Jaren stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his jersey. Today was a big day for the volleyball team. They had their first major practice session, and he wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. Tumingin siya sa kanyang relo at napagtantong may oras pa siya bago siya umalis.
Isang linggo na nang makalipas simula noong araw na sinabihan sila ng coach nila na magsisimula na ang training ng team nila. At isang linggo na rin simula noong sinundo at hinatid niya si Ansel papunta sa bahay nila.
Ever since then, ganoon na ang naging routine niya. Susunduin si Ansel sa room—o ‘di kaya naman sa café ng tita niya—at sabay papasok sa bahay nila. That means it has also been a week since Ansel has been tutoring his siblings.
Wala namang nagsabi na gawin niya ‘yon, but he still insists anyway.
Sa loob ng ilang araw na iyon, nag-improve na rin naman ang closeness nilang dalawa ni Ansel. Isa lang naman ang hindi pa nag-improve, ang tawag at contact name ni Ansel sa kanya.
'Venezia.' Tsk. Hindi lang naman ako ang nag-iisang Venezia sa mundo.
Arriving at the gym in their school, Jaren saw his teammates already warming up. Coach Reyes was setting up the net and arranging the balls for drills. Lumapit siya rito na siya namang sumalubong sa kanya sabay tango.
"Okay. Gather up, everyone!" sigaw nito. Tumigil naman ang mga teammates niya sa pagwa-warm up at saka lumapit na rin sa coach.
"Nandito na ba ang lahat? Si Castellon nandito na ba? Si Borja?"
"Coach, wait lang po! Nagpapalit lang ng sapatos," sigaw ni Gael sa bench sa likod nila Jaren. Ito si Castellon. Nahaharangan kasi ng mga nakatayo sa harap ng coach kaya hindi siya nakita sa likod.
"Late na naman po si Borja, coach," sabi naman ng isang teammate nila.
"E, si Salguero? Bakit wala pa rito? Isang libero lang ang nakikita ko rito, ah," puna naman ng coach nila sabay tingin sa isa pa nilang libero sa team. Dalawa kasi silang libero, Si Maya at si Salguero.
Ilang saglit pa ay iniluwa ng pinto ng gym si Yuriel, "I'm here, coach," anito habang lumalapit sa kanila. Tumango siya kay Jaren at tumabi rito. "Sorry, coach. Nakatulog po ako."
Nakatingin ang mga teammates nila kay Yuriel. Kapukaw-pukaw ng pansin kasi ang band aid nito sa gilid ng labi. Medyo nakasilip pa nga ang natuyong dugo sa kung saan nakalagay yung band aid.
"Be punctual. Magsisimula na tayo ng major practice this month. Hindi ko kailangan ng palaging MIA at hindi sumusunod sa schedule sa team ko. Kung hindi kayo magtitino, papalitan ko kayo. Understood?" anito at matalim ang tingin kay Yuriel. Tumango naman ang kaibigan niya.
"Good. We'll start with some warm-ups and then move on to drills. I want to see sharp movements and precise passes. As for you, Salguero, we need to talk," their coach instructed, clapping his hands to gather everyone's attention. Sumunod si Yuriel dito, habang si Jaren ay nagsimula nang mag-warm-up.
He wanted to talk to his friend but decided to focus on the warm-up for now. Jogging around the gym with the rest of the team, Jaren couldn't help but glance at Yuriel, wondering what Coach Reyes had to discuss with him.
After the warm-ups, they transitioned into passing drills. The sound of shoes squeaking on the floor and the thud of the volleyball echoed in the gym. Jaren worked with his partner, Gael, practicing quick, accurate passes.
Maya-maya pa ay natapos na mag-usap ang kaibigan niya at coach.
"Ano kayang nangyari roon?" bulong ni Gael sa katabi niya.
"Baka may nakaaway?” bulong ni Zian at nakataas ang isang kilay.
Coach Reyes split them into groups for blocking and spiking drills. Jaren paired up with Noah, who was known for his powerful spikes. They took turns, with one player blocking at the net and the other spiking.
BINABASA MO ANG
Tutoring Hearts
Romance"I've found my heart learning to love you more each day. Who would have thought it has been yours to teach and guide all along?"
