Sadyang mapaglaro itong mundo
——
Lauren
Savier
Those brilliant hooded eyes struck through me like a revolution I myself can't contain. Her swimsuit hugging her perfect body that can send out thousands of warships for a man to have her. The savage beauty she possesses lingered in my mind.
Umigting ang panga ko. Goddamn why the fuck am I even staring at someone else aside from my girl? I cursed silently before returning my gaze back to Kiara. This is madness. But frankly has this been the first time a woman got my attention since Kiara and I got into a relationship. This couldn't be possible.
"Coach, girlfriend niyo na po si Ate sexy?! Nakakakilig naman po ang endearment mo sa kanya!"
Eavesdropping was never my intention. I heard the girl's statement. Muling natuon ang atensyon ko sa lalaking nagsalita kanina. Tsk! Hindi naman gwapo! Mas gwapo ako niyan. Nailing ako nang makita ang malawak na ngiti sa labi niya. He calls the lady babe?
I returned my gaze back to the lady that my fiancé is having conversation with. Something kicked me when her sight met mine awhile ago. And I didn't like that feeling. It was out of my league.
Her and the guy must be in a serious relationship. Yeah, must be.
Ngumiti ako nang dumako ang tingin sa akin ni Kiara bago tumunog ang buzzer. I sent her a playful wink and smirked when she blushed like a kid and smiled sweetly at me. Kiara has always been beautiful. She had lots of suitors before me. She chose me and I felt contented. I fell in love with her the moment I got to know her more.
Sumandal ako sa kinauupuan ko. I shamelessly raked a gaze on her body. Damn right my fiancé is sexy.
"LORI ANG SEXY MO! GO LANG NG GO! WIN IT BABY GIRL!" Kumunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang malalakas na sigaw sa bandang kaliwa. There's a group of ladies holding a...
"Putangina," those are penis shaped balloons. I almost laughed. Those are real thoughtful friends. Mahina akong natawa.
I looked at the contestants to see who they were pertaining to. It was the lady beside my Kiara. She was beaming happily at the group of ladies. Kahit malayuan nagawa kong mapanood ang pagngiti niya. Her face lit up thrice and blew them a light kiss. Her aura can color the whole universe. I abruptly looked away.
Lori. Was that her name? Damn why do I even care?
I focused my eyes on my fiancé when the last buzzer sounded. Go for it hon.
Lori
Just like how I trained, the way I executed rightly my breathing, all the movement of my hands and leg works, and the detrmination inside my head to win this, the coordination of my body and mind pushed me to go further.
I did my backflip in the water before pushing my feet at the wall, back up to my tempo. The one thing I will always love is swimming. This was the hobby that makes me feel complete. Ate Kaetlyn was never into sports. Our likes and dislikes are sometimes opposite. Pero si Kuya Matteo? That guy is hard to beat in all areas. Para siyang si Daddy Luke pero yung mas upgraded version kaya mas nakakatakot iyon.
Nakuha ko ang hitsura ni Daddy. Si Ate Kaetlyn naman is si Mommy ang kamukhang kamukha. At sobrang unfair si Kuya Matteo kasi nakuha niya ang both genes nila Mama at Papa. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko maitatanggi na sobrang gwapo ni Kuya. Many girls swoon over for him. I don't quickly trust girls who show kindness to me, because I know they have hidden agendas. I already have my besfriends and they're the only ones that I trust. Nakikipagmalapit ang mga babae sa akin dahil kay Kuya. But then, well... Kuya Matteo likely took all the personalities of Dad. Snob. Rough. Napakasungit. Arrogant. Cold like a beast. Dangerous. Super handsome. Hot. Isang tingin lang sa babae, bibigay na ang mga ito. Name it. At tulad ni Dad ay protective siya sa mga taong malapit sa kanya. Minsan naman napapaisip ako kung may seseryosohin ba na babae si Kuya. He's the usual cold & heartless playboy. He has flings and just plays around with women, but he never introduced a girl to us or even get into a serious relationship with someone. I am afraid that nobody can be able to tame him up the way that my Mom did to Dad.
