Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 08

08
Good luck

"Just a few weeks of absence...and you've become this slow?"

Hinihingal akong napaupo mula sa isang malakas na sipa sa aking tagiliran. Itinuko ko ang kaliwang siko sa sahig at sinapo ang tinamaan na parte ng katawan. A sharp strike of pain sprang around my waist and I suddenly feel like throwing up all I ate the whole week. Ramdam ko ang mga butil ng pawis mula sa gilid ng aking noo at para bang malalagutan na ako ng hininga kung magpapatuloy pa.

I didn't see that attack coming. That was a strong side kick!

"Won't you slow down a bit too then?" Singhal ko sa nakatayong trainer ko. Both of his hands are on his waist and he's also running after his breath like it's a life and death situation we are in.

Niko's just around my age but I swear, he moves like a well-trained fighter. Hindi biro ang kaniyang kakayahan sa combats and I respect it too much because he does his job professionally. Marami akong natutunan sa kaniya sa loob ng isang taon at sigurado akong hindi ako bibiguin ng kaniyang mga kaalaman.

He's a good friend as well but we don't study in the same school, because he is enrolled in Brent.

"Tayo na, Ms. Dela Merced," he sighed and offered his hand. "Mamaya ka na mag-paawa."

I deliberately scoffed at his choice of words but this brute of a guy just raised his brow, taunting.

Niko's a tall man. Maputi ang balat at singkit ang mga mata. He could pass a fine, chinito guy, but he looks fake gently. You can be deceived by his gentle face features and it wouldn't be a good thing.

Ang kaniyang tatay ay isang general ng AFP. They run a business of combats training and gym establishments. Magkaibigan ang aming mga magulang kung kaya't dito ako nag-eensayo and my father trusts his abilities. His skills are way too polished because he has been trained since he was a kid by his father and brothers.

That's why he does part-time activity as a trainer.

Inabot ko ang kaniyang kamay at muling nagpatuloy sa pag-eensayo. Tumagal pa ulit ito ng isang oras bago ako nagpasyang tapusin na. Agad akong nagpalit ng damit at nagpatuyo muna ng pawis bago dumeretso sa comfort room.

"You have to attend another session, Natalia," Niko warned. "Ang bilis mo'ng bumagal..."

"I know. Next week?" I mentally calculated the days. Sa susunod na linggo ay Pasko na at wala namang masasagasaan na mga mahahalagang pagtitipon kung muli akong bibisita rito.

He took out this phone and seriously scrutinized his own schedule. Nang makita ito ng buo, nag-angat din siya ng tingin at tumango. "Next week then."

Nginitian ko lamang siya at nag-paalam na upang umuwi.

I went home at lunch to check my grades on the portal. I didn't want to view it on my way home. Gusto ko na sa bahay na ako para mas maayos ang magiging reaksyon. I did my best. Wala dapat akong rason upang kabahan ngunit hindi ko pa rin maiwasan. Papa would later on ask about it and I just hope I would have pleasant plate to present him.

Maingat akong umupo sa harap ng aking desktop computer at sinimulan ng pumasok sa portal  nang makarating sa bahay. I was able to breathe comfortably when I saw the results.

GWA: 1.037 

I took my phone which was logged in to the portal. Ilang beses akong huminga nang malalim bago nag-pasyang pumihit papunta sa opisina ni Papa. I went out of my room and brisk-walked the distance. Bawat hakbang ko ay bumibigat ang aking paghinga. Gusto ko na lamang matapos ito at makinig sa mga gusto niyang sabihin.