Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Courage

The figure skating season was fast approaching. My routines and dresses for the short and long program were finalized, as well as my requirements for school. After all the social activities arranged by the PhSU, I just spent the remaining week in the rink for a dry run before I left for Quebec, Canada.

I was among the Top 10 female skaters in the world, securing the 7th spot regardless of the suspension and not being able to compete for two years. However, I needed more points and higher placement, so I would appear at the Autumn Classic International before proceeding to the Grand Prix. The committee could either invite or seed me, and their decision would depend on my placement.

After seeing the full list, I closed my laptop and sighed slowly. Ilang araw na lang at flight ko na at kapag naiisip ko iyon... palagi akong kinakabahan. I guess it was the anxiety kicking in. I gained confidence after performing in public, ngunit ibang usapan na pagdating sa competition—it was what I trained myself for. Of course, the pressure was there. Lakas ng loob at tiwala sa sarili ang kailangan ko.

Idagdag pa na hindi makakapunta si Triton...

I put my left arm on the armrest and swung the chair around. Sa mabagal na pag-ikot ng inuupuan, pumangalumbaba ako at pinagmasdan ang nagkalat na makeup sa tabi ng laptop. Right! I was learning new techniques to achieve my desired eye makeup but forgot about it.

"Makeup it is..." I said after washing my face.

Back in the chair, I grabbed the cute spa headband and put it on. Pag naroon na kasi, wala namang ibang gagawa nito kung hindi ako lang. At a young age, I learned how to apply it with the help of Mama and Tito Mikee. Iba pa rin kasi kapag match 'yung makeup sa dress na suot ko kaysa sa plain look lang.

Nasa paglalagay na ako ng base nang may kumatok. Since I couldn't stand up to open the door for Mama, I just told her to let herself in.

She smiled when she saw what I got myself into. "Kaya pala hindi ka pa natutulog... Can I help?"

"Please..." nakangiti akong umusog para maka-upo siya sa armrest.

Pumulot siya ng brush at hinayaan kong gayahin niya 'yung nasa drawing inspo na ginawa ko no'ng isang araw. She gently dabbed on my eyelid while my other eye was open to watch her.

Napangisi siya at inilapat 'yung brush sa kabilang eyelid para mapapikit ako. "You're going for a different look and it's so unlike you. Nakakapanibago... But I like it, anak."

"Thanks, 'Ma! It's nothing like what they've seen from me before. It's a big transition but I'm happy with the outcome. The Isla they knew won't return anymore..." seryoso kong sinabi at sinulyapan ang aking repleksyon sa salamin.

We had a very short time to come up with new routines accompanied by mastering the technical elements, but my team was really hard-working and dedicated to being able to achieve our goals. It wasn't easy because it felt like I restarted my life as an athlete—stepping into the rink with nothing but dreams. When I think about the sacrifices of those people, it gave me hope and strength to do what I was supposed to do; it could shift my emotion from having extreme anxiety to feeling courageous and just believing in what I was capable of doing.

I learned the hard way and I wouldn't waste this opportunity...

Humarap ako ng maayos sa salamin at pinuri ang gawa ni Mama. She hasn't lost her touch. Well, what can I say? She got it from the best.