The Olympian Lover

3

I woke up early and tried to look for a dress na susuotin for our date today. I want to look neat and girly pero ayaw ko naman maging super over sa damit. I looked at my room and it looks like a typhoon visited me. Halos sabunutan ko ang sarili ko dahil ang kalat kalat na ng room ko. I went inside the bathroom at naligo na.

I went out the bathroom at hinanap ko kaagad ang hair dryer ko. I blow dried my hair and I searched for my curling iron. I want to curl my hair today. I plugged in the curling iron and I started curling my hair. I sectioned my hair para mas madali sa akin ang mag curl at mas mavolumize ko ang curls niya. After curling my hair, I went straight up to do my make up. I applied sun screen first and then I applied a thin layer of foundation. I chose a nude peach color for my eyeshadow. I applied it on my eyelids and I created a thin wing eyeliner and mascara to finish my eye make-up.

I went straight up and applied a small amount of blush on my cheeks and my favorite coral colored lipstick. I checked my face on the mirror and I was satisfied with my make up. I looked at the time and I have no time left! I went back inside my room at nag hanap ulit ng damit. I chose a white off-shoulder fitted crop top and paired it with my black high waist pants. I heard the sound of a car parking in front of our house kaya agad ko tinignan ko siya nga ba talaga iyon and I wasn't wrong. I hurriedly pick out my shoes and I saw my black wedge. It would look cute with my outfit today kaya 'yun nalang ang pinili ko.

I hurriedly went down stairs at binuksan ang gate. "I'm so sorry, were you waiting too long?" I asked him kahit alam ko naman na kanina pa siya.

"Nope, I just got here," he smirked. Clearly, that was pure sarcasm kaya I rolled my eyes at him which made him laugh a bit at binuksan ako ng pinto.

Inayos niya ang seatbelt niya at tinignan ako. "So, where do you want to go?" he asked kaya napaisip din ako. I wanted to try the new burger place near bayside pero it's too early. "Tagal mo mag isip ha," he teased kaya inirapan ko siya. He chuckled.

"Kasi naman! Ikaw 'tong nag aya pero ako 'yung tatanungin mo." Reklamo ko sa kanya at tinawanan niya nalang ulit ako. Pinaandar na niya ang sasakyan at nag drive paalis ng subdivision. "So where are we going?" tanong ko pabalik sa kanya.

"Shopping," he dryly said which made me shock a bit. Shopping saan?

"Bibili ka ba ng damit? Shoes maybe?" I asked him pero he just shook his head. We drove papunta ng mall and we were lucky na maraming vacant parking space. I was always confident in myself. On how I dress and how I walk. Pero right now, I feel insecure. Akirho's aura is no joke. Kahit tumatayo lang siya, you'll easily get intimidated by his presence!

We went inside Dior to check for clothes. I saw him checking out winter jackets kaya pinuntahan ko siya at naki chismis. "Why are you checking winter jackets?"

He looked at me for a second and returned his gaze sa jacket na hawak niya. "I might use it soon," he simply said at binalik naman niya ang jacket. He grabbed my waist at umalis na kami ng Dior. He looked at his watch. "It's almost twelve. Where do you want to eat?"

I bit my lip and pointed Mcdonalds. He laughed a bit. "I did not imagine you like eating at a fast food chain, miss rich girl," he teased pero nag lakad na din kami papuntang Mcdo. We found a vacant seat. "Anong kakainin mo?" He asked kaya I told him my order. I was about to grab my wallet pero agad naman siya umalis para mag order.

I was observing him the whole time and I saw some girls eyeballing him as well. He was walking while holding our tray when some girls went to him pero he just smiled at them and shook his head. Na intriga nanaman ako. Hirap maging chismosa.

The girls looked at me kaya I was confused. He went to our table at nilapag na din niya ang mga orders namin. I ordered a big mac with monster coke float and large fries. I was so happy kasi it has been a while since I've ate Mcdo.

I smiled a bit dahil siya mismo ang nag lagay ng pagkain ko sa harap ko. He also opened the ketchup packet and squeezed the ketchup on top of the tissue paper. Sobrang maalaga niya. Nang masigurado na okay na ang pagkain ko he started eating his burger as well.