I moved my legs and drove my arms. Harder. Faster. Hanggang sa humawak ako sa end part at umahon. I heard the loud buzzer sound. And the crowd went wild lalo na ang mga kaibigan ko. I looked at the monitor sa itaas.
"To show us once and for all, Miss Lauren Carson managed to win the 50 meters freestyle Olympic Swimming Competion under one minute and fiftyseven seconds in a record! Congratulations!"
Tuwang tuwa kong tinanggap ang medal na ipinasuot sa akin at ang bulaklak. Awarding ceremony na ngayon.
"Finish na mga sismars! Whooo! Bilis ah! Hindi kita iinisin ngayong araw Lori!" I heard Lucy shout. Tumawa lang ako.
"Ranking second, we have Miss Kiara Romero who got to finish the 50 meters freestyle competition within two minutes and seven seconds!" Sampung segundo ang gap namin.
Malawak na ngiti ang iginawad ni Kiara sa nagpasuot ng silver medal sa kanya. And as much as I want to deny it, I did not fail to miss out the disappointment in her eyes.
Kiara
Matapos ang awarding, mabilis akong tumakbo paloob ng headquarter at hinintay si Savi na puntahan ako. I know he would come find me. Inalis ko ang suot kong silver medal at hinawakan iyon ng mahigpit.
"Sweetheart,"
Wala akong lakas na loob upang mag-angat ng tingin at salubungin ang mga mata ni Savi. I promised to win first place for him. I wanted to win the top list for him. But I ended up second.
"Tumingin ka sa'kin,"
Umiling ako sa kabila ng mariin na boses niya. "Ayoko. I've disappointed you. Sinabi ko na ipapanalo ko para sa'yo. Pero hindi ko nagawa," tumingala ako para tignan siya.
I saw his expressions softened when he saw my face clearly. "Kiara," agad niya akong dinaluhan. Hinawakan niya ako sa kamay at hinila patayo. Bagkus ay mabilis akong pumaloob sa bisig niya at tahimik na umiyak doon.
I heard him suck for air. "Dammit, hon. I am not disappointed, never. You did your best and I am proud of you no matter what," his soft voice consoled me. Hinagod niya ang likod ko. Nahulog ang tuwalyang nakapalibot sa akin. He doesn't even care na nababasa ko ang damit niya.
Suminghot ako. "Hindi ka disappointed sa akin?" I asked.
He muttered a low cuss. Masuyo niyang hinawakan ang pisngi ko. "How could you think so lowly that a mere rank could make me think less of you?"
Suminghot ako. He wiped my tears. "I'm sorry. Napakababaw na rason pero gusto ko lang naman na makuha ang first place para matuwa ka,"
"I am already damn happy!" He sounded mad but still tender. He sighed and kissed me on the lips.
Wag ka nang umiyak kasi pumapangit ka, hon,"
I hit him on the chest because of what he said. Mahina siyang tumawa at hinigit ako palapit sa kanya. "You don't have to win first place for you to make me proud. The moment you agreed to be mine is enough for pride to hunt me down. Masaya na ako. Nothing else can make me happy aside from you. Do you hear me?" Savi spoke, love evident in his eyes as he stared at me.
Banayad na humaplos ang bawat salita niya sa puso ko. Oh how lucky I am to be engaged with this man!
Ngumuso ako at unti-unting ngumiti. "I'm becoming emotional. Pasensya ka na," paghingi ko ng paumanhin. Savier being the understanding fiancé just laughed at me and kissed me on the forehead. "Paano na 'yan pag kinasal tayo. Edi balde balde ng iyak ang papatak! Baka bumaha pa sa simbahan dahil lang sa iyak mo. Tears of joy dahil napakaguwapo ng pakakasalan mo," kasabay ng pilyong pagkindat niya. This man and his amazing personality!
