GIGO VENEREZA (++18)

PROLOGUE

Gigo

I am in a freakin' hospital right now whilst waiting for the doctor's go signal kung makakalaro pa ba ako sa championship game namin bukas. Sa totoo lang, ayaw na ayaw kong pumunta sa ospital. Wala akong phobia o ano, ayoko lang ng amoy ng ospital. It smells like lose hope. Kagaya ng nararamdaman ko ngayon matapos ang laro namin two days ago kontra sa Nitro Busters. I was the freakin' reason why we won and also the freakin' reason why our championship hope is in danger. Fuck this ACL.

"Mr. Venereza...." bigla akong napatingin kay Dr. Weisman, ang pinakamagaling na orthopedist sa buong La Cosas

"Hey doc. What's up?" kunwari hindi ako kinakabahan kahit na parang tinatali-tali na ang bituka ko sa loob

"I'm so sorry but you have a torn ACL..." sabi niya at napanganga na lang ako sa narinig ko

"Mierda! Doc, that can't be possible. May laro kami bukas and I have to be freakin' there. I have to play doc. My team needs me!" I'm pissed. This can't be true. What should I do? Hayaan na lang na matalo kami?

"I know it's heartbreaking but we can't do anything about it, Mr. Venereza. You have to do rehab and you'll be out for 8 to 12 months..." sinisikap niyang pakalmahin ako pero 'yun ang hindi ko kayang gawin ngayon

Not this time. My team needs me.

"Doc, okay pa naman ako. Puwede bang maglaro lang ako bukas and we'll do rehab right after that?" pagsusumamo ko at sana payagan ako

Joder! Parang ang sarap manapak ngayon.

"Mr. Venereza, I have to be honest with you. You can't even walk properly nor run and you still want to play? Gusto mo bang lumala ang ACL mo at mas lalo kang matagalang bumalik? I know it's hard but injuries are part of your job as a quarterback. I can't just give you a go signal and let you play kahit na may iniinda kang sakit. Listen....ano ba ang mas mahalaga sa'yo? Is it winning or is it your health? Ponder on that..." medyo intense ang pagkakasabi ni doc kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang tumahimik

All my life, I'm used to winning in all aspects of my life. Parang hindi ako sanay na walang ginagawa at hindi nagtatagumpay sa kung ano man ang ginagawa ko sa buhay. This time around, sitting on a hospital bed and being hit by a harsh reality, napaisip ako kung ano ba talaga ang mas importante. Football has been my life. Wala akong ginawa buong buhay ko kundi ang maglaro ng football. Now, they can't just expect me to deal with this torn ACL and sob like a loser. I can't just sit here and watch my team getting beaten up by those sore losers.

"I have to play, doc...." bigla kong sabi at kitang-kita ko kung paano tumaas-baba ang kilay ni doc at kung paano siya napakamot-batok na lang

"You can't, Mr. Venereza. Please don't be stubborn and know that whatever I am doing, I am doing it for your own good..." halatang nagtitimpi lang si doc sa akin because he seemed pissed off

"Tonto del culo!" hindi ko na napigilang hindi magmura

I'm so pissed off right now. Sa dinami-rami ng oras at araw na pwede akong ma-injured, kung kailan championship pa talaga bukas. Galing!

"Tengo que ir..." sabi ko at nawala na ako sa tamang wisyo ko. I'm so fucked up and all I wanna do is to curse so bad

"Whatever that means, I do hope you'll follow my advice, Mr. Venereza. I'll see you probably the next two days. Okay? Please come see me...." sabi ni Doc at napatango na lang ako

"Sure doc. I gotta go. Thank you..." sabi ko sabay labas na ng room kung saan ako inexamine ni doc

"See you, Mr. Venereza..." sabi naman niya and I freakin' hate those words

I don't want to go back here. I hate this fuckin' ACL.

"Pollas en vinagre..." I can't help but just freakin' curse

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Mierda- shit or crap
*Joder- fuck
*Tonto del culo- Idiot of the ass
*Pollas en vinagre- Dicks in vinegar