"Blake." I stood up from the bench when Red called my name. "Sub muna." tumango ako at inayos ang jersey shorts at liston ng sapatos, sinisigurado na hindi ito matatanggal kapag tumakbo ako.
Pumasok ako kaagad sa court nang hindi nagsasalita.
We just came from school and went straight here to play basketball with some of our acquaintances who go to different universities. Laro-laro lamang 'to ngunit parang sineryoso ng mga kaibigan ko, pati ako. It was my idea to play after all. I wanted to distract myself by playing kaya pinatulan namin ang mga nag-aya. But they were not aware that I'm doing this to divert my thoughts. Akala nila ay laro'ng-laro na ako.
It's been days since I went home to my parents fighting again, and it's still etched in my mind. And I think it will never leave my mind, just like those fights they had in the past. Palaging nasa isip ko at naipon lang.
"Wala nama'ng pustahan 'to pero bakit parang galit na galit kayo?" ngumisi ako nang nagsalita ang binabantayan ko. He dribbled the ball and tried to pass by me but I tapped it out of his hand to steal it from him.
"We take every game seriously even without money involved." I said when I successfully stole the ball from him. Salita kasi nang salita kaya naaagawan.
I ran while dribbling it as I roamed my gaze around to see who I can pass it easily. Masyadong mahigpit ang mga nakabantay sa baba at sa akin kaya hindi ko mai-shoot ang bola.
It was only Nathan who I thought I could pass the ball easily so I tossed it to him. He got it and shot a three-point shot.
"Nice one!" sigaw ni Aiden at nakipag-apair kay Nathan. I took a deep breath and bent my body to rest my palms on my knees. My way of taking a break. Damn. Basketball is tiring but it's fun.
"Ang seryoso mo naman!" tinapik ni Aiden ang braso ko pagkatapos ng laro namin. Tinignan ko siya nang masama dahil muntik nang matapon ang tubig na iniinom ko. "But you did great. Nanalo tayo at ikaw ang may pinakamaraming points." he said, my glares obviously didn't bother him.
"Ako lang 'to, Aiden." I smirked and flexed my bicep.
"Oo, ikaw lang talaga 'yan." he scoffed and turned away.
The urge to always flip my finger on Aiden is always so strong.
"Inom tayo?" Leigh said as we walked out of the basketball gym where we played.
I shook my head at him. "Pass muna ako."
I want to go home to my mom early. I've been going home early the past few days to spend more time with her because I know and I could feel that life has been hard and forlorn for her. She needs someone.
"Pass din ako. We will have a family dinner tonight."
"Umuwi na lang tayo." saad ni Leigh para bawiin ang sinabi niya.
Yun nga ang ginawa namin. We all went home, though I am not sure if some of us really went home straight. May mga lakad din kasi sila na hindi na nila kailangang sabihin.
I felt relieved when I went home and was not greeted by my mom's cry. And this is what I want when I go home. Kahit hindi na masaya ang bahay, basta hindi iyak ni mommy ang maririnig ko.
"Mom, I'm home!"
That was the usual scenario in our house. I go home early to spend more time with my mom. I ignored my father and made it seem like he isn't around, when in fact he was most of the time. Lalo na nitong mga nakaraang araw. Pero parang hangin lamang siya na hindi ko nakikita.
"Sa soccer field lang ako. Mamaya pa naman 'yung klase natin." I told them and put my bag on my shoulder.
I am still wearing my jersey shorts and a black shirt since we just had our morning basketball practice. Nakakainis dahil kailangan naming pumunta nang maaga sa university just to practice tapos 'yung klase namin ay ten pa magsisimula.
