Hook, Line & Sinker

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: "If I showed you my flaws.. if I couldn't be strong tell me honestly, would you still love me the same?" Adam Levine 'Locked Away'

Why do we get jealous? Is it only because of insecurity? No, I don't think so. The biggest reason is that we are afraid to lose the person we love. I hate it when I see him talking to other girls especially those who are just trying to flirt with him. 

It's scary knowing that there are a lot of girls out there who are way better than I am; who deserve him better than I do; who have a lot more to offer than I do. 

Like Ally.. I swallowed hard.

"Galing talaga ng dalawang yan," ani David. Ang vice captain namin. Ang tinutukoy niya ay sina Shin at Ally na may game match ngayon. "But no one can really beat Kenshin. Buti na lang talaga sumali siya sa atin."

"I have a feeling na makakapasok tayo sa finals this year," ani Duke.

Tumigil ako sa pagpupulot ng bola at pinanood muna ang match nila. I couldn't help but cheer as Shin won. 

"Vice, bagay talaga ang dalawa no?" Nalukot ang mukha ko sa sinabi ni Maya, isa rin regular member. "Kahit crush ko si Kenshin, hindi na ako eepal. Anong laban ko kay Ally?"

The two guys laughed. "Yung mga ganyan, Maya, pumapatol lang sa level ni Ally."

I made a face and scoffed. Why are they so shallow? Bakit laging nakabase sa mukha kung bagay ang dalawang tao o hindi? Nakakaasar marinig! Padabog kong itinuloy ang pagpupulot ng bola.

"Hey, Tamara." I stopped and walked towards Duke. "Get ready. We'll have a practice game."

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa narinig. "A-ano?"

"You and I will have a match."

Napalapit si David sa narinig. "Captain, isn't it too early to do that? Hindi pa ready si Tamara. Baguhan lang siya."

"Kaya niya yan," balewalang saad niya at tinungo na ang bench para kunin ang racket.

Bumaling ako kay David para humingi ng saklolo. But the latter just shook his head. "Iwasan mo na lang yung mga tira niya kung hindi mo kayang ibalik."

"V-vice.."

"Good luck."

He tapped my shoulder and told me to get ready. My knees turned jelly as I went inside the court. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch my match with our captain. I looked around, and found Shin. Bahagyang kunot ang noo niya habang nakatayo sa isang side at nakatingin sa akin at kay Duke. 

"Get ready, Tamara!"

Lalo akong natakot kay Captain Duke ng magsimula na ang match namin. Shin is right; he's a totally different person inside the court! Masyado siyang intense at nakakatakot! Napapasigaw na lang ako sa tuwing hinahataw niya ang bola papunta sa akin.

"Ah!" Napangiwi ako ng tumama sa braso ko ang bola.

"Tamara, ayos ka lang?" tanong ni Vice. Mangiyak-ngiyak na tumingin ako sa kanila. "Captain, break muna."

"We haven't even played that long! Stop distracting her!" he said. Nanlata ako sa narinig. Hindi siya tao! "Tamara, no pain no gain remember that!"

"P-pero captain, sobra naman yung pain!" 

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya sa narinig. "Are you giving up already?"

Tumingin ako kay Shin. Seryoso ang bakas ng mukha niya. I swallowed the fear and reminded myself why I joined this club. Bumaling ako kay captain at umiling.