Four Gangsters and Me (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 48

"Before we begin our training, I want to make a very big announcement so gather in front of me." Bungad ni coach makumpleto na kaming lahat. Nagkumpulan kami sa harap ni coach bago sya muling magsalita. "Let us give a round of applause to River for being a part of the senior's national team." Lahat kami'y nagulat sa sinabi niyang iyon pero mas nangibabaw ang tuwa dahil sa pagkakuha kay River sa national team.

"Senior's team ka na agad, River!" Sigaw ni Kuya Michael na hindi makapaniwalang kinuha si River sa senior's team. Napakabata pa nya para mapunta doon pero pinagkatiwalaan na siya kaagad.

"And let us also congratulate Ivan for being a part of the U23 national team and Hero and Hoven for being a part of U19!" Hindi ko napigilang mapayakap kay Hero nang sabihin iyon ni coach. Ngayon pa lang kami nagsisimula sa volleyball pero na-appreciate na kami ng coaches ng national team kaya't sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam.

Nakarinig ako nang malakas na pag-ubo kaya naman napakalas ako sa yakap kay Hero.

"Sorry." Bulong ko rito at nginitian lang ako nito bilang sagot.

"But the bad news is that they can no longer join us in our upcoming games and trainings because they will need to train with the national team for the betterment of our country." Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot nang sabihin iyon ni coach. Ibig sabihin pala'y hindi na kami makakatulong sa team para manalo.

"If River and Hero can no longer play with us, who's gonna be our setter now?" Nababahalang tanong ni Kuya Michael.

"For today's training, we will evaluate who can play as our setter in our upcoming games. At the end of this day, we will finalize our lineup for our remaining games that we won't be playing with River, Ivan, Hero and Hoven." Paliwanag ni coach sa mangyayari sa training ngayon. "River and Hero, join us in training our backup setter. Hoven and Ivan, I expect you to observe the training and help your teammates to improve their skills." Dagdag na bilin ni coach bago magsimula ang training. "Start your training now!"

Nang sabihin iyon ni coach ay agad kaming naghiwa-hiwalay at nagsimulang magwarm-up.

"Hey, Ivan! Congrats on your first national team exposure." Bati ni River na katabi ko ngayong nagwawarm-up.

"Thanks. Congrats on your national team exposure, too. It will be tougher for you because you'll be playing with our seniors." Bati ko pabalik dito.

"Let's give our best for our country! I can't wait to battle it out against other nationalities." Nang sabihin niya iyon ay doon lang unti-unting pumasok sa akin na ibang bansa nga ang makakalaban ko.

"It gets tougher, for sure." Sagot ko rito. Sana lang ay hindi ko mapahiya ang Pilipinas sa gagawin ko.

"You'll get better and that's more sure, Ivan. It's okay to be nervous because that's a good sign that you want to do better." Pampalubag-loob na sabi nito sa akin.

"Whatever happens, we'll do it still. I just hope everything turns out good."