“You said yes?! You said―Ow! My head hurts when I shout,” she whined as she pounded her forehead with the ball of her palm.


“That’s called a hangover, Carrie. And yes, I agreed,” I coolly replied while flipping through the pages of Seventeen.


She stood up in front of me with her hands on her waist, “What the hell were you thinking?” She tried to control her annoyance to control intensity of headache as well.


Sometimes, I think I’m the one who’s 2 years older. Gahd.


“I am trying to get back on my feet. It’s what you wanted for me, right?” I looked up and found her staring angrily back at me. “What?”


“You’re making―”


“Good morning, ladies.”


“Good. You’re here. You should be the one talking to her. She might listen to you since you’re her blood relative. Unlike me who’s just her best friend for almost a lifetime now.” She shoot me another dagger look.


“What are talking about, Carrie? Are you two arguing again?”


“Your sister right here has agreed to go on a date. A date, for Pete’s sake!” Her hands flailing in midair as she spoke.


“Really? That’s a start. Good for you, little sis,” Kuya smiled and I glanced at Carrie with an ‘even-my-brother-thinks-it’s-all-right’ look.


“What the hell is wrong with you people?!” she cried out.


“What now?”


“You both are so dense. She just broke up with Ralph. She needs some time off from the dating stuff!”


“If she thinks she’s ready and wants to go on a date, let her be,” Kuya said as he poured coffee into his mug. “Coffee anyone?”


Although a lawyer in the making, Kuya Wesley is the one of the best coffee brewers I know and related to ― well, second to Dad, who’s already a connoisseur. Wade and I are still nothing but tenderfoots. Even so, it’s crucial for us three to have a lot on the ball since the coffee brewery business has been the part of the lineage way, way back.


“Me,” I said raising my hand. “No sugar―”


“Non-fat milk, I know,” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Carrie?” She shook her head. “As I way saying, it’s her decision to make, Carrie. I am actually glad she’s getting a move on.”


She gaped at the two of us. “You’re egging on her lunacy? Good God. No doubt you two are siblings.”


Kuya smiled coyly at her before handing over my coffee. “Who’s the lucky guy anyway?”


“Third Estrada, a friend of Kyle’s.”


“Is he good-looking?”


“Yeah, you could say that. He helped me out with Carrie the drunkard yesterday.” She threw me another glare and smacked me right on my shoulder blade. “Ouch!”


“What time is your game by the way?”


“Two-thirty. I’ll kill you both if you miss it,” I warned, pointing my index finger at him first then to Carrie.


“I won’t,” he promised. “As for you, Carina. We need to talk.”


“Uh-oh, I sense trouble. What’d you do this time, Carrie,” I teased, nudging her on the side.


“Shut up and leave, or you’ll be late for your game,” she retorted.


“Fine, fine. I’m expecting to see you two and Wade on our game,” I said before taking off.

---

“Ralph’s what?!”


Wesley shushed and covered my mouth. “Are you planning to get us in trouble, Carrie?” he hissed.


I took his hands off. “Sorry, sorry,” I said now cautiously. “Wait, how did you know? Who told you?”


“He told me.”


“HE TOLD―?!


He immediately covered my mouth again and shushed me once more. “The entire Makati City hasn’t heard you enough yet, just so you know.”


“Sorry,” I apologized. “I was surprised, what do you expect?”


“Well, at least keep it down.”


“But who’s the girl?”


“I have no idea. Though I’m sure she’s from a well-off family.”


“Huh?”


“He agreed to get married for financial purposes.”


“WHAT THE―?!”

---

Color Label

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

I heard the umpire’s whistle, which was my cue for service. I was about to throw the ball upward when I saw him entering the gym. He took a seat from the back rows of the benches. It was like seeing him again first time. Well, after our break up that is.


What I was about to do next became blank for me. There I was, holding a ball in my hand but I totally forgot what I should do with it.


“Cap, your serve,” Patricia, our team’s libero, snapped me back to life.


“Oh, crap,” I cursed. I immediately made an overhand serve before the umpire could even pronounce me with a violation. It went in but the opponent team was able to receive it.


