HEMP ROPE

22.

 

"Faster, faster. Second track, you're falling behind. You're gonna clean the pool." 

 

The swimming club president yelled. Passersby had to look at the tall guy with tan skin. With his hair cut short, he was standing by the pool holding a megaphone and an appealing tattoo on his left upper arm.

 

Team Terayu, the current swimming club president, gave his club members the most intense training. He never took it easy on the younger generations. He allowed his club members to go home and rest only at 8.30 p.m.

 

In the locker room.

 

"P' Team is so brutal," the second-year students complained to each other.

"My arms and legs are sore." A second-year student wiped his damp head after a shower.

 

"Such a brutal person. It's unbelievable that P'Pharm is his close friend. P'Pharm is so gentle.

 

"Yeah. Say, do you think he has a lover?"

 

"He's brutal. I don't think so." Someone interjected

 

People froze at this topic. A first-year student overheard them and joined the conversation. Then, they all carried their curiosity to ask the third- and fourth-year seniors.

 

"Phii, phii. Does P' Team have a lover?" One death squad nudged a third-year-old club member. He looked to a fourth-year club member with an equally stunned expression.

 

"Well, he does have a.." The fourth-year senior scratched his head.

 

"Oh? So he does have one." The juniors roared. The third-year and the fourth-year seniors glanced towards the inner locker room, where a conversation came through. He bit his lips and then told the juniors.

 

"Say, when he's talking to...er..that..you guys can tiptoe in and listen. You'll know."

 

With that hint, the kids sneaked around the locker room to overhear a sweet conversation...

 

"Fuck you!!"

The line of kids eavesdropping jumped.

 

"Oi, no! What's wrong with you, Hia? No is no." Hia???

"What face time? I'm at the club." Those last words came out soft.

 

"Yesterday we did." Now, Team was nudging the locker with his foot. Embarrassed??

 

"I know. I'm going on a big summer break this semester. You keep asking, yeah. I'm broke just paying for the flight alone. Food and a place to crash are on you!"

 

Flight? Going??

 

"I told you no face-timing. Man. Hia, you, urgent. Just a minute, ok?"

 

Team opened the locker and put his phone on FaceTime.

[I miss you.]

 

A baritone voice sounded with a sharp face. The hair indicated it was a man, a rocker at that!!

 

"Mhm." A low response.

 

The club president had his back to them; they couldn't see his expression. But judging by the smile of the person on screen, the man couldn't be ordinary. The kids backed up, bulging their eyes at the seniors. They opened their mouths, but no words came out.

 

"Now you guys know. Keep this to yourselves." The third-year senior put a finger on his lips.

 

"He believes no one knows about this. Let him have that until he graduates."

 

A union of heads bobbed up and down before they jumped out of their skin as the president walked out from the corner of the room, looking stern.

 

"What the hell are you guys still doing here? Go home."

The kids looked alarmed, then they scattered about to grab their bags.

 

"See you later then." The kids raised their hands to wave him. Yet their faces bore knowing smiles, making Team frown harder.

 

"What's wrong with them and the shit-eating grin?" He pointed to the arms-in-arms little brats, laughing and giggling while leaving the club. The third and fourth years held back their smiles, responding simultaneously.

 

"Nope. Nothing."

 

Really, it’s nothing!