CHAPTER 4
We've been in training camp for 1 week already and I can't shake off the feeling that my soulmate is in this place. I know it might sound crazy, but honestly, I want it to be true. I guess everybody wants to find "the one, right? Your own version of your fairytale prince, who would sweep you off your feet and run off with you to the sunset.
"You're awfully quiet today."
"Huh?!" I blurted, having been disturbed from my thoughts.
"I said you're quiet today. Is there anything bothering you?" Den said, turning to look at me.
I lifted my head to look at her, contemplating on sharing my thought, afraid that she will either think I'm so immature or crazy.
"Den, do you believe in soulmates? that every one has 'the one'?" I even made quotation marks in the air to emphasize "the one".
I was wringing my hands, suddenly beginning to be ashamed that I shared my thoughts. She's probably thinking, that I'm a weirdo and would want to transfer rooms.
But, instead of laughing, she stopped what she was doing, sat on the bed, and became quiet. Her eyebrows furrowed, as if deep in thought. A few seconds passed "Nevermind, it's just..." but I heard her speak, cutting me off mid-sentence.
"I don't. Or, I think I don't. But wouldn't it be nice if it were true? I don't know" she laughed softly while shaking her head.
She then returned to the book she was reading. Her mood have shifted, and it now seems that she wanted to be the quiet one. Taking this as a signal that the conversation is over, I lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling.
I started going back to the events of the past week. Aside from the daily hectic sessions of volleyball training, I guess the highlight has been meeting Dennise. I like calling her Dennise as it matches her beauty more; but on court, she's Denden, the strong and fierce attacker.
Den is the girl that every one would envy. Although I am actually taller than her, she seems much more authoritative in the way she carries herself in her 5'6 frame. She has this beauty and charm, when everyone else at 14 is going through the awkward stage of puberty. While I walk around in my lanky frame, she exudes this elegance of a woman, belied by her young age. She is the girl that either you hate due to envy, or love due to idolatry.
I think almost everyone from the boys team has been infatuated with her. Not a day has passed this week that at least 1 boy has approached me to ask about Den. When they found out she was my roommate, they would exclaim how lucky I am.
I am indeed lucky, as Den is the kindest person I have ever met. I remembered the other day --
I woke up hearing Aly sniffling
"Hey, wake up Aly. I think you're having a bad dream"
I tried going back to sleep, but I felt Aly toss and turn in her bed, her sniffles turning to full-blown crying now.
I went to her bed and patted her slightly. I swept the hair that fell softly on her forehead. "Aly, what's wrong?" And that's when I felt how hot her forehead was.
I touched her neck and her arms "Ly, you have a fever!" I looked at my watch, it's 2am, everyone is still asleep at this time, and the clinic is not due to open until 6am.
"Den, my head hurts." She said crying. She looked really frail. I guess she's always used to being babied by her mom in times like is, being the only girl of the family.
"Come on, we need to change your shirt." I handled her in the same way that I have cared for my siblings, being the eldest child.
"I can't move, it's too painful." She continued crying while trying to hit her head with her hands.
"Ly, the pain won't go away even if you smash your head in." I said to lighten the situation.
I went to my closet and got a wash cloth, water, alcohol, and a small basin. "This would have to do for now. As soon as the clinic opens at 6am, I'll call the nurse."
She still had her eyes closed. I was thinking, if only people could see her outside the court in her personal moments. They'll see that behind the phenom and volleyball wonder is just a girl that still needs to be taken cared off.
I washed her arms and her legs with the washcloth. Every so often, she would resist, saying she felt cold, but I told her that this would make her feel better in a while.
She was still shaking and her fever was not going down. 2:30, shucks, still a long time before we can get help.
I got on her bed and lay beside her. I shifted her so that she was facing me and I hooked my arm under her head. I placed her head on my chest, hugged her, my chin on top of her head, and started stroking her back. I lulled her until I felt her stop shaking and her breathing deepen.
This was how we fell asleep. For the first time since I moved to the dorm, I was able to sleep peacefully.
I guess I'm no longer homesick.