Our opponent team, the Condors, is one of strongest teams in the Metro and was also our competitor for the Championship title last year. Providence was with us last year because we were able to beat them on the best-of-five game, a perfect 3-0 win. I’m fervently praying that God’s providence be with us again this year.

---

Today was a best-of-three game and we already won the first set with a score of 25-23, a close fight. And speaking of another close fight, the tallied score is now 15-all. We’re feeling quite enervated because the Condors has been playing more fiercely than before.


“Kathy, set,” I ordered and Kathy immediately made an overhead pass. Ashley tipped the ball lightly on the unguarded area of the opponent’s court.


“Another point for the Abberley Vipers, ladies and gentlemen,” roared the announcer.


“Who’s the gal, ladies? Who’s the gal?” joshed Ashley as we gave her a round of high fives and cheers.


The game continued with various exchanges of attacks and blocks. We were averting them from taking the lead as much as possible. By the time the score was 22-24 (in favor of our team), Condors motioned for a time out.


We went to Coach Reema right away, who’s standing near the court side benches, and huddled up. “You’re doing a great job, girls.”


“You bet we are, Coach,” Trina replied in jest.


We all hooted in laughter. “Anyway, just stick to what you’ve been practicing for the past three weeks. Just one more point and we’ll be on our way to the Finals.”


Patricia and Cheska started whooping at same time. “Don’t get too excited now because who know what might happen in that court. But promise me one thing, don’t let them win this set, got it?” We barked ‘Got it’ all at once. “Vipers on three.”


We put in our hands together, “1, 2, 3, Vipers!”


I was about to return to the court together with the team when Coach called me back, “Wendy, for a minute.”


“Yes, Coach?”


“What happened back there? During your service?”


So dead. “Sorry, Coach. Something just caught my eye.” At least, I was telling the truth. Well, partially.


“You okay now? Focus already?” I nodded. “Okay. Go get ‘em, Captain,” she winked and I jokingly gave her a salute.


I trotted back to my position and so did the other team. The umpire blew his whistle shortly after, which signals the service. Cheska took a step outside the line and made a jump serve. She was able to cross it over to the opponent team’s court but they were able to receive it again properly and spiked it back to our court. Kathy wasn’t able to block the ball but thank God Trina went for a dig to save it. Lia then did a forearm pass and I made my very best effort to go for a kill.


But what happened next had completely rendered everyone speechless.

---

“Shoot,” I muttered.


“Oh. My. God,” Kathy said, nervously tugging my jersey sleeve.


“Darn,” I cursed again.


Apparently, my kill became a facial. After Lia’s forearm pass, I jumped up just in time to hit the ball. It landed straightly to the ground… and unfortunately bounced back and smashed the Condor’s team captain right on her forehead.


My teammates and I scurried toward them as other sports committees started to gather around my injured victim. “Are you all right?” I asked worriedly, feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof. “Gahd, I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect the ball would spring back. I’m really, really sorry. It was an accident.” I was starting to sound like a babbling bee in front of her, who’s still sitting on the floor.


“Are you okay? Does your head hurt?” asked the Condor’s coach who came running next to her.


“Of course it hurts,” my victim snapped while rubbing her forehead. We were stunned by the way she responded to her Coach. I for one would never bark at my own Coach or to any of my seniors for the record.


“But I’m all right,” she announced. She stood up without asking any help from anyone and smoothed her jersey shorts. “Could we get back to our game now?”


“Bianca, they already won,” their libero informed her almost whispering. Bianca, evidently her name was, looked up at the LED score board. Her eyebrows met and I could tell that she’s boiling with rage.


“I guess congratulations is necessary,” she said when she approached me. She offered her right hand and I shook it almost reluctantly. I was about to apologize to her again when she uttered, “See you next year, b*tch.” She whispered the last word making sure that it was exclusively addressed to me and me only.


My teammates then shook the hands of the other Condor team members, except their team Captain who’d already left the court after shaking me hand… and scaring the hell out of me.


After the commotion had settled down, it was only then that the crowd started whooping and cheering. All of a sudden, Trina and Lia took the water jug from our bench and emptied every drop of water to us. We shrieked the moment we realized that we were drenched with our drinking water. My team mates immediately ran after the two jesters.


