Color Label

Coach Reema Jacob
Patricia Roque
Lia Almonte
Kathy Guinto
Ashley Chavez
Trina Ramiro

“Just remember, ladies, there’s no ‘I’ in team,” Coach Reema told us as we huddled closer around her.“Vipers on three.”


We all put our hands together in the middle and yelled, “1, 2, 3, Vipers!”


They were all heading back to the court when I saw Carrie standing near the court side benches. “You’re late,” I snapped when I approached her.


“Better late than never,” she replied just before she shifted her gaze to the crowd sitting on the benches behind her. I followed her line of sight and immediately spotted him… with her. Again.


“We’ve talked about this a hundred times already. I just wanted you to be reminded of that so they won’t ruin your game by any chance at all.”


It’s inevitable anyway, knowing that Ralph and I attend the same school. Thank God we don’t share the same classes this sem, but only God knows next sem. Pfft.


I smiled at her, “I know, Carrie. Thank you.”


Carrie suddenly playfully slapped my butt, “Now show them your fierceness, Captain.” I winked at her and head back to the court.


I looked again at the people sitting in the benches, but this time to where my family is sitting. Everyone’s here, including Mom, which was definitely surprising but she arrived late during the first set. Then left and missed the entire fourth set, though she’s back just in time for the last one.


I saw Dad waved and Wade cheerfully flapped the banner that he personally made for me. It read: ‘The team captain is my sister. W. Mañalac #1!’ I happily waved back and took my position.


“It’s show time,” Ashley said, who’s standing right beside me in court.


“Let’s get them, Captain,” Trina added.


We’ve made our way to the Finals and we’re competing against the Jaguars of Krauss University for the Championship title.


It feels euphoric and neurotic all at the same time because my goodness, they’re freakin’ good! They’ve won the first two set and fortunately, we’ve won the second two. But now our scores are neck and neck: 11-11. It’s a best-of-five game, so whoever wins this set will be the Champion for this season.


“Girls, pass it to me immediately when you get hold of the ball, okay?”


“Wends, don’t make the kill a facial this time, all right?” I was then reminded of our game with the Condors when I accidentally hit Bianca’s forehead with my spike.


We all fall down laughing. “I won’t, Pat. Don’t worry.” Well, Bianca deserved it anyway for calling me a b*tch. Tee-hee.


Coach Reema clapped her hands and ordered, “Places, ladies.”

---

“Isn’t she the daughter of Edward Alonzo?” My mom was referring to Pamela’s pre-wedding pictures printed in color, occupying two whole pages of the social section of the newspaper that morning. “Weren’t you courting her before, Ardie?”


I almost choke over my waffles and Maxine couldn’t help but laugh. “Now I know why I didn’t work out between you two,” she mocked.


“Veronica, don’t make fun of your brother. And sit properly, for goodness’ sake,” Dad told her, since she was sitting tailor style. Maxine properly rested her foot on the floor and continued with her breakfast.


“Too young to be a bride,” Mom shook her head in disappointment. “I wonder who her groom is. Do you have any idea who’s her fiancé, Ardie?”


I couldn’t respond verbally so I shook my head instead.


“It’s a fixed marriage,” Dad suddenly answered.


“Really?”


Dad nodded. “Apparently, the groom’s family business is deeply sunken in debts. Only idiots wouldn’t see through that kind of agreement.”


“But Pam despises fixed marriage,” I muttered.

---

“Pamela Therese Alonzo, the only heir of Edward and Melissa Alonzo, is soon to be married to the son of Alfred and Natalie delos Reyes, Ralph Alfred delos Reyes,” Maxine read the wedding announcement out loud.


“For crying out loud, she doesn’t even love the guy!”


“You’ve heard what Dad said. It’s a fixed marriage.”


I grabbed my sister’s shoulders and started shaking her vigorously. “Veronica, what the hell am I supposed to do?!”


“First, stop wiggling me like I’m a rattle,” she snapped and brushed my hands off. “Kuya, if you’re planning to intrude with this wedding and elope with Pam, please I beg you not to. Her family’s already tainted with rumors and anything that you’re planning to do would definitely push them off the brink more.”


“Ver, she can’t marry this guy.”


“Did she tell you directly she doesn’t want to marry this… what’s his name again…?” She flipped through the newspaper and scanned it. “This Ralph,” she exclaimed when she found the name. “So, did she tell you that?”


“Well… I…”


“Kuya?” She glared at me and stomped her foot.


“No,” I surrendered.


“There! She didn’t tell you. So, maybe, she wanted to marry this guy as well.”


“The guy needed their money. What could she possibly get from marrying him?!”


“I don’t know. Maybe a certain social status, or whatever.”


I shook my head in disappointment and mumbled, “She shouldn’t marry him.”


“Why? Because she should marry you instead?”


“That’s not what I meant, Maxine.”


“That’s what you’re trying to imply. And it’s not helpful, Kuya. You should know where your constraints start and when to stop and accept defeat.”

---

Lia, Kathy and Ashley are all merrily cheering ‘We are the Champions’ as we head out to the parking lot.


“Hey, Captain, let’s go! We have to celebrate your victory,” Carrie chirped.


“Yeah, Captain. We owe the whole third set to you,” Lia seconded.


“It’s not everyday that people win Championship titles.”


“And MVP titles,” Trina teased with a friendly nudge.


“Don’t worry, Captain. We’re going Dutch so you won’t worry about paying for everyone,” Ashley called out as they stepped in Patricia’s CRV.


“You go ahead first, I just need to go somewhere.”


“And that would be where?”


“Carrie, are you my mom?” I chuckled. “I’ll go straight to Fib afterwards, don’t worry.”


She eyed me questionably. “Fine, pero bilisan mo, ha?”


“Yes, Mom,” I joked as I got inside my car. I was about to start the engine when Carrie knocked on the car window. I pressed the button on my car door to pull the window down. “What is it, Mom?”


“If you’re planning to go―”


“Carrie, I’m not going to go and see him, okay? I just need to buy something.”


My first lie of the day.


“You better not be lying.”


I groaned. “I’m not, okay? Can I go now?”


“Be back right away. I’ll be going at Fib once you leave.”


“Okay, drive safely.” I started the car’s engine and drove off.