Hook, Line & Sinker

Chapter 31

Chapter 31: "You know that place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming? That's where I'll always love you. That's where I'll be waiting." Peter Pan

I got up at 5 in the morning just so I could practice early at school. I had to do it on my own since Ally and David have morning classes. Napapalatak ako ng muntik na akong sumubsob sa lupa sa kakahabol ng bola. I took a deep breath and hit the ball. 

"I need a partner," I told my friends who also came early to school for me. 

"Hindi naman kami marunong mag-tennis eh."

"Yung totoo, bakit pa kayo pumunta ng maaga kung uupo lang pala kayo diyan?"

"Moral support?" ani Cherry.

I just made a face. After my classes, I continued practicing. Ang problema ay parehong may lakad sina Ally at David kaya hindi nila ako masasamahan mag-practice ngayon. 

"This is useless," I muttered and sat on the ground, huffing. Bukas na ang match namin ni Duke pero hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang pwede kong gawin para manalo laban sa kanya. "Maybe I should just cheat. Ugh! Nakakabaliw!" Tuluyan na akong humiga at tumingin sa langit at mga bituin.

Napabaling ako sa kanan ko ng may humintong puting mga sapatos sa gilid ko. I looked up and my lips parted as our eyes met. Napunta ang tingin ko sa suot niya. He's wearing a white Adidas shirt and black shorts with the same brand. Clearly, he's here to play. Pero bakit ginabi siya?

"How's your practice so far?" I guess he understood my answer when I grimaced. "Get up." 

He extended his hand to me. Napunta ang tingin ko doon. He tilted his head on one side, and raised his brow. Napalunok ako at inabot ang kamay niya. He helped me get up. Nadismaya ako ng bitawan niya ang kamay ko. Dapat tinagalan ko na lang ang paghiga sa lupa.

Kumunot ang noo ko ng magpunta siya sa kabilang bahagi ng court. What is he doing? "What are you still waiting for, Tamara? Let's start."

"T-teka, anong ginagawa mo? I mean, hindi mo kailangan gawin ito. I know how busy you are. You don't have to help me."

"You're gonna play singles tomorrow against Duke," he said, ignoring what I had said. "Try to return this ball by performing either a backhand ground stroke or a volley. I suggest you do the first one tomorrow. Duke is known for his powerful smash. Don't give him the opportunity to execute that move." 

As he hit the ball, I tried to hit the ball back. Sa mga unang subok ko ay hindi ko nagawa, but he remained patient with me. 

"Practice controlling the ball first, Tamara. The problem with you is you're fixated on striking the ball with power," he said as I failed to return the ball. "Be patient. You can add speed and power later on. And remember not to lose focus."

Seryoso akong nakinig sa mga itinuturo niya sa akin. He pointed out Duke's weaknesses and told me what I should do. We were both exhausted and lay down on the ground. Pareho kaming nakatingin sa langit.

"Thank you," I muttered after a while.

"Just enjoy the game tomorrow. Don't feel pressured." 

I bit my lower lip. "But.."

He breathed out. "Duke won't ask me to do anything drastic, so don't worry about me."

Bumaling ako sa kanya. "I will do my best tomorrow. Ipapanalo ko iyon."

He gave me a sideways look, and smiled. "I know. I know, Tamara."

My mouth curved into a smile.