NOTE

Hello,
Dear Ceans!

The story plot is purely my wide imagination, time, places, and names of the characters.

The story contains boy x boy content, so if this is not your preference, feel free to skip it. I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors, and the story will be updated two times a week, although the exact days are not certain.

This story will include mentions of vulgar language, offensive content,  and other sensitive scenes. I will be providing more warnings if needed to keep everyone informed.

Your concerns is well appreciated.

Thank you!

00

AZRA

“Hands up!”

“Chin down.”

“Come on, jab! Again, jab!”

“Don’t just stand there, move your head, Gomez, tatamaan ka na!”
That’s what I heard from the coach before my punch landed on Gomez, naka-sparring ko.

“Time out nga muna!” sigaw ni coach. I looked at him, he looked so stressed because Gomez’s match is next month—intense training talaga kailangan.

I offered my hand to Gomez so he could lift himself up. “Thanks, bro,” he said and tapped my shoulder.

“Don’t stress out, just calm down,” sabi ko sa kanya, kasi totoo naman. Bumababa ako sa ring atsaka tinawag si coach.

“Coach, may underground match ako mamaya, can you find me a doctor in case someone might get hurt during the match,” I said and drank cold water.

“There are medics there, why would you need one?” he asked, confused. I looked at him and sighed. “Coach, those are underground medics, they don’t have a license. I need a licensed doctor,” I explained. He didn’t question me; wala naman siyang magagawa.

“Fine, I’ll get you one,” he uttered and tapped my shoulder. Umalis ito sa harapan ko at tinawag si Gomez at Bautista.

“Back to training. Gomez, si Bautista kasama mo sa sparring,” he signaled them.

If you’re going to ask me why I needed a licensed doctor, it’s because they are more skilled than underground medics. Di naman ako ang may kailangan nun, I’m just hiring in case it’s needed.

“Bro, a-alis ka na?” tawag sa akin ng isang kasama ko sa gym, si Nico.
“Hmm,” I responded.

“Ang aga naman. Ay oo nga pala, di ba may match ka mamaya? If you win, libre mo kami sa bar,” aya nito sa akin.

“I’m not free. You know I don’t drink because I’m on a diet,” I said to him while organizing my duffle bag. I sighed and looked at him.

Tumingin ito na parang nagpapaawa. “Hey, stop making that face, it’s not cute,” but he didn’t stop, so I agreed.

He smiled at me.

“Da-best ka talaga,” sabi nito, pero iniwanan ko na siya. “Ang maldita talaga,” narinig ko pang sinabi niya.
I waited for my driver to pick me up. Ilang minuto, dumating na rin ito. I opened the door and got inside.

“Sir, good afternoon po,” bati nito sa akin. I didn’t glance at him, just nodded.

I opened my phone and scrolled through my Instagram. While scrolling, a message popped up.

“Make sure to wear presentable clothes. Ayaw ko ng papasok ka sa opisina ko na naka pang-training clothes ka pa.” I sighed and rolled my eyes, then put my phone down.

I placed my arm over my face to cover the light. Ang hassle. Wala naman siyang magagawa kung ganito suot ko. Nang makarating kami sa company ni daddy, agad din akong bumaba. Di na ako nagbihis.

I’m just wearing boxing shorts at nag-hoodie na lang ako para wala na siyang reklamo. Pagpasok ko ay binati ako ng mga employee doon. I greeted them too with a small smile.

Lakad-takbo ako sa loob dahil masasara na ako ng elevator. “Wait!” Di pa ako nakakarating ay nag-close na yung elevator.

I slammed my fist lightly into it. I sighed in frustration and took another elevator. Dumating ako sa top floor kung saan ang opisina niya.

Paglabas ko pa lang ng elevator ay bungad na ang mga tauhan niya, more like his bodyguards.

“That damn, Zhichen is insane,” I said in a low tone. I opened the door and saw him facing the big window—you can see the whole building outside.

What a good sight, I guess. He was smoking.

“I told you to wear presentable clothes, didn’t I?” he spoke up with his hoarse voice.

I sat on the sofa without caring. I lay down and put my arm over my face again. He would just lecture me, so what is the point of listening?

I heard his footsteps, his expensive shoes hitting the black tiles. “Get up, Ezekiel,” he called out, but I didn’t move.

We fell into silence for a while until he spoke again. “Why are you doing this? Do you think your mother would be happy seeing you like this?” he asked.

Kalmado lang siya pero halatang iritado ito. I sighed. “Zhichen, what do you need? If you’re just going to lecture me, I’ll just leave,” I said, then stood up from my seat, looking into his eyes.

