Page 25: Trip To Busan (3)

Sunday 11:00am

Basketball field.

Amelia,

Though it only for a little while, since the stadium was free for all Alex and I were able to enter without much ado.

The first thing we did choose a separate court with a net and play just by ourself, as we didn't know anyone else on a field with multiple courts and Alex was also a basketball ball player though he isn't passionate about the game as me.

It was while we were playing that, I saw a man with simple attire, a hawaiian tops and trousers with some coolers and a florescent whistle on his neck, staring at me.

It wasn't in a way the other men stare at an opposite sex. So, I tried ignoring him. But, his gaze was bugging me that even Alex noticed me losing my concentration.

"Amelia.. Are you alright? We can go somewhere else if you don't like this..?"

Alex said.

My already frustrated brows twisted like caterpillars.

"Yeah. Why should we adjust for that creep just because he is looking at us!?! Isn't this court for all of us..? If that man doesn't know that..! I am gonna make him!!"

I yelled and stalked towards the middle aged stranger without another word.

Alex was horrified at my actions. To him I was the epitome of people who act before thinking things through and I was. My bold character comes in handy at many situations when Alex and I were little kids. But, unfortunately when it backfires Alex is the one who has to take the full burns of the second hand embarassment.

And, Today was just the day.

"Hey, yo! Mister..!"

The man rised his brows.

"Why the hell are you staring at me? What is your problem..?"

"I do not know what you are talking about, young lady.." The man feigned deliberate ignorance.

"But! You!"

I tried. But, another teen like me suddenly approached the man and called.

"Coach Stephan-nim! We are lacking a member! Can you come play with us for now?"

"Look here. Kid. I am really busy here.. Stop bothering me." The man said lazily.

I was bothering him..! Isn't that my line..!?!

"You.. You are a coach right..? And, you were watching me play..? So, How was I in the game..? Were you impressed..?"

I said feeling myself getting more mad.

I wasn't called the legend in my school for nothing. It was all due to practice and hardwork I have done secretly. I know this man wasn't looking at me with her pervy eyes but, rather he was simply evaluating me and my skills. This was the reason Alex didn't notice much harm from him. But, for me however his mocking gaze insulted my pride, that's the reason I just had to boast to him about my talents.

"No. Your techniques are raw and bland. Your skills unfurnished. You seem to over think for each move and the your special moves, they suck on all levels."

He stated.

I was dumbstruck.

It was already so hard for me to come to this place and do what I like secretly. And, it certain was not to hear these insults from this, random coach, who no where looked like an actual coach with his outfit.

"Look here, mister. I have pride in what I do, no matter how much I lack on it. And, I will do my best to improve on them even if the world is against me. But, I do not want a wacho old geezer to comment on me..!"

The man suddenly smirked.

"You passed kiddo." His smile turned into a grin. "What do you say about a game. Do you like to play a practice match with my team..?"

".....What..? What..??"

I still couldn't understand what is happening to me.

"Of course, Sir. Amelia. would love to play with you..!" Alex filled my silence.

I was shocked and abruptly caught his sleeve.

"Alex..! I don't even know this guy..! Why the hell are you spurting nonsense..!??"

I whisper-yelled, pulling him to the side.

"This could be a chance, Amelia.." Alex seemed more excited than me.

"He might look like a crazy person. But, he is a coach who is training his students on this field at Busan. You seem to have forgotten about this field..! He isn't asking you for money. Just a game."

Alex tried convincing.

"And, I am positive he would make a better partner than me, since you are extremely skilled and talented in this.." He added with a shy note rubbing his hair.

I pushed my hair behind my ears and looked away awkwardly.

"Y-You really think that.."

W-Why the hell do I feel my cheeks burn now..? I couldn't help but think.

"Coach Stephen-nim..!"

"Coming..!"

The coach said back to his student.

But, apparently I wasn't allowed to ponder nore about that thought.

I took a deep breath and entered the field.

I do not know what this tip of the thread would lead me to. But, I decided to grab unto it.

Oh well, here goes nothing dear diary.

