Euphonies of Bleeding Strings

Chapter 3

I took a light split step opening my legs as I am preparing for my opponent to make contact with tennis ball.

As the ball approaches I remained in that open stance position as I rotate my hips, shoulders and arms as part of the take back.

"Nice hit!"

Reon shouted when I hit the tennis ball with my forehand swing.

Agad na lumapit si coach Lamir saakin at tinapik ang balikat ko. "You're forehand are going better and better each day hija." He complemented. "But we still need a lot of practice for your backhand."

Talagang mahirap para saakin ang backhand swing sapagkat hindi naman kasi ako kaliwete. I learned foreheand much easier than it.

Pawisan akong umupo sa tennis court habang hinahabol ang aking hininga. Then suddenly Reon showed up in front of me, handling me a face towel and a water bottle.

"Thanks."

Umupo siya sa tabi ko at sabay naming pinagmasdan ang sinag ng araw na tumama na sa tennis court.

Sabado ngayon kaya umaga ang aming training.

"Better?"

I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah. Nakakapagod." Reklamo ko.

Tumawa siya dahil don. "Talaga naman." He agreed. "But everything would be worth it soon."

As day goes by, Reon and I are getting closer and closer. He already shared a lot of things about his life, including the part where he likes basketball more than lawn tennis.

Yep, you read it right.

Since he was still in grade school, Reon was already trained to become a lawn tennis player just like his other brother Diego, and they did really excelled on it.

Naging kilala sila magkapatid dahil dito, that's why they don't have any choice but to continue pursuing it.

But then Reon found out that he's really not into lawn tennis just like me, and he's already finding his way out.

"Are you really quitting lawn tennis?" I asked.

He bowed his head and nodded. "This is not what I really want in life." I feel you Reon, hindi ko rin naman gusto ito. "Mas gusto kong maging kilalang basketball player kesa dito." He added.

"Then go, Reon. Pursue what your heart wants." Advice ko sakanya sabay inom ng tubig.

He shrugged on what I said. "Mahirap.." he whispered.

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him. "Bakit naman mahirap? Magaling ka din naman mag basketball ah." He's a very talented guy you know.

Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at tumawa. Umangal ako at pilit na nilalayo ang kamay niyang gumugulo sa buhok ko.

He heavily sighed. "There's no assurance in basketball Challes.." aniya "There's a lot of aspiring basketball players out there, and the chance of me getting discovered is very low."

Sabagay, may punto siya doon.

Lawn tennis is his only strong point. In fact he was able to make it on top because of it. If he'll leave lawn tennis, it would be very hard for him to adjust especially that he wanted to excel on basketball.

"Alam mo ba yung sabi ni coach Lamir when I told him I want to quit?" Nakangiting sabi niya.

I just looked at him and waited for him to continue.

"Wala raw akong pag-asa sa basketball, and lawn tennis is my only chance to prove myself."

Why do we always let other people dictate our lives? Why do we always depend on what they say instead of trying what we want?