Prologue
"And tonight I have a sad news Aaron Turner won't join the race..."the commentator announced.
Narinig ko ang pagkadismaya ng mga tao dahil doon pero agad ding umingay ng muling magsalita ang commentator.
"I know a lot of girls who are rooting for Aaron to win tonight."
The audience lets out a sad and disappointed gasp.
"But don't worry, he'll be replace for tonight's game. And I'm sure you all miss her." The commentator exclaimed enthusiastically.
The audience went crazy, as if they recognized the person the commentator was referring to, and suddenly cheered my name, which I hadn't heard in a long time.
My car roared like thunder as I heard the announcer call out my name.
"Number 99, Raze! The Queen has returned, or maybe just for tonight."
Ako ang pinakahuling in-announce as soon as my car stop nakita ko ang audience na tila nagwawala na sa mga kinatatayuan nila at nang lumabas ako ng sasakyan ay rinig ko na ang ingay nila.
I still can't believe I'll be racing tonight and that...
Binalingan ko ang sasakyan kong ibinenta ko na two years ago. Hindi ko alam na mababalik pa saakin at magagamit ko ngayon. I have no plans anymore to race in the city or even in a big tournament. I live for the past two years in a province. Although I race there too but just a friendly match. Unlike here and unlike before.
Sumalubong saakin si Aaron, may band-aid ang ilong at nakacast pa ang braso the reason why I'm racing tonight. Siguro effective ang convincing power niya kaya napabalik niya ako dito.
This event is for a cause. Ang perang makukuha dito sa laban na ito ay mapupunta sa isang charity na mapipili. And this event is sponsored by Versalius Brothers. So technically this is not a tournament game. This is for a cause event. And that's why I'm racing tonight.
"You forgot."he handed me his jacket. I'm wearing the logo of their team. Bigla namang naghiyawan ang mga manunuod ng iabot saakin ni Aaron ang jacket niya. Nilingon ko ang mga audience bago umiling. I smirked at them before I wear Aaron's jacket.
"You bought my car."I told him.
Bumingisngis siya saakin at napakamot sa batok."Yeah. I thought you might needed it."
"You're really crazy. Magkano mo nabili?"I asked him, medyo natawa. He's an impulsive guy.
"Hindi naman mahal."umiling siya.
"Magkano nga?"
"Never mind the price. I brought in an auction."he answered.
"Mahal siguro kaya ayaw mo sabihin."I grinned at him.
He chuckled cooly before he diverted his gaze to the audience.
"Did you miss this? This is where you belong, Raze. Hindi doon sa probinsya. This is where you belong. In the city."
"Nah. I'm just gonna race for tonight then I'll be back tomorrow. I'm working there."
"Bilang ano? Waitress? Really? Kung nabubuhay pa si tito Ramil sa tingin mo anong sasabihin niya sayo?"he raised his brow.
I gave him a soft smile before I shrugged my shoulders."He will be very disappointed at me. He is a legacy. At ako ang dapat magpatuloy nun. But I failed him. I'm such a loser."
Nagulat ako ng hawakan ni Aaron ang kaliwang balikat ko since he can't move his two arms."You're not, Raze. I'm sure tito Ramil is still proud of you. So much proud of you."seryosong sabi niya."Now go back here and get your crown back, Raze! Goodluck!"then he kiss me on my cheek.
Saglit pa kong natulala at parang pinaproseso pa ang sinabi niya.
Are you still proud of me, dad? I hope you are. Napangiti ako sa isipan.
I open the door of my car when I stop and turn to Aaron.
"AARON TURNER!"I called him.
Saglit namang tumahimik ang audience, nagaabang sa kung anong kasunod.
"THANK YOU!"I smiled genuinely. His words really comfort me.
After what happened two years ago I shut it down everyone in my life. I don't want any contact or connections with my old friends and the world I once treasured the most. Racing is my life. This arena is once my home.
I have nowhere to run, atleast not in the city. So I run away to a small province. Wala na akong magulang. My mom died after giving birth to me. My father died on a car accident.
I heard the gunshots and the flash on the screen of the word GO.
I turn my speed. I'm in the second lapse when a two car go both on my side. As if they are planning to slow me down.
But that won't happen.
I hope you two are watching from above, mom, dad.
I open the window shield of my car before doing my signature sign which is 1. I raised my pointed finger and again I heard the audience chanting my name like it is some kind of a spell.