Alexander Min is taking the full burn in case something happens to me. I blaming it all on him!

_______

Location: Still Basketball Field at Busan.

Point of View: Amelia. (First person)

(NOT A DIARY ENTRY)

That was an amazing game! Coming from a family that hates Basketball, I never had a chance to play an official game as a proper member on a team at school clubs or even the part timing basketball workshops, I worked before my mother caught me.

I really like the girls around here. They seemed too skilled enough to match my own spirit and were also friendly enough to chat with me though we had only met each other before a few hours.

As a matter of fact, I couldn't believe these girls were actually the students of the crazy hawaiian shirt dressed coach with a messy crop curly hairdo that resembled a clown. When, I told this to the girls they were shocked and they said the reason they were out here was because of this strange man. Observing the skills of a random kid and including her into a team full of strangers to turn her into his student..? These girls were also bought into this team in the same way. I soon learnt.

After the game, I was asked to walk towards the couch to get the proper reviews of how I had played from him.

I was kinda nervous about it. I did try correcting few of the flaws the crazy man had mentioned earlier. But, I was still not very confident about myself.

I looked back at the audience shed and noticed Alex waving at me excitedly with a thumbs up signs. Feeling a bit refreshed I waved back and walked towards him.

I expected the coach to comment on how I played. I expected the coach to point out my faults again. I even expected maybe this time the coach might actually comment on where I must improve myself.

But, contrary to all my expectation, the couch rubbed his stubble as though he was in serious contemplation and then finally spoke.

I played with my fingers anxiously.

"It's just as I thought... Y-You.. Look extremely familiar to a person I know..."

The coach said.

At that time, my phone suddenly vibrated and I realised it was from none other than Alexander himself.

GOLDENBOY: Amelia. You must get out of this place immediately..!! I might not be certain but.. I think.. I just saw someone like..

"What's your name, kiddo..?"

The coach distracted me and I wasn't able to read his dm(direct message) completely.

"Oh... Umm. Amelia Jeong, mister..!"

I chirped excitedly.

But, unexpectedly the coach's lighthearted face suddenly had a major drift. He seemed shocked the second he heard my name. He still continued and then asked again more awkwardly.

"W-What is your father's name, kid..?"

"It's Joseph Li Jeong mister."

It was an understatement to call him shocked at my previous answer, because this might be the real expression of how shocked a person might actually be.

The second I mentioned him my father's name, the coach shocked that his face tensed up into a pale blue color, his palms gathered sweat droplets and his entire body had light trembles all around.

Apparently I did not have enough time to think more about the coach at the moment because the second I opened my lips, a tall lanky woman with a similar face and hair type as me suddenly popped in out of nowhere and grabbed my arm.

"Amelia Jeong..! That's it young lady You are grounded, again for this month..!"

"M-M-Mother..!!"

I was shocked at her appearance.

My mother who usually fusses over her image and how others see her, now had no control over her own behaviour in public. This could mean she was so furious at what I had done that she has completely lost her senses.

"Amelia! The reason I bought you is for attending your cousin's engagement. But, you would dare disobey me and come to a basketball court..???! Don't you know how I and your relatives loath basketball..!?!"

"B-But.. Mom..??!!"

I cried as my mother dragged me out of the court shamefully like I was a wife caught in a cuckold.

"Auntie.." Alex tried interceding for me.

"Do not involve yourself into this, Alexander. I am mad at you too..!"

My mother stopped him.

Alex dropped his head just like that and followed us silently.

From a distance, I looked at all my new friends and the crazy coach look at the drama happening around them awkwardly.

But, the coach's expression was still the one that puzzled me the most. He was now biting his fingers in anxiety and stared unto us with a pathetic pale expression.

As the image of the coach's head slowly faded into the atmosphere and I think, I almost spotted him whisper something.

"Don't do this. Maria.." His lips mouthed desperately.

And, my mother was named as Maria Jeong.

________

Location: Grandparents mansion, Busan.

