Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Reputation

Trigger Warning ⚠️

This chapter includes graphic references to topics such as violence, depression, and eating disorders. Read at your own risk.

I left as a skater and came back as a cheater, that's what they said. That was all I could think of during our flight to Manila. I could feel my chest tightening as if it couldn't handle the weight of my heart.

Yes, my victory was short-lived. I didn't get the chance to defend myself even though I wasn't guilty at all. I didn't cheat, more so bought the medal like what they were holding me accountable for. Gusto kong ipaliwanag 'yung side ko. Gusto kong protektahan ang pagkapanalo ko. Sinubukan kong magpakatatag sa kabila ng masasakit na salita. But it doesn't matter. Some people just don't care for their ears will stay covered... eyes are closed... and minds are clouded with twisted thoughts.

The IOC received backlash for their decision especially when their president is a German; that they were biased because we paid them to turn a blind eye. Hindi ba nila makita? I got a punishment! Wala na akong magagawa roon, pero ang hirap-hirap lang tanggapin.

I was able to keep my title and medal, but it didn't feel right. I wasn't happy at all. I couldn't even flex it kapag sinalubong ako ng mga kababayan ko. Itinago ko iyon sa takot na baka lalong magkagulo...

As we arrived at the airport, I expected comfort from my fellow Filipinos—thinking that they would sympathize with me. Forget the big round of applause despite bringing an Olympic medal—I don't need that at all. Ang kailangan ko ngayon ay mga taong kakampi at uunawa sa akin dahil kalahi naman nila ako. And now that we're out in the open, the media flocked to the arriving area for an ambush interview; but they couldn't penetrate the tight security around us.

"Isla, this way..." hila sa akin ni Daddy sa gitna ng pagkasilaw sa mga camera.

Nakayuko ako at nagpapadala na lang sa kanila. The airport was busy, but people surrounded us as if they were waiting for me. It was suffocating... All the noises, the lights, and the tight grip on my wrist.

Someone threw a rude question at my mom. "Maxine, they branded your daughter as a cheater. I watched her performance and she really looked nervous! Did you really resort to a dirty trick—"

Para kaming hinila paatras kaya biglang napa-preno. Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya nilingon ni Daddy at tinapunan ng masamang tingin. If he just wasn't holding my hand, he would've punched his face already. Pinagsabihan naman ng nasa likuran na si Coach Ara ang reporter.

Mom shouted at him angrily. "What did you just say?! As if money could buy talent! What? Did you think we paid for a clone because my daughter couldn't do it on her own? Open your eyes! You're not getting paid to be this incompetent!"

"Why are you so defensive? I just want to hear your explanation—"

"You're a journalist, and yet you're not updated on the latest news? Do I really have to explain it to you? Do you really think that I'll forgive you for calling my daughter a cheater? Eh, sigurado naman akong pinalakpakan mo siya pagkatapos niyang manalo! The IOC has already released a statement. Give it up!" Mama said with finality.

Mabilis kaming naglakad palayo roon. Hinahabol pa rin kami ng mga reporter at ang mga bodyguard ay mas lalong naging mapagmatyag. But I was just really unlucky. We were going near the exit when someone shouted my name. Dire-diretso lang ang paglalakad namin nang biglang may matigas na bagay na tumama sa balikat ko. Napasigaw kaming lahat. I instantly felt the wet and sticky texture as it dripped down my arm.