Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Winter Rush

After spending a few days abroad, my family suddenly went back home. Kakagaling ko lang sa ospital kasama si Coach Ara at 'agad kaming nag-resume sa pag-t-training nang pumasok sina Mama at Daddy sa rink.

It happened so quickly that I almost tripped when I forgot to use the toe-pick to stop myself from skating. Coach Joaquin even paused the music. Sa gulat ko ay lumabas ako sa rink upang salubungin sila.

"Ma, Dad! Why did you go home so early?" Well, it's not like I don't want to see them. "You still have a week left, right? And where's Adam?"

Mula sa pagsilip ko sa kanilang likuran ay napabaling ako kay Daddy nang tumikhim siya. He looked somewhat... angry. Mama pulled me to the side for privacy.

"Sinabihan ko na maghintay muna sa kwarto niya habang kinakausap ka namin. Before departing from Germany, we called our lawyer and took action. They deserve that for—"

I interrupted my father. "Wait, what? Lawyer? And what action?" I turned to Mama. "Ma, ano pong ibig sabihin nito?"

Shaking her head at Dad, she sighed before she looked at me. "We know about what happened while we were away, anak. Coach Joaquin told us everything, so we hurriedly took the earliest flight because we know that you need us right now..."

"Coach Joaquin? How did he..." Kunot-noo kong binalingan si Coach sa 'di kalayuan na 'agad napakamot sa ulo. Beside him, Coach Ara looked rather confused.

Triton must've told him. Hindi naman sa galit ako o ano, but I thought he'd never tell anyone about it. Okay na ako. Nailabas ko na ang saloobin ko sa kanya no'ng gabing 'yon. At kaya ko nga inilihim sa parents ko kasi ayaw ko silang mag-alala sa akin. Dapat focus na lang kaming lahat sa paparating na Olympics... hindi 'yung ganito na mahahati ang oras at atensyon namin para sa mga taong katulad nila.

"Isla, we'll settle it quickly. Sasama ka sa amin sa police station para makuhaan ng statement, but change your clothes first. I'll just call the lawyer to inform him that we've already arrived," ani Dad at panandalian kaming iniwan doon.

I glanced at Mama to plead. "I'm okay now, 'Ma. Hindi na po natin kailangang humantong pa sa ganito. Please, you have to convince Dad na 'wag nang magsampa ng kaso..."

"We need to do this to teach them a lesson, anak. And as your mother, I won't let it happen to you again. Wala silang karapatan. At mas lalong hindi mo deserve 'yon," mariin niyang sinabi, bakas ang galit sa kanyang mukha.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply, wanting to keep a calm conversation and not start an argument just to prove a point. I understand where they're coming from. They can't stay out of this; they have to be involved. But I don't want negativity to circulate while I'm trying my best to stay positive despite the pressure and stress and everything.

"Dad, please? I'm protecting my inner peace, so I can concentrate on my training... Besides, their opinions of me won't change anyway. And I don't care anymore. Dad!"

Tinawag ko si Daddy at sumunod hanggang sa kanilang kwarto dahil hindi siya nakikinig. Tinapos na ang training ko ngayong araw para dito... para kumbinsihin siya na 'wag na lang magsampa ng kaso. Alam ko namang nakapag-decide na siya kaya mahirap nang baguhin ang isip, pero umasa ako na pakikinggan din ako ni Mama. 'Pag nangyari 'yon, makikinig sa kanya si Daddy at posibleng kalimutan na lang ito. Kaya lang... pareho silang nagmamatigas. I had no choice but to play the 'daddy's girl' card, hoping that he would finally let it pass.

"Dad..." I gave him a puppy look as he glanced at me. "I'm leaving for Japan. I'm already stressed about the situation, so please let it go, okay?"

Umiling siya at bumagsak ang mga balikat. "Isla, what they said about you is unacceptable. I won't just sit there and pretend that it didn't make you cry—or let them roam around as if their words didn't leave a scar. Sinabi ko nang statement mo lang ang kakailanganin para maparusahan ang mga 'yon. We have strong evidence that will surely put them behind the bars. I have to protect you. I'm doing what's best for you."