Only You (EDITING)

Chapter 3

NOTHING IS MORE REFRESHING than being greeted by the natural breeze of air. The coldness hitting through my skin sent shivers down my body, making me regret not wearing a jacket. A Narra tree was tempting and I contemplated whether to stop and make myself comfortable under its shade or keep pedaling. In the end, I chose the latter.

Fifteen minutes have passed at ramdam ko na ang pangangalay sa paa. It's been a while so I'm not surprised. But despite the uneasiness, I'd rather stay outside and endure this than stay at home with Mama and Papa. Hindi pa sila nakakaalis dahil masyado pang maaga, they're currently preparing to go to work.

I missed biking so much. Last December ko pa ito huling nagagawa. I'm only allowed to use this during summer, Academic, and Christmas break. This summer, Mama forbade me as one of my punishments dahil sa pagbaba ko ng rank. So now I was weirded out dahil parang hindi ako sanay sa sarili kong bike.

This was a gift that my parents purchased after I told them I was going to graduate elementary as a valedictorian. Getting addicted to it was effortless. It was my euphoria. But the unfortunate situation last school year had to ruin everything. Buti nalang nakumbinsi ko sila ngayon. It's therapeutic since it gives me time to clear my mind.

My smile instantly faded when I saw a familiar figure jogging several meters ahead. "Andrei?" I asked as if he could hear my whisper. He's wearing a white shirt, jersey shorts, and bright sky-blue basketball shoes that are certainly expensive.

I don't know what came into my mind but I followed him. He has his earphones on and the music was probably in maximum volume for him to be oblivious of my presence. Ilang minuto na rin ang lumipas simula nang sundan ko siya hanggang sa mapansin ko na iniikot lang namin ang plaza.

What am I even doing? This is so not me. I usually wouldn't care. So what if he's out here jogging? Hindi naman nakakapagtaka na makikita ko siya sa subdivision dahil magkalapit lang ang bahay namin. I quicken up my pace to overtake him, having a bit of hope that he won't recognize me because he's too focused on listening to—

"Tori?"

Oh, fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Don't panic. Look straight. You're losing your balance. Dapat pala nag u-turn nalang ako. I thought he wouldn't notice.

Wala akong balak na lumingon at magpanggap na lang na hindi ako ang Tori na kaniyang tinutukoy. All I could do is to hope that he won't call my name the second time.

"Tori!"

Sabi ko nga.

"Aubri Silvestre."

I could just ignore him but I bet he'll try to run after me. Kaya wala akong nagawa kundi lingunin siya. I saw him wave at me cheerfully but it was too late to react when I lost my balance and tumbled down the ground.

"Tori!" In a snap, he was already holding my bike to get the weight out of me.

"Bakit ba may hindi magandang nangyayari sa tuwing nagkikita tayo?" I tried to lighten the mood because he looks way too serious. Tinulungan niya akong tumayo at tsaka ko lang naramdaman ang hapdi sa siko at tuhod ko. Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Andrei dahil doon.

"Be more careful, Tori," pangaral niya, repeating what I said before. "Sa susunod magsuot ka ng helmet at safety pads. Buti nalang hindi masyadong seryoso ang pagkatumba mo." His chest is going unnaturally up and down.

"Sobrang sakit ba?" He looked at my cuts and scratches, and even winced as if he was the one in pain instead of me.

"Galos lang naman 'to. Malayo sa bituka." It doesn't really hurt, just itchy. Sanay na ako dito. I've experienced worse while I was still learning to balance my bike.