We were about to go to the parking lot when I told him na I want to buy coffee so we went to Starbucks to buy one. After buying our coffee he asked me if may gusto pa ba akong puntahan and I told him I want to go to the bayside. He nodded at nag drive na din kami papunta doon.

It was past 5pm when we arrived there. He parked the car near the bayside at naghanap agad ako ng pwesto. I really like the view here. You can see the Islands across the waters. I saw some Filipino street food kaya agad ako lumapit doon at bumili.

"You're this simple, huh," halos tumalon ako sa gulat when I heard his voice. He was standing beside me pala.

"Hindi ako mahilig nito noon, kami ng pinsan ko and our parents aren't a fan of street foods as well. Kahit na Filipino si Mommy, she did not allow me to eat this. Pero my cousin went to the Philippines at doon nag aral. Siguro pinilit siya ng mga friends niya doon sa Philippines so she must have liked it kaya eto pinilit niya din ako. When she visted and she saw na may nagtitinda dito ng Filipino food she immediately pursued me to try one. It tastes so good naman," I smiled at him.

We sat down sa bayside. I offered him the food pero alanganin pa siya kaya I rolled my eyes at him at sinubuan ko siya. He had no choice but to eat one. "It's good right?" I asked him. He nodded at nag umpisa na din siyang kumain.

"During your game," I started opening up. "I heard some girls at the back saying na you're being recruited daw."

He nodded and looked at the ocean. "Yeah. The National Team," he simply said.

"Congratulations!" I clapped. Pero parang napahiya ako bigla kasi he doesn't look happy about it. "Aren't you happy?"

He sighed. "I am, pero I don't think I can leave my family behind."

"What's your dream, Akihiro?" I asked him. He was taken back with what I said pero I guess he saw how serious I was when asking him that.

"Bata pa lang ako I like volleyball. My brother was the one who introduced volleyball to me. He would wake me up at 5 in the morning para lang may kalaro siya. I tried joining basketball and football para lang hindi na ako gumising ng 5am para makalaro si Kuya, pero every time I try to avoid it, it always comes back to me. I was 10 years old that time and kuya was 12 when he died because of a car accident. May laro ako that time at manonood sana si Kuya. But it was raining heavily. I stopped playing volleyball then, kasi dahil sa volleyball nawala ang kuya ko. But I also remembered what kuya told me, we might be miles apart, but Volleyball is what's keeping us together. I want my brother to be proud of me kaya sumali ulit ako after 3 years. When I started playing again, I told myself I'll aim for the world. I'll challenge the world," he was looking at the sky intently while saying those words. "Ikaw? What's your dream, Anika?"

I was taken back with that, I actually don't know. "Wala pa," I honestly answered.

"Hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang pangarap ko sa buhay. I'm contented with what I have right now and that scares me. My parents are giving me everything I need. Unlike my cousins, I don't have a dream. I'm chasing something, I know I'm chasing something pero hindi ko pa alam kung ano," I saw how the sun started to set.

"People around me are expecting a lot from me. Both my parents are successful doctors, so of course dapat ang anak nila ganon din hindi ba. Pero I don't know. I want to become a doctor, but I don't want them to expect me to be like my parents kasi I am not them. I may be their daughter pero hindi ako sila. I am different. I am me," I tried to hold back my tears. Nagulat ako when he pulled me closer to him and placed my head on his shoulder. He was gently patting my head. It calms me a bit.

"Shhh, don't stress yourself too much. Ikaw lang ang nakaka alam sa kakayahan mo. You know yourself more than they do. Gawin mo lang ang gusto mo, I know your parents would be proud of you when you do that," he smiled at me. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko maya napatingin ako sa kanya. I saw his deep brown eyes looking intently at me. My heart started beating fast. The way he looks at me. Parang sinasabi niya na nasa akin lang ang buong atensyon niya.

