We are a team, and we all lost this game. We can win this next year. It was because of him we even made it to the semifinals,” said Daniel, trying to send them away.
Daniel was another teammate. It was he who cried on the defeat. He stood up from his seat, making his way into the basketball court. He patted Ariel on his back and said, “You did a splendid job, Ariel. Do not listen to them. There will always be people who will try to invalidate you. You are my hero!”
Albert came forward to hit Daniel for taking Ariel’s side; however, the coach intervened and stopped Albert by taking hold of his hand.
“Enough, Albert. Go home! Your father and mother must wait for you and your brother!” said the coach.
He couldn’t afford more drama in the basketball court, especially that they hosted the event.
Albert tried to say something but couldn’t. It was like he couldn’t muster the courage to say so, and he left with a sheepish expression on his face.
Once Albert and Joel had left the scene, he approached Ariel and gave him a warm hug. Tears ran down Ariel’s face. The coach said, “It was a good game, Ariel. It was just too close. We had a good season!”
Ariel nodded. He didn’t say a word.
The coach continued. “This is just the beginning. The next season will be much better. Trust me! Let nothing or nobody makes you lose focus. This is your passion, and because of you, we made it to the semis. A good player blooms everywhere. Nothing can overshadow talent.”
“But … look how I missed the shot! If it happened once, then it can happen twice,” said Ariel. Albert and Joel had crushed his confidence.
“Look, Ariel, everything will be okay! I dreamed that one day, one of my players would be a professional player, and I see that potential in you!”
“Oh! Really?”
Someone interrupted their conversation. It was Joel. He came back to take one last verbal assault on Ariel.
“Coach! He is nothing. Our team is being trashed because of him!”
Coach interrupted before Joel could continue. “This is not the way you treat your teammate. You all owe him for bringing the team to the semifinals. It wasn’t before Ariel that the team could think of reaching the semis until the last season.” He didn’t let anyone speak, but he continued, “He scored more baskets than all of you. Just because he lost a basket doesn’t mean you all may say whatever you like. Do you have anything else to say?”
Joel’s mouth opened, but then nothing came out.
“Off you go!” the coach said.
He turned to Ariel once again. He had half dried tears in his eyes, but this time, they told a different story.
He felt empowered, and he was happy someone took a stand for him.
The coach patted him on his back and said, “You will have more opportunities in the next season to show the best of yourself! It’s only a bad day and not a bad life. This will only strengthen you and bring the best out of you. This is what every good player goes through, and the ones who do not give up turn out to be the best!”
While the coach talked to Ariel and comforted him, his parents saw how he was broken and that he needed support.
Peter, his father, who was a public accountant, greeted the coach and put his hand on Ariel’s back. He said, “Ariel, my son, the game isn’t always about winning. What you learn from it is what matters the most. You and your team did a remarkable job. Reaching the semis wasn’t an easy job, but you all pulled through.”
Ariel nodded but didn’t say a word.
“Not that you are a bad player; no one can take the blame. The opponents were remarkable too, and we all must acknowledge that. Everything will work out fine for you next time, my superhero.” With this, Peter hugged Ariel, and so did his mother.
Ariel wiped his tears and said, “I will never play basketball again! I just can’t.”
On this, his mother began to shake her head while Peter replied, “We will talk about this further, but for now, let’s move on.”
Ariel said goodbye to the coach and went to his parents’ car.
He sat in the backseat and put his seatbelt on. While his parents said goodbye to the coach, some teammates who were leaving began to mock him.
“It’s because of Ariel that we didn’t advance to the finals,” said Vincent, another teammate who practiced with Ariel in his free time.
“We could have won this game, but I just realized we have a loser on our team,” added Luke, another player.
Their laughter and words were like daggers to Ariel. When they saw his parents approaching, they fled.
Peter and Jessica tried to comfort him, but it was all in vain. He didn’t utter a word. On their way home, they passed by Williams High School, where a board read:
Next Friday
The Story of Uncle P–Challenging the Unknown
Do not miss! You can invite your whole family.
Ariel’s father slowed down the car and asked one student, an ambassador for the event, about the flyers in his hands.
“Hello, young man! How’re you doing?” asked Peter, trying to start a conversation with the student.
“Hello sir, I’m doing well. Thank you for asking. We are representing Williams High School. Our school will host an event called ‘The Story of Uncle P: Challenging the Unknown.’ The stories are not only for the youth or for the elderly. Neither are they only for men or for women. They are for everyone, the entire family. Would you like to attend?” He was eager to secure more audience for the event.
“Who is Uncle P, and what kind of story will he be reading? Is this a real-life story? Something related to Uncle P himself?” asked Peter, intrigued by the young boy.
“Uncle P is the new Spanish teacher in our school. He likes to tell fables and make people of wisdom understand the purpose behind adversities and the notion of life. He will be our chief guest for the night. If you bring your family along, none of you will regret it. You have my word.”
The student wanted to be as persuasive as possible, so he added, “Also, it is free!”
Peter gave a faint smile for his effort and asked for three tickets.
The student rejoiced, and handing over the tickets said, “Do not stop attending. You all will have a great time. I assure you!”
“Yes, we will attend the event. I would love to listen to what Uncle P has for us,” said Jessica.
“Thank you for your kindness!” said the student while waving a goodbye as Peter began to turn the steering wheel.
Before stepping backward, another student handed Peter more tickets for other people who might want to attend.
“Cheer
