Chapter 14
2563 Words
Chapter 14
We went in the middle. The ocean of people were screaming ang cheering.
Inilibot ko ang tingin habang hawak ang helmet. Iba pa rin ang pakiramdam sa tuwing kakarera kami. Kahit na palagi naming ginagawa iyon ay iba pa rin ang epekto.
"Good luck!" Hattie shouted and waved her hand.
Sa tuwing kakarera ay narito siya palagi at sumusuporta. Madalas niyang kasama sila Mako at iba pang Levesque. Wala lang sila ngayon dahil nagkataong fieldtrip sa Gorostiza.
"Storm!"
Napalingon nang marinig ang pagtawag mula sa likod. Umere rin ang pangalan nila Atasha.
Tinanguan ko nang makilalang sila Harell iyon kasama si Vox at ang grupo.
"Break a leg," Harell smiled.
I just gave him a nod. I'm sure that we will win this race, as always.
"Good luck sa mga kalaban," natatawang untag ni Bryson.
Leuxia gave him a high five before they walked away. Tumikhim ako at inaya na silang pumunta sa mga motor namin.
The people cheered loudly. The crowd buzzed with anticipation and rush of excitement. Our opponents were carried by the shoulders of cheering crowd.
I never thought, not even once... that our racing career will end because of the accident happened on that race.
Some of racer fans were disappointed. Especially to the drag racing queen.
Alam ko sa sarili ko na may kakaiba kaya't nangyari ang aksidenteng iyon. At hindi ako nagkamali roon. Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang manliit dahil sa bagay na iyon.
"That was the remarkable race for me," I answered directly.
Ms. de Lara nodded, the host of talk show.
Kasama niya rin sa pag-iinterview ang pamilyar na host tuwing may karera. I heard his name earlier, Mr. Volodar. He's the annual host and I'm sure he could still remember us.
Ms. de Lara turned to him and gestured him.
"Welcome back again in racing community, Tria!" he smiled widely.
My eyes were glued to him, observing quietly.
"I'm sure the fans wanted to ask so many questions but I got mine for this interview."
Bahagya lang na tumango si Atasha. Nanatili kaming tahimik ni Leuxia.
"We will just wait here, Storm," Giusteo spat in the line.
Hindi ako kumibo dahil nasa interview kami. Siguradong namang alam niyang narinig ko iyon. He's actually talking earlier while Ms. de Lara keep asking questions.
Naroon na sila sa racing track at naghihintay para sa karera. Mahaba pa naman ang oras pero
"How's racing to Tria after that accident?" Mr. Volodar raised his brows.
"Still the same," I spat. "It was just a small accident."
Nakataas pa rin ang mga kilay nito at tumango.
I need to control my words so I answered a bit only. They didn't know the things between us and the Caceres... especially to Xaira Caceres who caused that accident.
"A small only? But why it took so long for you to come back?"
"Personal things," Leuxia stated. "That we'll not spill in this interview."
"I understand, privacy matters," Mr. Volodar grinned.
"I don't like his look and smile," I heard Giusteo again.
I bit my lower lip to contain a laugh.
"May kakaiba," natatawang untag ni Kaiden.
The annual host flipped his cards of questions. Bahagya kaming nagkatinginan doon nila Atasha.
Wala kaming kasamang audience. May iilang staffs lang maliban sa mga camera man sa kwarto. But this interview is live.
"Does Tria have their own love now?" he asked slowly.
"Well, aside from fans may mga admirers din," Ms. de Lara chuckled.
"I don't," Leuxia answered quickly.
"I don't have too," Atasha smirked viciously.
Nakarinig ako ng tawanan mula sa earpiece. Nilingon ko silang dalawa na nanliliit ang mga mata.
"How about Azea Solasta, the Storm?" Ms. de Lara teased.
Nagkibit-balikat sa akin si Leuxia at ngumisi. She leaned calmly.
My brows shot up when I heard Giusteo chuckled.
"Come on, Storm. Huwag ka na mahiya-"
"Nothing..."
Sabay akong nilingon nila Leuxia at nang-aasar. I pursed my lips to hold a laugh.
