"Dad, 8AM po yung call time ng team. 8:30 na. Baka naiwan na ko ng bus." Samsam was fidgeting on her seat. Nasa kalagitnaan sila ng traffic ng daddy nya na parang cool, calm and collected lang.
"You don't have to play in today's game naman siguro, baby love." Santiago 'Yago' Argos adjusted his tie as they wait for the stoplight to turn green. "Kaya naman na siguro ng team mo yun. Atsaka mapapagod ka lang lalo. Kakagaling mo lang sa sakit diba? Tapos may mga pasa ka pa sa legs mo because of your soccer practice. Pahinga ka na lang. Uwi na lang tayo sa bahay."
"Daddy, wag mo na ako utuin. I know you. Ayaw mo ako um-attend ng game because we're playing in a coed campus. Kunyari ka pa na gusto mo ihatid sila sa school. You just want me to miss the game." Nagtatampong sabi ni Samsam. She even crossed her arms and turned away to show disappointment.
Magkasundo naman sila ng daddy nya. Alam nyang sya ang paborito. Napaka-supportive pa nga nito sa pagsa-soccer nya. He would even watch her play whenever he had time. Mas malakas pa ito mag cheer kesa sa mga schoolmates nya na nanonood.
Samsam goes to an all-girls school, which she has no problem with. Masaya sya sa school nya. She has friends there and is doing well with her academics. Iyon nga lang, these past few months, may umaaway sa kanya from a higher grade. Simula kasi ng makapasok sya sa soccer team, mas madalas ay sya ang nakasalang at yung umaaway naman sa kanya ang nasa bench at umaabot na lang ng tubig. Mabilis kasi sya tumakbo. Maliksi. Malakas sumipa.
Samsam have really strong legs, which she probably got from swimming all the time. Hindi lang swimming pool ang nilalangoy nya, kundi pati dagat. Mas madalas syang lumangoy sa dagat. And that also explains her 'to-die-for' tan.
"There'll be boys there." Yago sighed to break the silence. The light turned green so he started driving again.
"I'll be there to play soccer, Dad. Not meet boys." Paliwanag ni Samsam.
"Yes. But boys would definitely want to meet you. Lalo na pag nakita nila kung gaano ka kagaling maglaro." He reached for his daughter's head and gave it a pat.
She's 13 years old and every physical thing about her is changing. God knows how Yago panicked and almost fainted when he saw blood stain on her dress when the two of them went out for icecream one time. It was the first time Samsam got her period. Muntik pa nyang dalhin sa ospital ang anak. Mabuti na lang napakiusapan sya nito na kumalma at bumili ng sanitary pad while she waited in the comfort room. Si Samsam pa ang nagpaliwanag kay Yago ng tungkol sa 'menstruation'. Alam naman niya ang tungkol doon. Nawala lang sa utak nya lahat nang dumating na sa anak nya.
"And they'll also notice how beautiful you are." He followed through.
"It wouldn't matter if they notice me kung hindi ko naman po sila papansinin. Diba po 'no boys allowed'? I've been following that rule diligently. Deal po natin yun, diba?"
He thought about what his daughter said. Hindi nga naman nya mapipigilan kung may mga lalaking lalapit sa anak nya. Ang inaalala nya, baka hindi rin nya mapigilin makapanakit pag may nagtangkang lumapit. But, then again, si Samsam 'to. Masunurin na anak. Malambing. At hindi man nya ipagsigawan, paborito nya ang panganay. Alam nyang si Samsam mismo ang iiwas kung may magtangka man pumorma.
"Fine. You win." Yago took the next U-turn and drove beyond the speed limit so her beloved Samsam can make it to the 9:30 game. Buti na lang may alam syang short cut papunta sa co-ed school na pag gaganapan ng game. 9AM on the dot, nakapark na sila sa harap ng gate ng school. Nakangiti na ulit si Samsam.
"Si Mommy mo na ang susundo sayo dito ha. May kailangan pa akong asikasuhin para sa negosyo. Have a great game, okay?" He handed Samsam her backpack that was on the back seat.
