Chapter 35 School break - tournament week and a crazy night

During the night, all of us together in my house, mom and Sylvia is cooking for dinner. Steward is staying with Geoffrey, I kinda like the atmosphere here because its feel like a family. But I had to keep in shape for tomorrow’s match, Arie called that he wanted to train together. During at night we practice one on ones against each other. Arie warns me about one of the players in Rafflesia

“There is only one problem, that is one of the problematic player, he purposely makes fouls and ruins players. He has nothing to be noted but he has been a problem among other teams.”

“got it”

“Just remember his name Gordon his name…he is not Sabahan but an American. Though he is shorter than an average Americans players around 5’6” Gordon sounds familiar

“Meaning that he has experience eh?”

“high school basketball…”

“Hey lets do this again, I’m want to get serious” its been a while I haven’t played seriously since in America.

“You kidding me right?”

“nope…I have played to my former potential but since you here maybe I could play that”

“Fine at least I wanted to know”

I started the play, I dribble lower than usual and speed pass through him, the level that I played once in Highschool and middle school before as a freshman. I took the shot and it went in.

“Damn that is fast…”

“American level basketball is always all about speed and power that is why I improving my stamina rather than skill”

Arie one on one against me, I could see that his movement is slower because of my focus. I took the ball, and dribble back Arie is blocking for space. I took the shot and it went in.

“So is all about shooting eh?”

“Yeah…bout time I played like this…”

Arie took the shot but its a fake, I block his movement but it went in. We both steal each others movement and technique, to the point that we had almost the same skill except dunking. It ended quickly and we rested.

“phew….that is tiring against you…” Arie

“Nothing is crazier than you though… getting my skill that fast…”

“I just lack in stamina..but you still had some gas in you, and doesn’t look tired yet..” Bullshit, I’m really out of gas now, he is really good.

“Nah, look at me I’m really tired”

“Our next match is Wild Cats, I got a score to settle with Gabriel”

“Don’t lose then….we going to the championship”

“Yeah” we fist pump and Arie went back. I look there, but I plan to continued back to practice my movement. I taken the shot, and it went in. 500 shots for the light practice, and lastly where I need to improve back my long range shot, another 500 shots for the 3 points. It took another hour of my time, that is already midnight. Dammit, I played that long but Sylvia is waiting for me.

“Never seen you that focus in basketball, its mesmerising”

“Huh? yeah..because I need to focus myself instead of other things” she makes a cold drink for me.

“Here just for you…” dammit, I’ve got to focus myself instead being distracted again, she is wearing a tight shirt and a short. Mariam suddenly interrupt,

“You know, there is another match for you to be again, if you burn out those energy…”

She is also wearing shorts, and her hair tied like a pony tail.

“Sil?”

“Yeah?”

“If I could let you have Alex for a while, but I’ve also let Priscilla have him as well, what do you think”

Sylvia suddenly find a rope and tell her with a yandere expression

“I’m going to tie him and lock him in the room”

“kukuku…” stop it!! Mar I have a match for tomorrow!!

“whatever…” I head out for a bath and head to bed. Once in bed, I rested my head, while Amin and Hazlan is sleeping peacefully, but I kinda wanted to blow off steam. I wanted to prank them. I took a marker pen and draw whisker to Hazlan and Amin a beard and moustache. And I went to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up early, for subuh prayers while Hazlan did not realise his face. I hold my laugh, while prayed. Amin woke up. Mom was surprised but she also hold her laugh. Don’t laugh mom, until the last moment. We prayed subuh and both of them went to bed. While I head out to school basketball court for the early warm-up before the match.

Once arrive, Frankie and Thiru is there.

“This is it, our first home match..”

“Yeah, we better win it” I’ve always wanted to say it to them

“We will win it for sure…” I smile at them, brimming with confidence.

“captain…” both of them are crying

“This is my last time as a student for this club….uhhhh…” Thiru is thinking that this will be his last

“Don’t be idiot, this is the beginning of a good season…plus this competition is really intense, matches on a daily basis…”

“Yeah…hope out team rested well…”

Others have arrived, and we begin our warm-up. 2 hours left before the Rafflessia team arrived. Since this is not a big thing, we have less spectators in the court. I was wrong, looks like UMS brought an army of supporters. Damn, hopefully our team is not nervous about this.