"And the Queen is back! Regaining her place! Ruling the arena once again. She is still a beast in race. Ladies 'n gentleman, RAZE herself! Number 99!"
Bumaba ako sa sasakyan ko at agad akong sinalubong nila Aaron at ang team niya, congratulating me. Sa sobrang ingay ng pinaghalong palakpakan at hiyawan ay hindi ko na marinig ang mga lumapit para batiin ako.
Hinubad ko ang suot na helmet."Thank you."I said to Aaron when I heard him saying Congratulations.
We are instantly pulled to a place that is not crowded anymore by his team and his manager.
"Hindi ko akalain na mapapabalik ka ni Aaron. Akala ko nagbibiro lang siya ng sabihin niyang pupuntahan ka niya."komento ng manager niya.
I smiled at him politely."Magaling mangonsensya si Aaron. Iyon ata ang talent niya. Siguro mas bagay sakanya ang mangbudol-budol."I joked.
Nagtawanan naman ang lahat maliban kay Aaron na sinimangutan ako.
"Oh here I thought the Raze I know changed. Guess I'm wrong."ganti niya sabay ismid saakin.
"Nakausap mo na ba ang team mo? They are searching for you after you suddenly disappeared. Andoon sila. I'm sure they are waiting for you. Bakit hindi muna kayo mag-usap?"suhestyon ng manager ni Aaron na tinuro ang isang grupo di kalayuan saamin na nakatanaw pala sa kinatatayuan namin.
"Ah..."unsure of what I said I just give Aaron's manager a slight nod.
"Si Greg lang ang nanloko sayo, Raze. Hindi silang lahat. I'm sure they are still your friends and they misses you."Aaron sighed.
"Wala sa pinag-usapan natin ito, Aaron. I'm not here for good. I'm not staying here for good."naiiling na sabi ko sakanya.
"I know. Pero baka lang magbago ang isip mo. I'm sorry. But, Raze, this is your life even before you haven't met Greg. He ruined you but don't let him ruined your dream. You wanted to be like your father right? Paano mo magagawa iyon kung isusuko mo na ang pangarap mo just because an asshole entered in your life then later on ruined you."
Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa mga sinasabi ni Aaron but he always hit something inside me. And damn he's right! I hate to admit it but he's right.
"RAZE!"
My team run to me as soon as they see me approaching them.
Medyo natawa ako ng makita kong naiyak pa ang mga lalaki ng yumakap saakin.
"Seriously!?"I chuckled to ease the tension lalo na at lumapit na din saamin sila Gregory.
The anger still linger within me but unlike before I can act and be professional. After all expected ko naman na magkikita kami lalo na at sila ang sponsored ng event na ito.
"Raze! You're back!God! I missed you! Don't do that again! Wag kang mawawala or atleast tell me hindi ko naman sasabihin kay kuya kung nasan ka e. You can trust me."lumapit saakin si Arthellus Versalius ang bunso sa tatlong magkakapatid na Versalius. He pouted. Nakikita ko na gusto niya kong yakapin pero parang nag-aalangan so I pulled him for a hug.
"I missed you too. I'm sorry."I smiled.
"I thought you hated me."he almost whispered the word in pain.
"I don't. How could I hate the most adorable Versalius I've ever met!"pinisil ko ang magkabilaang pisngi niya.
Nalukot ang mukha niya at hinimas ang parte na pinisil ko.
"That hurts, Raze."reklamo niya.
"Ang lagay si Arthellus lang ang namiss mo, Raze? You're being unfair. You always have your favoritism. Palaging si Arthellus."pabirong bati ni Damian Versalius ang pangalawa.
Nakipag-apir siya saakin bago niyakap ako."I'm glad you're safe, Raze."'
"Yeah."
"Oy! Kami naman!inunahan niyo na kaming dalawang magkapatid!"I heard my teammates murmured.
Natawa naman kaming tatlo at hindi sinasadyang nagkatinginan kami ni Gregory Versalius my ex-boyfriend.
We just stare in each other for a minute before he finally spoke.
"You're back."
Umiling ako.
"Not really."
"Then why don't you stay here for good and stop hiding."it sounded like as if he's challenging me.
But I know better. Gregory Versalius is no good for me.
He is a mistake. Because a man like him is untamable and I was a fooled back there believing that I could change him, that my love for him can tame him.