The rain keeps bouncing on the roof, creating sounds like that of the drum. It was probably winter.
It was exactly 5:30 am and Jack's alarm clock started calling him to wake, but Jack may have been dreaming of his wedding day as he didn't hear the alarm. Most people say morning sleep is always the sweetest, especially when it's cold or when rain is falling.
Jack was still snoring on his small bed, forgetting that the long-awaited day had come. And he has promised himself to wake up early to prepare for the football competition. But it seems like he was already in heaven with God, feeling not to come back to the earth.
R_I_N_G_I_N_G
His cell phone started ringing, which made him jump up from the bed.
He quickly picked up the call without checking the caller.
"Hello, Jack!" Someone called with a deep voice from the phone.
"Hello sir, good morning." Jack greeted as he rubbed his eyes.
"Wait… Wait… Wait. Don't tell me that you're just waking up from sleep. Or are you so drunk that you couldn't notice the person who is calling?" The caller yelled from the phone.
Jack's eyes were clearly opened, and he decided to take a good look at his phone to check the caller's name. It was Charles, his good friend.
"Oh! Sorry, buddy. I thought that it was the coach who was calling me. So, how was your night?" Jack responded.
"Bro, forget that greeting for now. Every player is here except for you. What's happening?" Charles asked with a serious tone.
"What! Please, what's the time?" Jack quickly asked.
"Jack, I don't have time for all these questions. Aren't you with your phone?
Can't you check?" Charles grew angry, and he almost ended the call, but he was curious to know his friend's whereabouts.
"Oh sure. Holy shit, it's already 7:10 am? How is that possible?" Jack was surprised.
"You are asking how? Maybe it's because of the girl you saw yesterday that you were dreaming of." Charles whined, but it may be true.
"Forget about that girl, buddy. Let me dress up and come."
"Better do so. Please be fast."
"I will buddy," Jack responded and Charles hung up.
"How is it possible that the alarm didn't wake me?" Jack mumbled.
He entered the bathroom and within three minutes, he was done. He wore his jersey and rushed out of his room.
"Mom, good morning." Jack greeted his mother.
"Good Morning son. How was your night?" His mother responded.
"Fine mom. But mom, why didn't you wake me up?" Jack asked as his eyes were fixed on the breakfast set on the dining table.
"Why should I wake you up? You're meant to know that I don't wake you on weekends. Moreover, you have an alarm clock." His mom calmly replied.
"But mom, I told you that we have a football match today, and you should wake me up in case I don't wake up quickly. I'm already late." Jack furrowed his brows as he spoke to his mom.
"Oh, baby. I'm sorry." His mom responded as she patted his cheeks.
"Quickly take your breakfast and hurry for the competition." His mother advised him.
Though Jack's parents were poor, they don't provide everything he needs because of their low income.
Sometimes, eating two square meals a day will be a challenge.
"To be frank with you, you never told me anything concerning any competition, or maybe you forgot to tell me. But it's alright. Just eat your breakfast and go."
"Alright, mom,"
"I hope you have money for transportation."
"No, mom. I don't."
"Okay, take this and use it for transport." The mom handed him some money, which Jack stretched forth his hand and received it from her.
"Thanks, mom." Jack appreciated it.
"What about dad?"
"He has gone to work." She replied to him.
"Huh! On weekends?"
"Yeah, he has an appointment today. So, he left early."
"Oh. Okay, mom." Jack muttered.
Jack sunk some pieces of bread into his mouth as he pushed his chair back to stand up. He quickly cleaned his mouth and walked up to his mom and gave her a tight hug. After a few seconds of a whispering prayer, she let go of him.
He rushed out of the house without having a thought, if he forgot something.
"Holy shit! What's wrong with me today?"
Jack ran back into the house to pick up his football shoe. He came back with a run like an antelope that is being chased by lions. On stepping out, he sighted a taxi driver and called him. After talking about the transport fee, he got into the car, and they took off for the stadium. Thank the good Lord, there was no traffic on the road.
"Jack, what happened?" Coach Williams asked with a frown face.
"I'm so sorry, sir." Jack pleaded. After glaring at Jack for a few seconds, he said, "It's okay. Thank God you're here. Join your teammates." Coach Williams said as he pointed in a direction where Jack's teammates were dressing up.
"Thanks, sir." Jack appreciated him and joined his team in the dressing room.
"Hey, you buddy." One of his team players stretched forth his hand to shake him.
Jack took his hand as they shook each other passionately.
"Hey! You're here already." Charles said as he was trying to put on his shirt.
"Yeah," Jack responded.
"Here is your jersey. Put it on." The team captain handed out some pairs of jerseys to Jack.
"Thank you,"
"Everyone, be fast. We have only a few minutes to go." Coach Williams called for their attention.
The coach stood in front of them as he encouraged his players.
"I believe everyone knows that this team we are playing with, is good at football. Please do not let anything distract you. Make sure you focus on the ball and never try to do something stupid by playing a rough game. Forget about everything at home, school, or anywhere, and let your mind be here. Target the goalpost and not their legs. Study the movement of their legs, but don't study their appearance. Most especially, remember to cooperate. That's teamwork. I hope I have made myself clear."
"Yes sir." They answered in chorus.
Having been addressed, they left the dressing room.
"Wow! This is a big field." Charles admired it.
"Sure. It is." One of his colleagues responded.
People were already gathered as they sat patiently and waited for the match to commence.
In a tingle of an eye, the match started.
The team was called "Future football club" while their opponents were "Rangers football club."
The match was going on in favor of Rangers FC. The Rangers football club players were good in the game, but they couldn't get chances to score more goals as they wanted because the Future football club players were playing a defensive game when their opponents were winning them 2: 0.
They left for halftime and came back to the football pitch after a few minutes.
The game continues!
People's voices can be heard from the stadium watching the match.
It was a tough match though, but the Future football club later won the game with 3:2 goals.
Jack's team won the match. He scored two goals and one of his colleagues scored the third goal.
After the final whistle, screams of celebration filled the stadium.
Surprisingly, Jack sighted his mother running towards him.
"Mom?" Jack was flabbergasted.
She hugged him and told him, "congratulations I saw your performance" She patted his cheeks. But all Jack could do was stare at his mother in surprise.
"Mom, how did you get here?" Jack asked, still in shock.
"Don't worry, I will tell you when we get home." She said with a wide smile, and Jack also smiled back. Coach Williams congratulated all his players by shaking their hands. Many came to Jack and congratulated him for scoring two goals alone.
Alone! Yes, alone, but assisted by his teammates.
"Congrats." A female voice whispered behind him. And he gently turned around and saw the angel standing before him.
Jack couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing.
"Tha…tha… thank you." Jack stammered.