Chapter 6: Endure

'LUIS SANTILLAN! You may stop now!", Lambert ordered Luis. Luis obeyed immediately, still breathless, he fell to his knees on the floor. It was obvious that he looked extremely exhausted. Rina was about to run towards Luis to help him but she was stopped when Lambert began to talk again. "And after this... Promise me you'll stop. You'll stop and let me be at peace again.", Lambert said coldly and immediately turned his back on her. Rina was confused but she didn't mind it so much and went on to help Luis. "Luis..."; Rina said worriedly as she assisted him in standing up. 'Wa-water… water…", Luis was still breathless. Lambert had positioned himself near Luis and Rina, for this reason, they both looked at him in surprise. "Tsk, 32 laps only and you already look like this. I suggest you quit from basketball.", Lambert arrogantly said to them. 'You're too much, Lambert… Luis had also tried his best to follow your order.", Rina complained and frowned. Rina's words made Lambert even more furious. "Woah, 32 laps! That's tiring already!", one member whispered 'Even I could only do 30.", another one added. Other members nodded in agreement as they were amazed at Luis. Other members had their own opinion as well and it has begun to become noisy around. "W-Wait… what are you planning to do?!", Rina asked when she saw Lambert getting in a running position. 'What else? I will show you someone who can run 100 laps around the gym.", Lambert answered and before Rina could even react, he starts running away from her around the gym. Rina was so surprised, not only her but also the entire basketball club. 'LAMBERT?! You're crazy!!!", Rina yelled but it was clear that she is extremely worried for Lambert. Everyone in the gym was shocked, they were all holding their breath in suspense and all their attention is now on the man who is currently running around the gym that no matter how many times his members tried to stop him, he pushes them away and continued running."99..."; everyone was thrilled as they counted the laps Lambert has done. "100!!!"; everyone cheered and yelled happily. 'Captain did it! Captain finished the 100 laps!", everyone couldn't believe it. 'Wow amazing!", others complimented. Everyone in the gym had clapped their hands and cheered for Lambert, including Luis, his admiration for his captain had become even more fervent. 'Wow! Captain Lambert is so awesome!", Justin commented. Rina was speechless and she couldn't believe it. What Lambert did only made her wonder even more as to what this man of her dreams could possibly do more. Lambert was all sweat when he walk towards his team, even though he was breathing heavily, he doesn't seem to be too tired. He looked at his team seriously. "What are you still waiting for? Why aren't you doing anything? Start practicing!", Lambert yelled at his teammates who were just staring blankly at him. With his roaring voice, the admiration turned into panic and everyone hurriedly obeyed their respected team captain, others even shivered as they followed. "I am won't settle with only good players in my team... I want the best! And if you want to become one then you need to undergo and pass my intensive training!", Lambert said in a stern manner. Everyone nodded as they agree and Luis smiled as he became more inspired by what Lambert had just done. "Yes, captain! I want to be like you! Promise I'll never give up!", Luis declared happily. "Me too captain!", another newbie agreed. "Me too!", another one added and everyone agreed that they want to be the best in the eyes of their captain. "Alright, for beginners, master your lay-ups and two-point shooting... As for the first five...", Lambert instructed as he faces Justin, Yuan, and Alex. His regulars became agitated, wondering what might Lambert ask them to do while the newbies hurriedly tend to their tasks. "You guys need to improve your fastbreak... When it says fastbreak it must be indeed... Fast. However, I find you all too slow, that will become our weakness when the time comes.", Lambert told them coldly but they also felt his disappointment for them. Maybe because they always bag the championship, it had been their practice to be so at ease and they always depend on everything to Lambert. "You all have the potential... But that is not enough. So better start improving your speed and endurance.", Lambert told them. The regular members' faces lit up in hope because they felt happy when Lambert trusts them and gives them advice and tips. "Yes captain!", everyone answered cheerfully. Because of Lambert's 100 laps run, he was able to inspire his whole team. Everyone wanted to improve their abilities but it remains to Rina's mind as to why did Lambert had to do that, everyone already admires him or why did he have to make Luis suffer just to point out he could run 100 laps. He could've just run in the first place and didn't make everything harder for Luis. Rina looked at Lambert, but the man of his dreams is already busy now with his team. She then suddenly remembered what lambert had said earlier. And after this... Promise me you'll stop. You'll stop and let me be at peace again., Lambert repeated on Rina's mind. This seems to answer Rina's questions. She is not smart but she got the idea that maybe Lambert had to go through all these because just like how desperate she is to be noticed by Lambert… he is the opposite of it. Maybe he is not doing this to inspire his team at all… maybe he is doing this because as desperate as I am… he is also determined to shut me off!, Rina was saddened with what she had thought. She frowned as she continues staring at the man she likes so much. 