He gritted his teeth and looked away. Inilagay niya ang upos ng sigarilyo niya sa ashtray at tumayo. Kumuha siya sa bulsa niya ng panibagong stick at ibinigay ito sa akin.

“I don’t smoke,” I said.

“I know you do,” he said and put his hands in his pockets. I smirked and shook my head lightly.

I put the cigarette between my lips and lit it. “I heard you need a doctor,” sabi nito at tiningnan ako. Umupo ulit ako sa sofa. I spread my legs and leaned back while one of my hands was occupied by the cigarette.

I blew out the smoke. How did he know I needed a doctor? Don’t tell me he paid my coach just for him to know what I’m doing. “I know someone who could help you out,” he said clearly.

“I don’t need your help,” I boredly said and stood up. “I don’t need one. My coach can look for one,” I said before walking to the door.

“Your coach can’t find one, so I found someone for you.” I sighed in frustration. I didn’t argue back. Binayaran niya talaga si coach para lang dito. The fuck is he up to now?

“Rome, bring him here!” he called out. The door opened and I saw a man wearing a lab coat. Parang isang hangin na lang ay liliparin na ito.

Nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. He has almond eyes pero nag-iwas ito kaagad ng tingin. He walked towards my dad.

“This man is a licensed doctor, one of the best doctors. Actually, he is the son of our family doctor,” he introduced the boy, smiling, and gripped the boy’s shoulder.

“Isang hangin na lang sa kanya ay baka liparin na ‘yan. I don’t want him, Zhichen,” I said and walked out of the room.

I’ll look for one myself and no one will be fucking in my way. I called Xiao Yan, my cousin from my father’s side.

“Hello?”

“Xiao Yan, I need a licensed doctor. Find me one today,” I said on the  other line.

Nagsalita ito na parang bagong gising lang. “Who’s that?” I heard someone say.

“I can’t get you one. Zhèlǐ de yīshēng bù wéi dìxià quánjí duì de yīwù rényuán gōngzuò, fǒuzé tāmen huì bèi diàoxiāo zhízhào. (Trans: the doctors here don’t work for the medical staff of underground boxing teams, otherwise their licenses would be revoked.)”

“I’ll pay,” I said, pero di talaga pwede, kaya pinatayan ko na lang siya.

Fuck. I pulled my hair out of annoyance and cursed under my breath. I went back to his office, and there I saw them. My dad looked at me and pulled the doctor.

Nagpatianod naman ito sa akin. He didn’t complain; he looked emotionless. I dragged him into the parking lot.

“Car key,” I said to my driver. He gave it to me. I opened the door and pushed the boy inside.

Before I went to the driver’s seat, “Tell my dad to fuck off. Don’t get into my business. If he does, I’ll kill this doctor, okay?” I said angrily and got into the car.

Pagkapasok ko ay sinuntok ko yung manibela kaya ito bumusina. “Fuck, fuck,” I blurted out, letting out my anger. Mabibigat ang mga paghinga ko dahil sa galit. I looked at my side and saw the boy looking straight ahead.

Wala itong ka-emosyon-emosyon sa mukha. I chuckled. My dad is insane, and this one too. “How much did he pay you?” I asked calmly. He looked at me and didn’t speak.

I scoffed. I grabbed his collar and looked him straight in the eye. He didn’t blink, nakatingin lang ito sa akin na para bang sanay na sanay na siya.

“I’ll pay you triple for what he paid you, but you will get me a doctor,” I said, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he held my fist at dahan-dahan niya itong tinanggal sa damit niya.

“If I were you, Azra, I wouldn’t do that,” he said calmly. The way he sounded was intimidating, but I was not moved.

Inayos niya ang damit niya. He sighed. “I never knew that his youngest son is such a hot-headed person,” dagdag nito. “I wouldn’t betray my boss just for you.”

I scoffed. “I bet you are one of his toys, aren’t you? Always on his bed, giving him pleasure,” I said, provoking him.

He smirked. He tapped my cheeks with his slender finger. “Azra, don’t say things you don’t know, okay?” he said and smiled sweetly, but his eyes still had something in them.

“Fine, since you won’t back away, I will let you know what kind of life awaits you in the field you have chosen to pursue.”

I looked at his eyes. I can’t read them, maybe because they hold many emotions. Nang makarating kami sa isang abandonadong warehouse, bumaba kaagad ako. Kinuha ko ang duffle bag ko sa likod ng kotse.

