Beyond the Fields

03

"Aly! Tara, racing!"

Humalukipkip ako at dinama ang hangin. Santi invited me to this race track for no reason at all. I guess he just needed some company.

I shook my head. "Hell no. Baka umiyak ka lang ulit kasi tinalo kita. Ayaw ko namang mangyari ulit 'yon, nakakahiya kaya." sabi ko habang inaayos 'yong buhok kong nahahanginan.

"This time, I'll beat you." he said it with full of determination.

I smirked. "Fine. Three laps and I'm done."

He nodded, tossing me a white helmet which I immediately caught. Saglit akong nagpaalam para magbihis into my race suit. I needed to look as badass as possible after I beat him.

I was wearing a combination of white and black suit. May suot din akong gloves, hinahangin pa rin 'yung buhok ko paglabas at nakita ko si Santi na tapos na rin magbihis. White and red naman 'yong sa kaniya.

Two cars were parked on the starting line, the red one for him and the black one for me.

"Bilisan mo! Mga babae talaga, ang bagal-bagal!" reklamo niya as he signaled me to come near him.

I rolled my eyes. "So excited for me to beat you once again, huh?" sabi ko pagkapasok ko pa lamang ng kotse, ganoon din siya.

"In your dreams, Castuarez." he said as he put on his helmet, I also put on mine.

"Too bad. After a few minutes, I'll slap you with reality. Sorry nalang." pang-aasar ko sa kaniya at pinaandar na ang makina.

Maririnig niya lang ako dahil katawagan ko siya sa phone na nasa gilid ko lang para hindi na kami magsisigawan pa.

"You really know how to get on people's nerves." sabi niya habang naghihintay kami sa 'Go' signal.

"Really? Glad it's working." I said as soon as I stepped on the gas after I saw the green light.

Mas nauna ako sa kaniya, he was already trailing behind me. Kapag naman tatabi siya sa akin ay kaagad ko siyang hinaharangan.

"A bad start for you, Samuels." I smirked as I took a sharp turn.

"You're infuriating." he said and I just laughed. Sarap niya talagang inisin!

Napatingin ako sa speed level, it's already at 80. Mas lalo kong pinabilis ang pagpapatakbo.

I made a bad turn that's why Santi caught up with me. Mas nauna tuloy siya sa akin after the first lap!

"Ano ka ngayon?" I could hear him laughing.

Halos papalit-palit lang kami ng posisyon ni Santi. Minsan nagkakatabi kami, minsan ako ang nauuna at minsan naman ay siya.

He really is determined to win, huh?

Kagaya niya, I race only for fun. Madalas din kasi ay sumasama ako sa kaniya rito to let off some steam whenever something pisses me off... kapag lang hindi ginagamit ng ibang mga racers ang track.

Hindi naman kasi kami sumasali sa competitions or championships.

Someone recruited us one time yet we refused. We could get seriously injured if ever since all players would do any dirty tricks just to win. Plus, I don't think my parents would approve of me joining.

After the second lap, doon na talaga ang seryosong laban. I adjusted myself on my seat and heaved a deep sigh as I stepped hard on the gas pedal.

I ain't going to lose after I said those words to Santi. Parang maaapakan 'yong pride ko! I won't ever let that happen!