Chapter 108
A blow was landed on my cheek and it didn't take longer than a minute for the pain to kick in and my face to start throbbing. I tried to set it aside but apparently the phrase "pain demands to be felt" proved to be true. No matter how hard I tried, the pain was there and it didn't feel like it was disappearing anytime soon.
I tried to dodge the next punch aimed at me but my movements were slow; as if I was moving underwater. My opponent got me on my side and I immediately fell, sprawled on my other side. A second later, a bare foot was flying right towards my face. I immediately tried to roll over but like the last time, my movements were unnaturally slow. I barely had time to cover my head before my head snapped to the side and my body rolled along with the movement.
I grunted in pain and tried to stand up quickly. This is what I hated most; the suspense in a fight; and right now, it was being stretched out. This wasn't a dream, this was a true nightmare. It was like my mind was trying to postpone the inevitable hit by
letting the suspense thicken with time. My heart beat quickened and it felt like my heart was going to give out.
The feeling of someone shaking my arm woke me up with a startled gasp. When I saw Mr. Huang's face, I gave out a relieved sigh, realizing that it was all a dream. Even though it wasn't as livid as my other dreams so far, it was still nerve wrecking to go through. I closed my eyes and regulated my breathing, my back was drenched with sweat and my feet had gotten tangled up with the sheets I laid on.
"Come on, we've got work to do, Xiăo Fú. Get up and get ready." I peeped through the slits that I call my eyes and grumbled at myself.
"What time is it?" I couldn't see even the tiniest ray of sunlight through the small cracks of the drawn curtains. Something told me I wouldn't like what I was going to hear next.
"It's 3 in the morning and we're heading out for your last lesson before you leave tomorrow." That hit me hard. Every part of that sentence was a shock. Starting from the time of the day, what we were about to do and the reminder that my stay was coming to an end; that I would have to face reality again soon.
"Why are we heading out at 3 in the morning?" I mumbled to myself, feeling myself drifting off to sleep slowly before being shaken awake again by Mr. Huang.
"Come on, it's your last day, we need to get you to master this. It's crucial to learn it." I yawned, forcing myself up. This is ridiculous.
I kicked the covers and braced against the wall to stand up right. I rubbed my eyes and stretched ungracefully. Never said I was lady-like so all you judgmental people can shoo away.
I walked out the door with semi-closed eyes, after Mr. Huang, and tripped on several small rocks that were scattered on the ground. There was not much light to help with my situation. I didn't even bother taking my phone with me so all the light I could take advantage of was the one coming from Mr. Huang's flashlight.
It wasn't a big or bright flashlight but I'll take whatever it can offer.
I tried to keep up with Mr. Huang as much as I could but with my half-asleep state, but it was not the easiest thing to do. Finally, he stopped walking. We were facing a narrow river that had small rocks in it, staying still against the current that was gushing down the small river bank.
"Sit with me, Xiăo Fú." I obediently crossed my feet and plopped down on the bare ground under me. I adjusted my sitting position and yawned. Tints of faint pink and orange were starting to decorate the sky; the early specks of dusk.
Mr. Huang straightened his back and closed his eyes. I set my elbows on top of my knees and rested my head on my hand. A second later, I could feel myself drifting away that was until I felt something knocking my arm away from beneath my head, causing my head to fall from my hand. The abrupt motion snapped me awake and I straightened my back again, yawning.
"I didn't take you all the way here just so you can sleep, Xiăo Fú. Meditate with me." I simply nodded at his instructions. Meditate, sleep, what difference does it make. Both causes my spirit to rest anyways.
I concentrated on my body posture, straightening my back and letting my hands fall on top of my knees. I kept my eyes closed and tried to focus on regulating my breathing. However, not even a minute after, I could feel my thoughts drifting away to food, bed, my parents, nana, etc. It was an extra-long train of thought and I didn't know how to stop it.
A second later, I felt my head drooping and my breathing slowing before another hit landed on my arm.
"Focus, Xiăo Fú. Clear your thoughts and quit falling asleep. Focus on your breathing rhythm and don't let your mind wander." I snorted at his advice. I know what I'm supposed to do, I just don't know how I could possibly do it. I swear, if you asked me to do the most basic mathematics equation right now; such as 2 + 2, my answer would be 6.
That was how stupid I was feeling right now.
I closed my eyes once more and this time I focused on my breathing; in and out, in and out. I made sure to pay attention to the sound of the river flowing. I tried to catch the sound of the water splashing against the rocks, standing strong against the current and completely immobile. I kept my focus on the sound of the waters to keep myself rooted in the present and not fall asleep. It made me feel calm inside, a tranquil serenity.
I ended up trying 7 times before I finally got it right. No hits landed on my arm and my head didn't droop anymore. By then, the sun was already rising in the horizon and it caused the sky to brighten up that much more. After another 30 minutes of continuous attempts in meditating properly, Mr. Huang finally decided that I was doing good enough. I sighed and stood up to stretch more. Twisting from side to side, I heard some satisfying cracks and felt my muscles tense up before relaxing once more.
I sighed and let myself slouch, scratching a spot on my head. I'm positive that I looked like a wild animal right now; with my bedhead, and sleep induced expression and my eye bags.
We walked back to the cabin, this time with the sun helping us instead of the flashlight. I could see everything more clearly now with the sun shining on everything. I looked around my surroundings. I tried to identify what kinds of trees were around me but gave up soon enough and decided to simply admire their appearances.
The sound of the birds chirping and the frogs nearby croaking echoed through the forest. I caught a glimpse of a squirrel climbing up the tree and into a hole in the tree's bark. I saw a lot of bird nests on the trees' branches and a wild rabbit hopping away once in a while. I tried enjoying the scenery and the atmosphere while avoiding tripping on any of the rocks and possibly injuring myself before the tournament even begun.
Minutes later, we finally reached the cabin and I excused myself to wash up before we eat some breakfast.
I'll be leaving today, going back to face reality again. I could only hope that college would be more lenient than high school. It would suck to have to deal with the immature way people regarded me with in University like I did in high school.
If I had to go through the same thing for 4 more years, I think I'll end up being bald from ripping off all of my hair from my scalp.
The competitions were going to begin soon too. I could only hope that the training I've gone through with Mr. Huang would be useful for the fights and that I wouldn't be too badly injured.
I've got this. I'm sure I can stay alive and not experience any serious damages.
By noon, I finished packing up. I thanked Mr. Huang for being an excellent and very patient teacher and for welcoming me in his abode.
"I wish you the best of luck, kid. Remember the things I've taught you and remember to stay focus. Meditations can help with those. Take care of yourself. Be careful." Mr. Huang waved at me as I started walking backwards and away from his cabin.
He gave me a tight smile when I looked back after mounting my bike. I returned it with a soft smile, thanking him for the last time for everything he's helped me with. I finally adjusted the strap of my bag and pedaled away with a final wave.
Next stop: Nana's place.
