Scarcity of Chances

Chapter 8

When we reached the field, I was surprised to see some crowd. Kylo said that this is just going to be a practice game that's why I was expecting a few or maybe a fair amount of people.

"Bakit ang dami atang tao?" hindi ko na napigilang itanong.

"It's almost the start of the season. Other universities really visit ours for practice games. Maybe that's their supporters," he explained.

My forehead creased but I still nodded. Our University doesn't have a uniform and I am seeing a lot of students on their casual attires. Siguro, ganoon din sa kabilang uni?

Next week pa lang ata madi-distribute ang mga ID kaya mahirap pa talagang ma-identify kung sino ang mga estudyante sa amin at sa kabila.

"C'mon..." Kylo motioned the way towards the bleachers near the players. "You can sit there."

Malaki ang soccer field. Maraming bleachers na nakapaligid sa apat ng sulok ng mismong center field kung saan nagaganap ang laro. Hindi naman puno ang mga upuan pero marami pa ring naroroon.

Mula kanina ay sinasabayan niya ako sa paglalakad. Ngayon, dahil maraming tao ay hindi kami magkakasya kaya naman pinauna niya na ako sa paglalakad. Behind, I could hear him responding to some people's greetings.

"Good luck, Kylo! We're going to cheer for you!" I heard a high pitch woman voice.

"Not an official game yet but thanks," he replied.

I continue marching and didn't anymore mind anything until we reached the bleacher that he was talking about earlier. Sa parteng ito hindi masyadong maraming tao sa ngayon dahil medyo malapit sa kinaroroonan ng mga players. Siguro mamaya ay magkakaroon din ng ibang audience.

Lumingon ako upang tignan kung nasa likod ko pa ba siya at hindi naman nabigo.

"Am I supposed to watch the whole game?" I asked as I sat on the seat he motioned.

Dahil sa likas ang tangkad niya at sa pagkakaupo ko ay kinailangan ko pang tumingala nang sobra, matitigan lang siya nang maayos. May ngiti sa kanyang mga labi, tila ba umaasa o nanunuya? Hindi ako sigurado.

"Well... if you got bored, you can go home. Though it will be better for me if you'll finish the game."

I sighed. "Alright. I'll decide as the game progress."

He nodded and just stood there, still staring at me like he's waiting for something. Because of the way he is looking at me right now, I can't help but feel awkward and conscious.

"What?" I can't help but ask.

He shrugged. "Nothing."

Kumunot ang noo ko at nagbawi na ng tingin dahil lumipas pa ang ilang segundo na hindi nagbabago ang posisyon niya kahit na sinagot niya na ako ng wala. Napakurap-kurap ako at sinubukang mag-isip kung ano ang maaaring kailangan niya.

And then suddenly, the woman's wish of good luck for his game entered my mind. Should I say it too?

Wala namang mawawala?

I bit the insides of my lower lip, heaved out a sigh, and lifted my gaze at him before speaking.

"Good luck on your game."

A smile appeared on his face. "Thank you, Van."

Hindi na ako sumagot at ibinaling ang tingin sa ibang manlalaro na nasa loob na ng field. Hindi ako maalam sa sports kaya't wala akong ideya sa soccer. Ang alam ko lang tungkol sa larong 'yan ay sumisipa sila ng bola.

"You should go there," I told the still standing Kylo in front of me. Dumadami na ang mga tao malapit sa amin.

"Will you be fine here?"