While distributing it, I keep searching for Keith dahil kanina ko pa siya hindi nakikita. One paper left and it’s for him. Maaga pa, where will he go this early?
I tried going to the last bench and looked behind it. I saw Keith lying with his hood on. Tinapik ko siya ng marahan para hindi mainis.
He woke up and faced me. “Hmm, morning.” He greeted me once again with his low voice.
Inabot ko ang papel sa kanya at tinignan niya iyon. Hinawakan niya ang kabilang dulo ng papel and I remembered something. It is also like these when we both touched the chair on our first day. It’s been a long time, huh?
“Good morning, Keith. Here’s our schedule for the whole week.” Sabi ko habang binabasa na niya ang mga nakalagay dun. He’s sitting on the bench while I’m standing in front of him, between his legs.
I bit my lower lip and tried to move back but his legs closed trying to me to stay from this position. Keith!
Binaba na niya yung papel. He raised his head to look at me. “Tell Blanca to design our jersey and class’s outfits.” Utos niya sakin.
I nodded and his legs released me. Umalis na ko sa harapan niya at hinanap si Blanca. Ang init, ang init init. Wala bang pwedeng mag bukas ng aircon.
I told Blanca that she’ll design our clothes for next week. She agreed and now, she’s asking the boy's opinion. White and gold daw ang magiging color ng jersey.
The class’s shirt we’ll be a baseball jacket. The boys can wear white shirts and the girls can wear white crop tops or shirts para sa panloob. Pwede mag shorts ang boys and white pleated skirts naman para sa girls.
We all agreed sa mga napag usapan naming damit. Brice told us that we need to start playing so we are all gathered in the court. Si Blanca lang ang wala dahil kinakausap na niya ang tahian para iparush ang pag gawa ng damit namin.
“Tig half court tayo girls ahh?” Tinuro ni Ayer yung gitna hanggang side. We all nodded at pumunta na sa pwesto namin.
Habang kinukuha nila Ely ang bola, napatingin ako kay Brice na parang poste na nakatayo sa gilid ng ring. Dumating na sila Ely and we began playing.
Sinumulan muna namin mag pasa pasahan. Blanca is my partner right now at nasa harapan ko siya. Kada pupunta sakin ang bola ay ramdam ko ang hapdi na iniiwan nito sa balat ko.
“Wag mo paluin!’ Sigaw ko kay Blanca dahil hindi receive ang ginagawa niya. She’s spiking it!
She laughed and returned the ball to me properly. I saw Iris picking the ball na hindi niya nasalo. Sisigawan ko na sana siya when I saw the basketball going in her direction but Rave pulled Iris. Ayer jogged papunta sa kanila and apologize.
We continued playing volleyball habang ang boys ay tawa ng tawa sa kabilang side. I stretched my arms, preparing it to hit the ball. I stepped and jumped. I hit the ball with my right hand.
Blanca clapped her hands. “Nice!”
Pinulot ko ang bola at tinulungan ibato ito kila Rave na nag pra practice may spike. Twilla is very active at kanina pa siya humahampas ng bola. Si Ella naman ang sumasalo ng mga pinapalo nila.
Our lunch break arrived at nag volunteer ang apat na boys na bumili ng lunch. Bumalik sila na ilang plastic ang dala, pinatake out nila yung meal sa canteen. We all ate in the benches and rested after.
“Let’s try tennis!” Masiglang sigaw ni Twilla habang hawak ang reketa niya. Bumaba naman kaming lahat sa mga bench.
We’re in a basketball court kaya ‘pag return muna ng tennis ball ang gagawin namin. I-I look really awkward holding a tennis racket. It’s too heavy for me and I can’t hold it for too long.
Doubles ang magiging competition for Tennis. That’s why I’m looking at Twilla na tinuturuan sila for the right positions.
“Aiby! Bend your knees more.” Sigaw sakin ni Twilla when she looked at me.
Tinignan ko ang tuhod ko. “O-Okay.” I bend my knees more.
“Iris come on girl, you can do it. Lift it.” Sita niya naman kay Iris. Iris can’t swing it more powerful.
“Hmp! Hampasin mo!” Sigaw ni Ely sabay hampas niya sa bolang papunta sa kanya. The ball went to Deborah.
“Hayop ka, bilis!” Deborah also swung her racket to return the ball.
I stood up straight and took a deep breath. I really can’t keep up with their energy, iba sila. Naglakad ako papunta kay Ella na nag lalaro ng volleyball with the wall.
She looked at me. “Aiby, stop slacking off.” Sabi niya habang nakatingin parin sa bola.
“I’m not!” I pouted. It’s just that tennis is not for me. You need to hit that effin fast and small ball with a racket. You need to make sure that it will hit the center of your racket. Damn, I don’t want to do math here.
She chuckled. I just watched her playing volleyball. Ella is also sporty and sports is the only thing she’s willing to use up her energy. While her twin is willing to use all her energy to everything.
Nilapag ni Iris ang raketa sa sahig.“I give up!” She raised her hand. “Pwede bang water girl na lang ako? I’ll make sure to bring your towels! And I’ll even cheer for you guys!” She pouted.
Tumawa na lang kaming lahat sa kanya. I know that sports will only tire her, hindi niya ito forte. Ginulo ni Rave buhok niya at inasar asar naman siya ng mga girls.
“Sino pala mag bibiliards?” Deborah asked while her racket was resting on her shoulder.
Nag tinginan naman kaming lahat. I shrugged and Blanca shook her head. Hindi naman kami kumibo at wala rin nag salita.
Ely laughed. “Hahaha baka yung judge pa masundot ko.” Nagtawanan naman kami dahil sa sinabi niya.
Tinapik siya ni Deborah. “Naalala mo dati, kami ni Ella ang naglaro? Nag practice kami mag billiards tapos ang galing galing namin. Lahat napapasok namin.”
“May nag angas samin na kalabanin daw kami ni Ella.” Deborah added. Tumawa naman kaming lahat dahil naalala namin ang kasunod.
Deborah starts to narrate the story at hindi namin mapigilan tumawa. It’s when Deborah agreed to play with the boys na nag yabang. Naka ready na ang lahat at ang boys ang unang tumira. Walang nashoot kaya si Deborah ang pumwesto.
Deborah’s position is alright and her grip on her taco is okay. Pagkatira niya, tumama ang puti sa 8 ball at iyon ang nashoot. Pumalakpak si Deborah at Ella non kaya sumunod kami. We are even proud that the ball went in.
Nagulat ang boys at tinawanan kami. That’s where they began explaining the rules. Nagulat pa sila na ngayon lang daw kami nakapag billiards but Deborah and Ella is a shooter. Pag uwi namin ay inis na inis si Deborah dahil hindi niya natandaan ang rules.