'Hey, Rina Montecruz! Are you just gonna stand there and do nothing?! Pick up your ball and better start practicing your basics!", Paula sarcastically ordered at Rina. Rina diverted her attention and even though her pride is hurt because at home, she is being treated like a princess, here she is being treated as a slave and worst they tend to make fun of her. But it's okay for Rina, she wouldn't fight them because she can endure everything just to be with Lambert in the basketball club. 'Yes captain!", Rina answered cheerfully at her captain but she sighed as she followed her orders. While all the regular members of the women's team are busy in a practice match, Dina is also busy running after the balls they're using, most of the time, she would even trip on it clumsily, and in the end, she became the clown of the basketball club once again. "Why would she even bother forcing herself in the basketball club, she's too clumsy!", Dulce commented loudly enough for others, including Rina to hear. Dulce is one of Paula's first five. Everyone laughed even though she wasn't mentioning any names, it was clear that she was pertaining to Rina. It hurts Rina's feelings but Dulce was stating a fact too, she is indeed clumsy and she even admits it. It is okay for her teammates to persecute her and made fun of her, at least she would be able to see and be with Lambert every day. Because it is impossible for her to be with the fast learners where Lambert is because… she is not smart. This is the only place she could be with him. 'Well she was hoping to have a chance with Lambert, you know! What a joke!", Lemon giggled as she made fun of Rina. She is another member of Paula's first five. "Such a dreamer!", Georgina added. "You mean... Such a stalker!", Dulce corrected what Georgina had said which only made them laugh even harder. There are times that Rina wants to fight with them because of how low they treat her, they call her names, clumsy (she couldn't deny it because it's true), dumb (she admits that all her grades are lower than the average), knows nothing (but despite this, she is determined and willing to learn), flirty (even though she had never liked any other man except Lambert only), no proper education (even though they are all studying at the same university), no breeding (even though they're not poor and could afford the pay in this prestigious university and most of all, she have a long patience and she wouldn't even pick up a fight against her bullies), and other negative names that they would call her usually. Rina is grateful that her parents had taught her good manners and being patient seems to be her talent because, despite everything that they throw at her, she is still here, standing tall and free to look at her Lambert. Rina focused her attention and her eyes on the balls she is supposed to pick up while ignoring everything they badmouthed against her. What Rina didn't know is that Lambert unintentionally saw her at the corner of his eyes while she picks the balls. Lambert seems annoyed as he stares at her and shook his head in disappointment. He seems very irritated seeing Rina acting clumsily in front of others while they make fun of her, he does not like it and he does not seem to know why he is feeling that way. "Hey girls! Stop picking on Rina! She is not doing anything bad.", Paula reprimanded her regulars. Rina celebrated inside her mind, she felt happy when her captain defended her against them… she admired her so much, she is smart, beautiful, and kindhearted. "Instead, stay focused on your practice. Remember, the championship is around the corner already... We need to bag the gold! We all have been dying to take home the bacon. So, stay focused!", Paula added, she was serious and very determined. "Yes, captain!", Dulce, Lemon, and Georgina answered in chorus. Even though Captain Castillo is somewhat sarcastic, she still has a good heart…, Rina thought. Rina looked at Paula and she couldn't stop herself to admire her more, it's as if she is looking at Lambert through her. They're both smart, rich, possesses extraordinary beauty, good at playing basketball, and they both also have the ability to lead and inspire their team. Like now, Paula is inspiring Rina because she made me feel that she has someone to lean on and that she is not alone. As expected, the news about Lambert's 100 laps run had spread throughout the whole campus. This made lambert even more famous, adding more fans and admirers, to which most are girls… and Rina had been continuing to endure this dilemma of added rivals for Lambert's heart. She had been being patient with her insecurities, jealousy towards Lambert's female admirers, which mostly, like her also aspires to become his lover, and her teammates' mockery… but she will endure. Rina will endure it all.