Black Section

Chapter 32

Unfamiliar terms you'll encounter in this chapter:

Sangkayaw, also known as the coconut shell race, a coconut shell tied under each foot with a string; the string placed between the toe and the next. The hand holds that string's loose end. Each team consists of 10 to 12 players. At a given signal, every team's first player marches toward the goal line with his coconut shell (hush). He turns around with his stilt as he crosses the goal line, and returns to the start line. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th will do the same, up to the last player. The first team to complete this race wins. It will disqualify a team whose player walks for more than two steps after a fall. They disqualify a team whose player falls twice.

Patintero is a popular Larong Pinoy. It typically involves a great many teams. They are to be divided into two equivalent teams. The game is usually played in a wide lane. Horizontal lines would be made to indicate the position of each Team A player. One vertical line in the middle of the horizontal lines would be assigned to that line, and one player. This game is analogous to tag. Team B's goal is to cross all lines and back without any of the players in the line being touched. Team A players are only permitted to move according to their assigned line path.

Lunox's Point of View

I have joined 5 match and all of it were minor games. It means that minor games don't define that you'll be the overall champion even though you won all games. You can be a runner-up but not the champion. What matters is the major games. My efforts will be in vain if we lose one major game.

In the 5 matches, I easily defeated all of them and we were all in 1st place. I shouldn't glee. After my previous match, I, with my team mates, went back to where my other classmates were. They welcomed us with a smile on their faces. Some even ran towards us and hugged us. They congratulated us because we have won five matches straight. I slipped away; I don't want to be sandwich by them.

Pharsa offered me a bottle of water. She even wiped the sweat on my face. I took the bottle on her hand and drank it till no droplets of water can be seen. I didn't expect that the five sports will tire me this fast. Gusion was correct. It was a never-ending match. After one sport, another sport will continue. If I don't have a lot of stamina, my body can't handle it.

"Ara, ara. You should get some rest. Why would Sir Franco have assigned you to every activity in the intrams? You're not a robot but a human! Let me lend you a hand. Although I'm not a sporty person, I'm competitive enough. I'll replace you in some sports," said Pharsa. I pinched her cheeks and put my arms across her shoulder.

"You're too concerned. I can handle this. You know me, I can make the impossible happen," I joked. She twisted my ear. "This isn't the time to joke around. It's not funny," replied Pharsa.

"I know your skills and what you're capable of, but I can't help to worry. We have a total of 15 sports in the Intramurals Sports. You'll have no time to take a break! Look at yourself, it's just five matches and you're tired already. We still have major and team games. I'm not dumb even if you don't tell me, you're hiding something from me and I pretend that I don't know a thing. You always manage problems on your own. I'm your friend and friends help each other, yet I can't even ease your burden a little. It has something to do with Gusion and Black Section's case, right? Please, don't handle this all to yourself. Let me help you..." added Pharsa. I heaved a sigh. All along she pretended to be clueless?

She waited for me to explain but I didn't tell her so she made the first move and explained her thoughts. She patiently waited.

She does trust me.

It's alright if she helps me. However, I don't want her to be involved. She's innocent and this case doesn't include her. In addition, she's the only girl friend I have. I don't want her to be at risk. Therefore, I decided that she shouldn't know this. Alas, I forgot that she's a student from Black Section too. She can handle and protect herself if anything happens.