The guy stayed silent and just looked around, hawak nito ang bag, maybe his medical kit. “Follow me,” sabi ko at naglakad papasok. Pinatingin ko sa guard yung ID ko. Nung turn na nung lalaki ay hinarang ito.

“He is a doctor. He was hired because of me,” I uttered, at nagpatuloy ako sa paglakad. I could already hear the noise of the crowd.

In this underground boxing, you won’t survive unless you are strong enough. Some boxers here need banned drugs to survive; they only use it for surviving strong opponents.

But I don’t do that shit. I may be insane, but I wouldn’t use it. I’m not saying I’m strong, but I have survived many matches without using those drugs.

I entered my room and sat down on the bed. I took off my hoodie along with my t-shirt, leaving me shirtless.
I looked at the guy and stood up. I grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room. “Look for Reon.”

I slammed the door in front of him. He’ll be fine outside, I guess. Kapag may nangyari sa kanya, di ko na kasalanan. Kinuha ko yung hand wraps para ibalot sa kamao ko.

I’m a Muay Thai fighter here—dito walang boxing gloves, hand wraps lang. I drank my water and sighed.

Nabaling ang atensyon ko nang may kumatok sa pintuan ng kwarto. Binuksan ko ang pinto at bungad ang mukha ni Nico.

“Damn, bro, akala ko di ka na pupunta. Dito ka na pala. Last round na—ikaw na next, kaya bilisan mo,” sabi nito sa akin at pinagmamadali ako.

“I saw your opponent,” he smiled. “It’s Somchai, big as fuck, but narak.” Itinulak ko ito at lumabas ng kwarto.

“You better win, you will treat us, right?” he said, bugging me more.

“Kapag di ka nanahimik, sa’yo tatama kamao ko.” He zipped his mouth and lowered his head.

Nang nakarating kami sa may ring, there were many people betting who was going to win. Masasabi ko na di lang mga elite ang andito—every status is here.

The only light that was on ay yung nasa taas ng ring. Small light, at yung loob ng ring ay puro bakal na lang—fence.

Kapag mataas ang status mo, ay sa glass window ka nakatingin. You can see the crowd from here, pero kapag lower status ka lang, nakapaligid ka lang sa ring—meaning ikaw pa mag-a-adjust para makita yung mga boxers.

I looked around and saw the boy in the corner, not far from the crowd. His eyes locked into mine, pero ako na ang umiwas. Kapag nagtatama ang paningin naming dalawa, naiinis ako.

“Now for the last match—this is what we are waiting for!” the guy wearing a black shirt shouted. The crowd went wild even more.

“Are you ready? From the left corner—Somchai the fighter!” the guy announced. The crowd once again went wild.

“And for the right corner of the ring—Elite Alpas, known as E.A!”

The crowd went wild once again. Tinaas ko ang dalawa kong kamay. I heard the crowd bet more. This is what I really like.

Medyo OA talaga si Nico, di naman pala ganun kalaki eh—kasing tangkad ko lang naman.

Pumagitna sa amin yung lalaki. “No rounds. Until one of you is down will be the end of the match. Understood?” the guy said, and we nodded.

“If you want, touch gloves muna.”
We both did it. After that, I adjusted my position—one foot slightly forward, hips slightly sideways. My hands were raised, lead hand for block and jab, and rear hand for defense and power punch. My chin was down and my elbows were close to my body.

“Fight!”

For a moment, ni-isa sa amin ay wala pang gumagalaw until I initiated. I slowly tested the distance—left foot, then right foot.

We were still circling around. My guard was up and my elbows were still close to my ribs.

My shoulder twitched a bit, until Somchai was the one to react. He kept his guard up.

Jab.

Jab.

Jab.

My fists met his guard. I stepped out.
Step. Pivot. Step.

He put his left arm down to protect his sides—that’s a good defense, but it shifted.

His punch came to my face when I let my guard down. His punch was strong—I felt my cheek bleed from it.

“Hoy, tarantado ka! Wag mo ibaba yang depensa mo!” rinig kong sigaw ni Nico. I heard the crowd being loud once again.

“Matatalo pa yata!”

Fuck, I need to end this match once and for all. Nababadtrip na ako. I closed my eyes.

“Magseryoso ka. Di ako nakikipaglaro sa’yo.” That’s what Somchai said, and it lit a fire inside me.

Nagtangal ang laban—maybe it’s been an hour now. Somchai’s face was now busted—namamaga ang mata, lips were cut, and now his forehead was bleeding.

Heavy breaths were all I could hear, not the crowd. I looked around and saw the guy—arms crossed, watching us, clearly not amazed by it.

I fell down when Somchai hit me in the face with a punch. Tangina, na-distract ako.

