Chapter 12 He changed

The match was close, almost two schools from Manila entered and our other opponents were already in neighboring provinces. I held my breath and almost broke my ballpen holding to stare at Lorence who ran quickly and passed a large fence up to his chest that he had to beat to catch up with the stance moving to the right. That's how I blinked when he hit it and was in the very center.
"Shoot them in just one minute," said a speaker who was looking intently at the children.
Lorence glanced at me. Nervousness is dominating him but I surrounded him, a sign that if he can't, he can back off. It will be dangerous for him to do so especially since we have not trained him, this animal will move fast so he will need to be alert. I'm worried about what will happen to him, his body is not that big but he has an advantage. He ran fast but needed caution.
The battle has begun. It was as wide as if we were on a farm. There is only a limit to what they can go and in that red line they are only up there while the pigs are free to run. The other kids showed up well, were quick to run and move, so I understand the pressure Lorence feels.
He's next. He was the last based on the number he drew. When the bell rang and the clock moved I could not help but stiffen where I stood. He just stood in his seat. His performance was unique unlike his opponents who were already running. His eyes narrowed then he pulled out an arrow, rudely aimed it at the right side and then released the arrow. Blood splattered, he just seemed to be walking while his hands were quick to pick up the arrow. He only uses his eyes and hands. He uses alertness and speed.
"Nice techniques."
20 seconds. His hand is a monster. In just 20 seconds... The animals are stiffening. He lowered his arrow signaling that the fight was over. It was breathless and overjoyed my student ran towards me. He hugged me tightly. Looks like I'm his mother.
"Well done, Lorence. Well done," I smiled then touched his head.
We didn't even win the championship but he got 1st place. He has a title now. He had accomplished what he wanted. And his family will no longer doubt him. After non we decided to stay at the hotel where all the participants were staying. We were in the same room as my student and I told him to rest first. It was so deep that I took advantage of it to heal some of the wounds he had sustained on his foot. I admired this kid. He told the truth that his parents would not allow him because there was no money, but I asked him if he wants. And he said yes. That's why I talked his parents over the phone. I answered all the needs and responsibilities of the child.
Sometimes, parents can be a threatened in their child happiness.
I feel sorry for children whose parents themselves cut into their happiness. I am blessed because of having a tito like uncle Zenos. I stopped meditating because of the knocking of someone outside, I quickly opened it and a woman who had been taking care of us opened up to me.
"Good afternoon Ma'am, this is for you to send. Enjoy!" He said enthusiastically and I smiled.
I took the food that was for Lorence, I knew he was hungry and tired because of how fast he could fall asleep. I just wrote on a sticky note that he would eat it right away when he woke up. I noticed that it was dark right outside, I couldn't do anything so I decided to go out of the room first and take a walk in the hallway. Everyone I encounter gives me a smile that I immediately return as well. I can say that their service is good so I won't wonder why it's gone.
"Ms. Ficarro! Congratulations!" a greeting from a teacher from another school.
"Thank you Madame, congratulations also," I simply promised.
"Where's your student? Is he resting?"
"Ah, yes. He's tired after competition that's why," I smiled as we were in the middle of the hallway.
"Oh! Okay, you have to rest too, Ms. Ficarro. See you around." I turned around, but that's how stupid I was when I broke into something, causing me to touch other people's chests.
"Oh my god! My bad! I'm sorry," I said softly then picked up the cell phone.
It also sat slightly but I preceded him to pick up my cellphone so he laughed. Is he rude?
"Excuse me? Is anything funny?" I said seriously then stood up.
"Whenever you really are. Still cursed," he said laughing causing me to stop.
He was wearing a polo shirt I had just seen on him. True, he was immediately accepted by the company.
"Kevin? What are you doing here?!" I asked.
He put both his hands in his pocket. "Did your uncle buy it too?" he still laughed as he spoke.
I ignored him and then passed him by. So I went out to get some air and not to talk. I could feel his presence behind me. Is he looking at my ass? Boys are used to do that. Staring at girl's ass then what?
"Why are you following me?" annoyed my question.
"Hey? Does your head hurt? Or maybe you haven't taken your medicine yet?" his far answer to my question so I fell silent.
My medicine. Fvck! Why am I forgot about that?! "I've been taking medicine. I just want to breathe because we just finished the competition."