Hindi ko na napigilan at mahina akong natawa sa sinabi niya. "What would I do without you?" I whispered.
"Lagot ka kapag wala ako,"
That's a fact. I can't do it without him. "I love you,"
Savi smirked. "I love you too. Kahit iyakin ka," he laughed which made me chuckle.
Lori
I slapped Lucy's hand away when she poked my boobie. Kainis! Pati boobs ko dinadamay.
"Nudge it again, aahitan kita ng kilay hanggang sa walang matira," I warned. Tinawanan niya lamang ako at itinaas ang penis balloon niya.
"Napakahusay mo, Lori! I never you could be a baddass once you swim," puri ni Aubrey.
"Ew that's so humiliating! Waving this penis lobo while the madla stares at me?! I'm never doing this again! Kapag you force me again to hold that malanding balloon Lucy, I'll really–"
"What?" Pairap na putol ni Lucy sa hinanaing ni Lara.
"I really hate you today Lucy! Bagay ka ibaon sa lupa!" Lara groaned.
"Wag mo akong kausapin kung conyo ka. Inglishin mo na lang me kaya!"
"Mas hate na lalo kita!"
"I hate you too!"
"You know what, you are ridiculously acidulous! Given the fact that you always get into my nerves by deliberately annoying me, using my poor conyo words against me just to taunt me! What if I am conyo?! At least I am trying to speak Filipino with manners!" Nagpupuyos sa inis si Lara.
Napatingin kaming lahat kay Lucy na napanganga. "Ha? Ano daw?"
Humagalpak ako ng tawa gayun din sina Dani. Lara raised a brow at Lucy, sadyang nanghahamon pero may kislap rin sa mga mata.
"Ayan kasi! Lakas ng amats mong hamunin ang Amerikanang iyan na kausapin ka sa ingles, tuloy napapala mo!" Puna ko at ikinawit sa braso ni Aubrey ang mga kamay ko.
"Mabait si Lara pero alam mo namang kapag nainis 'yan.. bumabangis," tudyo rin ni Dani.
Ngimisi lang si Lucy at kinindatan si Lara. "Pero alam rin nating lahat na nakakatakot galitin si Lucy. Baka magka-world war seven kapag nagalit iyan," Singit ni Aubrey.
"Ano pa nga ba? Pinuno iyan ng mga rebelde, protestants at mga bichesa! Lucyfer nga diba?!" I claimed and chuckled when Lucy grimaced at me before carrying baby Tomy.
"Akin na nga ang batang iyan. Feeling ko kasi kapag karga ko si baby Tomy, nagmumukha akong madangal na dalagita. Hindi gaya niyo, maiitim budhi niyo!" Barumbadong sabi niya.
"Ginamit mo pa anak ko. User ka," tawa ni Dani.
Nginit panandaliang nawala sa kanila ang atensyon ko nang lumapit sa puwesto namin si Kiara. Nahihiya niyang tinawag ang pangalan ko. "Uy congrats," masayang bati ko. "You were a really tough competitor, I must say," I did not want to pity her just because I saw her sadness. At totoo ang sinabi ko. Magaling siya.
"Congratulations too. Please forgive me I forgot my manners awhile ago the reason why I haven't said my complements to you yet before I ran to the quarters" She smiled shyly dahil nakatingin ngayon sa kanya ang mga kaibigan ko. Naiilang siguro siya.
"It's okay, no poblem," masuyong sabi ko at nginitihan siya. "Tsaka mga kaibigan ko pala. They want to meet you," inisa-isa kong ipinakilala ang mga matatalik kong kaibigan,
"Guys, si Kiara. Mabait 'yan," I grinned.
"Hi, my pleasure to meet you," Kiara said shyly.
Nagagalak naman siyang binati ng mga gaga. Walang halong kaplastikan o ano.
