Hindi ako tumigil.
Alas-sais pa lang ng umaga, nakasakay na ako sa kabayo.
I didn't even bother to eat breakfast.
What's the point?
My appetite went cold the moment Dad showed up at the stables yesterday, demanding that i represent our family sa isang international competition sa Italy.
Hindi ako tinanong. Walang “Are you ready?” or “Do you want this?”—wala. Just his usual, condescending tone na parang automatic akong susunod, like i was bred to perform, not to choose.
So here i am.
In this godforsaken arena.
My legs ache, my back's sore, and i can't feel my palms from gripping the reins too tight.
But i don't care.
"One more," I muttered, breath sharp, jaw clenched.
"Aurora, baka gusto mong magpahinga muna."
That was Coach Luis, trying to sound gentle. Useless.
I didn’t even look at him. “I said one more.”
And i did it.
Dressage routine.
Flawless.
Mechanical.
Robotic, almost.
Pero walang spark. Wala akong naramdaman. Not pride. Not satisfaction. Just... a void.
Sunod naman ang jumping.
I tightened the girth, repositioned myself, and gave my horse a small pat. “Let’s go, Atom. Huwag mo kong biguin.”
By the third round, may mga staff na naglalakad palapit.
Pinagpapawisan sila—either from concern or fear. Ewan. Hindi na ‘ko marunong mag-distinguish.
People don’t approach me unless they have to.
“Aurora, sobra na—”
“BACK OFF!” sigaw ko, sabay palo ng crop sa saddle. “Don’t tell me what i can or can’t do.”
Tahimik ang paligid after that.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
I cleared the last jump. Landed hard. And finally, I stopped.
My shoulders dropped.
Pawis na pawis ako.
My lungs were burning.
I slid off the horse and handed the reins to one of the stableboys. Walang salita. Tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa bench, grabbing my water bottle.
I was shaking.
Not just from exhaustion—pero yung kind of shaking na hindi mo ma-explain.
Like something’s coming, and you don’t know what.
Then i heard footsteps.
Steady. Calm. Familiar.
“Let’s eat.”
Si Calix.
Holding a small takeout bag.
Coffee in one hand.
His expression unreadable, as always, pero may konting concern sa mata niya.
“Haven’t you had enough of me screaming at everyone?” I snapped, eyeing him sideways.
He shrugged. “I’m not everyone.”
I rolled my eyes and took the water bottle again, but he placed the coffee beside me. “You’re trembling.”
“Pagod lang,” I said sharply.
But he didn’t move. Instead, umupo siya sa tabi ko, like he had the right.
Like he had earned it.
Silence settled between us, thick and heavy.
Calix leaned back, hands behind his neck. “Y’know, it’s weird seeing you this tired. Parang hindi ka tao dati.”
I shot him a glare.
“Hindi ko sinabing ‘hindi ka tao’ ha,” he added, smirking a little. “Just... indestructible. Now i’m not so sure.”
“I’m still indestructible,” I muttered.
“I don’t think indestructible people cry in their sleep.”
My body stiffened.
Hindi ko siya tinignan.
Hindi ko pinansin.
But that sentence—God—it slashed through me like a blade.
He must’ve noticed.
He sighed and took a sip of his coffee. “Aurora... bakit parang galit ka sa buong mundo?”
I faced him fully now. My tone sharp. “Because the world was never kind to me, Calix.”
He didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
Kasi kahit papaano, naiintindihan niya.
At least now.
“Kumain ka na,” he said after a beat. “Let’s reset your day.”
Reluctantly, I took the sandwich from the bag. Ate in silence.
Calix didn’t leave.
He just sat there, quietly existing beside me like an unexpected constant.
And for some reason... I let him.
After we ate.
Bumalik ako sa training.
Mas controlled na.
Less screaming.
But i was still tense, my spine stiff, every step calculated.
Then it happened.
I saw a new car pull up near the arena gates.
Hindi pamilyar yung plate.
But the way the staff snapped to attention gave it away—VIP.
Someone new.
May bumabang lalaki.
Dressed in all-black. Tall. Composed. Expensive-looking but not flashy.
Coach Luis quickly approached me. “Aurora, this is your new elite coach. He was sent directly by your father.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t need a new coach.”
“He specializes in Olympic-level strategy. For Italy.”
“I said i don’t need—”
Then i looked at the man’s face.
And the world froze.
No. No fucking way.
It was him.
The man who was there.
The man who stood, unbothered, while everything burned.
While Paul screamed.
While i cried for help.
He looked straight at me.
Smiled.
Calm.
Polished.
Professional.
But i saw it.
The monster behind the eyes.
My hand went cold around the reins.
Coach Luis was saying something.
Calix was walking over.
The wind picked up.
But i wasn’t listening.
I couldn’t.
Because the man who shouldn't be here...
Just stepped into my arena.
And i wasn’t ready.