All that Matters (Absinthe Series 3)

Kabanata 12

Kabanata 12

All That Matters

Ngumiti ako kay Mommy nang matapos siya sa pagtali sa aking buhok. She took a day off for this day just to watch me on my competition. Si Daddy naman ay hindi maiwanan ang trabaho kasi full ang schedule of appointments niya sa ospital.

" Do your best later, anak. Okay lang naman kung hindi ka mananalo this year." Mommy pat my shoulder gently and place her cheek beside mine. Pinakatitigan ko ang aming mukha sa salamin.

Some people say that we almost looked a like. Noong ka-edad ko palang daw si Mommy, ganitong-ganito raw ang itsura niya. Indeed, it was when I saw some of her pictures in her old album. Kaya marami rin ang umaasa na susunod ako sa kaniyang yapak. It saddened me that people always expect me to be like my mother– A beauty queen, a witty woman and an ideal lady.   Maganda naman ako pero hindi ko raw mapapantayan ang kagandahan noon ng aking ina. Men kissed the floor that she walked on, gave her a bunch of flowers and many designers often would die having her in their  fashion line.

Kung sana nga sinunud ko si Mommy, baka nga napansin ako ni Trance. I was desperate before that I wanted to join a pageant but I am afraid I will not win the crown. Marami ang aasa na magiging katulad ako ni Mommy at isang talo lang, maraming salita na ang maririnig ko mula sa iba.

So I settled on being just a noble student– a plain, boring, strict school president na wala ng ginawa kundi akuin lahat ng gawain.

I sighed. " Mommy, this is my last year. I should win this one."

Ngumiti si Mommy sa akin. " Okay, but make sure to be careful when moving."

Tumango lamang ako. Mom always complain about how aggressive I am when playing lawn tennis. Masyado raw akong mabilis kaya nababahala si Mommy na baka magkamali ako at ma-aksidente. I had it once when I played for the school competition when I was in grade six. Hindi naman malala. Just scratches on the knees and lower thighs. I was lucky, my father was there to provide for my own first aid.

Inayos ko ang aking cap bago lumapit sa aking coach. The sun was scorching hot even though it was just ten in the morning. Malas ko kasi natuon ang aking laro sa umaga. I gripped on the handle of my racquet while listening to my coach's instructions.

" Players from STEM for lawn tennis singles, be ready. The match will start in five minutes." Lumapit sa akin si Mommy at pinainom ako ng tubig. I removed my cap and replaced it with a two inch elastic band to prevent some stray hair from blocking my vision. Bahagya akong yumuko at itinaas ang aking tuhod para maayos ko ang pad na nandoon.

" Good luck, Adi!" I heard some of the audience cheered. Kumaway lamang ako bago pumwesto sa side ng court. We had our tossed coin so we can choose our side of the court. Bandang kaliwa ang aking pinili kasi kahit anong side naman mainit pa rin.

The opponent was first to serve the ball. He had a perfect hit and the ball landed on my court. Hindi ko sinobrahan ang pagtira sa bola at agad itong tumalbog pabalik sa kabila. The ball returns immediatelu but was too far away so I had to chase it with my speed. Muntik ko nang hindi matamaan kung hindi ko ini-extend pa ang aking mga braso.

He missed and I scored. Napangisi ako bago tinalbog-talbog ang bola. I served the ball and it landed perfectly on my opponent's side. Masasabi kong magaling siya kasi malakas ang bawat tira niya at mabilis. He had a calculated speed and strength. Bahagya akong nahirapan nang mabilisang tumalbog ang bola at hindi ko kaagad nahabol.

I breathed hard. Hindi nakatulong na sobrang init at dinudumog na ako ng pawis. I jumped a little to ease my muscles and prepared my stance. Tinitigan ko ang anggulo ng bola bago ko ito pinatamaang muli. It hit the net and my opponent immediately return it. Suminghap ako at hinabol ang bola ngunit nagkamali ang aking unang pagtapak. I yelped in pain when I felt my ankles twitch. Naramdaman ko ang sakit ng aking pagtumba at paglitaw ng gasgas sa aking kabilang tuhod na walang suot na pad.