Of course, my wish is just a wish because after that day, we had to fly to Korea for the competition. Grabe ang kaba ko buong byahe kaya itinulog ko na lang 'yun. Nang makababa naman, mensahe kaagad ni Pau ang una kong tiningnan. My lips automatically formed into a smile when I saw his picture. His brows were furrowed while showing me his fist on fighting stance. May caption sa baba na "Kaya mo 'yan! Kung hindi, kayanin mo!"
Ate Chona.
"I love you." That was the last thing that I have heard before I hanged up. Nasa waiting area na ako ngayon for the competition. I was sitting on my chair while waiting for my game. Sobrang nakakaba lalo na habang tinitingnan ko ang watawat ng Pilipinas na naka-embroidered sa kanang dibdib ng jacket ko.
I decided to call Pau. He was my calm that's why after hearing his voice, I immediately got back to my senses.
"Joerelle!" Tawag ng isa naming coach sa akin mula sa pinto. Kaagad akong sumunod sa kanya. Last game ako kaya ako na lang ang naiwan sa apat na representative ng bansa. Huminga ako nang malalim habang nakikinig sa sigawan na iba't-ibang lenggwahe. They are cheering for their own countries.
Huminga ako nang malalim bago sumunod kay USA.
"Joerelle Yshanna Martin. From Philippines." Announce ng emcee kaya nagsigawan ang mga manonood. I smiled and waved at them. Hindi na ako magtataka kung lahat sila ay teammates ko.
"This is the finals of women's 800m freestyle." Isa-isa kaming naghubad bago umakyat sa platform. This is one of the exhausting competition because this is not just about the speed, it also about the endurance. Iniligay nila ako sa freestyle because that is my forte. I am nervous because it felt like kulang pa ako sa practice, but I guess I am fortunate enough or maybe this is a raw talent that I have since I was a kid.
"Joerrelle Martin aced the 200m and 400m freestyle, let's see if she can make this 800m." Parang lalo akong na-pressure dahil doon.
Nanalo na ako ng dalawang gold medal sa dalawang game na 'yan. Nasa pangatlong game na ako and hopefully, makaya ko 'yung 1,500m sa susunod na araw. I might sound greedy, but it is how it is. May swimmers kasi na magaling lang sa malapitan. Maybe isa ako doon lalo na't limited lang 'yung naging practice ko.
When the buzzer had buzz, all of us immediately made our way and jumped onto the water. Breastroke, 2 kicks then breathe, 6 kicks then breathe again. Sabi nila unique daw ang galaw ko kaya inilagay din ako sa freestyle.
I was on my 600m when I noticed that there's something odd with the girl beside me. Most of the time hindi ko na nakikita ang paligid ko but it felt like there is something wrong. Tumawid ako nang linya. Kaagad na nagsigawan ang mga tao sa ginawa ko.
Wala na akong pakialam kung anong isipin nila o kung ma-disqualify ako. All I can see is another girl trying to swim while she's obviously in pain.
"Are you okay?" Tanong ko sa babae at saka siya hinawakan para pahintuin. Nagtayuan ang mga tao para tingnan kung ano na ang nangyayari. She opened her mouth, but voice doesn't come out.
"Unnie." Tawag ko sa kanya. She's a Korean swimmer. For couple of times that we have met, this girl never fails to treat me like a real frien. Sandali niya ulit akong tiningnan. Para siyang wala sa sarili. Seconds later, nawalan na siya ng malay. Naalarma ako but I did my very best to hold her while holding on the floaters. Lulubog kami kung hindi ko gagawin 'yun. We had the same weight but she was taller than me.
