Wild Beat [BxB] |ON-GOING|

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

After my gym session, I checked my locker. I saw that I still had plenty of extra clothes inside. Naalala ko na palagi pala akong nagdadala ng mga damit dito dati.

I decided to take a shower before heading home, nakakaramdam na rin ako ng gutom. The warm water felt refreshing on my tired muscles.

Once I finished, I bid my goodbyes to my friends. They reminded me again about the event they wanted me to attend, malalayo ang agwat namin sa isa‘t isa, they are much older than me, mga bihasa na sa mga ganoong bagay.

I simply nodded in response. It's not that I didn't want to go, but the place they were talking about was illegal and dangerous.

The outcome there was either winning or dying, with only a 50/50 chance if you were lucky. I had fought there once before, at isa lang ang masasabi ko, matira matibay.

When Ace found out about it, he made sure to stick by my side to prevent me from sneaking out and going back into underground boxing. Eventually, I got used to not going. Hanggang sa nalimutan ko na ito, at ngayon, hindi ko alam na hanggang ngayon ay may ganoong kalakaran pa rin pala.

I stepped out of the gym, and the cold air hit me. I took a deep breath, feeling the chill in my lungs. The streetlights were just beginning to flicker on, casting long shadows on the pavement. I could hear the distant hum of traffic and the occasional bark of a dog.

As I walked, I noticed the soft rustling of leaves in the trees lining the street, adding a calm, rhythmic sound to the evening. I tightened my jacket around me and started my walk home, lost in my thoughts. 

As I walked along my usual route home, I could see in the distance the spot where the old lady was pushing her cart. Ang kalye ngayon ay walang ilaw at madilim, tanging liwanag lang ng gabi ang nagsisilbing liwanag sa daan.

I furrowed my brow, wondering if it was too late, and that’s why I missed her today. Baka bukas ay magtagpo kami. I touched the necklace around my neck and took a deep breath, keeping one hand in my jacket pocket as I continued my walk.

The air was cool, and the silence was only broken by the distant sounds of the city. The familiar scent of pine trees mixed with the faint aroma of food from nearby houses, adding a comforting layer to the night. As I approached my home, the house stood in quiet darkness, waiting for my return.

I opened the door and was greeted by the stillness of my empty house. Bumuntong hininga ako at pumasok. I flicked on the light switch, the sudden brightness momentarily blinding me.

I dropped my bag by the entrance and made my way to the kitchen, wondering what I could cook. I rummaged through the fridge and cabinets, deciding to prepare a simple meal.

The sizzle of the pan and the smell of cooking filled the small kitchen, bringing a sense of normalcy. I ate quietly at the kitchen table, the silence of the house pressing down on me, pero nakasanayan ko na rin ang ganitong set up, sa ilang taon na palaging ginagawa at nangyayari ay baliwala na rin sa akin.

After finishing my meal, I cleaned up, washing the dishes and wiping down the counters, and then I headed to my room, following the same routine as always. There was a comfort in the repetition, even though it brought no real change to my life.

In my room, I changed into my pajamas and my usual tank top and laid down on my bed. I stare at the ceiling, making my arm my pillow, staring up at the empty ceiling.

The shadows cast by the streetlights outside played across the ceiling, creating patterns that moved gently with the breeze. Tumayo ako para mas isara ang bintana at saka humiga sa kama. My thoughts drifted to Ace, to the gym, and to the dangerous place I used to frequent. Life had changed, but the feeling of being caught in a loop remained.

Pakiramdam ko ay hindi na ako nakaalis sa mga naiwang alaala, nabubuhay pa rin ako sa nakaraan habang nagpapatuloy sa hinaharap. The usual routine always comforts me, even though I want something interesting to do.

Gimilid ako at humarap sa pader, “I hope this routine changes, ‘yung iba naman, ‘yung bago, nakakasawa rin pala ang palaging ganito, kahit nakasanayan na,” I whispered to myself as I held the pendant on my neck, bumuntong hininga ako at inunat ang kamay at paa sa higaan.

I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion from the day wash over me. The bed was warm with a hint of cold because of the air conditioning, the room was quiet, and slowly, the sounds outside faded as sleep began to take hold.

—

“Jix,” called a familiar voice.

“Jix, wake up, mali-late na tayo. Ginagawa mo na naman akong alarm clock mo. Kapag hindi kapa bumangon diyan, iiwanan talaga kita.” I heard the person leave the room, and a moment later, my alarm clock started ringing.

Lazily, I reached out and turned it off. I stretched and stared at the ceiling. That was a weird dream, it felt like I heard Ace's voice.

I shook my head, got up, and headed to the bathroom. As I entered the bathroom, I turned on the shower and let the warm water cascade over me.

The sensation was refreshing, and I felt more awake with each passing second. The steam filled the room, and I couldn’t help but start singing along to the song playing on my phone.

The song was one of my favorites—a catchy tune that always lifted my spirits. I sang the chorus loudly, my voice echoing off the tiled walls. After finishing the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and wiped the fog off the mirror.

My reflection stared back at me, and I smiled, feeling more awake and ready for the day. I quickly brushed my teeth.

While adjusting the towel wrapped around my waist, I heard a loud knock on the bathroom door. I immediately started wondering who could be inside the house.

No one else had the house key except my parents and Ace.

“Mom?” I called out, thinking they might have come home unexpectedly. Even after I finished shaving my beard, the knocking persisted.

Irritableng binuksan ko ang pinto ng banyo habang hawak-hawak ang tuwalya kong malapit na mahulog sa bewang ko. As soon as I opened the door, I froze, feeling as if cold water had been poured over me. I stood there, unable to move, staring at the figure in front of me.

“Ayusin mo naman ‘yang tuwalya mo, kitang-kita ko lahat sa'yo, ang aga-aga Jix, kumakaway alaga mo,” the person said, picking up my towel and throwing it at my face.

I blinked, finally processing the situation. It was Ace, standing there with an amused look on his face.

“Ace!?” I shout when I process everything, hindi ko pa rin dinadampot ang tuwalya na nahulog ulit sa sahig.

“Bakit kaba sumisigaw? Bilisan mo, late na tayo,” he said, looking away as he walked out. I see that his cheeks got red.

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