Days passed like a blast, Paulo never seemed to mention anything about it again. Hindi kami nagkaroon ng chance na magkita dahil pareho kaming busy sa prelims. Madalas ay nag-uusap lang kami sa chat. I am starting to think na baka imagination ko lang 'yung pag-amin na 'yun. It was too brief that I couldn't even remember what leads us to that topic. Baka nga imagination ko lang.
"That's her, right?" Tanong ng isang babae sa likod ko. Napabalik ako sa katinuan dahil doon. I can see her reflection pointing at me. I maintained straight face never minding their stares. Agad din naman niyang ibinaba ang kamay niya nang mapansing kita ang reflection niya at nakatingin ako.
"As far as what I've heard, she's not that good in swimming. She just used Jed." Bulong ng isa pa. I mentally chuckled. Hindi magaling? Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakapag-swimming dito sa loob ng campus. Isa pa, I don't think Adi is dumb to recommend someone who never had a background in swimming. Yeah, I accepted the offer but that doesn't mean that I'll be automatically included. I have to pass this try out before getting in. ISU is very known for being a source of great individuals. That includes great players.
I walked on the pool area of the high school department. Mas malaki 'to kumpara sa pool area by department. I was shocked when I saw that the benches are fully filled like this is a very big event. I caught someone staring at me. Napako ang tingin ko sa kanya.
"Joerrelle!" Tawag ni Adi sa akin dahilan para malipat ang atensyon ko. Ngumiti siya at saka ako hinila papunta sa locker area.
"There are a lot of people watching." Bulong ko sa kanya. I wasn't really expecting this one, but I know that I can do nothing. Afterall, I still need to do this regardless of anything. Medyo nakaka-pressure lang din talaga.
"We are going to compete with you, so we'll know how capable you are." Pagpapaliwanag niya at saka ako hinawakan sa balikat. He locked our eyes. "You can do it." Pagpapalakas niya sa loob ko. Actually, wala naman akong problema sa mga manonood. I am used to a lot of people because I already did swimming before. Nagulat lang talaga ako na try-outs pa lang, marami nang nakaabang.
I walked onto the locker area of girls and there, I saw a girl wearing a swimsuit and a swim cap. Lumingon siya sa akin nang mapansin niya na pumasok ako. "Goodluck." Saad niya at saka tumayo. Huminto siya sandali dahil mukhang napansin niya ang expression ko. I didn't know that there's a girl in the swimming team!
"I am Shanaia, the only girl in ISU swimming team, high school department." She said and offered her hand. I smiled and accepted it. "I won't go easy on you." Banta niya bago naglakad palabas. I got nervous a little because they are professional swimmers but that's not a reason to back out. I know I can do it. I will do my best.
Mabilis akong nagpalit ng damit. I wore the usual swimwear in a competition, a crisscross one-piece suit and a swim cap. I looked at the mirror and I can see the burning eyes on myself. They are great but I was born greater. That's not bragging.
That's confidence.
Isinuot ko ang aking university jacket bago ako naglakad palabas. Nakangiting si Adi ang sumalubong sa akin. He's now wearing a leg skin and a jacket on the top. Hinila niya ako sa starting point ng pool at doon ay inabutan ko ang ilang lalaki kasama si Shanaia. Nandoon din 'yung lalaki na sumundo sa akin noong ipinatawag ako sa faculty room. They were laughing hard as students are all cheering for them.
