Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

The clash of the skating shoes on the smooth ice pavement made even the tiniest hair in my skin slightly raise. Subalit sa bagal ng ritmo ng kanta ay parang hinihele ang mga tulikap ko na bumagsak. I crossed my arms across my chest and lifted my chin to motivate myself not to take a blink of sleep.

Nanatili ako'ng nakamatyag kay Etienne habang abala siya sa page-ensayo n'ya para sa nalalapit nilang eliminations. My eyes followed his every movement as he gracefully move his limbs with the underwhelming sound that sounds almost classical, it was obviously only instruments because no vocals were present.

Unti-unting umawang ang labi ko habang patuloy n'yang ginagalaw ang kan'yang mga paa. I could never do that, his tricks and his moves were beyond my comprehension, it was fast and smooth. Hindi nga ako makatagal sa lamig ng yelo kung saan n'ya pinapadulas ang kan'yang mga paa kaya naman namumuo ang mangha sa aking mata.

"Etienne obviously has an innate talent in this sport," ani Kaiaria na sumulpot sa aking tabi.

Napalingon ako sa kan'ya, her natural wavy hair was tightly secured in a bun. She was wearing her white bodysuit, showing off her tone legs. Inangat n'ya ito upang i-warm up ang mga paa.

"Totoo," sangayon ko sa kan'ya. "Ikaw rin naman."

Her lips formed a quick smile in response. I watched her from afar while she was doing her stunts and twisting her body into shapes to perform it, magaling din naman talaga siya pagdating dito. And base from what I know, kung mananalo si Etienne sa sasalihan nilang kompetisyon ay baka kunin n'ya ito bilang partner para sa skating pairs.

"Solstice," Miss Krisha, Etienne's coach, slowly went towards me. "Wala ka bang balak sumali? You have a great figure."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Paulit-ulit kong pinilig ang aking ulo at bahagyang natawa dahil sa kan'yang suhestiyon. The idea was farfetched from the truth. Hindi nga ako makatagal sa mismong rink dahil mabilis ako'ng madulas. I even had an injury before when I tried skating without Etienne.

Hindi talaga siya para sa akin.

"I'll join another sport po."

"What sport?"

"Maybe Taekwondo?"

I'm interested with it because it could also serve as a self defense when in need, unlike figure skating in my perspective. Isa pa, the sport itself wasn't that popular in the Philippines. There is a lack of numbers when it comes to ice rink here. Mayaman lang talaga sina Etienne dahil pwede silang mag-rent o di kaya'y halughugin ang mga nakatagong ice skating rink sa Pilipinas.

Tumango lamang si Miss Krisha, probably noticing the disinterest in my voice. Muling bumalik ang tingin ko kay Etienne. He looked back at me and smiled gently.

"Sunday, eight o' clock. Got it." I echoed the announcement for Etienne to hear as we were walking towards his service. Ngumuso naman siya, pilit na kinukubli ang maliit na ngiti.

"Pupunta ka talaga? Lavy?" Etienne sounded hopeful and it somehow made me chortled. Of course! We're friends! Agad ako'ng tumango sa kan'ya.

I held his hand that is currently freezing, almost glacial probably because of the hours he spent in the rink. Malambot ito kahit tila ba nanginginig siya. His gaze went towards my face. A solemn expression passed his face making me furrowed my brows in the process. Agad kong kinapa ang kan'yang mukha.

"Are you nervous? Kahit naman hindi ka manalo roon, you're still the best for me. . ."

"I'm more scared that you won't be there. . ." malamyos n'yang sabi habang tinatanaw ang sasakyan, subtly avoiding my gaze. "I trust you, Lavy. I really do. It is just I can take any treachery from anyone but never from you."