“Alright, this will between a defeat or winning this…” Coach David

“We going to let this starting line-up”

Centre - Fredickson, Point guard - Long Man, Shooting guard - Chong ; Small forward - Alex ; Thiru - Power forward

“We going to rest a bit longer for Frankie and Danish they will be the key for this match”

“got it!!!” Everyone

I got the captain armband and they looked at me looks like we going to huddle up

“Remember….we are really going to the championship got it?”

“Yeah!!!” A really loud shout from us.

When we entered facing them, I wanted to give an impression of fear to them with a loud roar with all the players

“Alright, just follow my lead we going to give them a little scare, the roar of the sonic boom at them”

I took my breath at the whole court and all of us shouted

“URAGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Everyone.

The whole court silence including them.

“Are they losing it?!”

“What the hell is that shout!!”

I point at them and declared at them

“WE ARE GOING FOR THE WIN!! AND THIS IS OUR LAST STAND HERE!!!” An early start to a crazy match.

The plan works seems most of the become agitated and nervous. Fredickson started and it was an easy task for him, I took the ball and score a 3 point shot, it went in

“ 3 : 0”

“An instant score!!!!”

They entered the ball but I don’t see Gordon inside. Only suddenly I saw from the bench, a brunette coloured hair guy that look caucasian, is looking at me. They started to attack but I remember that Arie told me that they always had a slow start so I going to make a huge difference in score in the 1st quarter, with my stamina advantage and fitness I’m go to make all of it. I took the shot again. Another one went in.

“6 : 0”

“Score for the home team!!”

“We wanted to see Alex doing the dunks!!” Sorry everyone because I’m going to make sure that the other team could not reach it.

They entered the game again and I steal the ball and pass to Chong where taken the shot for 3 points and it went in.

“9 : 0”

“The jet is going supersonic now!!”

During the 1st quarter we manage to stop all of their attacks until the end of the 1st quarter the result is “46 : 2” everyone could not believed what they saw.

“Never knew that SIGMA is really strong…”

“What is our team is doing?”

“That guy there, SIGMA’s captain is really something, he is like Arie the previous MVP in Sabah region”

“Yeah but a much aggressive style of play”

We meet-up for 2nd quarter, where we switch the whole team.

“Alright we change again” coach David

Centre - Frankie, point guard - Jackson, Shooting guard - Mikhail, Power forward - Danish, forward - Peter

So the next match, I ask the coach to let me warm up, practicing my basic dribbling. While Thiru approach me

“What do you think about this team captain?”

“We need to score as much as possible, because one of them has entered the match right?”

“Yeah..”

“You better be ready”

Once the game start, it is as usual but we heard a loud shout from the UMS side, seem they scored. I went there, and Peter had a bleeding to his head. Seems like Arie prediction is true. Peter switch with Devinson as point guard while Jackson is the small forward.

Peter is laying down on the floor while the paramedic is treating his wounds. Seems he is okay but he is really pissed

“That bastard he purposely bang his elbow to my face…”

I shouted at the team

“Hey guys!!! Just keep scoring, they could done nothing other than beating other players, one hit is 3 points!! Got it!!”

“OOOOOOOO!!!!”

Just like that we got the scores within 15 mins the result is 96 : 8 which is a total trashing. Something is begin to change to Gordon he is aiming at the shooter, I asked the coach

“That American guy there…he is like a mad dog targeting at our shooter…”

“yeah…its a good idea we rotate the team so that they could not manage to predict who is the main shooter…but they don’t know the main shooter is you and Chong”

“Until the last moment…” I smiling with confidence. While the other side is panicking

Mikhail takes the shot but was pushed by Gordon while it went in but Mikhail is out, he is hurt.

The result is 99 : 8 which is enough to demoralise them. Devinson did a good job in maintaining his performance and supplying the pass to our team.

Coach David signalling Frankie to take the initiative, Frankie than head for the attack, Gordon is trying to take him down but he forgot that Frankie is big and instantly he slam dunk and Gordon is down. Gordon is foul again, which 2 point awarded to us.

Frankie takes the shot which he missed one of it. A lead again of 102 : 8, a massive lead, though there no spectators from our side during this time, but our team could handle the pressure. We run again, at least Coach decision to make Frankie mark Gordon is spot on, strength with strength, looks like it works. Peter is back and we switch with Devinson again and they back to their normal position. With that, the team manage to increase the lead again to 110 : 10 Coach David explain to me

“The previous games with Borneo College was 45 : 42 seems a bit off with their play, but we know that Borneo College is at the same level as them.”

“Yeah, we need to reserved to match with another team..”