"What?" I heard Giusteo's grumpy voice. "Storm, tss."
"They got nothing," I continued and smirked. "But I have one."
Mabilis na lumingon sa akin sina Tasha. Napaawang kaunti ang bibig ni Leuxia nang marinig iyon.
I'm sure she had the idea but it wasn't confirm. I tilted my head and nooded, smirking.
"Ow, Storm is smiling," Ms. de Lara said maliciously.
"Darn it," I heard Giusteo's cursed, he chuckled.
"We will understand if you don't want to say his name be-"
"He's Giusteo Lardiza," I interrupted.
Muling napabalik sa akin ang tingin nila Leuxia na halatang nagulat.
"Lakas naman," Leuxia mouthed mockingly.
"Lardiza?" Mr. Volodar nodded slowly.
I'm he's familiar with that last name, everyone is.
"Tangina Giusteo lang 'yan," dinig kong asaran ng mga Bloodfeud.
"Shut up!" Giusteo exclaimed and laughed.
I leaned calmly, waiting for them to continue. Patago akong siniko ni Tasha at natatawa. She mouthed a curse.
I leered and shrugged. Tumikhim ang host at tumango.
"What if the accident will happen again? Do you consider Tria coming back for the second time?"
My brows shot up on his question. Leuxia shifted on her seat, still impassive.
"Of course," she nodded.
"Nothing, even accidents, can break Tria."
Marahang tumango ulit ang host. He smiled and took another card.
"For the last question. What do you think TRIA does not stand for?"
"The racers incapacitated ability," I smirked.
"Yes, really?" the host laughed, it sounded sarcastic. "It could be also The-"
Kita ko ang bahagyang pagngisi ni Leuxia at iling. My brows knitted at the host.
"The retard idiot annual racing host," Avior Leuxia drawled lazily.
Napalabi ako para pigilan ang pagtawa. Atasha chuckled mockingly. I also heard a laughter in the line, from the Bloodfeuds.
Natigilan sa pagsasalita ang host at napawang ang bibig. Napalunok ito at inilibot ang tingin. Unti-unting nagtawanan pati ang mga staff sa kwarto.
Leuxia's dagger look darted to him. I saw his eyes flickered with nervous.
"Uh- uhm..."
"Kidding," Atasha smiled sarcastically.
Ms. de Lara did a closing remark. Nagpaalam lang kami sandali bago tuluyang umalis lalo't iilang oras nalang ay magsisimula na.
Suot na rin namin ang ibinigay na racing suit ni Vielle kaya't agad na dumiretso sa GRC.
We made our way a bit chaotic. Maraming nag-aabang sa b****a palang ng GRC. Mabuti nalang at may mga bantay doon kaya't hindi masyadong nahirapan.
Gorostiza Racing Community roared by cheers. My eyes roamed in the crowd. The Bloodfeuds stood instantly when they saw us coming.
Sa starting line na kami dumiretso kaya bumaba sila mula sa mga bleachers.
My heart immediately fluttered when I saw Giusteo approaching. I can feel the warmth on his smile.
"Storm!" he called excitedly.
I smiled back and locked my lower lip. He tapped my head when reached near me. Kinuha niya sa akin ang hawak kong helmet.
"It took so long, Storm."
"I was bored too, tss," I shrugged.
He smirked so my brows furrowed. Tinasaan ko siya ng kilay habang nanliliit ang mga matang tinitigan.
"You just admitted it publicly huh, Storm," he chuckled.
I looked away and turned to my sidemirror. Bahagya ko iyong in-adjust.
"Gusto ko e."
"My Mom knew it-"
Mabilis akong napalingon ulit sa kaniya. My eyes widened in shock.
"Huh?"
He laughed and nodded.
"My cousin is a fan of racing and he was watching the interview. He told it to them before I could."
"s**t," nasapo ko ang noo.
"Gusto ka niya makilala. She wants to meet you after this racing competition."
Napaawang ang bibig ko sa narinig. A sudden chill swept through me. I silently cursed.
"Okay, then," I nodded.
"You are so brave huh."
