Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Olympics

After a four-hour flight, we made it to Tokyo, Japan. It was a busy day because other athletes have arrived as well. Sa airport, pinakamarami na 'ata ang Team USA na hindi lang balak sungkitin ang mga medalya sa figure skating, kundi pati na rin sa ibang winter games. Unlike me, a lone representative from the Philippines under one discipline... one sport.

Inakbayan ako ni Coach Ara at hinila palayo dahil medyo nagkagulo nang dumating ang figure skaters galing sa Russia. Matagal na silang may girian ng Team USA at ngayong nagkasabay pa sa airport...

"Those bitches should watch out..." mahinang banta ni Paula Briny, ang top American figure skater in women's singles discipline.

Nahalata niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya kaya siya ngumiti. "Hi, Isla! It's nice to see you!" Tumingin siya sa likuran at napawi ang ngiti nang nakita ang mga coach ko. "Oh my! Are you alone? Where are the athletes from the Philippines?"

Napunta na rin sa akin ang atensyon ng ibang kasama niya at nagsimulang mag-bulungan. Hindi naman ako mukhang kawawa, ah? I wish I'm not alone, but I'm not sad about it.

I smiled at Paula. "Jillian's still recovering, so she didn't make it. And as for the others, maybe you'll see them in the next Winter Olympics."

Tumango siya at tinapik ang balikat ko para magpaalam. Nakalagpas na rin kami sa Immigration at sinamahan ng organizer papunta sa shuttle bus. Makakasabay namin sa pagpunta sa Olympic Village ang Team China at Team South Korea.

They were so loud, but they fell into silence as they saw us boarding the bus. I greeted them with a smile before we sat at the back. I sighed with relief when I felt the soft cushion. Yakap ang neck pillow, nag-angat ako ng tingin at natigilan nang makitang nakapilig ang mga ulo nila sa aming direksyon.

Coach Joaquin cleared his throat awkwardly. "Curious lang ba ang mga 'to o na-i-intimidate kay Isla?"

"Gusto lang maki-Marites ng mga 'yan... Isla will entertain their questions except for her routines," sagot ni Coach Ara.

Natawa si Coach Joaquin. Dahil napapagitnaan nila, tumingin na lang ako sa baba. Kung pwede lang sana mag-train papunta sa Harumi waterfront district...

Sa biyahe ay paulit-ulit kong binasa ang playbook. The International Olympic Committee has added some new guidelines that we must follow while we're staying in the Village, so I must keep that in mind.

At the destination, we did a security check and registration. The line was so long that it took us almost an hour to get the credentials that would allow us to get anywhere in the village. After they printed and laminated mine, I couldn't contain my happiness as I read my name on it. It's really official!

They also handed out free condoms to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. At ang alam ko, the beds were made of cardboard to be sustainable and to prevent intimacy among the athletes. Sturdy naman, but they will serve their purpose.

"It's fine with me. I can practice my balance while sleeping," I smirked, thinking that it would bring me an advantage not discomfort.

Normal lang naman daw ang pakiki-hookup ng mga atleta, ayon kay Coach Ara. Napalingon tuloy ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Coach Joaquin na kapwa namamangha sa nangyayari.

Sumakay ulit kami sa bus na maghahatid sa amin sa mismong village. My mouth dropped open when I noticed the boulevard of flags. And the Olympic rings na ngayo'y pinagkakaguluhan ng mga bagong dating.

"Coach! Coach! Picture tayo do'n!" sumayad na sa lupa ang maleta ko sa bilis ng pagtakbo ko papunta roon.

It's really cold, but I'm so excited! And it's my first time!