My Sweet Love

One: The Varsity

Him:

"Brother, it is almost the university week. In what department do you want to play?" said Paulo, one of my teammates and my best buddy.

It is already the second semester and the training of the basketball team of our university is already in full swing in preparation for our outside campus tournament. However, as part of the individual training and to encourage support from the students, we are being distributed in different departments as their "varsity import" for the sports activity during university week. The student council officers and representatives of each college department draw lots as to who will be their "varsity import" who will play with them during the sports competition. It is one of the highlights of our training as whoever plays best during the university week is given an opportunity to make a special request to Coach Mike during the season. Likewise, it is an opportunity to show how good we are at our craft.

For me however, as the MVP, this is not something I look forward to. I already got Coach Mike's favor and I know he already knows how good I am with this sport. However, it is still mandatory to join this and play. Failure to join the game is equivalent to being benched all throughout the summer league.

I looked at him knowingly and told him "Well, I haven't thought about it but I guess I would love to play for our college or for the college of engineering, so Princess will cheer for me".

Princess is my girlfriend. We had been together for more than 2 years, almost 3. She's taking BS Industrial Engineering and I am taking Business Administration Major in marketing.

I had made my mistakes in the past. I hurt her and despite that, she still gave me a chance to redeem myself. Ever since that day, I promised myself that I will never make the same mistake again.

He scowled at me and said "Don't you want other people to cheer for you instead? You're always head over heels when it comes to Princess. There are far more beautiful and deserving women out there".

I just laughed at him and shook my head. "Where Pau? In the allied department? They just cheered for your last year because they thought they were going to win because of you. Admit it, they might have the prettiest faces in this university, but they do not have a play. There is no one who even knows how to play basketball well. The varsity that will be assigned in that department will surely just be exhausted as hell and will still end up losing"

"You know what Ivan, you are too serious about winning. You of all people here do not have to prove yourself thus you should just play and chill. There are a lot of pretty faces and hot girls in the allied department. That was the best part. You being the hottest man in their tantalizing eyes. At the end of the day, those courses with more gents like marine, criminology and engineering have the highest chances of winning. Let's just have fun this u-week. Girls brother. Girls." he said playfully.

"I don't need them. I have my own girl"

"You are so boring, man. You are being given the chance to find pretty girls out there but you insist on staying with your jealous and not so good girlfriend. Allied girls are challenging and hot, bro"

"They are the boring ones, bro" I said mockingly. "Imagine when I see girls wearing white uniforms all they do is read and study. They are all around the university hallway talking like crazy with their hand outs. I cannot even imagine being in bed with them. Princess is a different case. I respect her, that is why nothing is happening. Those allied girls might just suddenly blurt out chemical equation during s*x"

"Boring? Boring? Really? How can you explain the experience of Henry with her allied girl? That was so hot, man. That was hot."

"Yes. It was indeed hot. However, Myla got pregnant. Henry was forced into taking responsibility. They were both just 18 that time. If you will ask me, the s*x was hot but the aftermath wasn't. It was careless".

"Whatever, Ivan. Regardless, if I were to choose, I would still choose to play for the allied department. I hope they'll have me again."

"You know what, whatever too. You're always about girls. When will you get serious?"

He just laughed at me and shook his head.

"I gotta go. I'll need to fetch Princess. Take care, brother and good luck. May allied girls be with you" I said jokingly.

"Alright, bro. Enjoy being boring"

I just shook my head again at him and left. I cannot understand why he does not like Cess. Ever since Princess and I got okay again, he seems to always find fault with what my girlfriend does. Compared to all my friends, he is the only one who is very upfront of not liking Cess. It saddens me every time he bad mouth my girlfriend but I just let it pass to avoid being on bad terms with him. I know for a fact that whatever he says, I will still choose to be with Princess.

—

We are now here at the university gymnasium. Our practice for the day was just concluded and Coach Mike will now be announcing our department assignment for the upcoming university week.

"Good job team. I can say that all of you have improved your plays. Earlier this day, the council representatives had already drawn the names of each department's varsity import. With that, I want all of you to show how good you are with the ball. Remember that this is still part of your training, thus attendance is a must. Showcase your skills and ensure that whatever you've learned here in our training will be showcased during the basketball sports competition. No play in the u-week means benched during the summer league. No exemption. Good luck and have fun, team. So here you go...

Arieta, Mark Kenneth - College of Engineering

Cartega, Spencer - College of education

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Ledesma, Paulo - Senior highschool department

Delleva, Nico Ivan - Allied health department.

Please check the schedule of each game on the bulletin board. The acting coach or sports coordinator of each department is also posted there. If you have no other questions, Good luck again and you are all dismissed"

All my teammates had already left the gym to take a quick bath but I remained seated on the bench. I felt frustrated. Not because of the u-week assignment but because of Cess. We've already planned this date 3 weeks ago, thus I thought I would be able to spend the rest of the day with her, but she cancelled at the last minute. She had an urgent errand and she is not telling me what that is. I want to get mad at her but I know I need to understand. I want to understand her but it's so hard and frustrating. I feel like I am always the one who tries to understand but Princess? She doesn't even give me her time any more. She always brings up the conversation of ending our relationship when I ask her what her problem is.

I was taken away from my deep thoughts when someone tapped me from behind. I looked at the person responsible and saw Paulo who just got out from taking a bath and had already changed his clothes. He sat beside me and asked "You're in deep thoughts, Ivan. What is it?"

I know that in situations like this, I can be open with him and share my thoughts and feelings without being judged however, I don't want him to be more strange towards my girl. If any, I want them to be okay, so I just shrugged and smiled at him "I'm all good."

"Stop it. I know you're not okay. Is it Princess again? Why? What happened?"

"Nothing, bro. I'm just tired from today's practice"

"You cannot lie to me. What is it?"

"Nothing. Promise. We just had a misunderstanding. That's all but we're good"

"Whatever, Ivan. That's your life. If you want to live it that way, that is up to you" he said in a grumpy manner.

I faked a laugh and jokingly said "I think you are just in a sour mood because you were not assigned to the allied department"

"Well, I think that's okay. So as you can experience what I experienced last year. I would give it to you so you can have fun and enjoy"

"I told you, I am not looking for a girl to fling with"

He put his hand up and said "Ooooops. I didn't say that. You concluded it. You know what, believe it or not, they know how to play. They just need a point guard and good direction since that is where they are lacking. You might be what they just need to win".

"From someone who's so boastful, I think you are too fond of me"

He just laughed at me and said "I have already accepted the fact that in this team, you are the one who makes point, Mr. MVP"

"Should I cry now out of appreciation?" I said, faking a tear.

"Yuck, Man. It does not suit you" He then jokingly hit me on the back "You go take a bath. You stink."

He got up and went to the locker room for the varsities. I also then got up to take a bath.

Sometimes, I feel like the reason why Princess is being aloof with me is because I said no when she initiated that something should happen between us. It's not that I don't want to. It's not that I am not attracted to her. I just don't want her and me to regret it. We might be adults but we are too young for a responsibility.