Challengers

Chapter 33 : Developing Story

The obstacle course would probably be the most highlighted among the challenges since a lot of interesting things had happened during its run. May mga umiyak, nagkaroon ng minor injuries, mga muntik nang mag-away, at mga nasugod sa medical tent.

Honestly, mas kinabahan pa akong maging "highlight" kapag in-air na 'to kaysa sa mismong nangyari sa akin kanina pero at least, hindi lang ako mag-isa.

"Okay ka na ba talaga?" tanong ni Arin pagkatapos naming mag-dinner.

Tumango naman ako. "Promise. Nabigla lang talaga siguro 'yung katawan ko kanina."

Nakapagpahinga na rin naman ako buong maghapon kaya na-recover na rin ang energy. Medyo nalungkot lang ako dahil bumaba ang ranking namin at mainly ay dahil sa akin. Before the obstacle course, the first to fifth ranks were: green, orange, pink, yellow, and purple. Then it became: green, purple, gold, pink, and orange.

We moved one rank below and only the green team managed to defend their place at the top. May mga nawala at napalitan din dahil ang laki ng points na nakuha sa challenge na 'to. I was quite worried for the next one dahil may chance na matanggal kami sa top five if physical abilities na naman ang labanan. Kaya sana ay mental capabilities naman ang magamit sa susunod na challenge para magkaroon naman ako kahit papaano ng ambag.

"Himala, 'di nag-lecture si Zion ngayon kahit bumaba tayo sa ranking," komento ni Roi habang nagpapahinga sa couch. "Ready na akong mapagalitan, eh."

"Aba, subukan niya lang. May nahimatay na nga, eh," dagdag naman ni Arin.

Napalingon kami sa pinto nang bumukas 'yon. "Speaking of," said Roi.

Zion stopped short, confused as to why we were all staring at him. "What?"

The aroma of the coffee he was holding immediately filled the cabin. Bigla tuloy akong nainggit pero hindi ako pwedeng mag-kape dahil baka hindi ako makatulog.

"Wow, magpupuyat ka?" Arin remarked. "Hindi ka pa ba napagod today?"

"The ideas in my head are begging to be written," he said while sitting on the couch. "Baka mawala na sa ulo ko kung hindi ko isusulat."

Roi gasped. "Napakasipag naman masyado. Sana all dinadalaw ng ideas!"

"Huy, grabe, ilang chapters na nasusulat mo?" tanong ni Arin.

He glanced at her with a smug face, much to her annoyance. "Mas marami kaysa sa 'yo panigurado." His gaze then shifted to me. "At sa 'yo rin."

"Alam mo, Zion, sana nag-shut up ka na lang."

I frowned, too, mildly offended. "Excuse me?"

Tawang-tawa naman si Roi habang kami ni Arin ay nainis sa unprovoked remarks niya. Kanina lang, parang ibang tao siya dahil worried sa condition ko, pero ngayon balik na naman siya sa pagiging competitive.

Nakakainis kasi feeling ko nalamangan na naman niya ako dahil hindi ako puwedeng mapagod o magpuyat ngayong gabi kaya hindi ako makakapagsulat. Last time I checked, he was already at chapter 17 while I was stuck at chapter 12. Si Arin naman, nasa chapter 7 pa lang yata kaya na-provoke din siya.

It was quite amusing and at the same time terrifying to see how he could easily manipulate Arin into accompanying him for a late-night writing session. As expected from a sly man like him.

Mabilis naman akong pumunta sa kuwarto para hindi na ako madamay. After all, I knew I'd be swayed, too, if I weren't careful enough.

***

I woke up feeling refreshed the next day. Mabuti na lang at nakatulog ako nang maayos kaya medyo maaga akong nagising. On the contrary, Arin was still asleep, which was quite surprising since she would always exercise early in the morning.