Marian

Chapter 2

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Name: Maria Antonia Ynez B. (Bagsit) Dela Cruz  

Nickname: Marian

Height: 5'5

Weight: prefer not to answer

"Maria Antonia! Maria Antonia!"  sigaw ni Jane ang best friend kong praning.

"Ano ka ba naman Jane , magtigil ka nga nakakahiya! Kailangan ba talagang ipagsigawan name ko? Marian..Call me Marian!"

"Marian ka dyan! Arte mo naman. Ikahiya pa talaga fullname nya!"

"O sige, palit tayo pangalan. Ako na lang si Jane Buena at ikaw si Maria Antonia Ynez Bagsit Dela Cruz. Sige nga?"

"Ay ang haba! Ah eh, Ikaw naman Mars di ka na mabiro! Sabi ko nga Marian." sabay belat.

I've known Jane since high school. We were classmates since first-year high school and became good friends until we graduated. Even after high school we kept in touch and she became godmother to my eldest son Angelo. From then on we call each other Mars short for kumare. Kahit na meron kaming sariling pamilya, we still see each other often. Just like today, we agreed to meet at Starbucks so she can take me to the gym where she is taking a yoga, class. As usuall late na naman ang loka. Instead of dropping Jayson to the daycare my mother in law offer to take care of him until I get back. Buti na lang talaga mabait ang byenan ko. She constantly visit us and spoiling my kids. Kaya naman yung mga anak ko love na love ang Lola nila and always waiting for their Lola to visit.

"O eto na kape mo!"

"Taray! Okay ka lang Mars?"

" Naman eh! Kelan ka kaya magbabago? Filipino time na lang palagi eh!"

"Mars naman, mabilis lang talaga oras."

"Palusot ka pa! Tara na nga!"

Buti na lang at walang masyadong tao sa gym naisip ko. The gym looks nice and much wider inside than it looks outside. The receptionists look pleasant and greet us.

"Good Morning Ms. Jane! What can I do for you today?" the receptionist on the far right asks.

"Good Morning Lizelle! This is a friend of mine Marian and she wants to join." Jane said while holding my arm pulling me towards her.

" Okay! Welcome to "Curves Gym" Ms. Marian where possibilities are endless. I'm going to need two valid identification, payment method Visa or Mastercard, and if you can please fill up this form and select the services you might like and bring it back to me when you're done. Thank you!

"Okay! Thank You too!"

 We sat down the receiving area where the smell of freshly brewed coffee and banana nut muffin which happens to be my favorite soothing my nostrils. I'm blaming Jane for spending good money for a cup of coffee where we can have it free here plus a yummy muffin to go with it. Suddenly, I remember when Jane and I went to a signature store one time.

"Wew! That is so expensive! Seriously, do you really need to buy that handbag?" I asked her.

"Mars, it's Louis Vuitton! Of course, it's expensive!"

"But do you really need that? Can we just go to the mall and buy cheaper kind instead of this. I really don't understand why people have to buy a  very expensive bag where you can buy a cheaper one. It's just a bag!"

"Mars, sometimes people do things that might not seem logical. But people do it anyway because others do. Everybody whatever their reason is just trying to fit in. And if this is what is in or popular in the society right now. People like me, for example, want to be a part if it. Just trying to fit in you know! Ikaw talaga ang killjoy mo!"

"Hay naku bahala ka nga its your money. But me, Nah! I'm okay with my imitation Michael Kors."

"Kahit kelan talaga ang kuripot mo. Kuripot!" sabay belat sa akin.

Binelatan ko nga din. Sabay bungisngis.

Thinking about it made me smile. After a few, we got done with the joining process and I am in. 

"Thank you, Mam, and enjoy your first day! Would you like me to show you around our facility?" says the receptionist.

"No need to Lizelle. I will give her a tour! Thank you, though!"  Jane replies.

"Okay then, Have a lovely day, ladies!"

"Thank you!" I said.

Jane  showed me the Frendz Zone area first where people can relax in a massage chairs, soaked tired feet in few heated foot spa, or sit, relax and gossip while facing a 82 inches flat screen tv.  Then, she took me to the gym area where it is huge and packed with different types of gym equipment. Then she showed me the open rooms where they do the yoga, Zumba class and more. It's almost nine in the morning so Jane decided to continue the tour later. Instead she took me to the locker room, shower, and sauna. I got to pick an empty locker and put my belongings inside. 

"So, What do you think? Ang ganda dito di ba?"

"Oo nga Mars. Ngayon pa lang enjoy na ako."

"That's good! O di ba, baka bukas makalwa pag uwi mo ng bahay di ka na makilala ni Alfred kasi sexy ka na! lol!"

"Loka! Sira ka talaga!"

"Tapos si Alfred tulo laway sayo tapos ang sabi, Let's get it on! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Luka-luka ka talaga! Tara na nga, baka mahuli patayo."

We get there just in time. Jane introduces me to our yoga instructor Ms. Jackie, who  introduce me to the class as a new member. They all greet and welcome me. Except, I can't help but notice the look of some, or is it just me?

I used to go out and love the attention of most eyes on me but now, these eyes attention might still be on me but surely not in my favor. Kung makatingin para bang gusto akong tunawin.  Feeling ko tuloy parang namasa-masa kililkili ko. (Grrrrrr...)

 For years, I let myself down. Going outside and socializing becomes harder for me to do. Buti na lang talaga I have my dear Jane. She is the only friend I have aside from my hubby, who I considered my best friend as well. I used to wear small and medium sizes but then it jumped into extra large to extra, extra large. Whaaat? Gradually, I started liking being just a home buddy. This overweight issue had myself esteem at its lowest. I can't even wear shorts outside because those judging eyes might see my pair of jumbo size thighs.  

"Mars! Hoy ano ka ba natulala ka na dyan! Ganito oh!" puknat ni Jane sa aking pgmumuni-muni.

"Kailangan ba talagang ganyan ? Mababali yata likod ko. Ang hirap naman nito."

I can't help but look at my awkward self, in the mirrored wall, in front of us. Sabay semplang! Ouch!

"Talagang ganyan lang Mars sa umpisa. Ika nga eh, No guts, No glory!"

"You mean No pain, No gain?"

"Ganon  din yon ano ka ba!"

Akala ko talaga ganon lang kadali  ang yoga. But I did not expect that I have to bend my body and do awkward positions. I don't know, or maybe its just me not being comfortable of myself. Seeing it on T.V. is actually different from when you are physically doing it. It's more than just stretching but bending and curving your body as well. I see how others including Jane can easily follow the instructions.  It is hard for me to lift up my body and keep it up steady because I'm heavy. I can't even carry myself. Feeling ko tuloy para akong pig ready to get slaughtered. I feel left out........

The last part was easy. I'm not really sure how I did but after a nice and easy stretch it was over. 

Finally!...

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Note:     C O M M E N T  &  V O T E  P L E A S E ! ! !

                THANK YOU & HAPPY READING!