"I know we only knew each other for days palang, well you know me to be exact. Kasi ako. Matagal na kitang kilala. I think that was way back middle school when I saw you playing inside the volleyball court. You were smiling happily while playing. I saw that pretty smile on your face and I know that time I fell in love with your smile," he confessed. "I learned you'll be enrolling in Waseda for College kaya agad din ako nag enroll. Kasi I want to see you again. I want to be with you, and I finally got my chance."

"A-Akihiro-"

"I'm confessing my love to you, Thylane," he said seriously. "I like you, Thylane Anika."

I felt something wet running down my cheeks. Agad naman niya pinahiran ang mukha ko using his thumb. "Oh my, why are you crying? I'm sorry, I did not mean to," he looked guilty. Kaya I shook my head at pilit kinuha ang kamay niya sa mukha ko.

"I just, my heart is beating fast. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko, Akihiro," I honestly told him pero he just chuckled and hugged me tight. He was silent at hinintay niya lang ako na matapos umiyak.

After a few minutes agad naman ko tumahan sa pag iyak. I faced him and smiled a bit. "Are you done crying now, my princess?" he asked kaya tumango nalang ako.

"I want to court you, Thylane," he said. "You don't have to answer me agad," pahabol niya kaya natawa ako at mahinang sinampal ang mukha niya.

"Of course, I won't give in to you that easily just because you are popular sa school no, ano ka sinuswerte," biro ko sa kanya.

We stayed there until night time and I kept on teasing him that we should take pictures kasi ang ganda ng view pero he keeps on declining. Tinakot ko siya na hindi ko siya kakausapin once he declines kaya heto ako ngayon masayang masaya habang kinukuhanan siya ng pictures.

"You are lucky I love you, you brat," angal niya sa akin. I stuck my tongue out to tease and he just laughed at me. I took a lot of pictures of him and showed it to him. He was pleased with the pictures naman and he told me that we should also take a picture together kaya he got his phone and we took a selfie.

We had different poses. We did a peace sign and a finger heart sign na pose. Both of us were laughing and I was having a great time of my life.

***

Exams week are fast approaching. I was working my ass off. Ayaw ko akasi ma disappoint ang family friend namin. Yeah. Family friends. My parents doesn't pressure me too have high grades pero their friends do. Kaya naman I don't want to disappoint. I don't want others to talk bad about my parents for not raising me well just because I have bad grades.

"Damn, hindi ka pa rin tapos kaka aral? Ako ang nahihilo para sa'yo, Thylane," Leora said while handing me my iced coffee. I gave her a small smile and thanked her for the coffee. Inaya ko sila sa isang coffee shop para makapag aral kami pero they both said na ayaw nila mag aral pero they agreed to go with me para samahan ako.

Nilibre ko sila since they went here naman becasue of me. I saw Sorine studying kaya tinanong ko siya kung bakita siya nag aaral since she said she won't study anymore. Napatawa nalang ako when she glared at me.

"Nakaka pressure ka kasi," she pouted. "Seeing you studying this hard. Tapos you belong to the ranking list pa. Malamang mag aaral nalang din ako 'no. Ayaw ko bumagsak baka ibalibag ako ni mommy," she said at nag simula na din sa pag babasa ng notes.

Being in the Science and Engineering Department of Waseda University is not fun. I mean I have to read thick books ever single day! Hindi siya nakaka fresh! We studied inside the coffee shop for almost 5 hours. It was dark whe we finished studying. We seperated ways at nag lakad na din ako pauwi sa bahay.

I opened the door and greeted my parents when I saw them inside the dining area. My dad smiled and my mom greeted me while putting the dishes she cooked on the table. "Hi there, sweetie," mom greeted me.

"Hi mom, Hi dad," I smiled at them. Dad told me to join them. "Mag bibihis lang muna ako daddy. After I change I'll join you for dinner," I said at agad naman ako umakyat sa kwarto para makapag bihis ng damit. I went inside the bathroom to take a bath at pag labas ko, agad ako nag bihis ng pajamas ko. I tied my hair to a bun at agad naman ako bumaba para makasabay ko kumain ang mga magulang ko.

I went to the table at agad naman nilagyan ni mommy ng pagkain ang bowl ko. I smiled and thanked her. She answered me back with a smile. Minsan lang kami magkasabay kumain since both my parents are Doctors and they are always busy. I cherish small moments like these.

