The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
76. Practicing Hard

After meeting the Alam boy I came out of the room to the back court while practicing the ball. It's not a sports day today but I'm still training if I get the chance. To the extent that I didn't go to the cafeteria with Ari and Yuri.

But they brought me drinks and food. They'll never forget me even if they both see me playing football in the back.

"Key, why are you practicing so much lately. Until we rarely go to the cafeteria together again" Ari said as I took a break playing ball.

"Iya Ri, Yur, I was disappointed with my performance when I first played the match in the women's park team. My game wasn't as good as it used to be before the injury" I tried to explain to Ari and Yuri about my situation which made me have to train more.

"Surely also the key, is it possible because of injury maybe that time? Is it healed? " Task Yuri again.

"My injury has healed, but after the injury I marked about 2 months" tried to explain the very details to Yuri. Because otherwise he wouldn't understand.

Maybe because after the injury I didn't try on the tarkam player for pay anymore. So there is no yardstick for doing the best game. So during the game yesterday my performance dropped. Although not very bad but it makes a reprimand from the coach and manager because what they saw was not as good as what was tried in the first game.

"Let's go to class, I'm done practicing" The three of us go to class to take the next lesson. But I change clothes first, because during practice I use sports clothes so that my uniform does not smell.

After school I went straight home. As usual call mbak Yeni to practice running with the bike. So that later I get used to running fast. After training the bike I went back to practicing the ball until the night.

"Key, you're training. Don't you want to eat? "

"Eh mother, where are you nike? " I asked when it was clear they approached me and asked again.

"Yes to you" said Nike and we sat on the porch.

"You can keep practicing, son, but don't forget to eat yes" Mother's advice came back out. It seems like her heart is very unbearable to see me training continuously until she forgets to eat.

"Yes ma'am" Take the rice that mom brought and eat it with her.

"Why do you keep practicing keys, you're not usually like this" I don't know where to answer mom's questions. But I'm afraid mom's getting worried. If I lie again it can add sin, let alone my sins a lot to mother.

"Key can be rebuked because yesterday the game was bad ma'am" I said slowly and then sighed.

"Finish your food and listen to what mom says" said mom, making me eat fast.

"Key, the bad game can be used as a lesson so that you in the future do not underestimate and continue to practice even though it has been successful. The difference is that you are training to be successful and in the future you are training to maintain success. But remember, working hard is interspersed with prayer to God" I listen to mother's advice well. Nodding and being comfortable with his advice.

"Remember, don't get emotional" cried Nike in my ear.

"Oh, where am I emotional" I cried loudly in pain and looked at Nike in annoyance.

"Well" Nike always reminded me not to be emotional after the incident about the violence all the mother's family always told me not to be emotional. Though in the house I was not emotional because of getting brothers like mbak Yeni and mbak Nike even though his silliness exceeded the limit. But if it's outside like there's a whisper 'hag'.

"Oh yes mbak buy soccer socks same decker for you" Give the parcel in his hand.

"Thank you dear mother" I hugged her tightly until Nike claustrophobic because it could not breathe. It was intentional because I liked teasing her.

"Let go, I can't breathe"

*Plak*her hand violently hit my head. I finally let go of the hug while laughing at him.

It's late, mom and mom Nike go home. I went inside the house to prepare my things that I will bring in tomorrow's game. Good thing I got permission from the school to do the match outside. So it makes me more comfortable and easy to compete.

Look at the shoes that I'm carrying, David's shoes and mine. Bring two pair of shoes to use for backup. After everything was done, I laid myself on the bed. Suddenly I thought I was drifting back, going into mom's room with bobo. Looking around and looking for what to find. And still the same room was completely empty.

"When you're going home, are you deliberately strangling me with longing mom. I hope it's not, because here I miss you" spoke to an empty room that was just a picture in the frame.

Is this how longing torments me. Is this the kind of longing that haunts me. I wish there was a clue to look for mom, but the result is just as empty. There was nothing I was looking for and nothing I could find.

Following the melodious sound of crickets at night, I fell asleep hugging the bobo and ended up sleeping in mom's place. Hoping to reduce longing even if only a moment is important I can calm the heart.

This morning I went to the place where the match was delivered by my father. After that, I went home because I wanted to help my mother sell. All the stuff I had prepared this morning and hopefully the match today will be smooth.

"Bismillah key, you can certainly" Spoke passion to yourself in order to show the best game. My step into the dressing room, apparently still empty and no one has come.

Tarkam games are different, we will meet in the dressing room because it is not like other big games. Unless our game is located outside the city, we will leave together using a bus that has been prepared by the manager.

