Challengers

Chapter 32 : Unfamiliar

We lined up in front of the clear basins, with me on the leftmost followed by Zion, Roi, and Arin. Medyo nag-relax na ang katawan ko after the more physical activities, so mukhang matatapos ko naman ang challenge na 'to.

"Are you ready?" asked the staff, and we nodded in return. "Your timer starts now!"

I held my breath and submerged my head on the basin.

Naririnig ko ang pag-cheer ng teammates ko pero parang unti-unti ring nagf-fade ang mga boses nila. Was it because I was too focused on my own breathing? I just wanted to last for at least thirty seconds.

Just when I was trying hard to focus, my mind started wandering off. I was suddenly thinking of lying on a soft bed and what to eat for dinner. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakahiga ka lang at nagre-relax pero nagulat ako nang bigla na lang akong lumubog sa kama.

I was jarred back to the present and immediately regretted breathing in. Agad akong napaahon dahil doon ko lang na-realize na nasa gitna pala ako ng challenge.

"Next challenger, go!" sigaw ng staff.

Pagtingin ko ay nakalubog na ang ulo ni Zion sa basin niya habang patuloy naman ako sa pag-ubo dahil nakalunok ako ng tubig. Fortunately, I was able to stay underwater for 43 seconds, so okay na rin 'yon sa akin kahit papaano.

"Okay ka lang, Elix?" tanong ni Arin habang nakasilip mula sa puwesto niya.

I gestured a thumbs up at her and nodded, but honestly, I was already getting a little lightheaded. Ni hindi ko na rin masyadong nafi-feel ang challenge kahit kanina ay medyo kinakabahan pa ako habang papunta kami sa final phase.

I breathed deeply to calm myself. Sakto namang umahon na si Zion at nakatagal siya nang halos one minute habang si Roi naman ay almost two minutes. Arin just had to hold her breath for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and we would finish the entire challenge.

"Isipin mo na lang isda ka!" Roi remarked a few seconds after Arin submerged her head.

"Stop commenting," said Zion. "Mamaya matawa 'yan."

Arin was able to concentrate while her entire face was underwater, and I was in awe that she could hold her breath for that long. Halos nakahinga rin ako nang maluwag nang umahon siya after the timer dinged.

"Pink team has finished the god quest!"

I wasn't sure if it was the comfort of finishing the challenge or perhaps the relief that I wasn't a complete burden to the team that made my body lose its strength. That moment, I knew I'd pass out and I tried to reach for the closest thing I could hold onto, but my vision just turned black. And before I could react, my consciousness had already slipped away.

***

Familiar voices reached my ears as I regained my senses. Sinubukan kong imulat ang mga mata ko pero sobrang labo pa rin ng paningin ko. I had to blink for several times to adjust my sight and the first thing I saw was a white roof...of a tent.

"Elix, are you awake now? Naririnig mo na ako?"

Napatingin ako sa gilid at doon ko na-realize na nakaupo ro'n si Zion at nakahiga ako sa patient bed sa loob ng medical tent.

"Hala, Elix, oh my gosh, gising ka na!" halos paiyak na sabi ni Arin.

"Okay ka na ba? Walang masakit sa 'yo?" seryosong tanong ni Roi.

Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita dahil hindi ko masyadong maalala ang lahat ng nangyari. What I could recall was that we finished the challenge and...I blacked out. Paggising ko ay nandito na ako at medyo nakakatakot dahil hindi ako sanay na seryosong nakatingin ang tatlong 'to sa akin.