Amour Rouge (Red Love)

Chapter 21

"How are things going on between you and Charles?" Alex asked me.

We are currently in the middle of Lap 60 and si Charles ang may hawak ng fastest lap.

"We are good," Wala sa sarili na sagot ko kay Alex. Nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa karera. Hindi ako makagalaw sa nerbyos. Mula kanina ay pinagdadasal ko lang na sana ay safe na makatapos si Charles. Winning doesn't matter to me anymore, just bring him back safe and sound.

"Something's wrong with the car," I overheard someone from the team.

All of them started to move hastily. What's happening?

"Which car?"

"Leclerc's"

Halos ibuga ko lahat ng hangin sa katawan ko when I heard Charle's name. I can feel my body lose its balance and control. Parang nawawalan ako ng dugo, I can feel my body turn cold and white.

"Can you double check it, please? Is it really Charles?" I tried my very best to ask Alex. He only nodded as he went closer to the team.

Please, hindi si Charles. Hindi si Charles.

Hindi naman sa mas gugustuhin ko na ibang driver 'yun pero, please, let him be safe.

"Red, Charles is having difficulty controlling the car."

"What do you mean?" My breath hitched, I can't recognize my voice anymore. Parang biglang nag iba ang tono nito. I sound so different.

"Don't worry, they are trying their best." Alex tried to comfort me pero hindi naman talaga ako naniniwala sa sinabi niya.

I just want him to be safe, that's all! I need to see him!

My feet started to walk, hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta.

Kung saan na lang, I need to see him!

"Red!" Alex called me, he held me by my arm kaya hindi ako nakalayo.

"Alex please, I need to see Charles."

"Red, I know. I know it's your first time to encounter this." Kasi naman, okay naman nung Singapore ah! Smooth naman ang nangyari doon!

"Calm down, you can't help Charles either. Just... stay here." Alex used a commanding voice.

"But--" He stopped me by gently wiping my tears away. Hindi ko namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako.

"6 laps, Red. Let's wish he finishes those 6 final laps safely."

"O-okay," Hindi ko na alam, wala na ako sa sarili. I can't think properly.

Lord, please. Safely. Safely. Safely.

"P2 Charles, keep it going."

Tangina, may problema na nga pero pinipilit pa talaga nila! Hindi ba priority ang safety dito? What if ma aksidente siya? Why aren't they stopping him?!

"Alex, can't we just call Charles back to the garage? What if he gets into an accident? We can't push him to finish the race if there's something wrong with his car!"

"Red, calm down! He got it covered. Don't worry," I can also see him fret.

My God!

"2 more laps, Red. 2 more"

I called everyone I could, all the saints, all the angels... I prayed and repeated the same words.

Bring him safely to me.

"P1 Charles! You're doing very great! Finish this!"

Oh Gods, safely. Please, safely.

I was busy praying while my eyes are tightly closed when I felt the ground shake.