All Worked Out and Up

(9) Push and Pull

"Do another three sets of sit-ups and then you can transfer to the treadmill, Maine." Alden said.

Hirap kaya magsit-ups when your hands are on my knees and you're kneeling in front of me, Maine thought.

"Alden, okay na ko! Maybe Carlo can assist me?" I just wanted his hands off me right now. I'm about to get burned.

Alden scowled.  But before he could reply, Diane shouted for Alden to help her.  Alden excused himself to go to her.  

Ang popular talaga ng trainor ko. Exhibit number 1, Diane.  Ang babaeng bawat kibot, tatawagin si Alden.  Kung pwede lang itahi sa panty nya si Alden, ginawa na niya.

I was struggling doing the sit-ups on my own so Carlo came over to help.  Carlo was holding my calves when Alden came back.

"Carlo, ako na dyan!", he said brusquely making Carlo leave as fast as he could.

"Ang sungit mo naman! Tinutulungan na nga ako ng tao."

"Shut up, Maine and just finish your sit-ups."

Alden looked mad about something.  I was getting mad too because he seemed to be taking it out on me.

Inisin ko kaya to.

"Close kayo ni Diane, ano?", I said in between sit-ups.  "Bagay kayo!"

"Wrong pronoun."

"Huh?"

"Hindi ko sya type.  Kaso hindi ata ako crush ng crush ko." He was now smiling impishly.

"Impossible! Everyone with estrogen in this gym seems to like you."  Realizing that included me, I belatedly add, "Except for me ha..."  I grunt to do another sit-up.

The frown was back on his bedimpled face.

I heaved to do one last sit-up when pain shot through my right side.

"Where does it hurt?" Alden asked as he put his hands to my side.

Habang namimilipit ako sa sakit, na-conscious ako bigla kasi pinipisil-pisil na ni Alden yung bilbil ko sa tagiliran.

"Ahhh...wala na. Okay na!", I tried to put on a straight face kahit parang tinutusok pa ng karayom yung tagiliran ko.

I pushed him away from me and got up so I could walk to the treadmill.

"Ang cute mo! Pakurot nga sa cheeks", he teased.

But before he could put his hands on my face, Chloe sauntered over and put her arms through Alden's and pulled him away.

"Alden, can you help adjust the settings on this machine?" Chloe said in her high-pitched voice.

Exhibit number 2, Chloe.  Laging high-pitch ang boses! Daig pa asukal sa saccharine-sweetness. I cringe just thinking about it.  

I headed over to the treadmills and checked who were there.  I decided to use the one beside Mark, who seemed nice.

"Hi Maine, nice to see you again!", bati agad ni Mark sa akin.

"Hello! Kumusta ang workout mo?", I asked to make polite conversation.

"Okay naman! I try to go here thrice a week.  How's your therapy going?"

Alden answered for me from out of nowhere.  Nagulat ang lola nyo.

"She won't finish her session if you keep bothering her."

Mark raised his arms as if in surrender, smiled sheepishly at Alden and me and continued with his workout.

I pulled Alden to my left side, away from where Mark was and scolded him, all while walking on the treadmill.

"Ikaw, ang harsh mo! Talo mo pa babaeng may period today ha.", I said to him as silently as I could.

"Focus on your therapy kasi.  Stop entertaining guys dito sa gym.", napalakas yung boses nya.

"Entertain? Kumanta or sumayaw ba ko?  Of course, I had to talk to him. He was speaking to me. Ang bait kaya nung tao."

By this time, I was thankful that Mark already left for the shower rooms.

"Mabait yan kasi may gusto sayo.", he muttered under his breath.

"Ano na naman binubulong mo dyan? Ang suplado mo today, bahala ka na nga!"

Alden shrugged and then reached over the controls of my treadmill to push up the intensity level by three notches.  I grabbed the towel around my neck and threw it at him.  He just laughed.

Anong problema nito today?  Pumapatol ako sa mga may topak, sorry!

"Alden, can you please check if my equipment is working properly?", I asked in my best Chloe-imitation. Of course, Chloe was gone by this time.

"I don't think this is the right place to be testing your "equipment", Maine. Tara sa likod."

I blushed when I realized what he meant.

"Ang dumi ng utak mo!"

Tumawa na naman ang mokong. I had ten minutes left of treadmill time so I decided to just ignore Alden completely.

When it became quiet, I looked around to see where my idiot trainor has gone and understood why.  He was now talking to Jane, Exhibit Number 3.

Si Jane, si Jane na "walang malay" (change quoted word to mahalay).  Ano bang cup size ng babaeng to? Ten times ata ng sa akin, I thought bitterly.

The two talked for a bit and when she said goodbye, Jane pulled Alden for a hug. Nagulat ata yung isa because he just stood there, with hands to his side.

If I know, nasarapan yung gago.

"Malambot ba?", I asked when he returned.

"Yung kamay, hips or butt mo? Oo. Not sure about the other parts though.", was his quick comeback.

"Wala kang kwentang kausap today, alam mo yon?", I told him in frustration.

Thankfully, my treadmill beeped to let me know I'm done.  I quickly got off so I can change and leave.

"God! I'm hungry! Nagkalat yung asukal dito, I now want dessert! Alangan namang ikaw lang.", I stuck my tongue out at Alden and ran for the shower stalls.

I could swear I heard him laugh hysterically behind me.

Forty-five minutes later, I was ready to go home.  I was tired and just wanted to plop down on my bed to sleep.  I hope I've seen the last of Alden today (Liar!, said me to myself)

On my way out, I heard Mark call my name.

"Maine, wait! I wanted to ask you something.", Mark said.

Cute din tong si Mark eh. Not as cute as Alden though (This is me objecting to myself again.)

"Hi Mark! Sorry about earlier. May topak yung trainor ko!", I said.

"That's alright.  Are you doing anything now? Would you like to have coffee with me?", Mark asked with a smile.

Kinilig ako. Someone's asking me out for coffee and it's been a while.

"Coffee, uhmmm. I don't know.", I was still trying to think if I should accept.

"Kala ko ba you want dessert? Tara na! Sorry, Mark! Nakalimutan nya yata.", Alden piped in from behind me as he pushed my back and led me out the gym door.

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Author's Note: This is what I felt like writing, not sure where the story is headed though hahaha. I'd love to hear your thoughts. 😂