Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

All's Well

My short program performance put me in 2nd place with a total segment score of 78.50—just a few points below Nikola's. I was so happy with the outcome now that it topped my previous record, making it my personal best.

I teared up when I hugged my coaches in pure happiness. Alam namin na marami pa ang pwedeng mangyari bukas, but I have to maintain the momentum and make the best of it. Tumaas ang moral ko at mas lalong naging determinado na manalo.

If I'd considered someone as my rival, it would be none other than myself...

I wasn't able to greet my family members because we headed straight to the hotel. Pero naiparating naman nila ang sayang nararamdaman through their messages in our group chat. I was so touched 'cause I knew that I did something great to receive so much love and appreciation. All my hard work has paid off and it was just the beginning.

I couldn't sleep for some reason, so Triton asked me if I could come down for a bit to meet him. Unlike in the Olympic village, hindi gaanong istrikto rito kaya ayos lang na lumabas sa gabi basta't hindi lalayo sa hotel premises. Nag-ayos ako at dali-daling tumungo sa garden.

Si Adam ang una kong namataan kaya hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili at yumakap na sa kapatid. He groaned as he looked like a filling of a sandwich, but ended up hugging me back. Pag-angat ko ng ulo ay saka nagtama ang mga tingin namin ni Triton na nakangiting nanonood sa gilid. I smiled at him and let go of my brother who seemed to be running out of breath.

"You squeezed me too hard, Ate! I wanna go back alive..." ani Adam habang nakahawak sa kanyang leeg.

"Sobra ka naman! I used to hug you like that before. What? Am I not allowed to do that now—"

His voice went up panically as he took a step back from me. "Ate Isla naman!"

I was also shocked when I realized that he was talking with someone on the phone. He ended it quickly and I burst out laughing as I reached for him. Tumakbo siya at nagtago sa likuran ni Triton. My boyfriend towered over me and defended my brother like a traitor.

"Run, Adam!" Pagkasabi niya niyon ay bigla niya akong ikinulong sa mga bisig niya kaya nakatakas palayo si Adam.

I sneered and looked up at Triton. "Since when did you take his side!? 'Kala ko ba kakampi kita?"

"Take your time lovebirds!" My brother's devilish laugh echoed in my ears as he hid somewhere.

Natatawa akong binalingan ni Triton matapos habulin ng tingin si Adam. "Kakampi mo nga ako. Kaya lang pabor sa 'kin kasi guto kitang ma-solo..." masuyo niyang sinabi habang nakatitig sa mukha ko.

Nawala 'yung inis ko at bigla na lang napangiti ng parang sira. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin para sana hindi niya mapansin ang pamumula ng mga pisngi ko kaya lang ay huli na ang lahat. That teasing smile was plastered on his face as he pinched my nose.

"Ang l-lamig 'no? Aren't you cold?" Tanong ko sabay ngisi.

"You're giving me warmth, so no, I'm not really cold," he whispered gently while caressing my cheek.

I gave in and showed him how ecstatic I was. Kumapit ako sa mga braso niya habang nakangiti na nakalabas ang mga ngipin. But it slowly faded when I noticed that he was just staring at me. I felt conscious and thought that I had dirt on my face, so I shyly checked the corners of my eyes. Well, there was nothing in there.

I hugged his waist 'cause maybe he thought that I was just pretty. "What is it?"

"Wala, gusto lang kitang titigan..." Bumuntonghininga siya. "It took so long to see you smile like that again and I just wanted to savor it. You glow differently when you don't hold back... when you're able to do what you love. And to witness all of that makes me the happiest person right now."