"If you want, come with us while you're waiting for your student to wake up. It's the birthday of one of our co-workers." I looked to the right.
Fred and Lou were there in a hut with a large space. I knew them so I agreed. When we got there, instead of being surprised, their smiles widened. There was only a little beer there, there was still more food and it looked like they were the only ones here.
"Annika! Congrats! Seriously! You're really good!" tight hug it says to me.
Fortunately, Fred immediately removed him from my embrace. My god! "Did you really watch?" I wonder here.
"Yes, that's great."
"I hope you're aware Lou, that I didn't fight. I was just standing on the side," I clarified reason for others to laugh at him there.
It became quiet then shook and my mother sat down. The surroundings were dark, the light coming right from the four corners of the twitter giving light and the other pole outside it. From the hut the beautiful view outside is obvious. The clouds were thick so no stars were scattered. The air provided by the plants around us is just right. I love environment, maybe because I was just a kid we were in the woods playing. A different kind of game.
"Whoah! There's our birthday boy!" Fred yelled.
I looked at the man who had just entered, smiled broadly and was stunned when our eyes met. Looks familiar.
"We're a guest, you already know him, don't you? I'm an ex," Fred said, making the others laugh.
"I-I know her," he stammered then smiled at me.
"Happy birthday," I greeted him with a smile.
He still can't speak. Just stare at me as if you thought I was a tiger.
"This girl is nice, she doesn't bite," Fred patted me and then sat down in front of me.
Next to me now is Kevin who has done nothing but whisper to me. I didn't know that the man who asked me on the bus was their co-worker. An engineer. Why am I surrounded by engineers?
"Zeke! What's up? Lock your room first," Fred said laughing.
I was stunned at what I was supposed to be drinking water. But I chose to ignore it, especially since they could only talk on the cell phone. That's loudspeaker. I heard Zeke laugh on the other line, her laugh then.
[Locked. Will it start soon? Can I just go there?]
"Don't. We're leaving tomorrow too." Fred put down his cell phone slightly to the left facing us.
I can see on the screen that it is sitting, no top but obviously pants because of the belt. It s tilted facing his laptop so he can t see us, he can only hear us.
[Just kiss me George. Happy birthday! Have a baby!] Zeke said cheerfully still not looking at the camera, George just laughed at him.
We were slightly taken aback when suddenly a few lights floated in the sky, seemingly large, orange stars.
"Wishing lanterns. It's beautiful, isn't?" Kevin whispered right next to me.
For some reason, I stopped looking at Kevin and nodded immediately. Surprisingly, I rarely see anything like that so I feel like I can t take my eyes off there. They fly lightly and very slowly.
"Look! Wishing lanterns! Isn't that your favorite?" Lou's dominance so I looked at them holding the camera.
[Oh? Look, Come on! It may suddenly disappear. I said I'm going there,] I heard Zeke say.
They put the cell phone on that part and there I heard Zeke's amazement. I could hear the excitement of it.
"Shame on you Zeke, Annika is here," Fred said laughing causing them to laugh at Kevin as well.
I closed my mouth.
[Annika? I-Is she there?] Making sure the voice suddenly fades.
"Yes. Earlier. There's a competition near here. It's them," Kevin replied.
We have no one else hear him. I focused myself on something else and on the wine bubble that was waiting to burst. But my ear was waiting to see if anyone else would speak besides Fred who was making too much noise. I decided to stand up so they could stare, I was just opposite the camera but I wasn't looking there.
"I'll go. My student is already awake," I said softly. "Happy birthday again. Enjoy your day, George." I didn't say goodbye because I'm sure he heard that before.
"I just brought her," I heard Kevin say goodbye then felt his presence behind me.
I walked slowly enough for Kevin to chase me to trim me. No one speaks. I follow the rhythm with his deep breathing.
"Kevin? What is Zeke's attitude towards you?" none of my own question.
I need an answer. That clear answer. Based on the shadow in front of us it turned to me. I know he's wondering.
"Attitude? It's still like that. Noisy, naughty. What he was in college is still the same. There are times when he really falls silent when he doesn't like what's being talked about or when he's not in the mood," he explained. "Why did you just ask?"
I glanced at him then smiled. I just shook my head then looked back at the road. I was just wondering. He would treat me differently. He is different. He has changed me.