Chapter 1
"Fuck it!" I got frustrated for not receiving the attack of the opponent properly. Nandito ako sa table tennis room ngayon para sa practice sa parating na University Sportsfest.
"Caia, I told you to stop cussing when you are playing. Alam mo na nakaka-disqualify iyan."
"Coach, we're not in the game proper yet." I said and flashed a smirk so that he'll chill.
Since the beginning, problema niya na ang pagmumura ko kapag na fu-frustrate sa game. I can control it naman, minsan.
"Kahit na! Sanayin mo sarili mo na huwag magmura kapag naglalaro!" Now, he's shouting.
"Fine. Chill!" Inirapan lang ako ng kalbo kong coach at pumunta sa iba kong teammates to check on their performance.
"Ayan. Napagalitan ka tuloy." Sabi ni Hanna, ang kalaro ko at ang bestfriend ko. She's been my bestfriend since I stepped on college. Nagkakilala kami nung try outs para sa table tennis varsity ng school.
I was tying my shoelace when I noticed a girl from my peripheral vision, almost crying and stomping her feet, maybe nervous. Tiningnan ko siya at nakita kong maputla siya na parang hihimatayin na sa kaba. This is just a try out for fuck's sake!
"Ayos ka lang?" Di ko mapigilang magtanong. Ayokong mahimatay is siya sa tabi ko. Matataranta pa ako niyan.
"No! I am freaking nervous!" The audacity of this girl to shout at me!
"Hey! Don't shout at me. Ako pa nga 'tong nag-aalala sa'yo."
"Oh my! I'm sorry. Kinakabahan lang talaga ako huhu. Nakakatakot mukha ng mga kasali sa try out. Including you."
"Do I look like a monster to you?! Sabunutan kita diyan." She laughed out loud because of what I said.
"No! Hindi ganun. Natatakot ako kasi parang ang galing galing niyong tingnan, sa porma pa lang. I think I'm not gonna make it to the school's team. Pangarap ko pa namang makasali sa team na to."
"You're such a pessimist. Hindi pa nga nagsisimula ang laro. Isipin mo na lang na beginner iyang kalaban mo. Don't be so nervous, baka iyan pa ang makakapagpatalo sa'yo." She nodded and smiled at me. Tumigil na siya sa kakapadyak at medyo umaaliwalas na ang mukha. Maybe she's just nervous around new people.
Me, I am used to this. Try outs and competitions doesn't make me nervous at all. Since I was a kid, table tennis is my favorite sports. I love the sound of the pingpong balls hitting the table and the paddle.
Hanna and me got in to our school's table tennis team. Talon siya nang talon sa tuwa at nilibre pa niya ako noon sa isang café malapit sa school kahit hindi niya pa alam ang pangalan ko. Nalaman lang namin ang pangalan ng isa't isa nung naupo kami sa loob ng café. Having her around makes my college days happier.
"Your serve." Sabi ni Hanna at nagpatuloy na kami sa pagpa-practice.
We're training everyday from 6-9 PM except exam weeks. I am a 3rd year student of the course Bachelor of Sports Science kasi wala talaga akong plano na kurso nung gumraduate ako ng high school. I just connected my course to my hobby so that I can continue living progressively. Natutunan ko namang mahalin ang sports science kalaunan.
My parents didn't force me to take a course that they like. Sabi nila, kung saan ako masaya, dun ako. They're very supportive of me and my sister and I am very thankful for it.
"Aray naman Caia! Lakas pumalo ng babaeng to!" Reklamo ni Hanna nang matamaan ng bola ang kanyang braso.
"Sorry Hanna. Paddle kasi ang pansangga sa bola, hindi braso." I said, grinning. She rolled her eyes at me and continued the game.
