The basketball game and the unexpected trouble
1586 Words
---
**Kylie’s POV**
After a whole day of school, I found myself actually looking forward to the basketball game. Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging excited ako, pero ang energy ng campus ay nakakatuwa, especially since Ace invited me. It felt like a new experience and a chance to get closer to everyone.
Pagdating namin ni Junna sa gym, the place was packed with students, cheering loudly for their respective teams. Nakaupo kami sa bleachers malapit sa court, at hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng konting kaba. First time ko itong makikita, and I was trying not to be too conscious of myself.
“I’m excited for you, Kylie!” sigaw ni Junna, barely audible over the loud crowd. “This is your first time watching a game, right?”
“Oo, first time!” sagot ko, trying to hide my nerves. “Medyo kinakabahan ako.”
“Don’t worry, masaya ito! And I bet Ace will make this extra exciting for you,” she teased, winking at me.
I laughed nervously, feeling my face warm up. Why does she always have to mention Ace? I thought, pero secretly, her words made me more excited to see him in action.
---
**Ace’s POV**
I could feel the energy inside the gym as we prepared for the game. I glanced at the bleachers, and there she was—Kylie, sitting with Junna. She looked a little nervous, pero masaya ako na pumunta siya para manood. There was something about knowing she was watching that made me want to perform even better.
“Bro, focus ka!” sabi ni Marco, one of my teammates, patting me on the back. “Wag kang kabahan, siguradong panalo tayo.”
“Yeah, man, kaya natin ‘to,” I replied, pero my mind kept drifting back to Kylie.
We took our positions on the court as the referee blew the whistle. The game started fast, each team determined to score first. I could hear the crowd cheering, pero mas naririnig ko si Junna at Kylie sa kanilang lugar, at somehow, it gave me an extra boost of energy.
---
**Kylie’s POV**
The game was intense right from the start. Ang bilis ng takbo ng players, and it was hard to keep track of who had the ball sometimes. Pero my eyes were glued to Ace. He moved with so much confidence and agility. No wonder people look up to him, I thought, watching as he skillfully dribbled the ball past the opposing team.
Suddenly, the gym erupted in cheers as Ace scored the first basket. Junna and I jumped up from our seats, cheering along with the crowd.
“Go, Ace!” sigaw ni Junna, and I clapped my hands, a little shy but proud.
“Ang galing niya!” I said, smiling at Junna.
“I told you, Kylie! Ace is one of the best players here!” she shouted back, her excitement infectious.
For a while, everything felt like a normal high school basketball game full of fun and excitement. Pero bigla na lang, nagbago ang mood ng lahat.
---
**Ace’s POV**
We were leading by a few points, and the game was going smoothly. I was feeling good, confident even. Pero then, everything changed in an instant.
I was going for another layup when I suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot through my ankle. It was like stepping into a trap, and the next thing I knew, I was falling to the ground, hard. The gym fell silent as I hit the floor, clutching my ankle in pain.
“Damn,” I muttered through gritted teeth, trying to move, pero sobrang sakit ng pakiramdam ko. This is bad.
“Bro, are you okay?” Marco asked, kneeling beside me as our coach hurried over.
I could see the concerned faces around me, but my mind was racing. All I could think about was how this could affect the game and the fact that Kylie was watching. I didn’t want her to see me like this.
“I’m fine,” I lied, trying to stand up, pero the pain shot through my leg again. I collapsed back down, and the gym erupted in whispers and murmurs.
The coach signaled for the medics to come over. “Ace, don’t force it. We need to get you checked.”
As they lifted me onto a stretcher, I caught a glimpse of Kylie in the crowd. She looked worried, and I hated that she had to see me like this.
---
**Kylie’s POV**
My heart dropped when I saw Ace fall to the ground. The way he clutched his ankle made it clear that something was seriously wrong. I wanted to rush down and check on him, but I knew I couldn’t just run onto the court.
“Oh my God, Ace,” I whispered, watching as the medics lifted him onto a stretcher.
