‘What?’ Sam thinks. ‘What does this dream mean, Lord?’

Preoccupied with her mind, she loses awareness of what’s going on around her. In the world of her thoughts, she dwells in confusion and bewilderment.

‘What’s going on, Lord? What’s Mark got to do with this? Me and Mark getting married?’

“Sam! Look! The Warriors are winning!” says someone beside her.

Sam turns to someone calling her out.

‘Oh. It’s Ruth.’

“The Maaravi Warriors are finally having a championship trophy!”

‘Huh.’

Sam looks up at the scoreboard and sees the Warriors burying the VCF Lions.

“With any defeat in the tournament, they’re finally gonna win the championship!” Ruth adds.

The crowd counts down the final seconds as the game closes.

“5! 4! 3! 2! 1!”

And the buzzer beats for the last time.

The crowd erupts with joy as the Warriors wins the tournament.

Then out of nowhere, Cesar summons himself before Sam.

“How did I do, darling?” says Cesar with a smile.

Sam didn’t answer momentarily as if too bewildered to speak. Seeing this, Cesar’s smile fades and he knots his brow.

“What’s wrong, Sam?”

Sam snaps out of it and says, “Oh, sorry. I spaced out.”

He nods his head and says, “Oh… Ok…”

Sam gives him back a faint smile and says, “Congrats on winning the tournament, Cesar. I know it matters to you more than anything.”

Cesar’s smile widens, “Yeah, I know, right?”

She glances a look past him and sees Mark looking at them with pain in his eyes and a faint smile. Mark notices her glancing at him and he immediately turns and joins his teammates.

Sam continues to casually talk with Cesar when there’s an announcement, summoning the coach and players of the Warriors.

“I’ll be back, Sam.”

“Of course, Cesar. You go ahead.”

Cesar gives her a smile and bolts to the middle of the Toledo Sports Center. The Warriors coach and players gather as they’ve been given the championship trophy, a glistening gold trophy. The players receive it and touch it as if it’s a holy object. Until Cesar takes the turn in carrying it.

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Cesar then walks up to Coach Perez who watches them with a contented smile.

“Coach, you deserve this,” says Cesar who then gives the trophy to his coach. “We wouldn’t have won the tournament if it wasn’t for the time and effort that you’ve invested in us.”

Cesar turns to his teammates and says, “Warriors! What do we say!?”

And the entire team says, “Thank you, Coach Perez!!”

Then a tear finds its way down Coach Perez’s face. “Thank you, fellas. In all my coaching years, you’ve been the strongest team I’ve ever seen in the entire Cebu Province. It’s a privilege coaching you… men of Toledo City.”

And by that, the players sob.

“Thank you, coach, for everything.”

“We couldn’t have won without you, coach.”

The coach then continues, “I told you we would win the championship. With the help of our star players—”

He summons Cesar, Mark, Justin, and Kevin forward and they comply.

“They have been the focal of our strengths in offense and defense,” Coach Perez says as he puts his arm over them. “We’re gonna build a dynasty.”

And the team goes into an uproar.

Suddenly, it is announced that the MVP award will be given to—

“Cesar Owens!”

The team shouts in jubilation as he goes forward to receive the award, a gold-gilded trophy smaller than the championship trophy. Cesar raises the trophy for his teammates to see and they shout and howl even more.

Mark sees everybody rejoicing, except… for Kyle Aguas. Kyle just has a gruff look towards Cesar with no hint of joy or happiness, but there’s only hatred and resentment.

The team is greeted with high-fives as they’re leaving the Dome.

Sam, in particular, can’t get to Cesar as he’s surrounded by jolly teammates. But Sam is able to reach Mark who walks up to her willingly.

“Hello, Mark. Congrats on your win. You put up a good show in there. You showed them all who’s the best shooter out there.”

Mark flushes and says, “Oh, hehe. Uhm, you know. Ah hha. Th-thank you, Sam.”

Sam gives him a gentle smile, “I know you like me, Mark. You can tell me.”

Mark’s heart skips a beat, and he just stands there.

“Uhm…” Mark chuckles and scratches his head. “You’re not serious, are you? What do you mean?”

Sam gently shakes her head, “Let’s cut the denial, Mark. Do you like me?”

Mark’s world stands still as if the two of them are the only people in the world. Mark struggles to find the words, mouthing something without a sound.

“Yes,” says Mark. “I like you… very, very, very—"

Sam chuckles.

“Very, very much, Sam,” continues Mark. “Ever since I set my eyes on you that first day of class, I… dreamed about being with you for the rest of my life. Never a day that I don’t want to be with you because… I love you, Sam.”

Time seems to stand still around them and all Sam can see in his eyes is his love burning inside him.

Sam walks up close to Mark and the latter waits expectantly on what’s gonna happen. She then embraces him and Mark is stunned.

“Thank you, Mark,” says Sam. “For saying that to me. I’ve been waiting for you to say that, I knew what you already felt for me but I wanted you to say it to me. I appreciate your feelings but…”

This is what Mark dreaded.

Sam lets go and pulls herself away from Mark.

“But I’m in love with Cesar, I can’t do much about it, Mark. It’s like we’ve been glued together, I love him so much, Mark.” Then Sam gives way to a torrent of sobs.

“Then…” says Mark. “Why did you want me to confess then? Why, since you’re already in love with Cesar? Are you making fun of me? Of my feelings?”

Sam looks at him straight to his soul, “NO!! No, Mark. There’s nothing much like that.”

“Then what is it, Sam? You made me confess and you say to my face that you love Cesar so much. What kind of ploy are you making?”

“I… There’s a drea—”

“Sam!” Someone shouts in the distance.

‘Cesar—' Sam thinks.

“What happened?” says Cesar as he walks up to them. “Mark, what did you do?”

Mark shakes his head and says, “I didn’t do anything, master. Maybe you should ask her.”

Cesar turns to Sam and says, “Sam, what’s going on?”

Sam stares at Cesar with no words coming out of her mouth. Cesar gives her a gentle smile and a hug.

“You’re dead tired,” Cesar says as he pulls away. “I’ll take you home.”

Sam wipes her tears, “No, I’ll go with you. I insist. I don’t want to miss your celebration dinner.”

Cesar smiles back and says, “If you insist.”