Kiara smiled. Sandaling tinawag niya ang fiancé na may seryosong kausap sa phone nito. Pinakilala niya ang mga kaibigan ko dito. Then she turned to me. "And meet Lori," she smiled sweetly at me. "Lori, fiancé ko, si Savier Hans,"
Wala akong balak tignan ang fiancé niya. Pero bilang respeto na rin ay tumango ako at sinalubong ang diretsong tingin niya. I'll be damned if I lie, but he looks more ruggedly attractive this close!
For a moment, I saw him give me a fleeting look. As if may pumasok sa isip niya na ayaw niya. Ngunit mabilis nawala iyon at napalitan ng casual na tingin.
"Hi,"
"Hi,
Magkasabay naming wika. I smiled. The side of his lips slowly tugged up. He offered a hand which I accepted. When I say it wasn't really possible to feel such strong impact, nakakatawa dahil dumaloy ang kakaibang sensasyon sa kamay ko nang magdikit ang mga balat namin! This is a scam!
Agad kong binawi ang kamay ko dahil sa elektrisidad na naramdaman ko. I saw him tense up a bit too when our hands collided but he quickly masked it with a composed look again. Ako lang ata dito ang nakakadama ng biglang lagnat. What is wrong with me?!
Tumikhim ako. Kinuha ni Kiara ang numero ko bago nila binalikan ang bag niya sa quarters.
I felt Lucy nudge me when they went in. "Gaga! Iyan 'yung lalaking binaggit ko noon diba?! Fuck, nalaglag ata panty ko dai!" Sabi niya kaya sinuway ko siya.
"They're engaged, Lucy"
"Sabay pa hi niyo!" Nakisabay sa panunukso ang ibang gaga.
"Respect their relationship. Don't put malice on a mere jinx," suway ko sa kanila.
Lucy smirked. 'Yung ngisi na kakaiba. Iniwan ko sila saglit para lapitan sina Rem. "Congratulations, beautiful."
"Nilalahat sana ang beautiful na iyan coach!" Singit ni Anne.
"Hey stop teasing. Ang babata niyo ang gagaling niyo na manukso" I laughed a little.
"Hintayin niyo na ako sa labas," sabi ni Rem sa kanila. Humahagikgik lamang silang umalis. Kids nowadays.
"I know you and your friends are going to have fun later. So I guess I'll just ask you out for a celebration treat tomorrow?" Boy next door ang peg nitong si Rem. Gwapong coach.
Tumango ako. This is one thing that adds up to Rem being a gentleman. He knows how to respect how I spend my time. He doesn't force me into things I do not favor. "Thank you for understanding. Of course we'll go out tomorrow. Ikaw ata naging trainor ko,"
Rem chuckled. Ngunit napahawak ako sa balikat niya sa pagkabigla nang hapitin niya ako sa baywang. "You were fantastic when you forfeited the water, babe," pabulong niyang sabi.
My lips parted. Hindi dahil sa sinabi niya kundi dahil sa mga matang nakatingin sa direksyon ko. Savier stood tall looking displeased. Nagtama ang tingin namin at nakita ko ang malalim na pagkunot ng noo niya matapos bumaba ang tingin niya sa mapag-angking mga kamay ni Rem na nasa baywang ko.
I just gave him a friendly smile before focusing my attention back at Coach Rem. "I'll text you tomorrow kung anong oras tayo lalabas. Is that okay with you?"
"Oo naman. Basta ikaw," loko talaga. I just chuckled and he took that chance to kiss my cheek. "Congrats ulit,"
Tatawagin ko na sana sina Aubrey kaso napatigil ako nang makasalubong ulit ang mga mata ni Savier. May sinabi siya kay Kiara bago niya ako sinulyapan. I saw him glance at Rem's arms around me before his jaw clenched in distaste. Kiara pulled him hanggang sa makaalis na sila.
"What kind of look was that?" Sarkastikong bulong ko at nailing. Bahala siya, parang palagi na lang galit sa mundo.
.....
06-06-20
"Jowa niya yun? Amp, 'di sila bagay. "-Savi