Race Against Love (on-going)

Chapter 2

REESE

I can't believe I'm doing this. Yes, I enrolled in Kyokushin Kan for beginners. It's a martial arts class. And this is the first session. Nag-stretch ako nang konti para hindi mabigla ang mga muscles ko. Baka tamarin akong pumasok sa mga next subjects ko kapag napagod ako nang husto. Kyokushin Kan has an intense and exhaustive training. These includes numerous kicks, punches, push-ups, squats, you name it. If I were to choose, I'd go for martial arts classes over gym sessions. You'll be fit, at the same time you'll learn self-defense.

"Ang usapan, 6AM. Ang aga mo ha," sarcastic na sabi ni Kai at sinabayan ako sa pag-stretching.

Balak sana naming ma-jogging sa oval in preparation for our first Kyokushin Kan session. Alam kong mapapalaban ang mga binti ko sa mga leg routines.

"It's not my fault. Nag-stop 'yung wallclock sa room ko. Worn out ang battery."

She rolled her eyes. "So? Kaya nga may alarm. And I used it. So I was here, 6AM, on the dot. Try it sometimes, it's very efficient."

Hindi ko pinansin ang pasaring ni Kai. I asked this favor from her. She unwillingly enrolled in this session because of me. Then, I asked her na sabayan akong mag-jogging ng 6AM ngayon. Nakakatamad kasing tumakbo sa oval mag-isa. But it didn't work out because I came in at past 7AM.

"I don't need an alarm. Nagigising ako sa oras. It's just that mali ang oras ng relo."

This is not true. I don't use alarm because I hate to get up in the morning.

I moved to the left side, malapit sa shower area para hindi marinig ang sagot ni Kai. I'm sure hindi ako titigilan nito. And I'm not in the mood for argument.

We've been hanging out only for few months, but it's like we've known each other for life. I had no friends in school because I avoided to have one. It's because I hate it so  I was praying to get kicked in few months. So, why need friends then? But these were before the Adler era. Now, everything has changed.

At first, I didn't like Kai kasi sobrang daldal.  But she's been my constant partner in various school activities. Unknowingly, I started to have a good laugh when I'm with her. Sobrang kulit at kalog niya. Cowboy siya at  walang arte sa katawan. At dahil nakakahawa ang kasipagan niya sa pag-aaral, my school stuff are done on time.

One thing I like about her, is she can't keep her ideas to herself. Kahit makakasakit pa siya. And I started to like her for being true to herself.  If I wanted to leave this school for tons of reasons, well, she's probably the one good reason for me to stay.

"Are you avoiding me?" Nakapameywang niya akong hinarap. 

I raised my two hands telling her to back off.

"Good morning..."

Napalingon si Kai. And I froze.

How could I ever forget that voice? It kept ringing in my head since I first heard it. And I turned and saw him. That face, it's the last thing I see as I close my eyes and settle to bed at night. And it's the same face that greets me in the morning when I wake up. I can't stop thinking about him, since that first fateful day I laid my eyes on him...

What the hell? Parang nananadya ang pagkakataon, kung kelan nagmamadali tsaka nagkakaroon ng mga hassles. What's the commotion? May mga namimigay ba ng mga free condoms? May artista? Everyone's busy hustling around.

"Excuse me!" I'm trying to squeeze myself in.

At dito pa talaga nagkumpulan ang mga estudyante, in front of my classroom. I'm about to be late, again. I'm freaking out.