After that joyous reunion with the rest of her family, Christine finally plopped onto her bed, drained and tired.
Her butt was sore from that gruesome hours of sitting in a vehicle.
She may love road trips but this is one of its downside.
Nonetheless, she felt happy and content. Her luggages were still on the floor, waiting to be unpacked. After a few blissful moment of silence, it was interrupted with a knock on her door.
Sitting up from her sprawled position, she said, "Come in."
Her bedroom door opened and a head popped through.
It was her dad.
"Hey, kiddo."
He had a wide smile on his face and came inside her room. He stepped over her luggages to come sit beside her on the bed.
"How's my little squirt?"
She grinned. She loved her dad's assortment of nicknames for her.
"Quite tired but I'm fine."
"Well, ain't that right. I can see your eyebags peeking through," he said poking the so called 'eyebags' with his pointer finger.
"Daaad," she whined.
Upon her saying that, he laughed and proceeded to rub the top of her head, messing up her raven locks.
"Dad, stop it. My hair's tangled up as it is."
He just grinned and leaned in to give her forehead a kiss, "Love you, cupcake."
Needing more than just a kiss on the forehead, Christine wrapped her arms around her father, pouring all the love she had for her dad in that single hug.
"Love you, dad."
"Get some sleep. We'll have a busy day tomorrow."
"Okay."
Getting up, he kissed her forehead one more time before walking towards the door. He left the room and Christine was alone with her thoughts again.
She got up to prepare for bed. After changing into something comfortable and brushing her teeth, she finally dove under the covers.
Not long after that, she fell asleep.
⏰
Their backyard contained a swimming pool. She remembered her 8 year old self floating in the water while the voices of her family faded away.
This was where she found peace.
This was where she found serenity.
That is why at 5:30 am, she is up and out in the backyard, heading towards the pool. Her body got used to waking up early for trainings so this was not unusual of her. The sun has not fully risen yet, casting faint shadows all around. Putting on her goggles and securing her head cap, she went near the pool and dipped a toe in. She knew it would be cold but old habits die hard. She always did this when she was a kid and now, she still did it. She took a deep breath before diving into the pool to start doing her warm-ups.
This was her solace.
Doing a tumble turn once she's at the end of the pool, she felt herself glide under the water before breaking the surface and continuing to do freestyle.
After spending more than an hour in the pool doing warm-ups, drills, and cool downs, she was satisfied and ready to start on the day.
If people drink coffee to start the day, hers was swimming.
Weird but that is how she operates.
She let her body float in the middle of the pool while cherishing the sunlight that continues to carress her body and face.
"Uhm, hi."
