So, I Met A Bear

Chapter 26

Kinusot ko pa aking mga mata sa aking nasaksihan. Akala ko'y pinaglaruan lang ng pagod ang aking mga mata. It was him.

I didn't utter a word becuase ayaw ko kwestiyunin sa harap ng mga fans niya. Ibinaling ko na lang ang aking atensiyon kay Ate Yuzu.

"How are you dear? I heard from Ash that you passed out earlier."

I only chuckled. "Yes po. I'm fine naman na po thanks to Ash."

With a proud look, ay tumango si Ate.

"Dapat lang. Bubugbugin ko talaga siya kapag pinabayaan ka niya."

Nang mapakalma na niya ang kanyang mga fans ay saka ko lang siya tinanong.

"I had to crush that man's confidence."

Naningkit ang aking mga mata. Sino ang tinutukoy niya?

He sent me a link showing a man being interviewed on the national TV regarding on how he led his team to victory in an international competition.

"I will wipe that conceited smile of his."

I read the article to shed light kung bakit nga ba ganoon na lang ang pagka-inis ng aking uncle at doon ko nga nalaman na pinaratangan niya ang aking Uncle na sinuwerte lang.

"And how are you going to achieve your plan?"

His gaze fell on my fake boyfriend's team. Naningkit ang aking mga mata. I guess, this would be a good idea and it would boost their morale knowing a decorated athlete wanted to hone their skills.

He stood up and asked for a meeting.

Kaagad naman kaming sumunod sa kanya because my Uncle emitted this authorative aura you couldn't ignore.

He announced starting today, he will be helping Kuya Clint in managing the swimming team. Pagkatapos ng meeting ay nag-warm up na kami. Yup, the ladies were also included.

I even scratched my head because if Ate Yuzu heard what happened this morning, tiyak na hindi niya papahirapan ang pamangkin niya. Inisip ko na lamang na baka concerned siya sa health namin kung kaya't he ensured we also took our daily dose of exercise. I would definitely grab a jar of cookies after this.

Kada isang oras ay pinagpahinga ng mga coaches ang swimming team ngunit Hindi ko alam kung ilang bote ba ng energy drink ang naiinom nila ay ayaw magsitigil sa training. Ito pa ang malala. Nagtawag pa sila ng kasama from the other team at nag-competition pa ang mga ito na siya namang sinang-ayunan ng mga coaches.

"I like your fake boyfriend's determination. He reminded me of my younger days."

And that's when I smirked.

"Why Uncle? Feeling old already?"

At doon na nga nagsimula ang world war dahil ginulo niya ang buhok ko.

"What? Are you going to cry?"

I only shook my head and stared at him. Then I went to Ate Yuzu and asked if she brought a hair brush. Of course, she did. It was a staple in every women's purse. But that was not the reason.

"What happened to your hair? Parang dinaanan ng bagyo?"

"Si Uncle po kasi..."

"Bayaan mo na 'yang Uncle mo. Let me brush your hair."

And when she grunted while untangling the knots, that's when I knew she would do the job for me.

Uncle walked to our direction and that's when Ate reprimanded her. I stuck out my to gue para lalo pa siyang mainis. Umiling na lang si Uncle at nag-apologize para mapatihimik lang si Ate Yuzu.

Paglingon ko sa swimming team members ay sa wakas ay nilisan na nila ang pool ngunit parang nasunog ang kanilang mga baga dahil sa patuloy nilang paghingal. We handed towels and bottled water.

"Thank you. I appreciate what you did for the swimming team." sabi ni Ash habang hawak ang soda can.

"For what?"

"I never dreamt this day would come."

Nakalimutan na ba niya na hinamon niya ang tiyuhin ko?

"No worries. Para na rin matalo mo 'yung nakakainis na guy na 'yun."

Napatakip ako bibig at bago pa niya ako tanungin ay nagpanggap na lang ako na busy.

Nagdasal ako na sana'y makalimutan niya ang aking sinabi ngunit Hindi niya ako tinigilan kung kaya't wala akong choice kundi aminin ang totoo.

"So, you've met him?"

"Yup. But I only thanked him for getting my umbrella. You know, after what happened I'm scared to talk to strangers especially if they're males."

Akala ko'y magagalit siya dahil sinabi sa akin ni Erin na nagiging Incredible Hulk siya kapag nababanggit ang public enemy number one niya. Instead, he wore a smile.

"Thanks for being honest with me."

Hindi ako sure kung anong sasabihin kung kaya't nag-thumbs-up na lamang ako.

On the second day of the training camp, Wala namang nangyaring special. Same routine lang katulad noong kagabi.

However, on the third day, Kuya Clint suggested we play the game of courage.

Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Uncle ngunit Wala din siyang nagawa dahil how can you resist his pupply like charm? Kuya was a golden retriever in human form.

Huwag mo lang siyang gagalitin.

Hinintay muna namin ang sunset para raw may thrill. We grouped into four pairs. The rule was simple. Papasok ang unang pair at may makikita silang riddle. They had to find the answer hidden inside the building. Para may challenge, every couple were given 3 minutes to find the answer. The couple who failed to give an answer would face consequences.

I would mind entering inside the two hundred years old house. Ang tanging concern ko lang ay safety. We were only given flashlights as source of light. Paano pala kapag may matapakan akong malambot na kahoy mahulog mula third floor? Accidents always followed me wherever I go?

"Were you sure you wanted to join this game?"

"Yeah! What makes you think I wasn't?"

Halos masinok at nabulol pa akong sagutin ang napakasimple niyang tanong.

"From the way you stuttered?"

I sipped my bubble tea.

"I don't know... It was just..."

"You're afraid of ghosts?"

Nahampas ko siya sa kanyang balikat ngunit napapikit ako Kasi muntik ko nang nakalimutan na na-injured siya. Kung sana'y pinatapos niya ako ay hindi niya naranasan ang lupit ng aking kamay.

"I'm not afraid of ghosts."

"You sure wasn't." sabay turo niya sa namulang parte ng kanyang braso.

"I'm sorry. Natatakot lang ako na baka may matapakan ako or baka kung kailan Tayo nandoroon ay bigla na lang mag-collapse ang building."

"I like how creative you are when it comes to scaring yourself. The building won't collapse but the probability na may matapakan ka na it will cause to accident ay napakalaki."