This story contains matured scenes, read at your own risk. (18+)
Gael breathed heavily and wore his goggles while they were lining up.
This is his first time competing in this kind of competition and he doesn't know what to feel. Ngayon, pakiramdam niya ay lahat ng mga mata ay sa kanya nakamasid. Kanina, matinding kaba ang kanyang nararamdaman pero nang makita na niya ang tubig, unti-unti na siyang kumalma. He will give everything for this fight. Hindi dahil sa sasakyan ni Oliver ang nakasalalay, kung hindi dahil ipinangako niya sa kanyang sarili na gagawin niya ang lahat para magtagumpay sa larangang kanyang napili.
"I'm the little mermaid. I might be little compare to them but I know that I'm the fastest," Gael whispered, trying to encourage himself.
The referee signaled series of whistles, indicating that they should remove their all their clothing except for their swimwear. Gael looked beside him to check on Oliver.
"May utang ka sa akin," ani Gael sa binata.
"You wish, fag. I'd be fucking your ass after this match," tugon ni Oliver sa kanya.
The referee signaled again so they already position themselves. One last signaled and it will start. Again, Gael took a deep breath. Finally, he heard the last signal and he immediately dove in to the water.
It was cold but he didn't mind it. Gael loves the water so much because he always feels free. Suddenly, in the middle of the competition, he remembered Ariel. It was the first story he learned in grade school. Natatandaan niya pa kung paano niya nagustuhan ang kwentong iyon. Dahil gustong-gusto niya ang dagat. Bilang bata, naniwala siya noon na may sirena. May mga pagkakataon pa ngang lumalangoy siya sa malalim na parte ng dagat at nagbabakasakaling makakita siya ng tulad ni Ariel.
Araw-araw, walang mintis, langoy siya nang langoy at madalas ay ginagaya pa ni Gael kung paano lumangoy ang mga sirena katulad nang mga napapanood niya sa telebisyon. Until he read the original story of The Little Mermaid. Noong una niya iyong nabasa, ayaw niyang maniwala na iyon ang tunay nitong storya. Pero kalaunan ay natanggap niya rin. Ganoon pa man, hindi pa rin siya tumigil sa paglangoy.
Kung mayroon man siyang huling bagay na nais gawin bago mawala sa mundo, iyon ay ang lumangoy.
Mabilis na lumanghap ng hangin si Gael nang maabot niya ang huling lap. Agad siyang lumingon at hindi siya makapaniwala sa nasasaksihan. Everyone's standing and clapping their hands while looking at him.
Gael knew it already. He knew that he won the first place because when he finished, everyone's still swimming.
"Is that real? Damn, he's literally a mermaid! He swims so fast!" Kaliwa't kanan ang naririnig na komento ni Gael tungkol sa kanya.
"He should be in Olympics!" Ilan sa mga komento tungkol sa kanya. Nang tingnan ni Gael ang screen, nakasunod ang pangalan ni Oliver sa kanya.
1st: Gael Felipe, 4:30:02
2nd: Oliver Yan, 4:37: 10
3rd: Manuel Marks, 4:39:06
Agad niya itong nilingon at nagsalita. "I'm seven seconds faster than you this time, Oliver."
"I'd still fuck your ass," tugon nito sa kanya, halatang iritado.
"Hindi, ang usapan ay usapan. Ito na ang huling pagkakataon na mag-uusap tayo," ani Gael. Hindi alam ni Oliver kung bakit siya biglang nakaramdam ng matinding inis sa sinabi nito.
Oliver obviously doesn't want what Gael wants.
"I will surrender my car if that what you wants."
