More Than Just A Kick

Chapter 24

"Yes. For a seventeen-year old like you. You act like you are just seven." Paliwanag ni Jonelaitero.

"Enough." Suway na naman ni Marsan.

"Bro, huwag mo naman awayin yung bata. Kita mong grade 11 palang to eh. Eh ikaw fifth year college ka na. Ikaw mas childish eh."

"Thanks, Kuya Marsan." She says and hugs him. Oh no! You must not hug him!

"Kita mo 'tong batang 'to. Kay Marsan nagkukuya sa akin hindi."

Stephanie sticks her tounge out to her brother.

"And please don't hug Marsan!" Sabay na suway nila Stephen at Jonel.

Natigil lang ang commotion sa kanila nang dumating na ang aming coach. We all bow to him as a sign of respect. They started warm-up exercise while Stephen and I begin to practice warm-up kicks. That is because we already did the warm-up exercise and jogging, so we skip that part and continue what we were doing. Only this time with our coach guidance. Para naman kasing wala akong natutunan kay Stephen kundi puro kalandian eh. Did I?

While we practice the basic kicks, like forty-five, roundhouse, sidekick, front kick and full moon kick, Marsan watch are every move as they pass by us.

"Uy, bagay na bagay si Francis at Stephen."

"Anong Francis? Bisaya ka ba ha?"

I should know by now that it's Stephanie and Jonel. Jophanie?

Why am I shipping them?

"Uh. I like you—I mean I like how I called her in that way. Kanya-kanya tayo ng trip."

"Anie!" Pagsusuway ni Stephen sa kapatid.

"Yes, manok?"

"Don't be too obvious. And stop calling me chicken, manok or hen! I am your brother, an elder brother to be exact."

"IDC!"

"Ang sweet niyong magkapatid, ano?" Jonel laugh while holding his stomach.

"Let's just focus on this. Huwag na natin silang pansinin." Pagkasabi ko niyon ay bumalik ang pagkagana ni Stephen.

"Right." A one word from him but with a sweet smile plaster on his face.

Sabay naming ginawa ang routine nang  may lakas na pagsipa habang sumisigaw. They finished jogging when we also finished our routine. We pile on a line, sa hindi inaaasahang pagkakataon ay si Jonel pa ang nakatapat ko. Ang masingot na ito pa talaga.

Kaming dalawa ni Stephanie ang nakapila sa kanya. Ako ang unang sisipa sa aming dalawa. Jonel raise the kickpad higher than I can possibly reach. He's making it hard for me but it's okay. I can learn from him if he wants to make me damn tired.

Pilit kong inaabot ang kickpad ngunit hindi ako makausad.

"Ito lang ba ang naituro  sayo ni Stephen? You should reach this kickpad or else you won't get better again. Kinakalawang ka na kasi." Before I thought Jonel is super duper quiet but after he gets close to us, tkd members, each of us will get an insult from him. Walang ibang nalabas sa bibig niya kundi puro panglalait. 

I lift my leg—I was about to do the infamous three hundred sixty-degree kick when Marsan interrupts us, he lowers the angle that Jonel created on the kickpad.

"You should know by now, she's still new to this again. Let her practice in a moderate way." Pakiusap ni Marsan ngunit sa tono ng boses niya para nilang inaaway si Jonel.

"Oo nga naman. Huwag mong pahirapan ang babe ko." Singit ni Stephen.

His driving me nutshell, I look directly at Stephen in a negative way. If looks could kill, malamang pinaglalamayan na si Stephen.