Mimi Turns Pretty - SOON TO BE PUBLISHED ✅

Chapter 22

I usually start my mornings the same way – wanting to go back to sleep as soon as I feel the sun hit my face, pero today? I'm starting my day, well, I can't say I can start it since I didn't end it because I didn't get to sleep a wink last night.

I tried everything - reading, watching almost everything I could find on Netflix, listen to music, but nothing worked. I couldn't go to the kitchen and bake dahil baka magka-moment na naman kami ni Ollie doon and I'm not sure how to face him yet.

"Shit."

I have to face him today because we're doing something for Lola.

I grunt and get up para makapag-shower. It's just past 6AM and we're supposed to leave at 7AM. I pass by my window at napansin kong may tao sa garden. I immediately recognize his back – si Ollie.

He's wearing shorts, a hooded jacket and running shoes. He had his morning run siguro – I told Kuya I'd join him pero siguro baka hindi na, baka kasabay niya si Ollie kapag umaga. He's probably cooling down dahil nag-sstretch na siya, his hair is tied up in a bun and I can see his earphones. It's a staple rin for me when I workout, kailangan may magandang tugtog to get me into the rhythm while running.

I'm still watching him as he starts to jump in place and rotating his neck from side to side.

Ay, hindi pa siya tapos mag-workout? Adik?

Aalis na sana ako para makaligo but he starts to remove his hoodie and I just watched him take it off and throw it at the grass. I stood there while he did side to side jogs and kept rotating his neck.

May sleeveless shirt naman siya na white sa ilalim, but it's useless because his sweat made the shirt cling to his body. And I leaned my forehead against the window pane as I stared at my childhood crush jog and punch the air. Pero sa totoo lang parang ako ang sinapak because I'm just rooted in place, mesmerized at how different he looks when he works out.

Napalunok ako and felt the need bigla for water. Siya yung napapagod pero parang ako yung hinihingal.

And if that isn't enough he changes his stance, spins and kicks in the air.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at nawala ang antok ko sa ginawa niya. I've taken taekwondo lessons in New York and I know how hard those kicks are – well, I can't really tell how hard it is kasi one week lang ako doon sa lessons before I quit.

But damn that kick was high.

I sigh and resume my stalking position. I watched him do a couple of more kicks until I hear someone clear their throat. The sound coming from my door.

I look at the person disturbing my ogling and instantly sober up.

"What the hell are you doing?" si Kuya.

What the hell is wrong with me? I didn't even hear him open the door?

I shrug pero I'm sure my face is beet red by now, "Wala."

Bumaling ang tingin niya sa bintana and though he can't see, I'm 100% sure he knows who I'm staring at. He looks like he worked out too so baka magkasabay nga sila ni Ollie and Ollie just wanted to workout some more.

Umirap lang si Kuya bago nagsalita, "Mamaya mo na titigan 'yan maghapon mo 'yan kasama."

Mag-pprotesta sana ako, deny it or something, but really what's the point?

I sigh and look back at the garden and see a now shirtless Ollie looking up at me. He has his hands on his hips while trying to catch his breath.

He gives me a small smile mouthing "Good Morning".