RAIKO ADAN, 07
What's so disappointing and irritating? it's when you've done everything and prove hard enough but still can't get what you need.
Sinadya ko na si coach sa office niya.Two weeks nalang at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko parin makumbinsi si Ruiz na bumalik.Gusto ko ng sumuko.I can't force him to go back.Matigas siya at hindi ko na nagugustuhan na hinahabol siya ng Subara.
Kanina ay tumanggi ulit siya.Ipinamukha niyang hinding-hindi na siya babalik dahil basura ang Subara.Saan pa ba siya nanggagaling?he's losing the truth.
"Cake, Adan?"alok saakin ni coach ng cake na nasa loob ng transparent container.He has a piece of it on a saucer.
I nod as a refusal.I push the inside of my cheek, trying to find the right timing on speaking about Ruiz.
"How's your team?the practice?"he's so authorative.
"Fine,"matipid kong sabi.
Tumango lang siya, surely convinced.
"How's the fish you've been catching?"he asked about Ruiz metaphorically.
"We better focus to the ones that are interested,"my voice is dark.I'm pissed off."Atleast we have Riego and Baltazar."
"Still, you can't bring him back,"disappointment was written on his face."Kapag kumpleto kayo 'yon ang alas natin.Nakikita ko kung gaano kagaling ang Subara kapag magkakasama.I'm excited to see you all playing just like before,"he added, completely imagining in the air.
"Ruiz made up his mind.Ilang beses ko na ba siyang inalok at patuloy niyang tinanggihan?if he doesn't want to, let's not force him,"ani ko sa seryosong tono.Walang emosyong mababakas sa mukha ko.Totoong pagod lang ang hinahagilap ko at panay ang kumbinsi ko sa taong ayaw ng bumalik.
Saglit pa...
"Hi there guiz."
Awtomatikong napalingon kami sa nagmamay-ari ng boses na iyon.Ang presko ng pagbati niya.Parang madalas sa mga club si Baltazar.
"May kasama akong sure na ikagugulat niyo,"he's proud while having a wide smile on his lips.
We didn't bother to answer.My eyes were behind him, waiting who's with him.
"Tangina!magulat kayo,"reklamo niya at ng mareyalisa na nasa loob siya ng office at kasama namin si coach ay napatakip siya bibig.Pumorma ng peace sign ang mga daliri niya.He smiles awkwardly and shyly."Sorry coach, hehe."
"Who's with you?dami mo pang sinasabi," tila atat na ani coach.
Before answering, Baltazar walks in then sat infront of coach's table.Between his seat and mine is a space.
"Come in man!"yakag ni Baltazar na nagpande-quatro pa.
There, the figure and icon appears infront of us.Shock was built on me when i saw Ruiz having a step inside coach's office.His eyes were cold, the side of his lips rose a bit.Tinapunan niya kaming pareho ng tingin ni coach.Mas lumapit siya lalo at naupo sa tabi ko.Nakasunod lang ang tingin ko sakanya.
Naniningkit ang mga matang tinitigan ko siya.What does his presence in this office means?
"You're here?"patanong na sabi ni coach.Mabobosesan siya ng pagtataka.
"Definitely!the ace player is in your office coach.Who would have thought?not even me,"pagsingit ni Baltazar.Punong-puno ng kagalakan ang mukha niya.The face of victory.
"Hindi kita tinanong, manahimik ka diyan,"tila nagtitimping pag-uutos ni coach.
Napasuko naman ng kamay si Baltazar at umarteng nagzipper ng bibig.