My lips twitched. Napalingon ako sa likod nang makarinig ng anunsyo. The racers needed to in the line and prepare.
Naglakad ako palapit sa linya kasabay ang motor at si Giusteo. Hawak niya pa rin ang helmet ko dahil nasa manibela ang mga kamay ko.
Sabay kaming huminto kahit hindi pa tuluyang nakararating doon. Sinenyasan ko si Tasha na mauna at huwag na akong hintayin.
"You will win this race, my drag queen," he winked.
Natawa ako nang kumindat siya. Sinimangutan niya ako at hinila palapit. My arms snaked on his back. Tinapik ko iyon habang natatawa.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla niya akong hinapit patungo sa kaniya. I felt his lips brushed on mine. I tugged on his shirt when he deepened the kiss.
My face suddenly heated because we are f*****g kissing in public. But his sensual move drove me insane. I couldn't even think about the people around us.
I stared on his eyes full of joy when he pulled away. Giusteo smiled as my heart melted.
His finger went to my chin. Hinarap niya ako sa kaniya. Tumingala ako dahil mas matangkad siya sa akin.
"Best of luck, Storm," he remarked. "And be safe, we will meet Mom after the race."
"I will... we will..."
He smiled and nodded. Inangat niya ang helmet at isinuot iyon sa akin. Hinayaan ko lang siyang gawin iyon.
Tahimik na humihiling na bagalan niya pa... nang masulit ang bawat oras.
It seems like time was so fast when I'm with him. Hindi ko napapansin iyon dahil nasa kaniya ang atensyon ko.
He threw himself a tight hug before he lightly tapped my helmet. Tumango ako sa kaniya at kumaway.
Tinanaw ko siyang kasama na rin nila Trevan bago tuluyang pumunta sa gawi nila Leuxia. Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo bago tumango bilang senyas.
"THE RED LIGHT IS ON AND IT GOES GREEN! A GOOD START FOR GOROSTIZA RACING COMMUNITY!"
And on that cue, we started driving expeditiously.
The crowd cheered loudly. They roared in excitement for the race. All of the were carried by the intense race.
The cheers warm the air as much as the sun ever could.
"OR YOU MUST SAY FOR TRIA? THEY ARE LEADING THE RACE AGAIN! GAYA NANG DATI WALANG KUPAS!"
"Kabado ako, Storm," he chuckled nervously.
"Leave it to me, Giusteo."
I smirked and lead the race as usual.
"An awesome backing from Solasta! She's really back!"
We passed one lap.
"Tria leading the third places! This is the comeback we are waiting for!"
"You are leading the race, Storm. You're so fast," Giusteo spat. "Stop impressing me, you already did before."
I chuckled and shook my head.
"Shut up, Lardiza."
I lifted my eyes when I saw a drone following me. Nakuha rin noon ang atensyon ng mga tao sa paligid.
"Don't look at me, Storm."
"It's you?" I smirked.
Matulin akong nagmaneho pero may bakas pa rin ng pag-iingat. I need to be careful. I need to avoid accident because I'm pregnant.
Napangiti ako at mas lalong ginanahan sa karera.
I will get that trophy... even though I already have the greatest trophy...
"Giusteo," I called when he became silent.
I focused on driving and drifting the road hard.
Dinig na dinig ko ang sigawan ng mga tao sa paligid. They are so loud as the race goes on intensely.
"S-Storm..."
"Hmm?"
My brows furrowed when another minute of silence came.
"A bomb..."
"Huh? What?"
Kunot-noo akong bumaling sa gawi niya nang madaanan iyon. His face was nervous and worried.
"What the f**k is it, Giusteo?"
"There's a bomb planted on your moyorcycle..."
Halos matigilan ako nang marinig iyon. Patuloy kong pinaktabo ang motor pero agad nakaramdam ng takot nang bumagsak ang tingin ko sa tiyan.
"I saw it in m-my drone," he nervously spat.
"I'll stop so we can-"
"No, you can't!" Lenus shouted in the line.
My brows knitted perplexedly. Mahina akong napamura.