"How was school, Thylane?" Dad asked me in the middle of our dinner.

"It was great dad. Exams week na namin next week kaya ako ginabi ngayon. I studied kanina kasama ko sila Sorine and Leora," I answered.

He smiled ate and said, "Anak, don't pressure yourself okay? Your mom caught you last night pulling an all nighter. Nag aalala lang kami baka kasi pina pabayaan mo na ang sarili mo. We know grades are important, but your health is much more important," he gently said. My heart felt warm after hearing those from my dad. He's strict alright. A lot of his interns are afraid of him kasi daw he's ruthless at parati sila nagigisa during their Revalida. I know there a lot of good and bad comments about my dad. Well, those bad comment are most likely because of his attitude. Pero he's the best father I could ever wish for. My parents try to spend their free time with me as much as possible ever since bata pa lang ako. And they never pressure me with school. Ever.

After dinner I told my mom tutulong ako sa pag aayos at pag huhugas ng mga kinaian she wanted to decline pero inunahan ko na siya at niligpit ko na ang mga kinainan namin. While washing the plates agad ako nilapitan ni mommy. "So, any special boy you want to tell me about?" She raised her eyebrow kaya medyo natakot ako.

"M-mommy-"

"Wala pa ba? Sweety, you're 20 years old already!" Mom pouted at me.

"Mommy naman!" she laughed at me and pinched my cheeks.

"Sweety, I was 19 years old when your dad became my boyfriend! You need some College love going on right now, anak," my mom giggled.

I started opening up kay Mommy about Akihiro. "Pero I'm not sure if I like him," I said and she was just raising her eyebrow ate me.

"Sweety, that's why you have to talk to him and get to know him. You can't just easily say yes to someone. Yung ligaw, 'yan yung way for you to know more about each other," dere-derechong sabi ng Mommy ko. Mommy is always supportive of me. Lahat ng mga gusto ko binibigay niya. I'm just blessed to have them both.

***

I brushed my hair and tied it to a ponytail. Pagkatapos ko matali ang buhok ko agad naman ako bumaba para kumain ng almusal. I was a bit surprised when I saw my mom preparing breakfast. Normally kasi she would just leave my breakfast sa table and she would put a note beside it. "Hi, mom," bati ko sa kanya. She jumped a bit, probably nagulat sa biglang pag salita ko.

"Anak naman, muntik na ata ako magkaroon ng nerbyos dahil sa'yo," she said. Lumapit naman siya sa akin to kiss my forehead. Umupo naman ako sa mesa and I started eating my breakfast. I only eat French toast for breakfast. Hindi kasi ako sanay na kumain ng madami every morning.

"Bakit ka pa po andito, mommy?" Tanong ko sa kanya. She sat across me and drank her coffee.

"Well, your dad and I are hoping na sana you could attend our Party tonight for your Lolo? Sa bahay ng lolo mo," she smiled at me. Mom knows I try to avoid family gatherings. Wala naman kasi akong ambag doon. My aunts would just compare me to my cousins. Don't get me wrong. I love my cousins. Close kaming lahat. It's just their parents are a pain in my butt most of the time.

I know I'm not like my cousins. They're great and I know that. I'm proud of them too! Pero can they just be proud of their children without bringing others down? My parents just shrug it off every time I get compared to pero I know they're hurting for me and I don't want that. Kaya I always find and excuse to not attend any family gatherings.

"Mom-"

"Thylie, please," mom almost begged me. She even called me by my pet name! I kept declining pero ayaw niya talaga mag patalo. Mana nga ako sa kanya.

"I'll think about it," I sighed. She nodded and smiled widely. As if alam na niya na bibigay ako sa kanya at pupunta ako. I cringed with the way she smiled. I finished my bread at pumunta ako ng kusina para makapag timpla ako ng coffee. While waiting for my coffee hinugasan ko na din ang kinainan ko.

I placed my coffee sa tumbler ko at hinanap ko ang milk para ilagay sa coffee. I opened the freezer para kumuha ng ice at nilagay iyon sa coffee ko. Lastly, I got my caramel syrup. I mixed it all together and took a sip from it. I tapped myself sa chest para puriin ang sarili ko. It taste good! I was so proud of myself.

