Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Pride

Halos magdamag akong gising sa kaka-reply sa mga nagpadala ng messages. Some of my friends and relatives here in Japan called me since I could only spend time with them after the closing ceremony. Nagpa-unlak din ako sa interview ng media companies mula sa Pilipinas at sa ibang panig ng mundo. Maikli lang iyon unlike last night when we got interviewed after the event.

My fellow Filipinos were all so happy, calling me the "country's pride", and they couldn't wait for me to come home. I heard from my coaches that the Office of the President immediately contacted the PSU for my courtesy call. I just couldn't believe that it was all happening! I, an ambitious figure skater who finally reached her dream... It was surreal.

I took a deep breath and smiled. Hinugot ko 'yung medal na itinago ko sa ilalim ng unan bago matulog at pinatakan ng halik iyon. I giggled and kicked my legs before I rolled over like a worm. But I stopped in an instant when I realized that the bed was made of cardboard.

Sitting up, I held up the medal just to level it with my eyes. Marahan kong ginalaw-galaw iyon gamit ang hintuturo sa kanang kamay. Napangiti ulit ako at niyakap iyon ng mahigpit.

"My precious bronze medal..." I whispered it like a prayer.

I may look like crazy, but I just couldn't stop admiring it. I was so proud of myself for being able to get one after competing against the 29 best figure skaters in the world. At syempre ay dedicated ito sa lahat ng tao behind my success. Kulang ang pasasalamat sa suporta at lahat ng ginawa nila.

I looked at the medal and was about to break into tears when I heard a knock. I checked my eyes if it had some muta before I went to the door. At ang reaksyon ko nang binuksan iyon ay maihahalintulad sa batang binigyan ng maraming candy nang bumungad sa akin ang cake na dala nina Coach Ara at Coach Joaquin. It looked like the exact medal on my hand right now.

"Wow! Where did you get that? Ang cute po!" sabi ko pagkapasok nila.

"Sa Dining Hall. Coach Joaquin requested it and they gave it for free!" ani Coach Ara habang maingat na inilalapag 'yung cake sa kama.

I pouted and hugged them tightly. "Thank you po! Ang cute-cute! Can I eat it now?"

Ngumisi si Coach Joaquin at tinapik ang likod ko. "You're welcome, Isla. You can eat that with your breakfast. Sumama ka na sa 'min bumaba."

"It's not that sweet so you can eat as much as you want. Take it as your reward," sabi naman ni Coach Ara nang humiwalay ako sa kanila.

Tumango ako at binuhat 'yung cake. Niyaya ko silang magpa-picture kasama iyon at ang medal. Bago humarap sa camera, pinag-ayos ako saglit ni Coach Ara dahil magulo ang buhok ko. Light pink gingham pajama set lang suot ko kaya ipinatong doon 'yung Olympic jacket.

Nasa gitna nila ako at isinuot muna 'yung medal bago ko iyon itinaas. Pareho naman nilang hawak 'yung cake na naka-pwesto sa harapan ko. They set the timer and we all counted down.

"3...2...1... Congrats, Isla!" sabay nilang isinigaw sabay pahid ng icing sa mga pisngi ko.

And the camera captured our reactions just in time. Ako na madungis ang mukha at gulat na gulat. Sila na nakatingin sa akin at tawang-tawa. Perfect!

"Ang daya po! Sabi na nga ba gagawin n'yo 'yon, eh!" natatawa kong reklamo habang tinitikman 'yung icing galing sa pisngi ko.

Lumapit si Coach Ara sa maliit na table at inangat ang cellphone niyang natatakpan ng luggage ko. Itinapat niya sa akin ang camera at 'agad kong tinigilan ang pagkain sa icing nang napagtanto na documented ang lahat ng naganap dito sa kwarto ko.