Clean hit.

I stood up and adjusted my position once again. We circled again until I cornered him—the gap was too close.
I backed away when he was ready and let one kick land on my stomach.
We circled out again. I could feel my ear bleeding.

“Hoy, Azra, taena mo! Wag ka papatalo!” Nico shouted.

Ingay.

When the gap wasn’t close, I started to think of a strategy. Alam ko na ang gusto niyang gawin. He wants me to come to him.

It’s a bait.

Not until Somchai stepped forward and landed a punch—but I avoided it. One punch—avoided it again. Not until I used my left hand to stick a punch on his left stomach, where the liver was.

Bumagsak ito sa sahig, his hands clutching his stomach. Masakit talaga kapag diyan ka tinamaan.

“E.A!”

“E.A!”

“E.A!”

I put my hands up and smiled in victory. The crowd went wild. I kissed my fist and raised it once again.

My sweat was dripping down my body and hair—na para bang naliligo ako sa sarili kong pawis.

I smiled. Kitang-kita sa paligid na yung iba ay disappointed na talo sila. I couldn’t care less—they bet on the wrong person.

“Azra, sobrang galing mo!” sigaw ni Nico at niyakap ako. “Fuck, bro.”
I complained and pushed him away.

“Medic!” sigaw nung lalaki. I saw the boy run towards Somchai. I looked at them—he wore his gloves and checked his pulse.

He checked his wounds also. He is skilled. I shouldn’t have underestimated him, because he moved so fast that in less than a few minutes, he was able to stop Somchai’s bleeding head.

Tinalikuran ko sila at umalis. Sumunod naman sa akin si Nico. Habang naglalakad kami, nakita ko si Loren. Loren is one of the underground medics.

“Loren,” I called out. She walked towards me. “Are you gonna die?” she asked sarcastically. I chuckled.

“I might die if you don’t treat me right now. I lost so much blood, you know,” I muttered jokingly.

“Wow, I don’t think you will die just from that,” she said, then led me to my room. She grabbed her medical bag and started cleaning my wounds.

She treated my bleeding ear and my forehead completely. I must say, she is beautiful, and I’m into her.

“Stop looking at me like that. I won’t fall for you—unless you are a girl,” she said and bandaged my left arm.
After she’s done, “You can send the money later. Don’t get into a match again for three months. Magpagaling ka muna bago mo gamitin yang katawan mo sa kalokohan.”

Lumabas ito ng kwarto after niya yun sabihin. Umiling naman ako—aayain ko sana kumain sa labas. Narinig kong humahagikgik sa gilid ko si Nico.

“Got dumped again by Loren?” he laughed. Napayuko pa ito kakatawa. I grabbed his ear and made him stand.

“A-aray ko, Azra,” reklamo nito at pilit na tinatanggal ang kamay ko.
“Promise, di na ako mang-aasar.” Nang sinabi niya ‘yon, mas lalo ko lang hinila ang tenga niya.

“Peksman, mamatay man, promise. Inaalay ko na love life ko dito,” pangako nito, kaya binitawan ko na siya.

“Muntik pa ako mawalan ng tenga,” sabi nito sa akin at sinamaan ako ng tingin.

Inambahan ko pa ito, kaso siya na ang umatras. Tinanggal ko ang balot sa kamay ko at inihagis ‘yon kung saan man.

I placed both my hands on either side of where I was sitting. I lifted my head and closed my eyes. The physical pain I was feeling was like it didn’t really exist to me—maybe because I’m used to it. I blew a harsh breath before opening my eyes.

Lumingon ako sa pintuan at pumasok si Dylan, may dala itong sobre. “Your prize,” sabay abot sa akin ng sobre. Inilagay ko lang ito sa gilid ko, pero pinakialaman ni Nico. Di ko na lang pinansin.

Dylan leaned against the wall and took out a pack of cigarettes. He threw it at me along with the lighter.

I placed one stick between my lips and lit it up. I spoke while it was still in my mouth.

“How is he?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” he asked confusedly while smoke was coming out of his mouth.

Di ko siya sinagot at sinuot ang hoodie ko. “Ah, you mean Somchai. The new doctor is taking care of him,” he uttered.

Di ako sumagot at nanatiling tahimik. “By the way, why did you hire him? Imposible naman na di mo alam bakit ka nag-hire, hindi ba? Atsaka I don’t think na nakuha mo lang ‘yan kung saan,” he asked curiously.

Bakit nga ba? Reason ko lang ba talaga is kailangan ko at kailangan ng iba? I don’t think so.

—