I walked out of the kitchen and saw my mom preparing for work. "Oh okay. Tell her I'm on my way. Prepare an OR for me, this will be an invasive surgery-" she stopped when she saw me. "Hold on," sabi niya sa kausap niya sa phone. "Aalis ka na, anak?" she asked me kaya I nodded. She went to me and kissed my cheek. "Mag iingat ka. I love you, my angel."

I hugged her tight before leaving the house. I saw mom's driver when I got out kaya naman binati ko siya. "Hello po, Kuya Jerome!" Kuya Jerome smiled at me and waved back. He was mom's driver ever since mom was a teenager. He is like a father figure kay mommy. His wife also works for us. Wala silang anak kaya both of them treat me as their grandchild. Ate Rissa is our house helper. Mom took her in when she was depressed dahil namatay ang anak nila. Kuya Jerome gets worried every time na umaalis siya ng bahay nila kasi baka ano ang gawin ni Ate Rissa. Kuya Jerome's salary was not enough para sa pambayad nila sa renta at gamot ni Ate Rissa kaya naman Mom and Dad took them both. They have their house behind ours. Pinatayuan sila mismo ng bahay ni Mommy and Daddy.

I remember noong bata pa ako Ate Rissa tends to space out every time. I asked mom why and mom told me na Ate Rissa just misses her baby kaya siya natutulala. After that I tried my best to be a good girl kay Ate Rissa every time wala sila Mommy sa house. She would always braid my hair every time I play volleyball.

I walked papuntang bus stop while drinking my coffee. I felt the cold breeze hit my face. It's almost winter kaya medyo maginaw na sa Japan. Buti nalang talaga makapal ang jacket ko. Kung hindi baka mamatay ako sa ginaw. It was a short walk from our house to the bus stop. Tamang tama ang dating ko kasi palapit na ang Bus. Sumakay agad ako at nag hanap ng upuan. Maraming bakante since it's 6 in the morning. I like going to school early kahit 8am pa ang pasok ko. Ayaw ko kasi makipag siksikan sa mga tao at mas lalong ayaw ko mag cramming na baka ma late ako. Mas gugustuhin ko gumising ng maaga and just waste my time waiting for my class to start inside our classroom.

Bumaba na ako ng Bus at nag lakad nanaman papuntang School. I was reading my notes sa notebook ko habang nag lalakad. I was really focusing sa binabasa ko when I heard someone called my name. I looked back and saw Sorine. I smiled and waved at her. Agad naman siya tumakbo papunta sa akin kaya naman huminto ako sa pag lalakad. "Wow, early mo ha, what happened? Did you brother dare you?" I teased her. She was never early. As in never! Muntik na nga siya ma drop sa isang subject namin kasi she was always late.

Hinampas niya naman ako sa braso kaya tinawanan ko na lamang siya. Sabay na kami nag lakad papunta sa classroom namin. She saw my notebook kaya agad naman niya ako kinurot. Minsan ang brutal na si Sorine. "Aray ko!" Hindi ko napigilan ang pag sigaw ng malakas kaya nag echo ang boses ko sa hallway. Mabuti nalang hindi pa masyadong madami ang tao pero nakakahiya pa din!

I immediately covered my face with my notebook at tumakbo na ako papuntang classroom. I sat down my chair at inayos ko na agad ang mga gamit ko sa table. I saw Sorine entering the room. She was searching for me. I saw her laughing when she saw me. "Loka loka ka! Bakit mo ako iniwan doon kanina ha? Nakakahiya kaya!" Reklamo niya. I glared at her. At talaga siya 'yung nahiya ha.

I crumpled a piece of paper at binato iyon sa kanya. Agad naman niya iniwasan iyon at umupo siya sa tab ko. "Aba aba. Who told you na you can sit with me? After what you did hinayupak ka," biro ko sa kanya. Pero she did not mind me at umupo pa rin siya sa tabi ko.

