Miara's Mistakes

(89) July 12, 2020

Martial Arts

"Are you sure about this?" Naniniguradong tanong ni Primo habang inaayos ang sariling hand wrap. He gave Miara a discerning look while recalling why they reached the situation they're in right now.

"I'm glad you're running well," Primo said in an almost-teasing voice. He walked towards the treadmill and placed the bottle of Gatorade beside it.

"Pogi," nahihingal na tawag ni Miara. Sandali silang nagkatinginan bago binalik ni Miara ang mga mata sa harap. "Pagod na 'ko... pero five minutes pa lang 'to!"

Primo couldn't help but chuckle because of her words. And he also couldn't help but wonder why Miara's hugging herself while running.

"What's wrong?" He asked and neared the treadmill, about to turn it off. "Are you okay?"

"Ha? Okay lang..." ani Miara at pinahina ang speed ng takbo. Naglalakad na lang siya ngayon. "Bakit?"

Primo tried to think of the reason why she was hugging herself minutes ago.

"Hindi talaga para sa 'kin ang cardio..." mahinang sambit ni Miara at umalis na sa treadmill.

"Yeah, why? How about—"

"Kasi ikaw ang para sa 'kin," dagdag nito sabay hagikhik. Primo was taken aback with her words but Miara seemed unaffected.

Kung si Primo ay nagulat, si Miara naman ay kaswal lang na umiinom ng Gatorade.

"Huh?" Ani Miara kaya biglang umiwas ng tingin si Primo. Huli niya nang napansin na nakangiti na pala siya. "Uy! Okay lang naman tumingin pero inform mo muna ako. Mabilis kaya akong ma-conscious."

Primo was sure that she's just being her usual playful self since aside from her roguish tone, she also tucked the side of her hair in a manner that made her seem like she's making "pa-cute".

But why. Primo thought. Why do I find her adorable? And why am I smiling?

Primo ran a hand down his face while shaking his head. "How about martial arts? It'll involve less treadmill."

And why did I just suggest that? Why suggest something like that? Who's gonna teach her? Well, of course, I'm gonna teach her. Is she okay with that idea? And why do I want her to like the idea, huh? And why am I hoping that she'll agree, huh? But what if she doesn't like that idea? I'm sure it'll be fine. Or is it?

"Pwede rin!" He was brought back to reality because of her enthusiastic voice. The corner of his lips rose when he saw how her face lit up. It was as if she found the idea exciting.

Kumunot ang noo ni Primo nang makita na umiba ang expresyon ni Miara. It went from a jolly smile to a frown.

He was about to ask but Miara spoke first. He had to bite his lips just to prevent himself from speaking.

And why do I want to ask, huh?

"Sinong..." Miara frowned and let out a 'hmph!' but with a smile.

She's back to her playful self. He thought.

"You got my hopes up!" She gave him a frown again before letting out a chuckle.

"I'll teach you." It was one of the rare moments when his mouth acted before his brain.

There. That's what brought you two in this situation. A part of his mind reminded him. And you like it, Primo.

"Primo, patulong," ani Miara at saka ito lumapit sa kaniya.

He's starting to notice it now—the way the corner of her lips rise before she lets out a chuckle; the way she squints her eyes every time she notices him staring at her; the way her hair bounces up and down every time she decides to skip instead of walk; and all the little things she does and all the tiny details in her.

He notices them now.

But why now? And... why?

She showed him the hand wrap he let her borrow. Clearly, she's asking for help.

"Hindi ako marunong, lods."

He could feel her eyes on him and it's making him conscious.

Fuck! I'm sure I took a bath and combed my hair! But why do I feel like I have to shower all over again because I feel like she can smell my sweat?!

And when. He closed his eyes. Since when did I care about someone's cute little moles?

He held her hands and did the hand wrap for her. Miara's eyes were wandering around so he got a few seconds to gaze at her face until she looked back at him.

Napalunok si Primo nang bigla siyang nilingon ni Miara at saka ito ngumiti sa kaniya. It was her usual cheeky smile. The one she has when she's trying to tease him or when she's saying her usual witty remarks.

"You like Peach Tree Rascals?" He asked. It's a band he discovered a few months back and now they're playing in the speakers.

Miara's eyes widened before nodding excitedly while he held her other hand to fix the hand wrap.

"Favorite song?" He asked again. Since when did I like small talks?

"Mango." She beamed. "You?"

"Mariposa."

Miara nodded and started humming the song that was playing. Her eyes were wandering around again and now Primo's thinking if she's trying to avoid his gaze.

"All done."

Miara looked back to him and he was taken back again. Napatikhim na lang siya at saka iminuwestura na si Miara sa gitna ng gym.

They did some stretches and warm-up first before sparring.

"Lods, siguradong legit ka, ha?" She joked and laughed heartily. Kanina pa siya ganito. Primo should be annoyed by now but he isn't.

"I actually have a license to train so..." he trailed off, not wanting to sound boastful, though a part of him wants to impress her. "Yeah, I'm legit."

She fixed her long her into a bun while chuckling. "Grabe ka talaga, lods."

They trained for more than an hour until Miara asked for another break.

"Hindi talaga ako sporty," aniya habang nakahiga sa sahig. Primo couldn't help but chuckle at the way she's lying on the floor. Naka-stretch ang kamay at paa at mistulang pagod na pagod talaga.

"Pero kakayanin," she said before getting up. "Let's go, sagow!"

"What?" He let out another chuckle. "I think that's enough for today."

"Ay true?" She let out a sigh of relief before taking her towel that was hanging at her side.

When Primo realized that he was shamelessly staring at her, he immediately looked away.

"You're a fast-learner, though," he said, trying to brush off the awkwardness he's feeling. Though, he's also almost sure that he's the only one who's feeling it since Miara's seems so oblivious to what's internally going on with him.

"Siyempre, ako pa ba?!" She let out a fake laugh and tossed her hair. Napailing-iling na lang si Primo dahil dito.

"Ligo muna ako," ani Miara at niligpit na ang mga gamit. "Unless type mo ang mga madungis?"

Humalakhak si Miara at saka tinaas ang nakakuyom na kamao kay Primo. He was too taken aback but he fist-bumped her.

His eyes remained at her until she went out. Nakaalis na si Miara pero tulala pa rin si Primo sa pintuan.

His eyes remained fixated until he got to snap himself back to reality. But one question kept on bugging his mind.

And since when did my chest hurt because of a fist bump?