Chapter 324 Mateo's decision
The moment he heard that he been invited by the national team an irresistible feeling of joy emerged within him. Yet he couldn't bring himself to showcase those emotions.
A call up for the national team meant that he would be out for many months to train with the national team. And also since it wasn't a call up for the senior team, he wouldn't be paid much either. If he wanted to get paid then his only option would be to win the tournament which was a gamble in it's own.
But if he could play, he was bound to get some exposure. However unlike many of the players who had been called up, he only played in local leagues. Even the fact that he had been called despite that was a miracle on its own.
Despite this once in a lifetime opportunity that had present itself right in front of his door, Mateo was rather hesitant on accepting this opportunity.
And his parents upon noticing his hesitation felt their heart ache as an overwhelming feeling of grief, pity and self fury made their heart heavy.
They were well aware of the reason behind his hesitation. They were well aware of the sacrifices this poor little boy had made for them. And most of all they were well aware of his love for football.
This poor little boy who hadn't even turned eighteen yet had sacrificed his dream to help sustain his family. And that once pretty face which right now was full of scars and bruises made the situation even worst as it made their hearts bleed.
Immediately tears rolled down the eyes of his mother as she could no longer hold herself from looking at her son's miserable state.
Fate may have deprived him of his legs but he didn't want his son to give up on his dreams because of him. At this moment, he realized how selfish he had been in the past. Drinking his life out just to forget the pain, he had made his family suffer.
Sure he had lost his legs and that was devastating blow to him and his family. But what he did afterwards was even worst. While he indulged himself in alcohol to drink his pain away, he neglected the only people who cared about him.
And right now, he could very well see the consequences of his action. His son with whom he hadn't had any decent conversation with after the incident, right now looked so pathetic and miserable. And who had forced him into such state?
It was him.
Without even anyone needing to tell him, he knew he was the reason behind his son's miserable state. And upon realizing this, he felt extremely guilty.
Contorting his face in despair and agony, he tightly pursed his lips; trying his absolute best to endure this sensation of guilt and pain that was coursing through his body. He couldn't even bring himself to look his son in the eyes.
He was the culprit behind his sons and his family's misery.
Still at this moment, he felt like he had to at least atone for his wrongdoing and try to correct his mistakes. Although no amount of atonement shall ever amount to repay the pain and suffering he had inflicted on his family, still he had to something.
In a rather shaky voice filled with grief, he then called out to his son, "Ma... teo"
Upon hearing the call of his father Mateo's eyes perked up as he drifted his gaze towards his father who had called his name after so long.
At that moment, he felt an unusually hollow sensation as he found the figure of his father extremely lonely and sad. It was different than usual.
Hinting him to come towards him, his father gestured him to come close. With a frown Mateo did as instructed by his father and walked towards him.
Appearing near him, he collapsed on his knees to look at his father's face who was sitting in a rather shabby wheelchair.
The moment he met his father's eyes, his father lunged forward his upper body towards him as he wrapped his arms around his back and hugged him.
Immediately a sensation of warmth coursed through his body. His pupils enlarged as he felt taken aback by his father's sudden reaction which caught him totally off-guard.
But before he could speak anything, his father cut him short as, "My little boy, you have suffered a lot because of this loser father of yours. But you shouldn't suffer more, you don't need to make more sacrifices for the sake of your family"
Those words although warm and soothing, right now stung him like the stings of wasps. And his eyes started becoming heavy upon hearing those words.
He wanted to tell his father that it wasn't his fault. He wanted to assure him that he was fine. But somehow, he couldn't bring those words at the tip of his tongue. Slowly tears streamed down his face as his grip around his father's back tightened.
This very man whom he was embracing right now was the man who had taught him to play football, the joy football. But this very man right now was in a pathetic condition blaming himself.
Even his sister who was watching this scene from a distance was tearing right now. At this moment, the eyes of this entire family of four was moist and flooded. And every single one of them shared almost the same sentiment— they all were sad and remorseful about their condition.
It was like as if the scene from the time when his father had lost his legs was playing again.
"You should go Mateo. You should chase after your dreams Mateo. You don't have to burden yourself with the responsibilities of this family Mateo" His father spoke; trying to persuade Mateo to grab this opportunity to fulfill his dreams.
But even so, Mateo was still hesitant, "But wh.."
Before he could finish his sentence, his father cut him short as he said, "We'll work things out Mateo, so don't worry about us. Every one of us here wants you to chase your dreams Mateo. You've done already more than enough my little boy"
"Yes Mateo, your father is right. Don't worry about us Mateo and chase your dreams"
"Yes Mateo, you don't have to sacrifice yourself again"
His mother and sister added. Their words made him even more sad. But against their reluctance, he couldn't bring himself to turn them down. Thus, he reluctantly accepted their suggestion and decided to take this opportunity.
Nodding his head, Mateo answered, "Ummm, I'll go"
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