When the so called dust settled, Thirdy was awarded three golds and one silver and one bronze. Theo got two golds and one silver and one bronze. Both brothers were very proud of the gold they got from the relay. It's the first time they were together on a team in one heat.
Both parents and the whole family were very proud of the two fabulous Faulkerson boys, as they are famously known in school. Good looks, smart and kind. Truly their parent's sons.
R: Congratulations! *hugs and lifts Thirdy* Ah, you're not too big after all. I can still carry you. *laughs*
Thirdy: Dad, with your biceps you can still carry a full grown cow *laughs*
R: So proud of you son! *ruffles his hair*
Thirdy: Thanks Dad! *hugs R back* Where's Mom?
R: Mom's with Theo probably still at the back.
Mika: *approaches Thirdy shyly* Hi Thirdy! *waves*
Thirdy: *got startled* Oh.. oh.. Hi Mika! *shyly waves back*
R: *observing the two teenagers, stopping himself from grinning*
Mika: Oh congratulations! You were great out there!
Thirdy: You too! You were great. I was watching you.
Mika: Oh really? *blushes*
Thirdy: *blushes too* Well, I was watching all of the swimmers *scratches his head*
Mika: *laughs* I was too.
Thirdy: *smiles* Oh this is my Dad. *turns to R* Dad, this is Mika. She's in my year. She's one of the best swimmers in our levels.
R: Hello Mika, *shakes Mika's hands* I saw you too. You were great. Congratulations!
Mika: Thank you Mr. Faulkerson. Thirdy's one of the best ones in our league. I hope he competes in the Nationals too.
Thirdy: Ah no. There's a lot out there waaay better than me! *laughs* Now you, you should be on your way to the Nationals. I'll bet they've already scouted you *points to the bleachers where some scouting agents are sitting*
Mika: Me? Oh no. I'll up your bet and double it that they're here for you. *points at Thirdy*
M: *approaches them with Theo* Hello.. *waves at Mika*
Thirdy: Hi Mom! Oh Mom this is Mika. She's part of the swim team too.
M: Hello Mika, how are you?
Mika: I'm good Mrs. Faulkerson. Hello Theo! *waves at Theo*
Theo: Hey Miks! *high fives Mika* You were great! You were like a fish! *laughs* You going to the Nationals? You should you know. I told Kuya he should aim for the Nationals too.
Thirdy: I'm not Nationals material I told you.
Mika: But you are, and I believe in you. *smiles*
Theo: *grins*. Go kuya! *wiggles his eyebrows*
M: *smiles* You were good out there Mika, we saw you. Are your parents around?
Mika: No Mrs. Faulkerson. Both of my parents are still in England. It's my grandmother who's here with me.
Thirdy: Mika's from England Mom, her parents are there. She just moved here this year with her grandma.
Mika: Oops, there she goes *hears her grandmother calling her from afar* Coming Nana! *turns back to Thirdy* Hey I gotta go, see you on Monday? Cool? *extends her hand to Thirdy*
Thirdy: Yeah, see you Monday. *takes Mika's hands* Take care alright?
Mika: Will do, you take care too. You too Theo. See you Monday.
Theo: Alright. See yah.
Mika: Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Faulkerson. Thank you, bye! *shakes both R&M's hands*
R: It's our pleasure. Bye! *shakes Mika's hands*
M: *smiles back* You take care. Bye.. *shakes Mika's hand*
R: *observes Thirdy as he looks at Mika's retreating back with a shy yet goofy smile on his face*
M: Third..
R: *interrupts M* Thirdy, why don't you go to your Lolo and Lola and show them your medals? You too Theo. We'll be right behind you.
M: *looks confused* But..
Thirdy & Theo: *stops and looks at their mom*
R: Lola's waving at you, look. *points at Nanay* Go. *pushes the two boys slightly in front*
M: *looks at R's hand holding her waist* Why are you holding me back?
R: *smiles and wraps his arms around his wife* Nothing.. *kisses her temple*
M: Nothing.. *scoffs* You're stopping me from asking Thirdy questions. Kala mo di ko alam ano.. *raises an eyebrow*
R: *grins* Because you're gonna go all Momma bear on your son. Leave him be. Ako ng bahala dyan.
M: Ikaw ang bahala eh yang ngiti mo di maalis. The girl is pretty and seems nice too. * pouts*
R: *grins* O eh ba't parang galit ka?
M: Hindi naman but they're too young. My baby is only 13 for crying out loud! He should be busy with his toys and books not with girls!
R: *chuckles* Galit ka eh..
M: I'm not!
R: *laughs* Sabi mo eh.
M: Ewan ko sayo! *tries to walk away*
R: *grabs M by the waist again* O san ka punta? *chuckles* O sorry na.. pero Ma, easy on your son please. Wag mo namang takutin. Like I said earlier, ako ng bahala. I'll handle it.
M: I'm not gonna scare my son!
R: But your eyes are shouting so many questions at once. Intentional or not, you're gonna make him feel guilty of liking another girl and loving you as his Mom, as the main girl in his life, at the same time. Wag ganun Ma, he's just discovering things. Ma-traumatize naman ang bata. Hindi na magsasabi yan sa atin pag ganyan. And remember we have four boys. Don't scare them like that.
M: *sighs* I just want to know..
R: Wait for him to tell you, he will tell once he feels that he doesn't need to be afraid that you're not gonna make him chose between the girl and you.
M: But I'm not.. *sighs again* I just realized now that we're raising teenage boys and I don't have a clue about them! *sounding frustrated*
R: *smiles* We learn my love, we learn as we go along. To quote your ex-husband Chris Martin *smirks and sings* 🎵Nobody said it was easy.. 🎶
M: *smiles and shakes her head* Why are you so calm and wise about this?
R: Because I was once a thirteen year old boy too who had a mother I adore and a huge crush on this classmate of mine at the same time. That's exactly how I felt when Mama started asking too many questions. I decided to clam up and not tell anyone anymore para wala ng tanong tanong pa. It's embarassing too you know, to be grilled by your mother about girls. Si kuya RD lang ang kausap ko. See how Theo is aware of it too? That's because they talk, boy talk.
M: *leans her forehead on R's chest* Four boys..
R: *chuckles and kisses the top of M's head* I will remind you of this when it's my turn to go bat-shit crazy when it's time for our two girls naman.
M: *giggles* Oh you'll be much worse!
R: *laughs* I know..
Thirdy: *shouts and waves* Mom! Dad! C'mon!
R&M: *laughing together* Coming Thirdy!
<fin>
*******ALDUBPARIN****************
Non-proofread.
Non-beta'ed.
FICTION.
Disclaimer: Fully and all disclaimed.
Thank you for reading. 😊❤️
Thirdy's Crush
Magsimula sa umpisa