“Let’s go, Vipers,” the two shouted while dashing for the locker room.


I stayed behind to get my stuff from the court side bench.


“Chi,” Carrie called out, waving excitedly. She was with my two brothers and my Dad. No sign of, Mom. What’s new, Wendy…


“Impressive game, pumpkin,” Dad complimented as he embraced me.


“Thanks, Daddy.”


“Congratulations, Ate! You’re going to be in the Final Four,” uttered Wade who’s looking more animated than I am.


“Mom couldn’t make it, sweetheart. She still has a lot of paper works to finish in the office.” I nodded and tried to hide any sign of disappointment that my own mother wasn’t able to watch my game. For the nth time.


I’ve been playing volleyball since elementary. I became the team captain of our volleyball team in high school and eventually in college. Even back then, Dad, my brothers, and Carrie, which once included Ralph, have made sure never to miss any of my games. But as for Mom? Hardly ever. On special occasions maybe. If an agent would be coming or if her business associate’s daughter would be playing. Yet never just because.


“That’s okay, Dad. And thanks, Wade.” I expressed my gratitude by playfully pinching my little brother’s cheeks. He couldn’t do anything but grimace.


“You were quite a shocker though,” Kuya added, who clapped my shoulder.


“We weren’t expecting you would literally knock their other team captain out,” Carrie joked.


“Yeah, thanks to you both, too. But just to clear it out, I didn’t do that on purpose,” I countered, which made them laugh. “Anyway, I’ll be back in a sec. I just need to go in the locker room.”


“We’ll wait for you outside,” Dad said and I replied with a nod.


I was about to turn around the corner when I spotted him… with a girl fixing his shirt collar.


“Your ex-boyfriend, right?” It was Bianca. I didn’t notice that she was standing behind me. I tried to open my mouth to respond but Bianca interrupted me. “I know it hurts, no need to reiterate it for me,” she said with a scornful grin.


“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lied and was about to leave her when she cackled and went on.


“There no point in pulling the wool over your eyes, Wendy. That girl Ralph’s with,” she pointed, “is my cousin. And his fiancée.”


I stared at the two of them for a long time. I couldn’t believe what I’m hearing. It can’t be, I told myself.


“That’s not possible,” I murmured.


She came close to me and patted my shoulders but I immediately shrugged her off. “You may have won the volleyball game, Mañalac, but you weren’t really that triumphant in real life,” she finished off with a mocking smile.


“Hey! What’s going on in there?” Kuya yelled from across the end of the hall and scurried towards me with Carrie trailing behind him.


“Oh, look. If it isn’t the loser team captain,” Carrie blurted out smirking when she’s finally in front of Bianca.“Does your forehead hurt, dear? Looks like my best friend just made a huge mark on it, not that she did it intentionally though,” she continued. “Oh, don’t you have to be off somewhere by the way? Joining your teammates to cry over your defeat perhaps,” she sneered.


Bianca’s facial muscles tighten. “If you would know any better, you would back away right now,” Kuya warned her and with that said, Bianca finally retreated.


“Yeah, start walking away, honey, and practice your drills this early. Maybe you’d win next year if you stop wasting your time jerking around,” Carrie called out after her.


“Are you okay, Chi? Did she hurt you?” Kuya inquired.


I was still in shock after what just happened. I couldn’t utter any word nor nod or shake my head. I glanced over to Ralph and saw him and his fiancée staring back at me. I guess they’ve heard the commotion involving Bianca a minute ago.


But I couldn’t stand it. Not with everything that I just heard from Bianca, if she’s really a credible source.


“I want to go home,” I finally manage to say, though weakly.


“Carrie, take her to the car. I’ll just tell her Coach that we’ll be heading off with Wendy.”


Carrie escorted me to our car parked outside the gymnasium. By the time I settled in the back seat beside Wade, tears started to flow down my cheeks.


Carrie went in and closed the car door behind her. She placed her arms around me and handed me a tissue.


“Ate, what happened?” Wade asked worriedly when he noticed that I was crying.


It made Dad, who was sitting on the passenger’s seat, turn around. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”


“Ralph’s getting married, Daddy.”