Yeah, our next games will be Kings. One of the strongest in the league now. Rotation between members is important because of the next game that we are going to face tomorrow. On the 3rd quarter the result has reach to a level that is impossible for them to reach 148 : 12 a total defeat by us, a contribution by Peter, Mikhail, Devinson and Chong including Frankie making all the scores though the last point I contribute is only 25 points. In the last quarter, they we switch again, but I did not play the last game knowing that we are winning. The last timer buzz and the result is 150 : 16. A total defeat but we rising the ranks. UMS supporters could not believed what they saw. Even though most of our supporter did not come but the journalist did record our winnings.

Coach David showed our latest standings where most of the team completed today.

MBSPL (Malaysian Basketball Semi-Pro League)

Sabah region

Saturn could only manage to draw between Wild cats. We are now in the top 4. Man of the match in this week match is Arie a tough battle between Gabriel clinch a tie against a stronger team.

“Tomorrow will be toughest challenge yet is against the 1 ranking now in the league. Alex and Frankie I need you on every quarter of the game, because of the two best player there”

“Got it”

“KK high school is a private elite school so they have their own private basketball court and its indoor…”

“Is it going to be an upset or losing it…?” Frankie

“Don’t JINX IT!!!!!!” Everyone

Kings easily beaten the Sharks by 102 : 70; while Borneo Eagles draws against Cavalry. Coach David explain that ANZAC possess tall players at least 5’8. Seems like Saturn will face Borneo Eagles. Hope that Saturn beat them.

“Get a good rest for tomorrows match!!”

“Got it!!”

I head home and Frankie asked me about Wesley

“Do you think we could beat the duo?”

“who knows until we find out tomorrow…”

“yeah…”

I head straight back home, with my friends staying there, at least my family had company while I’m busy with the tournament. I maintain my fitness while practice my shots. Mariam and Amin hang around with me, behind the house.

“This is the first time I seen you this focus other than class…” Mariam

“Like a real pro…” Amin

“Sorry….but I need to get this team to the knockout stages…hopefully be done by this week..during the long holidays..”

“yeah…its fasting season…”

Yep its Ramadan starting tomorrow. Hopefully our team will have enough energy in the afternoon. Hazlan called us to head for Tarawih prayers, realise them is not crazy as usual. After the terawih, we hang around behind, together.

“Hey Honey, tomorrow is fasting…”

“Yeah…so…😏” Mariam is also a muslim faith as well.

“Crazy things is something not allowed..” Amin is lecturing her

“Yep..but Alex is busy with the basketball tournaments” Mariam is up to something.

“How about this….kukuku…” I’ve got a bad feeling about this. She went up and she actually brought the Oujia board games, inviting all of us except Hana.

“Just for fun”😉 Mariam is really digging something from me.

“Alright just tonight got it Honey?” Nice one Amin

“Got it honey…” she suddenly kissed him

“Since this is the last night doing this…kukuku….”

We head down to the living room and hopefully there nothing as scary like last time because I’ve got a long week. Mariam prepared the board games and called again the spirit. Mom is sleeping now. It seems right now the candle turns white so its a good sign.

“Let starts with Pris…”

“huh…what the hell Mar!!?”

“Who is really James Bond in Pris mind?”

The board game move the letter ‘A.L.E.X”

Sylvia glared at Priscilla while she is embarrassed

“Did Alex make the first move?” What the hell you ask that?! Sylvia is glaring at me

The board move again and it said ‘No’ fuck!! 😨 safe

“darling….good boy” She smiling at me

“That is not funny Mar!!”

“Next….did Alex kissed Sylvia?” MAR!!😱

“Hey!!!” Sylvia is embarrassed

The board move again and it say yes. Priscilla pinch my waist. Fucking Mar she is really having fun. This is getting stupid, but Mariam is not stopping now. She is now aiming at Hazlan

“Who is the girls name that Hazlan liked?” That is pretty obvious is definitely Tama. And it wrote Tama,

“This is stupid!! How could you would believed all of this?” Hazlan is lecturing them while Mariam is teasing him, Tama did not understand all of this

“Ummm, i like Hazlan as well…” Hazlan head is now🤯 he suddenly frozen and fainted. I asked Tama to carried him to the bedroom while she returns to bedroom. I wanted to end this quickly.

“Does my honey looking at other girls?” Oh shit, this part Amin is going to be in trouble

“Honey..😅” you going to die Amin. The Oujia board turns to Yes and that is the part where Amin is being knocked out by Mariam, she asked me to sent Amin back to the bedroom.