Point of View: Amelia. (First person)

(NOT A DIARY ENTRY)

My grandparents house was a mansion that had plenty of different rooms that were clean and beautiful beyond our imaginations. But, since I was grounded for my unpardonable crime, I just had to be locked at the most oldest and dust covered attic of the entire house.

I can hear the noise from the party that was still going on downstairs while I am stuck here. I guess mother thought grounding me on this room would make me realise my mistake while being stuck alone and never touch basketball again.

But, that's where she is wrong. Basketball is something I love. I cannot just give up doing what I jyst because every one says me so.

I thought and sat leaning on the giant book shelf with my crawled knees.

I moved more to find a comfortable position to sit on and accidentally dropped a book.

A photo album..?

I identified what the book was.

Truly there was one good thing that we figure out when we know about our grand parents house. That is we hear more about their parents from our relatives or at least discover a photo albums that holds their memories on old attics.

I curiously opened the book while now leaning on the door and rolled it's pages.

Many of the photos belonged to my beloved now deceased father.

I smiled at his baby photos, the photo's in his school uniform, his college days, his photos with mother during his teen ages and... the moment I saw him with a basketball with his friends and a bright grin ..

A tear subconsciously fell from ny eyes.

My..dad..

If my dad was still alive.. he would never ban me from playing basketball..

Cause I know he loved it just as I did.

But, being born in a family that hates sports.. did dad have a hard time playing too..? How did he keep his interest as a secret..?

Perhaps was this the reason he commited suicide when I had just turned ten..?

Maybe. At least I could understand him now..

I thought and rolled more pages of the photo book.

The door suddenly knocked and I heard a voice call me.

"Amelia.. I-I've bought you some food from the engagement ceremony. Your..m-mother told me to pass it on to you.."

It was Alex.

"Go away. Stop bothering me. I do not want anything my mom wants from me."

I don't care if I starve. If my mom is not allowing me to do what I want, why should I even exist.

My tone was harsh and angry towards Alex. But, I really wasn't like that. I was more curious in looking at Dad's childhood's photos at the moment.

"Amelia.." Alex muttered. "Your mother looks like that but, she's actually worried about you. Isn't that why she asked me to check you..?"

Alex said.

"If she was she wouldn't be so against my dream to pursue sports.. I didn't really react much that day.. But, Alex you know how hard it personally was the last time she banned ny part time jobs, right?"

Alex sighed.

I noticed his standing shadow shrink and soon hear a creak behind the door.

Alex was probably leaning on the exact position I was currently leaning on the other side of the door.

"I do. Even I wish I know why auntie hates basketball so much.."

"I like my mother. Really. But-But.. It's so confusing.. I do not know why she's so-"

I was still saying to him in a dead fish voice when I suddenly found a strange photo amid my dad's other childhood photos.

The photo slipped from the album and the image of the handsome young basketballer with the Winter Knight logo and a KBL tournament cup became more clearer to my vision.

"This is..."

I looked at the photo again and abruptly opened the door in haste.

"Alex! Alex..!! Look at this..!!"

I yelled to Alex like crazy. Alex who was leaning on the door was startled by my energy.

"What..! What??"

"This man...!! Do you find him familiar..!! Tell me if you find him familiar please!!?!!"

I asked my childhood best friend.

Alex grabbed the photo and looked at it closely.

"Now that you mention it ...it does.. Wait a minute..?!" Alex suddenly looked at me in shock. "Is this your.."

It seemed he felt speechless at the thought. But, I didn't need his words to understand his answer.

"Yes. Yes..!!" I said biting my lips in both excitement and overwhelmed emotions.

"This is my father! Alex. My father had actually been a popular basketball player of the infamous Winter Knight korean basketball team in the past..! I cannot believe it?!.. I am the daughter of the most famous footballer on the field and I never knew it!.."

"Amelia.. I-"

My mother unaware of all our interaction walked up the stairs with a face that looked ready for giving a long lecture. But, her expression immediately changed the second she saw me with the photo.

"Amelia.. You.-"

My mother immediately closed her mouth in shock and took a step back words.

_______