Between the Rainbow (Strawberries and Cigarettes Series #1)

Chapter 33

Changes

Early in the morning, Rick and I were already up for some good sparring in the gym. I left a message to Shiloh that there was already breakfast on the table, and I told Mavric to keep an eye on him since he's usually slow when he gets up. Matutulala pa kasi.

It was still seven, and we were already at the gym. Ewan ko ba kay Rick, parang gusto yatang kamao niya ang magiging umagahan ko.

Humihikab ako habang isinusuot ang boxing gloves at handa na siya habang patalon talon. He's too energized to start it. He's even punching it into the air, as I could really sense how determined he was to spar with me.

"Come on, Brent," aniya at tumatalon talong lumapit sa akin sabay bwelo ng suntok.

Nakailag ako at halos magising na ang aking diwa. I think I should wear some protection for my mouth too. Baka balak nitong bungalin ako.

I threw my first punch, which he dodged, and an uppercut punch, which I immediately dodged too. Ngumisi siya at tumagilid ang ulo.

"Suntok, Brent. Lambot ah?" natatawa niyang hamon at muling bumwelo ng suntok.

I did another punch, which hit his jaw. I was a bit worried, but then I thought it was a bad decision because he punched my face. Damn it!

Napaatras ako sa sakit noon. Now I'm awake. I threw two consecutive punches, a left hook and a right hook, which he dodged and threw a punch against my chest. Hindi lang yata ngipin ko ang gustong lagasin nito kundi pati baga ko.

I can feel my sweat trickling down my body because of the aggressive movements I made to avoid and throw punches. He aimed at my jaw, which he successfully did. I aimed at his left cheek, which I successfully did as well. It was with those aggressive movements that I felt like he was releasing some steam on me.

It was half an hour straight. Halos maisip ko na lalaban kaming dalawa sa olympics dahil kapwa kami desidido. Kung dinala namin ito sa totoong boxing ring, baka kapwa kami duguan at nabungal.

We both panted after getting exhausted from it. I took my gloves out of my hands and walked to the bench so I could drink water. I was breathing so hard that I needed to pour the remaining cold water against my head just to freshen myself.

Hinihingal si Rick at nakatuko ang mga kamay sa likuran habang titig na titig sa akin. Naglakad ako papalapit sa kanya at ibinigay ang kamay ko.

He took one of my hands, but when he rose up, he suddenly punched me. Halos napaatras ako at kumunot ang noo. I groaned and clicked my head as I grazed my tongue just to check my teeth. Thank God, I didn't lose one!

"Babaero ka, Brent. Bakit si Shiloh?" he fired while looking so pissed.

I froze. Sa galit na nakita ko sa titig niya, alam kong...alam niya.

"Ano, nagsawa ka sa mga babaeng ikinama mo? Kaya kay Shiloh naman? Tang ina, Brent! Alam kong gago ka pero hindi ko alam na ganito pala kalala!" He went to me and pulled the neckline of my t-shirt aggressively.

Binasa ko ang aking labi. He's close to Shiloh. I don't know if Shiloh told him things or... he found some evidence on his own.

"I courted him seriously—"

"Gago ka! Sa kabi-kabilang issues mo sa babae, talagang paniniwalaan kita?!" Agresibo niya akong itinulak.

"Mahal ko, Rick! Tang ina ka! Ayaw mong maniwala!" I pushed him back, angry that he was questioning my feelings for Shiloh.

Humagalpak siya ngunit alam kong napipikon siya.

"Mahal? Eh hindi ba't may babae ka noong nakaraan?! Ano 'yon, biglang nagising ka na wala nang babaeng maikakama kaya si Shiloh naman! Gago ka pala, Brent! Hinamon mo nalang sana ako ng suntukan kung gusto mo ng sakit sa katawan!"