Now is leaving Sylvia, Priscilla, Me and Mariam in the game. Mariam then asked another question

“Is Priscilla is thinking dirty things about Alex?” She is really aggressive and the board heads to yes where Sylvia and Priscilla is about to have a cat fight. I had to stop the two of them while Mariam is smiling again.

“Does Alex loved Sylvia and Priscilla ?” The hell!! What is that related to all of this, is this what you called fun? But I realise she is knocking out the members as if she is really finding out something. The board move to yes and their faces turns red as a tomato, and started to leave the room.

“Ah!!! This is stupid!!!” They both head back to the room. Suddenly the atmosphere become serious, Mariam looked at me in serious way.

“Now all of them are out this time, now for the serious things..”

“What are planning now Mar?”

“Since, stupid fool like you will never going to admit, I’m going to make things easy like peeling a banana…” the fuck don’t used that analogy.!!!

“The number of girls that Alex love?” Huh?

The ouija board heads to 4

“kukuku….now next question, which one that he loved the most?”

It wrote N.A.T.A.L.I.E ; well of course that I loved her you idiot!!

“Then the next question, a serious one.” Now what?

“Why he always hide things from me?” Huh? Is that the reason?

The ouija board wrote one word P.R.O.T.E.C.T

“Kukuku….another one, does Alex want to meet Natalie in LA soon this Christmas?” Shit she is going to find out my real purpose. The board head to No, her eyes look at me seriously and she suddenly ask a question that scared me the most

“Is he going to kill someone?” And Oujia board head to No, I begin to silence myself while Mariam asking all these question.

“What is his real purpose following me?” The board wrote ’S.A.V.I.N.G’ Mariam then asked again

“Who is the person that he want to save in LA?” The board wrote ‘F.R.I.E.N.D’ she is going deep again with this stupid board games.

“Then what does Alex treat me like?” The board wrote ’S.I.S.T.E.R’ she suddenly smile.

“Last one, is he planning to die there?” The board head to No and she felt relived the candle returns back to normal and she look at me

“I want to tell you something about Nat…about what I argue about with her”

“…….” I listen to her

“She said that someone is blackmailing her father because of Nat appointment as an underage student in UCLA, the guy that she dated is the one that blackmail her dad, but her dad did not know that….”

“so..she is doing things herself again?”

“Yeah…I argue with her, that she need to tell her dad about this but she is really persistent about this and we ended up with argument in the phone, she suddenly shouted at me ‘I’ve also wanted to be like ALEX!!’ That is what I’m worried about…”

Seems like this time a lot of things I need to do there. But I got Mar here to back me up.

“Then we doing this together…with Amin, I need to close myself a lost page that I kept it open for years, Darrel’s last will that my friend Damien is looking for it…”

“i wonder what is that?”

“Redemption….I want to clear Darrel’s name and I want to end it as soon as possible..”

“Yeah, Amin will always be there with me, like he promise but I don’t want anything to happen to him….of course I’m scared”

I knock her head

“You idiot!! You’ve got your audition then focus on that while I settle with I could within my limit”

She is smiling and hugged me

“You dumb fool” I smiled at her while Amin went down seeing this and suddenly hugged together

“Dumbass honey!! why the hell you knock me out!?” Mariam is embarrassed

“I heard all of it, hey Bro don’t worry about me, because I’m just focusing on honey making sure she’s in her best shape in the audition.”

“ceh…i worried for nothing then…”

“Nope honey, you know that our best bud here is going to make something stupid..”

“yep…I know..Mar cried when you done something stupid”

“Huh?”

“Before all of this Sil told us about the little incident with your dad, I manage to pull out something from dad…yeah you got shot that time yeah”

They gone mature quickly than me, they not even married yet.

“Honey told ya that Alex is not going to leave us behind again…”

“yeah…” Amin pull her ear

“Tomorrow is going for sahur later we could missed it!!” I smile at them.

“Yeah, yeah!!”

We all head to bed.

In my room, Amin talked to me

“Hey bro, don’t make Honey worried about you got it?”

“yeah..sorry about it…”

“nah…I’m just wanted her to be happy, you don’t how lonely she is, in that big penthouse while her parents is always busy with work”

“Ceh…that mean did you do it?”

“Why the hell I have to do that asshole!!”

“Who knows…”

“Shut up asshole”

“whatever…hahaha” we both laugh

“We got your back, you know that right?”

“yeah…”

I closed my eyes while preparing myself for the match tomorrow.