Junna grabbed my arm. “Don’t worry, Kylie. He’s tough. He’ll be okay.”
I nodded, pero hindi mawala ang kaba ko. I had never seen someone get hurt in front of me like that, and it was terrifying to watch, lalo na’t si Ace pa.
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” I said softly, my eyes following him as they carried him off the court.
Junna patted my shoulder. “He’ll be fine, trust me. Ace is resilient.”
---
**Ace’s POV**
They took me to the clinic to check on my ankle. I could already tell it was sprained, possibly worse, pero I tried not to think about it. All I could focus on was the fact that the game was still going on without me, and that Kylie had to see me like this.
“Just stay still for now, Ace,” sabi ng medic habang tinutulungan akong tanggalin ang sapatos ko. “We need to ice this and make sure there’s no fracture.”
I winced as they wrapped my ankle.This is not how I imagined today would go.
--
**Kylie’s POV**
After the game, Junna and I decided to check on Ace sa clinic. Hindi mapakali si Junna, lalo na ako. I needed to see him, kahit na sabihin niyang okay lang siya.
Pagdating namin sa clinic, nakita namin si Ace na nakahiga sa stretcher, his ankle wrapped tightly in bandages. He looked frustrated more than in pain.
“Ace, how are you?” tanong ni Junna, her voice full of concern.
He gave us a weak smile. “I’ve been better.”
I took a deep breath, relieved to see him talking. “What happened?”
“Sprained my ankle,” he said, shaking his head. “Looks like I’m out for the rest of the season.”
I frowned.That’s rough.Pero bago ako makapagsalita, biglang nag-ring ang cellphone ko. It was a call from my mom.
---
**Kylie’s POV (Continued)
I stepped outside the clinic to take the call. "Hello, Mom?"
“Kylie, honey, kailangan kang umuwi kaagad,” my mom's voice sounded shaky. “May problema tayo sa kumpanya. It’s serious.”
“What? Anong problema, Mom?” I asked, my heart racing. Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig niyang sabihin, pero naramdaman kong bigla akong nanlamig.
“The investors... they’re pulling out. I can’t explain everything right now, but your dad and I need you to come home. We need to talk.”
“Okay, I’ll be there,” I said quickly, ending the call.
I walked back into the clinic, feeling dizzy with worry. The company our family business had been a big part of our lives, and hearing that it was in trouble was terrifying.
“Kylie, you okay?” tanong ni Junna, noticing the worried look on my face.
I nodded slowly, kahit na hindi pa ako nakakapag-process ng lahat. “Yeah, pero kailangan ko nang umuwi. There’s a problem with my family’s company.”
“Oh no,” she said, giving me a hug. “I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
“I hope so too,” I whispered, pero deep down, alam kong malaki ang problema namin.
Before leaving, I looked at Ace one last time. “Ace, I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thanks, Kylie,” he said softly, his eyes meeting mine. There was something in his gaze—concern, maybe? Or understanding? Pero hindi ko na ito naisip ng matagal.
---
**Kylie’s POV**
Pagdating ko sa bahay, nakita ko agad ang mga magulang ko sa living room. Pareho silang mukhang pagod at nag-aalala, and I knew right away that this was more serious than I thought.
“Kylie, umupo ka,” sabi ng dad ko, his voice tense.
Umupo ako sa tabi ng mom ko, trying to steady my breathing. “Ano’ng nangyayari?”
“The company... we’re losing investors, Kylie. A lot of them,” my mom explained, her voice cracking. “We’re on the verge of losing everything.”
“Everything?” I repeated, barely able to process her words. “Paano nangyari ‘to?”
“It’s complicated,” my dad answered, rubbing his forehead. “We thought we had everything under control, pero bigla na lang nag-pull out ang mga investors dahil sa isang issue na hindi namin nakita. We’re doing everything we can to fix it, but...”
“But there’s a chance we might not be able to save the company,” my mom finished, tears welling up in her eyes.
I sat there, speechless
- Writer
