labas, you can join us if you want," I don't know want to say that will make him feel better. Kaya naisip ko na ayain na lang siyang kumain. Malay natin makatulong 'di ba?