The Warrior 1: Primo

Chapter 15

WHEN PRIMO SAID HE'LL BRING ME to the track, by hook or by crook, I didn't take him seriously – but here I am now, sitting silently, involuntarily, and against my will inside Primo's convertible. I was told I have many options but unfortunately, not coming to wherever this guy is planning to go is not one of them.

"You can remove the attitude, Ayah..." Primo said, amused. "You'll like it there, I promise."

Hindi ko siya pinansin.

I have all the intention in the world to not talk and interact with him for the whole duration of the ride dahil hindi ko talaga gustong sumama sa kanya. I had a list of reasons why I didn't want to go and it was completely ignored by this guy.

Kumulo ulit ang dugo ko dahil naisip ko na naman ang nangyari kanina.

"It's a four-hour drive. Mapapanis ang laway mo kung hindi mo ako kakausapin," he convinced me again.

I almost looked at his direction to snarl at him but I figured he also didn't deserve even a tiny ounce of my anger.

"Look... I had no choice, alright? Hindi ka naman sasama ng matiwasay kung hindi ko ginawa 'yon," Primo said while driving his car smoothly along the highway.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "You didn't need to blindfold me! I almost died of a heart attack, Primo."

"But you have to admit my idea was creative..."

Creative, my ass.

"That's something only a sociopath would say," I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled, then his chuckle turned into a deep, rich, hearty laugh. If I wasn't angry enough, I would've been amazed. It was the first time he laughed more than a chuckle – but no - I'm livid.

Creative ba yung bigla ka nalang hihilahin sa labas ng gate at lalagyan ng blindfold? I screamed my heart out because I thought I was really kidnapped. It turns out, it was just them and you know what's worse? Shiva was into their plan. No wonder nobody tried to help me. They know it was just one of the group's shenanigans.

Kulang nalang ay sipain ko siya kung hindi lang siya nagmamaneho. Lucky for him I don't want to die early, not in the same car with him, at least.

"Remind me again on why do we have to travel so far for a racetrack? Are you banned in your usual place?" I pried, ready to feel happy if he's kicked out.

He didn't tear his eyes off the road. "Why would they ban me there?" He smirked. "They wouldn't kick me out that easy, even my tune-up games are jam-packed."

"Humble, I see."

He shrugged slightly, ignoring my sarcasm. "Seige's family owns the circuit."

Oh.

Sometimes, I forget that Primo's friends can afford these things. Paano ba naman e halos magsuntukan nga ang mga 'yan para sa huling piraso ng Nova sa canteen o 'di kaya ay nakikihingi ng papel tuwing may quiz or seat work.

Then here's Primo casually saying that Seige's family owns the racetrack — the duality of these guys.

"So why the four-hour drive?" I said, confused. "At isa pa, you're a racer. Bakit four hours pa rin ang byahe natin? Can't you like... drive faster?"

Ngayon pa lang ay kinakalkula ko na kung anong oras kami makakauwi. It won't be anytime tonight, I suppose. Madilim na at kung mag e-enjoy ang mga 'to ay paniguradong madaling araw na kami makakauwi - unless I'll choose to commute - which is something I don't know how to do.

"Roads have speed limits and I can't race if I have a speeding violation..."

"Good to know, Mr. Law-Abiding-Citizen. Wait – don't tell me you're going to race tonight? Ayokong panuorin."