I Wouldn't Mind

Chapter 23.2

{David's} 

I want to lay off some steam. Kaya nagpapasyahan kong magtraining na lang ulit, dumiretso na ako sa Dojang (Dojang- a place where you practice taekwondo). I went straight to the locker room to change. I usually wear my white dobok (dobok-taakwondo uniform) during trainings, and my black dobok during competitions. I started warming-up and noticed the white belters learning about the basics. It took me hard work and perseverance to reach the dan level (dan- master's level or black belter). I won several competitions as well, I competed in professional taekwondo and I was undefeated. Sobrang tagal na ng huli kong competition, naaalala ko lang sa huling laban ko ay hindi naging sport ang nakalaban ko nun, he was undefeated like me. Ako ang kauna-unahang nakatalo sa kanya, at hindi niya matanggap ito.

I started my training, gusto ko lang talaga maglabas ng galit. Galit sa sarili ko. Walang kasalanan si Gaby, o si Kevin, ako lang talaga. 

Backfist, knife hand, elbow strike, roundhouse kick, reverse side, palm heel, four-knuckle strike, returning kick, elbow strike, I repeated the pattern until I felt my muscles sore.

*pants pants pants* 

I stopped, and stared at the dummy. Nasobrahan na yata ako, nasira ko na yung dummy. Tsk.

I can feel the sweat dripping from my forehead running down to my chest. Buti na lang talaga at nagtae-taekwondo ako, ito na ang nagsilbing stress reliever ko. It's good, because I can distract myself for a while.

"Mm, you haven't changed a bit."

I turned around to see who it was, and it was him. Unconsciously, Kevin was standing behind me the whole time I was beating the dummy. Pero ano daw?

"I haven't changed a bit?" I asked with a curious tone. Do I know him from before? Hindi ko maalala. Hindi ko siya mamukhaan.

"Oh, you don't remember me huh?" sabi nito sa mayabang nitong tono. Nagsimula na itong maglakad papalapit sa akin.

Mukha sa mukha.

"Ang yabang mo naman David Ferrer, ganun ka na lang bang kabilis makalimot? *smirk* Ganun ka na ba kagaling?" he said with an intimidating tone.

"............"

Hindi ko siya maintindihan.

"I'm sorry, nagkakilala na ba tayo dati?" umatras ako, at kinilatis ko ang mukha niya.

baka nga.... parang....

Napailing ito sa akin, at ngumiti. Halata sa ngiti niya na naiinis na ito. Hindi ko naman siya inaasar o pinipikon (pero pwede din), hindi ko lang talaga maalala kung saan ko siya nakita. Pilit kong kinikilatis ang mga mata niya. I feel like I have seen those eyes before. Nasa dulo na ng dila ko.

"Sige, ipapaalala ko sayo" mabilisan niyang tinanggal ang sapatos niya gamit ang sariling paa at pumusisyon na para bang kakalabanin ako.

Tama, naaalala ko na....

Bigla siyang sumigaw at sumuntok, agad ko itong hinarangan. Sunud-sunod ang bato niya ng suntok at sipa. Mabilis ko itong naiilagan, he shouldn't be fighting me with his jeans, mahihirapan siyang gumalaw. Nung tumigil siya ng saglit ay agad ko itong sinipa, naharangan niya agad ito.Ginamitan ko siya ng iba't-ibang combo na madalas kong gamitin nuon. I was surprised when he caught me with an arm lock position.

Nanatili kami sa ganung pusisyon,rinig na rinig ang paghabol namin ng hininga. He's the best opponent I had. How could I forget him? I will never forget his moves.

Sorry na lang dahil hindi ko na din talaga tinandaan ang pangalan niya.I didn't like him either, he's such a drag with his trashtalk. He gets pissed with my expressionless face, and that's enough for my revenge. Sobrang tagal na nun, hindi ko naman siya pinagmasdan ng mabuti dati.

But yes, I do remember those fierce eyes.

I chuckled. I haven't got a good fight in years! God, it feels good.

"Anong tinatawa-tawa mo dyan?" inis niyang tanong. I sure know how to piss off this guy. I quickly unlocked myself from his grip, binaliktad ko naman siya naman ang hindi makagalaw ngayon.

Ano ba talagang motibo niya?

"Tell me, why are you here? Why choose Gaby as your tour guide huh? May kinalaman ba 'to sa huling laban--" naputol ang pagsasalita ko nang makawala ito sa akin at tinulak ako papalayo sa kanya.

Hindi ito nakatingin sa akin, iniikot niya ang balika't braso niya sabay ngumiti ng nang-aasar.

"Maybe." pagkasagot niya'y agad itong tumingin sa akin "She's beautiful, smart, sexy, she's definitely a keeper" he smirked.

My hands closed into a fist as the words slowly crawled into my ears. He doesn't like Gaby. He doesn't. He was smiling at me, taunting me.

"Is she your girlfriend? She told me she doesn't have a boyfriend" he uttered playfully. "Hm, ex-girlfriend maybe? How's she in bed?" he smiled. "Is she great?-"

Mabilis kong hinablot ang damit niya at itinulak siya sa pader. Nakaharap ito sa pader at agad kong pinigilan ang mga braso nito, isang galaw ko lang at mababali ko na ang braso niya. Ang isang kamay ko naman ay nakahawak sa leeg niya. Mapapatay ko siya kapag hinawakan niya si Gaby.

He was chuckling, "Aw, ganun ba siya kagaling at ayaw mo na siyang i-share? Isang gabi lang naman--"

"SHUT UP!" I shouted. "Don't you dare touch her. I swear, without a doubt I am going to break your arm, then your neck."

Kevin chuckled and to my demise an instructor saw us and asked us to leave the dojang. Kevin smirked at me, as if he wasn't threatened with my words. The instructor then reminded me that as someone at the master level I should be responsible and show discipline and all of that crap. I wasn't listening anymore. I was worried about Gaby.  I apologized to the instructor and when I was allowed to, I went to change and quickly left the room. I texted Gaby to make sure she was safe.

To: Gaby

Mag Ingat ka palagi. Please.

I love you.

Sent. 07: 54 pm.

I know Gaby wouldn't text back. But I wanted her to know that I still do care about her, and I still do love her, even if I hurted her feelings. I have to talk to her, I should at least apologize.

Kevin was waiting by the entrance door.

But before everything else, I should finish my business with him.

Kevin was waiting outside for me,  he was leaning on his car parked in front of the building. I approached him, "Ano bang gusto mo?"

"Hmm, bukod kay Gabriella..." he was holding his chin, intentionally pissing me off.

"Hindi kasama si Gaby dito" I opposed. 

"Why not? I also like her" he answered.

"Huwag mo kong gaguhin Kevin. There's a big difference between like and lust. Let's get this over with. What do you want?" I just have to give him what he wanted. He just stared at me smiling and taunting. And I exactly knew what he wanted.

"A match?" I asked.

Kevin smiled and offered his hand for a shake. I inserted my hands inside my pocket and turned my back on him.

"Four o'clock pm. Dojang." I said as I walked away.

I'm done being the expressionless David. I'm going to show him what he wants.