Switched Worlds

25

Maaga akong nagising para bumawi sa hindi ko pag-exercise kahapon.

I changed into my usual clothes. A loose white blouse and black pants, I was planning on using the tight one pero gagamitin ko iyon mamaya, so I chose the baggy one.

I look like I'm about to ride a horse.

There was a training ground provided by the place and I couldn't find any other suitable place to run, I would look like a fool if I jogged around the city.

All the girls were still fast asleep, and I doubt that they would train.

After changing, I stretched my limbs and body to maintain my flexibility before deciding to go out.

Paglabas ng kuwarto ay sinalubong ako ng malamig na hangin at kadiliman.

The sun isn't up yet pero kita ko na ang pagsilip nito mula sa isang direksiyon. The yellow trees, from the opposite side of the pink ones.

In the west we have the sakura trees, and in the east were ginkgo bilobas that were golden in color.

I jogged towards the coliseum where everything will be held.

There are ten training rooms there, each the size of maybe two or three basketball courts.

Pumasok ako sa una and was greeted by a few men fighting bare or with a weapon or using their powers. They were only a dozen in number.

Mukhang sinusulit nila ang araw na ito.

I tied my hair with a ribbon, because I don't have any elastics, and started to jog around the place.

Ang ganda sana kung may music ako ngayon, and if I was in an open field para mapanood ko ang pagsikat ng araw.

I saw in my peripheral vision that some stopped what they were doing and gazed at me with either confusion or another that I hate most. I ignored the lecherous gazes and continued to jog for about ten minutes.

I made nine laps by then but wasn't feeling tired yet. I can go for another ten laps, and I did.

The men continued with their work, but I can still feel their gazes from time to time.

Just maybe twenty more laps or thirty.

In the middle of my twenty-first lap, I saw from afar the door opening with a guy coming in.

He was wearing a white shirt and black pants, his usual wear when training.

"Magandang umaga!" I greeted him noong makatapat siya. Hindi na ako tumigil dahil sumabay na siya sa akin sa pagtakbo.

"You're up early. Nervous?"

"Am not. This is daily routine." Sagot ko.

"How about you? Nervous?" I teased Seth and grinned a bit. Pinunas ko ang tumulong pawis mula sa noo ko. I'm halfway through my target distance and I'm starting to feel worn out, but I can still manage.

Hindi siya sumagot, and I would lie if I said that I don't feel burdened with this situation. This sudden feeling of detachment.

Bigla ko na lang naramdaman na lumalayo siya.

Parang bumabalik lahat. This is how I lost my best friend. Silent treatment and cold shoulders.

Natigil ako sa pagtakbo noong maramdamang lumuwag ang tali ng buhok ko at ang tuluyan nitong pagkakalas.

I turned around to pick up the ribbon.

I tied my hair and wiped away my sweat, also trying to find who was staring at me. I found a guy nearby who didn't even bother to hide his intentions.