FUEL | Completed

Lap 40

KAIRO ROSALES

I ONLY HAVE SHORT TIME TO REST. As each days passed, ph racing cup is getting nearer. And with that, I only have short time to rest. Endless training every now and then. Moves and racing tactics to be memorize. Everything that will help me to win the race, needs to be learn and train.

Luckily, I'd learned to manage my time. Sinanay ko ang sarili sa mga mabibigat na ensayo.

And, I guess, it went well.

"Good, Kai! You beat your record, five times," Winston announced. I dashed out of the car and removed my helmet. Beads of perspiration all over my neck and face- my suits soaked on my own sweat.

I seated on the bleacher, got my water bottle and drank it. Umupo si Winston sa upuan tabi ko. We both watch other racers training in the field. I'm not the only preparing for a race, every racers here does.

"Weeks left before the Philippine racing cup," He suddenly spoke. Yeah, ang bilis ng mga araw. I didn't even realize that christmas and new year had passed. Well, because I spent most of my time on training?

"Do you think you're ready for the main event?" He asked. I didn't speak for a second. Actually, I don't know. But with the trainings I'd went through since day one- maybe, I'am.

"Naalala ko bigla ang tatay mo," a smile formed on his lips. Ah, maybe it's time for reminiscing moment. "He always gets nervous everytime he enter a race. But once it has started, he race like he's not nervous at all."

"For he's a cool," I said, like I waa a proud son. Well, it's my father he was talking about.

Ngumisi s'ya. "Look kid, it's okay to feel nervous. It's okay to feel bit anxiety-"

"Pinagsasabi mo?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.

"Makinig ka na lang," he retorted. "Makinig ka na lang sa coach mo," he added. Tumatango na lang ako. Sabi mo e.

"Just give your best in the race. Alalahanin mo ang lahat ng tinraining at pinag-aralan mo. Win or lose, the important is you did your best."

"As if I can afford to lose this race," I smirked. Like what I'm always saying, this race is my key to a door of opportunities. So, I couldn't really fucking afford to lose this motherfucking race.

Not over my dead body.

"Now, that's the spirit!" He tapped my shoulder. "Galingan mo, ha! Balita ko magpapa-buffet si Mr. Raceworth at Head Mistress kapag nanalo ka, e."

"Hindi pa ba sapat ang unlimited food sa Lunch Hall?"

He laughed, "S'yempre mas masarap 'yong buffet nila Mr. Raceworth!"

I rolled my eyes as I wiped the beads of sweat on my face and neck. "Tch. Para kang si Samantha..." I paused.

"Seems like you were now close to your classmates, huh?"

Umiling ako. "As If I have choice, right?" Kahit anong gawin ko lagi at lagi kong makikita ang mga mukha nila.

Those guys, they somehow made me feel enlighten during my trainings. I never really thought the idea of having them as a friend...

... pero 'di naman sila masamang kaibiganin.

After the training got dismissed, I immediately went back to the dorm to rest. As I enter the door, bumungad agad sa akin ang malakas na music ni Theodore.

Him and his k-pop song.

"Chillin' like a villain yeah ra ra ra~" the song can be heard all over our dorm. 'Buti walang nagrereklamo. At isa pa, 'buti na lang 'din at nasanay na ako sa uri ng kanta n'ya.