"A very empty, like a grave" I said, changing into a training jersey. I warmed myself in the room while waiting for my comrades to come. There is no harm in warming up so that the body becomes strong during the match later.

"Key, the morning is coming" Ani one of the team mates who came and rebuked me.

"And the coach said 8 o'clock should be here already, so I came in half 8 so as not to be late" Sahut I explained a little to him.

"Yes, but it's too early don't be diligent. Here is also famous for its rubber clock" Tegur while opening the bag and taking clothes to change clothes

"The best players appreciate this time, so that later if I get into the national team can be disciplined" I think great players not only because of skill but because of manners and discipline.

"Your dream is key" Ani underestimated me, but I will prove that I can be a national team player someday. Sooner or later I will try to play in the national team. I just silently listened to Ani's disparaging remarks. Because free answers better prove.

Soon the dressing room was full of our players and the coach and assistant coach. Even the manager is here to monitor the progress of his players.

"Key, come here" Coach Jaka called me. He is one of the coaches who has trained us on this team.

"Yes coach" I approached him.

"You have to play well, because if we win on this tarkam then we'll be up against a tarkam team that's out of town" My eyes glared at me hearing coach Jaka's explanation.

Because yesterday I was only required to win while I know this victory is only to get the title tarkam only. It turned out that I only understood after Coach Jaka explained.

"That means this victory will take us out of the coach town? " Tanyaku came back to get a more detailed match.

"Betul, you are one of the players who was bought from the village after. While here are the players who occupy this village" I understand now, why the manager was angry when he saw my game was ugly yesterday. Because I'm the only player who's bought with a contract.

"And I still believe in your game in order to develop and position yourself well" he said.

"Okay Coach, I'll hold Coach's trust"

Participants in this tarkam are from various villages in this city. While my village has no female tarkam and only male tarkam only. To be a player I have to defend the village but most importantly I can play the ball well and gain experience.

"Good coach, I'm going to put out my best performance" I'm sure that I can play well in this second game.

"Remember and hold my word because you still believe in you because you are one of the players I see as having good potential despite yesterday's poor performance"

"Good coach"

Praise is not a good start, but it is a big responsibility for me to carry the burden in the middle of the pitch to play well. But I have to remember coach Alam said that I have to play quietly without any pressure. It is hard if many praise him because praise can make us fall or can make us grow tall.

After installing the ball equipment, we rushed out of the field to warm up for a while and also checked the field. The heating was done well. Coaches are assisted by several other assistant coaches such as physical coaches, goalkeepers, and others.

"Let's go in, quickly get changed" Shouted Coach Jaka to all of us.

A few minutes later the warm-up was over. We went back inside the dressing room and changed the jersey that was used for today's game. Before the game always do prayer together to get the victory of each match.

Praying is over, all ready to enter the field. Before setting foot on the green grass I pray again for ease and victory in this game.

"Allah gives ease when this foot sets on the green field. Aamiin" Praying wholeheartedly will make every journey easier.

Don't forget to sing the national anthem first. Cheers for the people to come watch the match. Many give up their jobs just to watch the game. The support of the citizens is very festive to make my heart happy because playing will feel comfortable especially at home.

\*prittt\* the initial long whistle of the game begins. The ball is at the opponent's feet. I have to be ready to face the pressure whenever the opposing team gives me. I keep focusing on taking the ball, not taking the career of the opponent, in my brain is the ball and the ball. Take it again, fall awake again.

The opposing team is attacking from the left. I who became a left-back must be tough and ready to accept the attack given. The opposing player detached from me, he managed to get past me with a trick of his tactics. I keep chasing and don't let him get into the box.

Fortunately, I managed to dispel him by increasing the speed so that he would not get into the box. After that I dribble but when releasing the ball then give the wrong pass to cause the opposing player to control the ball.

"Focus Key, focus" the scream from the sidelines was clear.

She dribbled quickly, even my speed to chase after her was not up. Because the distance was too far with me so that his kick produced a result to break into our goal in the 20th minute.

"Where the hell, you have to focus the focus key" Shouted Rani to me. Even the audience also cheered in annoyance at the bait mistake I gave. Indeed I admit that my pass was not perfect and caused the ball to fall at the opponent's feet.

"Focus key, you can" Dira is a defensive midfielder and gives me the spirit to get up.

"You can key, you can and can definitely get back to his good looks" I shouted encouragingly at myself. This time I covered my ears with the scorn of the audience.

"Replace key, change key" The scream that echoes me forget for a moment to focus on playing and getting the win this time.

I will always remember if the poke was a gesture to fight, if the game had been good eating the pox it would have turned into applause with smiles from various angles.

~~~~ CONNECT ~~~~