Meet me at the Caroline Street

Three

JOE

When I heard the loud sound of the whistle, I lowered the goggles I was wearing into my eyes. I took a deep breath and finally dived to the underneath of the pool.

The moment I dive in the water I felt good, calm and relax but unfortunately the great feeling doesn't last long 'cause in a bit of second. As I continue kicking my legs and exchanging my two both arms in the water.  I started to feel numb, my heart pounds faster, every part of my body started to struggles.

People ask me. Bakit ko nga ba ito ginagawa? Bakit ang galing-galing ko sa mga mata nila? Puring-puri ako.

But I answered nothing, I choose to be quite because the truth? Wala naman talaga akong alam at kakayahan. Way back then, I really don't have talent whatsoever. I am a person who couldn't even do anything, I was just enjoying my life. Phoebe Joe was just living her life to the simpliest and a happy way.

I don't know who inspired me, but one day I just push my self to do anything to myself. Even tho I was really digging my own grave--- Tired, body aches, indisposition, pain.

Now I have reached the place where I should be. There was no way I was let all the hardship in a waste, this is the only thing what I am holding on to now.

Muling pumito ng malakas si Coach Davis. Tumigil ako at kumapit ng mahigpit sa wall ng pool. Gamit ang kamay ko ay pinunsan ko ang basang-basa kong mukha. Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Coach Davis na nakatayo ngayon sa harapan ko.

"55 seconds, Joe. Humahaba lang lalo ang oras na nakukuha mo." paliwanag ni Coach at halata sa tono nito ang pagkadismaya.

Umakyat ako sa floor at kinuha ang makapal na twalya pantakip sa katawan kong kita ang kalahati ng kutis ko.

"That's just 2 laps, Joe. Alam mo bang 35 seconds ang time na mayroon kayo noon ni Amara?" pagpatuloy pa ni Coach.

Hindi ko ito inabala at umupo saka pinunasan ang basa kong buhok. Inunat-unat ko rin ang mga paa ko, pakiramdam ko ay bigla silang namamanhid. Urgh.

"Look, Joe. Alam mong importante ang training mo, hindi ba? Kailangan mong maipakita na worth it man ang mga officials kung sakali mang ikaw ang mapili. This is a huge opportunity for you." umupo si Coach Davis sa tabi ko.

I looked at him. "Pagod lang ako, Coach." I reasoned out.

"If that is the reason, mas okay iyon. Ang importante hindi nada-damaged ang mga paa't kamay mo. Iyan ang magdadala sa'yo ng swerte, Joe." Coach stood up. "I'll be going, you stay a little bit here and rest. It's already passed lunch, dumaan ka sa cafeteria at kumain ka ro'n." he added. Bago ito tumalikod sa'kin ay tinapik pa nito ang balikat ko.

Natawa na lang ako habang inaagat ang mga paa't kamay ko. I smiled. Of course! You're really my lucky charm.

Nagpalipas ako ng ilang minuto sa loob ng swimming pool. This place was actually part of the school but nakatayo ito ng separate building. Yes, I am also part of the swimmers athlete, isa ako sa mga trainers ni Coach Davis. This school somehow have several trainees in different field of sports at kasama na ako doon.

I was excuse today in the class because of the swimming training I needed to attend which is this. Narinig niyo naman ang mga may 'patamang' reklamo ni Coach. Kailangan kong magsanay dahil nalalapit na ang swim meet ko at doon nakasalalay ang isang pinaka-aasam ng lahat.

Urgh. Just by thinking about those game ay sumasakit na ulo at katawan ko.

After a minutes of resting I finally decided to stand. I took my things and went straight to the shower to clean my body. Matapos lang ng mahaba-habang paglilinis at pagbibihis ay nagmadali na akong lumabas ng gym at naglakad na papunta sa cafeteria. Nagugutom na kasi talaga ako at kailangan kong punuin ang tiyan ko.