Mist After Rain

Chapter 6

Gusto kong masuka sa sinabi ni Coach. Imposibleng maging kaibigan ko itong weirdong babae na 'to. Mas gugustuhin ko pang makipagkaibigan kay Lucifer kaysa sa kanya.

Kasalukuyan naming kumakain ng lunch nang pumalakpak bigla si Coach para kuhanin ang atensyon ng lahat. I'm sure this is it. She will going to announce about the new captain of the team.

Coach Sasha cleared her throat before smiling to all of us, "I know you were all waiting for my announcement about the new captain of the swimming team, so here it is. I'm going to say it now..." she paused for a moment and took a glance at me and Farren.

My heart is pounding so fast. Parang pakiramdam ko ay maririnig ng mga tao sa paligid ko ang pagkabog ng dibdib ko dahil sa lakas nito. Para rin akong kinakapos ng hiningi sa mga oras na ito dahil sa palipat-lipat na tingin ni Coach Sasha sa aming dalawa ni Farren. Nakangiti si Coach sa amin kaya ngumiti na lang din ako para maibsan ang kaba.

"Congratulations Farren Monteverde, you will be the new captain of the AMC Senior High School Girls Varsity Swimming this year," Coach Sasha stated full of gladness in her voice. She hugged Farren tightly while tapping her back, "Nakapanghinayang lang na magko-kolehiyo na kayo sa susunod na taon at mapapabilang na sa College Department."

Fvck.

Pakiramdam ko ay parang nabingi ako sa narinig ko. Unti-unting naglaho ang ngiti sa mukha ko at pakiramdam ko ay hindi ako makagalaw sa kinauupuan ko.

Our team happily congratulate her on success. I can't believe that I, myself, failed with the thing I want to do the most. The only thing I really want to do rather.

I clenched my fists and bit my lip hardly to the extent that it almost bleed. Disappointment was all over my face.

Nilapitan ako ni Coach at hinawakan sa balikat. Ngumiti siya sa akin pero hindi ko nagawang ngumiti pabalik rito.

"You're a great swimmer and you know that in yourself, right? May chance ka pa sa mga susunod pang mga taon sa kolehiyo. I hope this won't discourage you from pursuing the field of swimming instead it'll be a motivation for you to do better. Please, don't stop aiming high and reaching your dreams, Harry," Coach Sasha said. Trying to cheer me up.

She smiled and hugged me. I tried to smile even just a little.

Why did you choose her over me, Coach?

I badly wanted to ask that question to Coach Sasha but I can't. Because I know that her words were powerful enough to destroy my feelings even more.

Natatakot ako na baka lalong hindi ko lang matanggap ang desisyon niya.

No, no matter what happens I can't accept the fact that she chose that Farren girl over me who's been here since day one. I feel betrayed.

Nagsimula na kaming mag-ensayo sa paglangoy pagkatapos ng anunsiyo tungkol sa bagong captain ng team.

"Harry, are you feeling okay?" Coach Sasha asked while calculating my speed then faced me with a worried expression. "Your speed was not improving, I think you need a break pahinga ka muna sandali," dagdag niya pa bago tumungo sa mga ibang members.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Inalis ang goggles sa mata, itinaas ko iyon sa ulo at umahon na sa pool. Imbes kasi na bumilis ang paglangoy ko ay mas lalo pa itong bumagal ngayon kumpara sa mga nakaraang araw.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa locker nang biglang may lalaking tumuwag sa pangalan ko. Pagtingin ko ay ang kaklase ko pala na barkada ni Jace, kasama sa boys varsity swimming. Ngumiti siya sa akin ng ngiting mapang-asar. Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin.