Romanov Aleczar Petrov.

The moment I saw Coach Riley's signal that the practice was over, I immediately stopped in my tracks and gathered the team. Sabay-sabay kaming nag-cool down saglit. Matapos no'n, ang iba sa amin ay kasama kong pumunta sa part ng bench kung saan namin inilagay ang mga gamit namin kanina. Habang ang iba naman ay dumiretso na kay Coach at umupo sa bench malapit sa kaniya.

I jogged to my badminton bag, grabbed my water bottle, and gulped down the refreshing coldness. Afterward, I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my towel.

I'd totally hit the showers later before going back to my dorm. The thought of smelling like a sweaty gym rat on the air-conditioned train was just gross. I couldn't imagine smelling awful on the train. It would totally ruin my vibe, not to mention the added ick factor.

After drinking, I packed up my bag and headed over to Coach and my teammates. Pumwesto ako sa tabi ni Tomee dahil kung nasa tabi ako ni Jordan uupo, paniguradong dadaldalin lang ako nito o 'di kaya'y aasarin. Typical.

Ibinaba ko ang hawak na bag sa tabi saka ibinaling ang atensyon kay Coach Riley. I figured she had a lot to say about how we did in practice today, just like always. But honestly, that's why I liked her.

"Good job, team! Hindi naman ako na-disappoint at talagang mas pinag-igihan pa ninyo ngayong araw." She smiled at us briefly before looking down at the clipboard she was holding. "I don't have much to say today other than a reminder for the team captain."

We were all quiet for a moment, causing her to look up from her clipboard. Her eyes zeroed on me automatically, like she could see through me. Heto na naman tayo... "This is the last time you're going to be late, Petrov. We talked about this last month. You know I don't like repeating myself."

Great. Just great. Isa na namang litanya ang nakuha ko mula sa kaniya. Don't get me wrong; I do respect her as a professor, as a coach... as a human being. Pero nakawawalang-gana ang paulit-ulit niyang reminder. Hindi naman ako isang proyekto lang at alam kong deserve ko pa rin ang role ko.

I sighed inwardly at the thought but forced a smile at her. I gave her a thumbs-up and a quick nod. "Sorry, Coach."

"Special mention ka na naman, Romano!" Jordan's teasing had already become a routine but to this day, I couldn't get myself used to it. "Hindi na kami magugulat kung isang araw, wala ka na sa practice," he added.

Jordan's teasing stung more than I cared to admit. Para 'yong isang constant reminder na kailangan kong patunayan palagi ang sarili ko sa ibang tao. Isang constant reminder na ako ang captain at hindi ako maaaring magkamali.

I whipped my head around and glared at him, making him put his hands up like he was surrendering. "One day, you'll be the reason I miss practice," I shot back, forcing a sarcastic smile.

A few minutes after talking with the coach, I freshened up a bit to prepare for the tryouts. Pangit naman kung pawisan kong ipipresenta ang sarili ko bilang team captain sa mga aplikante. Nakaupo ako sa tabi niya habang hawak ang clipboard na ipinasa niya sa akin kanina. On it were two pages of names of the applicants that I had been scanning occasionally. May iilang pamilyar sa akin pero mayro'n din namang kahit kailan ay hindi ko pa naririnig dito sa campus.

It looked like we've got a bigger turnout this year. Good. More competition meant more challenge. Let's see who's the real deal.

The lists had everything: full names, ages, emails, and their contact numbers. We started taking registrations a week ago, and Coach Riley handled it since I was busy with my studies. So now, it was my turn to run the show while she watched from the sidelines. I was totally cool with the arrangement. In fact, I liked it because I got to call the shots.

As I scanned the gym, I noticed the noise had picked up since practice. Hindi na rin naman ako nagulat nang makitang may mga estudyante pumapasok dito, magta-tryouts man o hindi, dahil malamig dito sa gym; maganda kasi ang ventilation at malawak. Isa lang din naman kasi ito sa mga kilalang tambayan sa campus.

I stood up and glanced at my wristwatch-3:30 PM-and straightened my posture, scanning the gym. Animo'y signal ang ginawa kong 'yon para sa mga aplikante dahil tumayo sila't lumapit sa pwesto ng aming team. Tahimik na pinanood ko silang bumaba mula sa bleachers. Most of them split off from their cheering friends, rackets in hand. Marami akong nakitang pamilyar ang mga mukha pero hindi ko naman matandaan ang pangalan.

"A new batch of wannabes hoping to make the cut," mahinang bulong ko sa sairli ko't ako lang din ang nakarinig. Sana naman, mas may hiya ang mga aplikante ngayong taon at walang magpumilit na makapasok sa team.

I removed the cap of the pen I was holding and glanced around once again. I could sense the tension, anticipation, and excitement that was filling the air, and couldn't help but smirk subtly. Hindi ko maiwasang mas lalong higpitan ang pagkahawak sa panulat. I was more than ready to show these people who was boss.

But deep down, I couldn't shake the nagging thought that someone in this batch might outshine me. Would I still be the captain if I faltered?

As I looked around, I finally noticed a new face among the applicants. Mag-isa siyang umupo sa bench malapit sa amin na para bang may hinihintay. My eyes automatically traveled down to where his hands were. When I saw the thing clutched between them, my eyebrow raise ever-so-slightly-it was black a badminton racket. His fingers drummed lightly against the grip. Unlike the others, his eyes were fixed on the court while sitting casually.

Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin ko sa mukha niya at doon ko lamang napansing nakatingin din siya sa akin. Our eyes met and our faces mirrored each other's indifferences. There was something about him-was it confidence or arrogance? Either way, I felt a familiar feeling ignited deep inside me.

I looked away, keeping my cool. But I couldn't help myself; I was curious. Napaisip ako kung maglalaro siya mamaya. Kung oo, bakit gano'n ang attire niya? Jeans and white sneakers? Not to mention, a sweatshirt in this heat?"

I cleared my throat and stood up straight, my voice cutting through the noise. "Alright, everyone." Nang masigurong natawag ko na ang atensyon ng lahat, nagsimula na akong magbaba ng anunsyo. "Good afternoon. I am Romanov Aleczar Petrov, Czar for short, the badminton team's captain. Beside me is our coach, Coach Riley. Sa kabila naman ni Coach ay si Jordan Alcantara, the assistant captain."

Matapos kumaway ng dalawa, partikular na si Jordan na animo'y pulitiko ang siraulo, muli akong nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita, "Before we get started, I just wanna thank everyone for coming to our tryouts today. Masaya ang aming team na makita kayong lahat at hindi na kami makapaghintay pang mapanood ang mga ipamamalas ninyong skill at talento. For those who are new here, welcome. For the returning players, I hope you're ready to give your all."

"Oh, and one more thing... the results will be released on Monday after a careful deliberation with Coach and Jordan." I paused, letting my words sink in. Nang makita kong tumango ang iba't nginitian pa ako, nagsalita akong muli, "We'll start with a simple warm-up, then we'll move on to the actual tryouts. Any questions?"

Nang makitang umiling naman ang nakararami sa kanila, pumalakpak ako. "Alright, let's get started. Jordan, ikaw na sa warm-up." I glanced at Jordan, who was grinning like an idiot. Typical. Ito ang pinakagusto niya sa lahat-ang warm-up.

Umatras ako't hinayaan siyang pangunahan ang grupo. Umupo na lamang muna ako sa tabi ni Coach Riley at tahimik na pinanood ang bawat kilos at galaw ng mga aplikante. Sa warm-up pa lang ay mayroon nang nag-e-excel pero wala pa kaming binibigay ni Coach Riley na grades sa kanila.

Muling napukaw ng atensyon ko ang lalaking nakasuot ng pantalon. Kada talon niya ay mayro'ng sumisilip na puting shirt sa ilalim ng sweatshirt nito. His face was as calm as a lake, while everyone else was struggling... like the warm-up was a breeze, even in that ridiculous outfit. Something was telling me that he had done this before, and I wouldn't be so shocked if I was indeed right.

Nawala lamang ang tingin ko sa kaniya nang mapansin kong medyo lumapit sa akin si Coach. She whispered in a low voice, making sure no one else heard, "Ako ang naiinitan sa kan'ya."

Napatango naman ako. Mukhang pareho kami ng iniisip. "Tinitignan ko pa lang siya, pinagpapawisan na ako," bulong ko pabalik habang nakatingin kay Coach.

She gave me a sidelong glance that made me pause. Saka ko lang din napansing iba pala yata ang naging dating sa kaniya ng komento ko. Whatever. I quickly thought of something to say, keeping my mask of indifference.

Before I could even open my mouth, she handed me the grading sheet, cutting me off. "Wala ka pang kopya nito, right?" tanong niya at tumango lamang ako. "Okay, keep this for our deliberations on Monday."

I nodded again after taking the grading sheet. I turned my attention to it and scanned the names, ensuring that all registrants were listed. Ilang minuto matapos kong gawin 'yon ay natapos na rin ang warm-up na pinangunahan ni Jordan. Kaya naman, tumayo na rin ako at ipinaliwanag ang mga gagawin namin ngayong araw.

Nang masigurado ko namang may partner na ang lahat, singles or doubles match man ang in-apply-an nila, opisyal ko nang sinimulan ang tryouts. Tumayo ako sa tabi ni Coach habang hawak ang grading sheet at saka tinawag ang unang dalawang pangalan sa listahan. Nang masigurong handa na silang maglaro, si Coach na ang nag-initiate ng match at nanood ako nang tahimik.

Sa kabilang banda, nanatiling buhay at masigla ang gym dahil sa mga estudyanteng nagsilbing audience ng mga aplikante. Since most were buddies with the players, the gym was always loud with cheers whenever their friends got a point. Hindi naman na bago iyon pero kung makapag-ingay sila ay parang nasa finals kami ng isang tournament. To put it simply, they were over the top.

From moment the tryouts kicked off, my eyes were glued to the court, constantly scanning the players while looking for that little extra something. Inaalis ko lang ang tingin ko sa kanila sa tuwing mayroon akong ilalagay na feedback, grade, o note sa sheet. Though, sometimes, I'd zone out if the game was boring.

"It wasn't just about winning; it was about how they played." Tandang-tanda ko pa ang linyang ito ni Coach nang mag-usap kami noon tungkol sa tryouts. That was why we were having deliberations on Monday. Yeah, winning the match will affect their score greatly, but we were also judging their style, their hustle, and their potential. If someone showed promise, even if they lost, we'd give 'em a shot.

To be honest, this was a total waste of time. But since the coach insisted, I just went with it. It was a bit... mundane. But orders are orders, right?

Lumipas ang halos dalawang oras, nasa kalahati pa lang ang bilang ng mga manlalarong pumasok sa court. Each game was like watching paint dry. Pakiramdam ko ay mas mauubos pa ang oras at energy ko sa kaiisip kung anong maikokomento ko kada player. Most of them were all the same, predictable and mediocre.

Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili kong takpan ang bibig upang humikab. Mukha lang akong pagod pero ang totoo, nasa isip ko nang boring ang tryouts ngayong taon kumpara sa mga nakaraan. With a critical eye, I scanned the list and called out the next player.

"Ethan Gabriel Martinez."

I did a double-take when I saw the pants guy standing up, smoothing out his shirt. Tumaas nang bahagya ang kilay ko. So, he was actually trying out today?

Hindi na niya suot ang sweatshirt kanina dahil nakita kong inilapag niya iyon sa ibabaw ng bag niya. Just a plain white tee. Classic. He grabbed his racket and strolled over to the other side of the court when I called his name.

I couldn't shake the feeling that he was different. Relaxed ang mga balikat niya't halata sa kaniyang mga mata ang focus. He stood wall and walked with a purposeful stride. Medyo loose rin ang hawak niya sa raketa kumpara sa grip ng mga naunang player.

Ah... a classic rookie, thinking he could just waltz in here and take over everything. Alam ko na 'to. Nakita ko na ito noon, lalo na sa mga torneong dinaluhan ko. He seemed pretty chill with all that nonchalant vibe going on. Now... I'd like to see if he could keep up the act.

While silently assessing this new kid in the block, I saw the subtle smug grin on his face. Oh, boy, I was too tempted to wipe it off. I knew I'd have to put him in his place one way or another...

...and I knew he was asking for it.