Moments later dumating na rin ang professor namin and she started discussing. I was focusing and I started taking down notes as well as terms na hindi ako familiar so that I can research it by tonight for additional information. I rested my chin on the top of my palm and looked at the board lazily while playing with my pen using my other hand.

"Okay, let's have an oral recitation," our Professor announced. My classmates looked shocked but they did not react or try to say anything kasi normal naman na sa amin ang on the spot recitation. Our professor started calling our names on by one. Nakita ko si Leora na halos ibaon na niya ang ulo niya sa notebook. Siniko ko siya kaya naman sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

"Anong ginagawa mo? Mukha kang ewan," I whispered. Tinignan niya muna ang prof namin bago ako kausapin. Yumuko siya kaya yumuko na rin ako.

"I'm praying my ass off na hindi ako tawagin today. Maaga akong naka tulog last night," she whispered. She was very careful with her movements. Akala mo naman may pinatay siya or what dahil sa sobrang ingat ng mga galaw niya.

"Leora, please explain," our professor called her name and I did my best na hindi siya pag tawanan kasi her face was so priceless when her name got called. Literal na nawalan ng kulay ang mukha niya. She was stuttering. Mukhang nahihirapan sa sagot kaya I wrote down the answer sa notebook ko and stepped on her foot. Magrereklamo sana siya pero agad niya nakita ang notebook ko.

She was able to answer the question. Napahawak agad siya sa dibdib niya pagka upo niya. I smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up. "Hindi ko na taaga alam ang gagawin ko kung hindi mo ako tinulungan kanina, Thy! Super thank you talaga for saving my gorgeous self!" She was still whispering dahil baka marinig kami ng prof namin. Luckily natapos na din si prof sa pag ororal recitation. I was lucky na hindi ako natawag today.

She started discussing about Neurosurgery. It was a very broad topic kaya naman I did my best to listen and take down important notes. I highlighted important parts ng discussion na hindi ko masyado gets para mas mapag-aralan ko during my free time. Our 3 hour class felt like a decade. Huminga ako ng malalim ng maka labas na sa classroom ang professor namin. It was almost lunch time kaya napag isipan namin na pumunta na agad ng canteen para makapag pili kami ng pwede namin kainin. I wanted to eat early din para makapag tambay ako sa University Library to research about our topic kanina. I know we will be having another recitation tomorrow at dahil hindi ako natawag kanina, sigurado ako na bukas matatawag ako for recitation.

Mabilis natapos ang araw ko. It was a normal day for me. Reviewing my notes and taking exams. Just like before. I was fixing my bag when I recieved a text from my mom. She was asking me if pupunta daw ba ako sa party tonight. I sighed and hid my phone sa bag ko. Pero mukhang nakita ng dalawa kaya agad naman sila lumapit sa akin para tignan if okay lang ba ako.

"Hey, are you okay? Bakit biglang nag bago ang mood mo?" tanong ni Sorine.

"Yeah. You were happy kanina, what happened? You know you can always open up sa amin. You are not alone, Thylane. We know you are strong pero somtimes you have to let your guard down," Leora smiled gently at me. They are right. Mga kaibigan ko sila. They may not help me with a solution pero they are always willing to listen to me.

I opened up to them. Telling them about the party tonight. Alam naman kasi nila na my relatives are always pressuring me and they keep on comparing me to my cousins who are years older than me. As well as our family friends.

"I think you should go, if comfortable ka of course. I hate it every time you tell us about them. They are degrading you! Sweety, sometimes you have to fight back. Instead of hiding from them, why not try to face them for once?" Sorine suggested at agad naman nag agree si Leora.

"Tama tama! They are not just pressuring you, parang binubully ka na ng mga tita mong mukhang piranha! I know you love your cousins at wala silang may ginagawang masama sa'yo. Pero their mothers! Show your ugly aunts what you're capable of, " Leora hyped me up.

"We may not go up against your aunts because they are much richer than us at baka ma bankrupt ang company namin kapag kinalaban nammin ang mga tita mong bruha," Sorine said. I laiughed a bit. Tama naman kasi siya. My Aunt's company is supporting Sorine's dad small company. Kaya hindi pwedeng kalabanin ni Soine ang tita ko.