"What? Why?!" Giusteo asked in rage.
"There's no timer in the bomb. We didn't know who holds the detonator or it's programmed. What if it's just a trap?"
I shook my head incredulously. I bit my lower lip to hold my emotion.
"Remember the smart guns Yuno gave and used as bait to us? A bomb can be programmed like that too with specific skill. Or it's connected to your motorcycle. In some cases, once you stop, it will explode."
I nodded as the bomb expert of Bloodfeud explained.
"Why the f**k Yuno is connected here? He's dead!"
"Today is the 14th day since Fortnite's downfall..."
I shut my eyes in frustration. Mas lalo akong humarurot palayo kay Leuxia at Atasha.
"Solasta is going first and far!"
When the almost victory came the cheers would have taken louder.
I don't have any choice. I felt my eyes welling when I suddenly remembered the angel inside me.
I won't tell it to Giusteo now if ever... it will cause him more pain...
"Give the earpiece to Giusteo please."
Nilingon ko sila Leuxia na pinipilit pa ring humabol.
"Storm!" Giusteo exclaimed instantly.
"Calm down..."
"Paano?!" sigaw niya. "May bomba sa motor mo Azariah kaya paano?!"
"I'll survive, okay? Maybe it's just a bait."
"THE DESPERATION OF THE TWO LEVESQUES TO OVERTAKE SOLASTA IS FIRING RIGHT NOW!"
I breathed heavily in fear for myself.
Death is beautiful... I could say that before but now I can't even imagine.
"Just come here and stop, Storm! We will defuse that f*****g bomb!"
"No... you'll be in danger."
"f**k it, Storm..."frustration was visible on his voice.
"I can't do that, Giusteo. Just trust me... I'll continue this race instead of putting you in danger too."
"Damn. I can't just stand here and watch you in f*****g danger, Storm!"
Dinig ko ang pag-awat sa kaniya ng mga Bloodfeud sa background.
Ramdam ko ang pagtulo ng luha. Huminga ako nang malalim at kinalma ang sarili.
Nilingon ko siya sa gawi nang madaanan ko. He looked so terrified. A tear dropped from my eyes.
Nanginginig ang mga braso ko habang patuloy ang pagsigaw ni Giusteo. Bakas ang matinding galit at takot sa tono niya.
"Even in different roads we will take... I'll choose you, Giusteo..."
"Storm..." he called weakly. "Don't say that. You told me that you'll be safe! Don't spit words like you are bidding a good bye."
"I'm sure that the road will decide to meet us again..."
"Storm!" he called frustratedly
I suddenly remembered the ultrasound inside my pocket. Mariin akong napapikit at napalabi nang tuluyang bumuhos ang luha.
I was left no choice. I don't know what should I do. I swallowed hard.
"Just jump, Storm!"
Marahan lang akong napailing sa naisip niya.
Sigurado akong sasabog ito nang hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakatalon kung tatangkain ko. Someone holds the f*****g detonator. And the baby...
"Calm down, Giusteo..."
"I just can't, Storm!"
Ramdam ko ang namamasang pisngi dahil sa luha. Malalim akong huminga. I frustratedly cursed inside my mind.
Tumikhim ako para ayusin ang boses.
"Put your head on my shoulder..." I sang softly to calm him down.
"Storm..."
"Whisper in my ear, baby..."
A tear dropped when I suddenly remembered the bizarre feeling when I'm with him.
"Words I want to hear... Tell me, tell me that you love me too...."
I can hear his quiet sobs. Mas lalo akong naluha roon.
Lalo siyang masasaktan kung sasabihin ko ang tungkol sa anak namin... Ipagdadamot ko iyon sa pagkakataong ito para lang protektahan siya.
"I love you, a million times over, Storm..."
Mas lalo akong naiyak at humarurot sa karera dahil sa matinding emosyon. Halo-halo iyon pero nangibabaw ang sakit na naramdaman.
Humikbi ako at nanlalabo ang mga mata pero patuloy na nagmaneho. Tumikhim ako para ituloy ang kanta para kumalma siya.
"Put your head on my-"
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LIV
- Writer
