Chapter 29

PDv Mau.

Today Thursday and we have a game in the evening but I, Lyno and Paul don't play. Decision of the coach but we are obliged to be on the field. I dress in dark blue T-shirt, gray jeans and a Nike air force shoe. I'm a little nice and I'm going out of my house. Tomorrow is the qualifications for the regional violin competition. Pianists and other instruments have since passed, I don't really know why they postponed for violinists. Anyway, I hope that the girls will pass without much difficulty. Three trios should be released for this round. I didn't even see that I had arrived, the trip was super short, I thought. I go directly to the locker room, everyone was already there, they are changing.

Me: hi guys the shape I say when I come to their level.

Nando: why the coach makes me whisper it in my ears while sulking. Which made me laugh a little.

The coach himself arrives with a tight face, the papers have tactics in his hands and he goes to the board.

Coach: we play in simple training today. 4-4-2. Nando you are the captain. Today is the beginning of the elected championship and it is the first match. Every match is important and we are facing a formidable team. They are ninth in the national ranking last season. What message do you want to convey to them, it's up to you. Nando, you control everything and I don't want defeats.

The three of us were there watching them, a big pressure for Nando tonight. This is the first time that a guy who is not part of the leader class wears this armband. I'm happy for him and I'm happy because the coach has the balls to show that only efforts count in this life. Players are whispering things among themselves and it's not good for us.

Me: what do you whisper? Share it with us, I say as I move forward.

God: Since when has an average guy been wearing the armband. I had to be the captain in your absence.

Paul: You are stronger than he says very raw here.

God: I...

Paul: Do you close it, have I given you permission to speak? Listen to me all, stop brandishing your social or other belongings every time. The one who deserves this armband, it is to him that the coach gave it. Narcissus wore it last time, who flinched? We were on the field but Lyno didn't claim anything. Captain or not, show what you are worth, show that you deserve to be a captain and act as a man. Don't disappoint me. Today Nando, an ordinary guy as you say is our captain and we owe him respect and obedience. He is the boss, our boss to all. Someone has something added, said Lord Paul.

Guys: no Lord Paul.

Lyno: so win this match and I'll organize a party for you. It's been a long time. You win and on Saturday night you're at my house, he says to motivate the troupe.

The guys now all go out motivate each other.

Nando: thank you guys, he says before going out in turn.

Me: Lord Paul. I liked it, he laughs.

Lyno: which Lord?

We invite the girls to come and watch the game with us since we don't play. It's complicated for Nando who does not receive help from people and the opposing defenders are also ready for him. We are almost thirty from the game and we can see through his stockings that he has received a lot of blows, blood. Lyna does not hold in place, she gets angry that no one helps her darling. The boys' egos affect the game, they leave him alone but he plays a lot of ball, deep passes but no goal. God intercepts a ball in the middle and passes Nando who is already scored by two guys. He cushions the ball but gets tackled very violently by an opposing defender, Lyna runs on the field and we follow her. She pushes the defender.

Lyna: what's your problem? You don't know how to play. As much as you are he is superior to you, as she tells you when looking at these comrades, never speak to me again. You are subhumans, she says.

The whistle announcing half-time sounds. It's We leave the girls outside and go back to the locker room.

Coach: Nando how are you? Can you continue?

Nando: Yes, coach, he's just going to say.

Lyno: God you get out of the field and you play more ja..

Mau: calm down your brother. God, what's your problem? Do you want him to get injured for the rest of the season? Without him we can tell God at the triplet and it will be your fault. You don't have the fabric of being a captain or even being a leader, the others know that we can replace you very easily. We have resources, I refuse to play football with people like you. How many face-to-face did you miss number 25? A lot. All these passes are made by someone you don't even help. He carries the ball alone, dribbles and still makes you passes for you to shine but you are unable to score. You are lazy. Narcissus you disappoint me.

Narcissus: I didn't do anything Mau, I play with him, don't you see?

Me: I want more effort from you. Play as if you are only two if the others don't want to participate.

Narcissus: ok

They return to the field with more motivation.

Lyna: You were able to tell your friends something!

We answer him and we always continue to witness the massacres of our friend. Yes, we feel hurt but we can't do anything. Lyno asked us to replace Nando but the coach wants to listen to nothing and we're almost at the end of the game, it's the ninety-ninth minute, narcissus plays a long ball for Nando who is always scored by two guys, that difference? It's because he knows they're there. With a movement of the body, he eliminates the first guy, before the other understands what is happening he gives him a small bridge and diverts the ball to the surface, he wraps the ball at the second post, and it's at the bottom of the net. What a rage in his celebration, he showed that he is the master, together they gave victory to the whole team. Lyna who runs on the field celebrated with him, followed by the other girls in our gang. What are they happy with?? Paul applauding, Lyno jumps and writes for joy, I just have a smile. The coach is satisfied. The ball in the center. It starts and the final whistle.

Lyna: this man is a hero, she says proudly

Indeed, he is a hero.

Josy: let's celebrate that.

Wonder: I'm too happy. This is our Nando. She says she's crying.