Challengers

44 : Losing Side

I had seen the sunrise from the Eden plateau on several occasions, but it was still a breathtaking scene every single time. The sky was tinged with pastel hues, perfectly complementing the golden rays spilling across the landscape below. I could hear the melodic tunes of the birds, and smell the dewy scent of the morning, yet this serene atmosphere did little to calm my restless mind.

Hindi na naman kasi ako makatulog nang maayos. Well, I slept for a few hours, but jolted awake after realizing I dreamt of him.

Sure, I had already acknowledged my feelings for him, but I didn't expect that he'd start showing up in my dreams, too. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung pinagt-tripan ako ng tadhana o ano.

"Wow, ngayon na lang ulit kita nakitang tumambay rito."

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. Paglingon ko, nakita kong naglalakad si Yena palapit sa akin.

"Ah, maaga kasi akong nagising," sabi ko.

She sat right next to me and placed the cup of coffee she was holding in front of her. "Or hindi nakatulog?" sabay ngisi niya. "Medyo mapula 'yung mga mata mo."

I almost rolled my eyes as soon as I saw her teasing smile. Though she didn't exactly know the exact details, it felt like she could see right through me. Hah. A writer's intuition is seriously terrifying.

"Medyo nag-a-adjust pa ulit ako since bagong cabin at bagong set ng teammates," sagot ko na lang. "Ikaw ba, nakapag-settle ka na?"

She shrugged casually. "Kind of? At saka katabing cabin ko lang naman si Brian tapos katapat 'yung kina Lan at one cabin away lang si Les kaya parang wala rin namang masyadong nabago."

"Ohh."

"So, kumusta naman kayo ni Zion?"

My face twitched at the mention of his name. Iniiwasan ko ngang mapunta ro'n ang topic pero mukhang hindi 'yon papalampasin ni Yena. I knew she'd talk about him the moment I saw that slight smirk on her face.

"Bakit, ano'ng meron?" I returned, feigning ignorance. "Gano'n pa rin naman?"

Bahagya naman siyang natawa at saka nagpangalumbaba. "I doubt it. Parang awkward kayo kahapon."

Saglit na napakunot ang noo ko. Yena used to be reserved, but look at her doing the teasing now. And of course, a writer should be a keen observer, but why did she have to catch even the smallest details when it comes to us?

Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang nangyari sa challenge kahapon at kung ano ang nangyari pagkatapos no'n. I had acknowledged my feelings, and I said I wouldn't let them control me, but how exactly would I do that?

Whenever I see him, I could feel my heart fluttering. It would be quite a challenge for me to treat him casually, but I guess that would be the best choice. Hindi ko rin naman kasi siya puwedeng iwasan nang walang sinasabing dahilan dahil baka maging issue pa bigla.

I lightly clicked my tongue in frustration, and Yena reacted to it. "Ohh? May something na ba?"

I averted my gaze, but Yena inched closer, curious about my reaction. Sa totoo lang, gusto kong sarilinin lang kung ano man ang gumugulo sa akin ngayon, but at the same time, may part sa akin na gusto ring ilabas lahat ng frustration ko sa nangyayari. Kaya gusto ko nang mag-weekend para sana sa pagsusulat ko i-channel ang lahat pero ang bagal ng araw dahil Tuesday pa lang.

Isang malalim na buntonghininga ang pinakawalan ko bago muling magsalita. "Wala, promise. Medyo stuck lang ako sa story ko ngayon kaya 'di ako masyadong nakatulog," dahilan ko.